Tolkien's Legendarium | Mythology Behind "The Lord of the Rings"

"The Lord of the Rings", "The Hobbit", and other tales from Middle-Earth have excited the imaginations of readers and dreamers for generations, all penned by renowned author and scholar J.R.R. Tolkien, who grew up on fanciful tales of myth and legend, and later became a professor on subjects of philology, literature and folklore. With his extensive background, Tolkien included many elements of mythology and folklore in his Middle-Earth saga. From Norse, Greek, and Celtic mythology, to Arthurian Legend, to Biblical scripture. Heroes, villains, monsters, gods, elementals, magic rings, mystical swords, epic quests, all found within Middle-Earth and influenced by the stories of mythology. This program will discuss many of the mythical influences behind "The Lord of the Rings"!
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MYTHOLOGY HAS BEEN TOLD AND RETOLD IN MANY FORMS ACROSS TIME, STORIES AND ACCOUNTS MAY VARY.
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Kimberly Anne Inc.
MUSIC:
"The Shire theme" cover by GeekMusic
"Stairway to Heaven" cover by Early Style
"Once Upon a Time" by Brandon & Derek Fiechter
"The Silmarillion" by Nico Lujan
"Enathar"
"The Sending"
"Victory or Death" by Adrian von Ziegler
CLIPS:
Drone footage of New Zealand
Stock footage of magic ring
OPENING:
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ARTISTS FEATURED:
John Howe
Alan Lee
Aronja Art
Ted Nasmith
Greg Hildebrandt
John Murray
Anato Finnstark
Donato Giancola
Spartank42 art
Catherine Chmiel
Bohemian Weasel
Cliff Cramp
Laietano art
Artico Luminos
Eoweniel art
Joujeen art
Sary Etta
Angus McBride
Ralph Damiani
Aesthetica art
REFERENCES:
Carpenter, Humphrey, and Christopher Tolkien. "The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien". Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2000.
Flieger, Verlyn. "Frodo and Aragorn: The Concept of the Hero." Green Suns and Faërie: Essays on J.R.R. Tolkien, Kent State University Press, 2012, pp. 122-140.
Foster, Robert. "The Complete Guide to Middle-earth". Del Rey Books, 1978.
Garth, John. "Tolkien and the Great War: The Threshold of Middle-Earth". HarperCollins, 2003.
Isaacs, Neil D., and Rose A. Zimbardo. "Tolkien and the Critics: Essays on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings". University of Notre Dame Press, 1968.
Chance, Jane, editor. "Tolkien the Medievalist". Routledge, 2003.
Kristjánsson, Kristján. "Eddas and Sagas: Iceland's Medieval Literature". Hið íslenska bókmenntafélag, 2007.
Larrington, Carolyne. "The Norse Myths: A Guide to the Gods and Heroes". Thames and Hudson, 1996.
Lee, Stuart D. "A Companion to J.R.R. Tolkien". John Wiley & Sons, 2022.
Mathews, Richard. "Fantasy: The Liberation of Imagination". Routledge, 2002.
McDonough, James P. "Exploring J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit". Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012.
O'Donoghue, Heather. "From Asgard to Valhalla". I.B. Tauris, 2009.
Rateliff, John D. "The History of the Hobbit". HarperCollins, 2011.
Rhys, John. "Celtic Folklore: Welsh and Manx". Wildside Press LLC, 1901.
Shippey, Tom. "J.R.R. Tolkien Author of the Century". Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2002.
Sullivan, C W. "Norse Mythology" Wilkes University, 2019.
Jarvinen, Irma P. "The Mythic Fantasy of Tolkien and Taoism." Mythlore, vol. 21, no. 2, 1996, pp. 147-152.
Gunnell, Terry. "Tívar in a Timeless Land: Tolkien's Elves." Tolkien Studies, vol. 7, no. 1, 2010, pp. 69-83.
Flieger, Verlyn. "Frodo and Aragorn: The Concept of the Hero." Tolkien: New Critical Perspectives, edited by Neil D. Isaacs and Rose A. Zimbardo, University Press of Kentucky, 2015.
Burns, Marjorie. Perilous Realms: Celtic and Norse in Tolkien's Middle-Earth. University of Toronto Press, 2005.
"The Surprising Ancient Roots of The Lord of the Rings", BBC.com
"An Encyclopedia of Tolkien", David Day
"The Roots of Slavic Magic Book 1: Slavic Deities and Their Worship", Patricia Robin Woodruff
If we used your artwork please let us know so we can give proper credit!

[@yolman25]

I like that you not only focused on the creatures but also in Tolkien's background story. One of your best episodes so far.

[@MythologyUnleashed]

Thank you!! Yeah we felt that it was vital to discuss the man behind the legendarium, helps us better to understand the stories and characters!

[@rogueascendant6611]

@@MythologyUnleashed thank you for this! it made me forgot the harsh words for those who dislike and criticism of the wonderful world of Middle Earth

[@merlapittman5034]

One of the best episodes ever, if not THE best! I can't even remember how many times I've read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. I really like the way you incorporated both the myths that Tolkien drew inspiration from and his background and training. He was a remarkable person who created one of the best mythical realms ever created

[@ambarrose]

You surprised me with this one. I wasn't expecting you to do a video on Tolkien's work. This was one heck of a dive. And you even started and finished with quotes and key words. This may very well be one of your masterpieces. Thank you so much for your work.

[@SilverWolfMage]

This was INCREDABLE! I needed this after getting home from my shift at work. To know that Tolkien was inspired by so much mythology, especially Norse, it just goes to show that almost anything and everything can be a start of something grand. I personally would like to know more myth's and the like, that had a big influence on fiction and such. This reminds me of a book I never finished reading. It's called: Norse Myths That Inspired Final Fantasy VII, by M.J. Gallagher. I NEED to go back and read it. Thank you for this video, and for all the hard work put into it like you do for all your videos. Looking forward to the next video!

[@nicholasjones7881]

Great episode. Can't wait for the "Hero's Journey." Sounds like a great time

[@sarahhurst701]

Wonderful! Brilliantly done!👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️

[@ronaldmccomb8301]

Nice video. I liked the rendition of Stairway to Heaven during the Aragorn/Arthur segment.

[@MythologyUnleashed]

Fun fact! It's long been theorized that Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" was inspired by The Lord of the Rings, and the "lady" they sing of is actually Galadriel!

[@ronaldmccomb8301]

@@MythologyUnleashed I have heard that as well. Still, cool video.

[@SongoftheLute]

Such a wonderful episode of mythology. I really enjoyed watching this. There is nothing like Lord of the Rings.

[@DaughterofAnubis]

It’s just what I never imagined! Last year, my siblings named the twin puppies that I currently have Aragorn and Legolas! Every day, these two Belgian malamutes reminded me so much of them.

[@kiravampira1456]

Wishing them both the best life possible🌙 I'm sure the characters would love to see them. Also, their silver fur would look spectacular near Legolas' snowy hair 🤍

[@DaughterofAnubis]

@@kiravampira1456 Oh absolutely.

[@kiravampira1456]

@DaughterofAnubis I accidentally confused them with Alaskan malamutes (they are the silver-haired ones). The Belgian malamutes' colour is much closer to Aragorn's hair :)

[@DaughterofAnubis]

@@kiravampira1456 You’re fine. But the names count for me. On the day when my two dogs were introduced to me and my family, we were watching the Lord of the Rings and my two younger sisters decided to name the two pups after the two members of the fellowship of the ring characters.

[@charlotteillustration5778]

Truly marvellous telling of Tolkien and the world he created from the tales of history and myth - thank you!

[@kiravampira1456]

It seems that most worldwide famous pieces have a seemingly forgotten mythology or legend as the main source of inspiration. Makes me wonder how many pieces are still waiting to be discovered...

[@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y]

Most myths have a common root.

[@kiravampira1456]

^ Which would be, most likely, the fear and fascination for the unknown.

[@MythologyUnleashed]

@@kiravampira1456 we actually discussed that in our episode "The Great Unknown"!

[@kiravampira1456]

@MythologyUnleashed Just watched it. It's amazing how well-made your videos were, even 3 years ago. By far the best mythology channel and one of the best channels on KZbin.

[@rogueascendant6611]

Do you think this surge of inspiration that Tolkien felt at that particular day was a touched by Eru Illuvatar?

[@emperortimeo6467]

I don’t know why I never knew of Lord of the Rings as a kid, but checking out the movies less than 2 years ago convinced me this is one of the best stories ever told

[@JJtvee]

I'm so happy I want to cry!!! Thank you for this!!!!!

[@ahandsomefridge]

Oh man, the hours you could fill on this subject (as many of the channels I subscribe to do) :D Good stuff, love it

[@michaeldeak5727]

I would definitely like to see a similar episode talking about the vampire myths that inspired Dracula.

[@MythologyUnleashed]

We're planning on doing that as our Halloween episode this year!

[@michaeldeak5727]

@@MythologyUnleashed Excellent! Your Halloween episodes always have great stuff in them!

[@jamietrites6696]

@@MythologyUnleashed do the two witnesses next

[@JohnJackson-hv8it]

Fantastic work!

[@kristabistaify]

This, as usual, is SO EXCELLENTLY DONE!!!! even i had some memories refreshed and learned.BRAVO!

[@nikniksi11]

For sure, Tom Bombadil is my favorite minor charachter in LOTR and Thorin in The Hobbit books and movies

[@dragowolfraven3806]

Nice. I love the Lord of the Rings & the Hobbit.

[@LacertaZilla2024]

legendarium bring these story book monsters to life

[@jimglass3106]

Just realized why the background music sounded strangely familiar. It makes me wonder....

[@PukusKLB]

Loved this episode!

[@skyden24195]

I have a couple of inquiries about aspects of the Middle-Earth saga(s) that perhaps Mythology Unleashed or another knowledged viewer might be able to answer to some capacity. As well. I know of a bit of extra ancient mythology derived influence for Tolkien's story ology. (Fyi, I've read "The Hobbit," however most of what I know of "The Lord of the Rings" is from the information limited films, hence what I'm asking of may have been book-answered but not film-answered.) First the questions: I've always considered Sam to be, probably, the most resistant to the ring's influence considering how close to it Sam always was, who even took the ring upon himself when he had to rescue Frodo from the gateway spider-guard but rather easily returned the ring to Frodo. As well, Sam didn't take the ring from the weakened Frodo when they reached Mordor, instead Sam chose to carry Frodo up the mountain. What was the weakest Sam had ever become against the ring's influence? (Especially if he's not considered the most resistant to the ring's power.) Second question: The trope of (typically) miners digging too deep and awakening some evil. This trope is seen, obviously, with the Balrog in "The Lord of the Rings," but it also shows up in other (mostly) contemporary stories such as "Reign of Fire" (film), the Marvel Comics' adaptation story of the Disney Parks' attraction, "Thunder Mountain," and even in an episode of the Disney produced animation series, "Star Wars: Resistance" (season 2, episode 6: "From Beneath"). Are there older versions of this trope in pre-Industrial Revolution age stories/myths, or is the trope more of the influence from relatively recent and, unfortunately, numerous stories of underground mining disasters from (mostly) the 19th and 20th centuries? Thank you for any information that can be provided. Now I just want to give some further background to the theme of heroes eventually being carried "Into the West." As stated, this idea is parallel to the final destination of King Arthur, but what is mostly not known by the populous is that the Arthurian legend gets a lot of its influence from Irish-Celtic mythology/lore, in particular with the Tuatha De Danann who represented order, creation, and prosperity, in their conflict with the Fomorians who represent chaos and destruction, (a lot of Tolkien's epic is influenced by aspects of this mythical conflict as well.) After the Fomorians are defeated, the remaining Tuatha De Danann retreat into the realms beneath the ground and the seas to become the fairy-folk of superstition and the like. The Tuatha retreat due to the rise of a new age of beings who were rapidly spreading across the lands: humans. Last bit, a lil' fyi: the Fomorian King, Balor of the Evil Eye (possible inspiration for the Sauron-Eye,) was defeated by his grandson, Lugh, who was half-Fomorian and half-Tuatha De Danann. Apologies for the comment being a bit lengthy, but I had to get all of that out after watching this great video. 😏

[@parveezsaligh9248]

story telling at its best 😎

[@ryanbaka5072]

The reason why I posted that comment about "The Kalevala" in the "Beowulf" episode, is because Tolkien actually read it while also learning Finnish, which later served as a source of inspiration for his Legendarium and for the Elvish language.

[@thomasschmidt1836]

@nerdoftherings this is an interesting perspective of a world you are very familiar with. Perhaps you may find it entertaining and maybe even enlightening

[@sharkchaos5160]

I loved this video.

[@JasonSpreyer]

My precious

[@MohammadAhmad-e5w]

Can you do a video on amaru dragon

[@patrickbrumm4120]

instead of writing on a blank piece of student's paper "In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit" but instead had quoted Gollum "You have no friends Nobody love you" how would the story unfold?

[@Late_not_on_time]

He was also influenced by the ring cycle for sure

[@avacornthelastponybender8583]

My only fault with Tolkien's world building is the generic name of the heroes destination This is a land with fantastical names like Rivendell, Mirkwood, Moria, Isengard, Gondor, Mordor & more....the final destination is MOUNT DOOM?!

[@queenberuthiel5469]

Mount Doom is also known as Orodruin or Amon Amarth.

[@avacornthelastponybender8583]

@@queenberuthiel5469 That just farther proves my point If it has not one, but TWO name that sound cooler & fit in better with your universe, why not use them??

[@queenberuthiel5469]

@@avacornthelastponybender8583 " ‘There is only one way: to find the Cracks of Doom in the depths of Orodruin, the Fire-mountain, and cast the Ring in there, if you really wish to destroy it, to put it beyond the grasp of the Enemy for ever.’ " - Gandalf (page 61, The Fellowship of the Ring) " I beheld the last combat on the slopes of Orodruin, where Gil-galad died, and Elendil fell, and Narsil broke..." - Lord Elrond (page 243, The Fellowship of the Ring) Orodruin and Amon Amarth are both Sindarin or Elvish names for Mount Doom. The name "Mount Doom" was used more often maybe because it's the literal name of the place in common speech which men and hobbits use. Lord Elrond and Gandalf may call it any elvish name that they want but the men and hobbits prefer to call it Mount Doom. 😂😂 Other beautiful names that Tolkien created (in my opinion) are: (Places) Gondolin, Numenor, Valinor, Doriath, Beleriand, Rhovanion, Hithaeglir, Esgaroth, Imladris (aka Rivendell), Helcaraxë and more.

[@andrewlebo9301]

Can you do superhero or science fiction mythologu like marvel or dc or star wars?🦸‍♂️🚀🛸

[@andrewlebo9301]

Superheroes are myth and fiction too

[@andrewlebo9301]

Even superheroes are considered myth and fiction

[@andrewlebo9301]

Even sci fi

[@WTigress666]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@garymalone547]

Not sure creating the ring of power himself gave Sauron more power. I'll let myself out.

[@frederikahle4456]

If you continue this, please do One Piece 😁

[@joseontiveros8859]

The demon of the shadows looks like nosferatu zodd the immortal? And the rest of the mercanery called him the god of war?

[@alicerivierre]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@och70]

LoTR Galadriel > RoP Guy-ladriel.

[@scottmacdougall5917]

So awesome that the Tolkien's work has been covered as it was more like, Mythology & not fantasy. As the fantasy genre grew from Tolkien's world building.

[@zatchbell5678]

That ending line was brilliant lol

[@AlexandriaCasey]

Excellent episode! The connections between the mythologies of the world and the way they influence one another are well done, and it would be great to see more!

[@superginrai8036]

So far, I’m considering this the leading candidate for your magnum opus. Thank you for this great video.

[@Eye_Exist]

I would love to see Tolkien's face seeing of all the things how much his literature inspired black metal musicians :D needless to say the man is the father of all modern fantasy writing. truly inspiring.

[@kiravampira1456]

It appears it's all interconnected - Christopher Lee, the only cast member who got to meet Tolkien, has been once part of a Metal band :)

[@beaudoty3465]

Please make a video talking about the myths that inspired robots. 🤖

[@Caspar67]

Robots came from a polish word meaning slavery I believe

[@RichardSeebald]

Do Bram Stoker’s Dracula next Or maybe do Game of Thrones, Pinocchio, or the Wizard of Oz

[@austinroachnichiporowich1679]

Tolkien legends are good.

[@FoxKingjm]

I hope you do the Chronicles of Narnia next

[@Duelinator]

This explains a lot of why the Tolkien Tales were so great

[@kayla_eevee]

Excellent video but just a small note. The "Eye of Sauron" is largely metaphorical in Tolkien's Legendarium. It does, to a certain extent, have a visible presence atop Barad-dûr. Frodo sees it in the Mirror of Galadriel, although this too may have been symbolic, and again while traversing Gorgoroth to reach Mount Doom but for the most part, it's meant to be a symbolic representation of Sauron's quasi-omniscience along the same lines as the White Hand of Saruman. Sauron's physical form was indeed destroyed when Isildur cut the ring from his finger but by the year 1050 of the Third Age, he had regained enough of a corporeal presence to occupy Dol Guldur under the guise of the Necromancer. It's not exactly clear but Gollum also saw Sauron in at least a somewhat humanoid form when he was a captive in Mordor. He recounts there being "only four [fingers] on the Black Hand, but they are enough," implying that Sauron may have personally tortured him.

[@robertrichnavsky6714]

Nice job!

[@darrenmeservia5578]

My first episode. I'm hooked!

[@-RONNIE]

Thanks for the video

[@DrKarmo]

You should do actual videos on the Legendarium like Beren and Luthien and the Children of Hurin

[@MythologyUnleashed]

That would be cool, but we feel we could never quite match up to @nerdoftherings !

[@DrKarmo]

@@MythologyUnleashed you don't need to! Just as you've told about Beowulf and Saint George, you have your own style which is much appreciated! You may also attract new audiences, us Tolkien fans love hearing about the same stories, from different mouths trust me! (You could also talk about The Hobbit cuz if it gets shortened well enough, it reads just like a classic mythology tale)

[@havesomeculture]

He’s not tall, mr. Mythology - Gandalf is described in the books as shorter in stature than both Elruond and Glofindel!

[@princeoffreaks203]

I know this may not be the right place to ask and it might be a little late because it's now June, but can the next video be about the LGBTQ's portrayal in mythology, please? Especially Greek since they seem to have the most of it.🏳️‍🌈

[@MythologyUnleashed]

We can't promise an episode dedicated to that this month, as this month's episodes have already been chosen and made up. That's said, we can work on an episode about this subject at a later time, it's not a bad idea!