What is the Afterlife in Tolkien's Works? Middle-earth Explained

[@johnHaris]

PIPPIN: I didn't think it would end this way. GANDALF: End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it. PIPPIN: What? Gandalf? See what? GANDALF: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise. PIPPIN: Well, that isn't so bad. GANDALF: No. No, it isn't.

[@RazthorFodring]

he was describing the shores of Aman

[@KenDelloSandro7565]

Paradiso

[@Sofus.]

I would like to see it a little more abstract, in the context of Tolkien's own Works. who lives a thousand lives, in new fantasy stories with Men of the West as part of the weave.

[@grazareth]

I do think in the context of the movie it's an awesome scene, but nevertheless it always bugged me. Gandalf says "we all must die"? Bitch, no you don't. Whatever happened exactly to Gandalf the Grey may be called "dying" (since I believe he returned even to outside of Arda, being sent back by Iluvatar himself), but he doesn't experience death like men and we are explicitly told, that even the Valar do not know where the spirits of men go after death.

[@JeanLucCaptain]

Me: what was did you think it would end?😂

[@AshenDruid]

I hope when Galadriel got back to to the West she was able to talk to Feanor, and told him how a humble Dwarf earned the gift of three strands of her hair

[@hannah.lindseyy]

But feanor died....

[@paulraines9635]

@@hannah.lindseyy He's curled up in fetal position in the Halls of Mandos.

[@Gobblinpiss]

He actually is crying like a big fat baby right now. He got hooked on parliment cigarettes as well

[@diegonatan6301]

He is in the halls of Mandos until the end of the World.

[@phoenixmilburn8759]

You know he never talked to Gimli when him and Legolas showed up in the west

[@paulwagner688]

So Tolkien takes great pains to point out that Elves and even the Valar will eventually grow weary of the immortality of their continuing existence and become jealous of the Gift of Men. For gift it originally was. This was why Melkor left Angband as soon as he heard of the awakening of Men. His greatest victory, incomplete though it was, was tainting the gift so that men have ever feared death and have clung to life instead of willingly departing when the time came. Remember when the Edain first arrived in Numenor, the kings died by choice, not by the physical end of life. Aragorn was the last to die in that way, willingly departing. This was why he counseled Arwen not to fail the last test and cling to life until the bitter end.

[@unlimitedperseverance1706]

awesome comment.

[@purpleeyeseverywhere5889]

aragon is the greatest hero of anything ever

[@MenezPaul]

Quite insightful, Master Vagner

[@Badboyben1422]

Love your comment bro, though I don't think dying by choice is what you think it is. They still die from old age as do all mortal beings. It's just that Men who do not fear death accept it were as other Men tried anything they could to cling to life.

[@paulwagner688]

Read Unfinished Tales. It talks about the Kings willingly giving up life before dotage. Yes, they were still old, but they had the choice to either go, or stay and drop into dotage.

[@shadowstar6841]

This channel has been the jewel of KZbin It is a place of light, beauty and music, and so shall be once again Let the armies of the mundane know this: never again will this channel fall into dispair This channel of the West has been viewed FOR GONDOR!

[@MenoftheWest]

FOR GONDOR! This comment nearly brought tears to my eyes haha. Thank you so much for the support!

[@shadowstar6841]

@@MenoftheWest continue to bring to us the amazing world of Tolkien You're friends are with Men of the West

[@CatsArtist]

@@MenoftheWest Ha. I actually had the same reaction.

[@Lee_Lee1776]

You're the Aragon of KZbin.! Keep up the good work.

[@SirRavix]

FOR GONDOR!!

[@heliopolitan444]

I know I'm late but here's my thoughts: JRRT was a Catholic, and a devout one at that. In Christianity, it's believed that once the saved die, they depart from the whole Universe and live with the Living God in His abode, in supreme bliss and love for all timeless eternity. I truly believe that's what he meant to happen to Men. Why no one knew what happened to Men after the died? Well that's cuz everyone on Arda, except Men, were bound to Arda. They only knew what was going on and what would happen to Arda because they were, imo, woven into the very existence of Arda/Ëa. Outside their knowing of Creation, they were clueless to know what happened. I agree with you, Men pass beyond the bounds of Ëa, and into Eru's presence. And that's what makes them so special. They et to rejoin Eru and (thru Christan theology) be at One with him.

[@berilsevvalbekret772]

Let's not overglorify men here eh? All children of Eluvutar will sing the second creation song.

[@berno8535]

@@berilsevvalbekret772 Of course, but he has a point. Men have the most special fates when it came to the LOTR universe and are favored in a special, unique way compared to other beings.

[@c.antoniojohnson7114]

That's probably what the doors of light are,the Gateway to Paradise for men.

[@MenoftheWest]

Hey everyone, here are timestamps for the different kindreds and their afterlives! Enjoy! I. Intro: 0:00- 0:56 II. Ainur (Valar and Maiar): 0:56- 2:27 III. Elves: 2:27- 3:59 IV. Men/Hobbits: 3:59- 6:21 V. Half-elves: 6:21- 7:18 VI. Dwarves: 7:18- 7:50 VII. Miscellaneous Free-Peoples: 7:50- 8:33 VIII. Miscellaneous Villains: 8:33- 10:02 IX. Outro: 10:02- 11:17

[@JeanLucCaptain]

Can you do an Epic character Bio of Sauron to go with Melkors. The giver of gifts has a much longer history after all. Also these vids are an absolute JOY on the eyes.

[@Danny-ru7uf]

Men of the West can you please do a video on High Fells of Rhudaur

[@spencerthefrankenstein8291]

What if the dragons gotten souls?

[@JeanLucCaptain]

if heaven is half as beautiful as the art in this video I would be totally satisfied!

[@jakobbargh6151]

Everything you know about this, Is it all from the book silmarillion, you are so good l love to listen at you

[@eoinclarke9605]

Knowing that there is an afterlife in lord of the rings actually makes me feel comfort when reading and watching

[@JJMomoida]

I remember my curiosity was piqued when first reading The Silmarillion and finding that Men were special in a mysterious way. Although they lacked the lifespan and perhaps certain abilities the elves had, they were to have a great role to play in Illuvatar's music.

[@ObsidianAngiris]

Never thought I'd say this but you're wrong for once, Morgoth was cast out yes but he was still bound to Arda regardless as is all Valar and they can only die once Arda is destroyed because they have placed part of themselves into Arda just as Sauron did with his ring. In Dagor Dagorath Arda will be destroyed and that will be the only time the Valar and more importantly Melkor can be killed. Eru will then sing a new theme and create a better world Greatly enjoy your videos btw

[@lmatt88]

You mean Eru's children along with the Valar and Maiar will cease to exist?

[@HH-xk8xw]

@@lmatt88 Eru's children will join in the song of the music for the new world :)

[@jonp3890]

@@lmatt88 It’s just a beautiful song, meant to reflect the truth. Nothing more.

[@CatsArtist]

I vote yes for the Build a World video that you suggested. I am grateful you put out content to this day on the dearest fantasy mythos to me.

[@Hulksterx]

Listing to this while waiting for the Blood moon. Thank you for these videos.

[@queefburglar7548]

Yes! Please talk about Tolkien’s thematic use of death. I would love that. Great video!

[@curtislangford3181]

I don't imagine that creature's that served Melkor out of torment like the orcs should be resigned to join Melkor beyond the doors of night!

[@thenethralking6032]

When it comes to the evil servants, I guess my hope is that their spirits are indeed purified. Their lives were evil because of the suffering of darkness upon them and that is why I hope they can potentially find peace in death, away from Morgoth and his vile.

[@kevinpotts123]

Well in The Simarillion, Eru Illuvitar said, or at least inferred, that their discord in the music was all part of the greater plan.

[@kevinpotts123]

@Mobley House Video the debate of free will versus determinism is older than western philosophy. We could literally debate for hours and change no one's mind.

[@scottleary8468]

@Mobley House Video I choose to simply "live with the paradox." Our choices are both free and at the same time predetermined. These two ideas seem contradictory but are actually compatible (at least in the mind of an all knowing God).

[@ahmedst5735]

@@scottleary8468 what about saurmen he never even encountered the ring and he choose to become evil

[@scottleary8468]

@@ahmedst5735 l think one must understand what the Ring of Power symbolizes in Tolkien's works. It is symbolic of a specific type of evil and a specific type of temptation to evil. Evil existed in the world of Middle Earth long before the creation of the Ring of Power. There are several "falls" in Tolkien's world before the existence of the Ring of Power. The first "fall" was that of Melkor which happened long before the creation of the Ring of Power. Evil and temptation existed before the creation of the Ring of Power and also after it's destruction.

[@aaronmaberry4815]

I am most saddened by Arwen dying soon after Aragorn. She had such pure love for him.

[@lancemannly]

Yeah but because she chose to be judged as human presumably her and aragorn were reunited wherever it is that humans go when they die

[@justinwindham3420]

“It is important to live in the now, while we have time and strength left to do good in the world”. Very true my friend. Great video.

[@natetruehart7562]

First Edit: I noticed you liked my comment so this is my chance to say thank you for all you do since it seems as though LOTR content creators are rare these days and I think that really shows your love for the series since you still haven’t given up on it. You give me hope that future generations will come to love this book series just as much as people like us do.

[@MenoftheWest]

Hey Nate, thank you so much for the support, my friend! I have loved Tolkien's works throughout my entire life, and I am so glad to be able to do what I do and to have fans like you to support me! Thank you again!

[@thorondor1593]

We eagles are all Maiar, we simply go back to Eru when our flesh-mechs break down.

[@phazoneatermetroid77]

Hahaha flesh mechs... awesome. Say hi and thanks to Gwaihir from me

[@samuelwebb8286]

Quick question, are you (yoystan) the only one who works on these videos, or is there a small team? Either way, your videos are enjoyable.

[@ElkinsEric]

@James Trudel Creed?

[@jonathanho5879]

Yoystan made a very well thought out video, though I’d like to conclude and perhaps correct some of the point he made: The Ainur are ëalar, which means that they do not require a body to be complete. When they descended into Arda, they remain bound to the World until its end, even the evil ones. Melkor may be thrown out the Doors of Night, a major part of his essence is imbued into the world, effectively making it “Morgoth’s Ring”. (Dagor Dagorath is considered to be an abandoned concept before LotR rolled out, and was considered to be the predecessor of the War of Wrath). “Valar ar Maiar fantaner nassentar fanainen ve quenderinwe coar ar larmar,” The Ainur can take physical forms called fana, yet they can be weakened, which may affect their ability to take shapes, influence the world, or even affect the world at all. Melkor is a prime example: he started as the strongest Valar, able to defeat all the other Valar up until Tulkas arrived. Yet he slowly imbued his power into the world, weakening him. He was able to take a fair form in Valinor, yet when he was burnt by the Silmarils, he lost that ability. He was weakened so much that he lost the duel with Fingolfin. Gandalf is a whole different case and people are still debating whether Eru brought him back or the Valar brought him back. Elves are immortal and die only when mortally wounded or due to a broken heart. Their hröar were designed to last with their fëar, but because of the tainting of the world, their bodies cannot last for a long time (the elven definition). Their fëar eventually consumes their body and they become like wraiths. The only way to counteract this is to go to Valinor. Elves can choose to go to the Halls of Mandos to be judged and/or be reincarnated into a new body. They can also choose to remain in Middle Earth and never be reincarnated, but their fëar are considered to be tainted by evil. The fate of men is unknown to even the Valar. They are considered as visitors of Arda, which their fëar are gathered in the Halls of Mandos, and departed from the world. Those who were cursed to stay in Arda by oath-breaking or have their gift withheld from Eru himself are doomed to roam the world forever, like the oathbreakers. Dwarves believe that when they die, their fëar are also gathered into the Halls of Mandos, albeit separated from the other kindreds. Of the fate of the ents few do know. Animals like Huan or the Giant Eagles maybe more intelligent than the average animal, they are considered to not have a fëar. Corrupted beasts like dragons, vampires, and possibly orcs (the fate of orcs are highly complicated) are considered corruptions of the kelvar and olvar of Arda, and thus have no fëar.

[@cheezemonkeyeater]

"Please let me know of any corrections in the comments below." I think that's the first time I've ever seen someone actually INVITE nerds to "Well, actually . . ."

[@Irena_Posner]

As for suggestions for future videos: Perhaps you could make one about the 3 hidden elven realms of Doriath, Gondolin and Nargothrond? Compare them and maybe offer an insight into the motif of a "hiddlen realm" itself, seeing that it appears many times in the legendarium. I always found it curious that Nargothrond was doomed because the Elven king listened to a human advisor when he suggested open war on Morgoth. Yet Gondolin was doomed precisely because Elven king declined to listen to a human advisor when the latter suggested open war on Morgoth. The fates of Gondolin and Nargothrond are in this way both mirror images and polar opposites. I always found that curious and never really clear why this is so.

[@Jayyy667]

No matter what part of life I'm consumed by, whether it be good or devoid of humanity, lotr lore carries me through.

[@Fan_Made_Videos]

This is the depth of Tolkien's world that sets him apart from other Fantasy novelists who have followed. It's not just about world building and grand parallels to ancient human history but also a spiritual reworking and cosmology inspired by it. I know most don't like to argue about GRRM vs JRRT but when you breakdown GRRM's cosmology from his works they just look like a collection of tropes and mythologies, whereas Tolkien took inspiration from ancient European mythology and Christianity to create Illuvatar and the Vala

[@tonywang7416]

The “ Circles of the World” is a complex concept. Melkor was banished through the door of night but that void is still counted as in the circles of the world. Eä, or all that is, is the physical part of the world. Only Men and possibly their mortal counterparts could truly l

[@tonywang7416]

leave the circles of the world and will have a fate that is only known to Eru.

[@kyleenglot9184]

While Gandalf is describing the shores of Valinor it's still a great scene. Gandalf is there to inspire hope for the race of men in their fight against Sauron. He knows this war will cost many lives and is trying to ease Pippin's uncertainty. He is only a Maiar and knows only the confines of his true home origin which is Aman. Mortal men and hobbits go elsewhere and don't know those details for Eru Illuvatar has kept that information from the Valar. If anything where mortal men go after death is probably even better than the undying lands. Iluvatar knew men would be weary of their mortality and even the elves are unable to grasp the concept of dying from old age. If the men of Numenore had more faith in Eru and accepted that life on earth would be short but the rewards in the afterlife would be far better things might have turned out differently.

[@Apollo1989V]

According to what I have read, men used to think they were immortal before they fell by a deceit of Melkor, sort of like the Garden of Eden story.

[@MenoftheWest]

That is interesting! I'll have to look into that!

[@unlimitedperseverance1706]

@@MenoftheWest Yes. Originally Men knew death was a gift. Melkor made them fear it.

[@MenoftheWest]

christian miranda Yes indeed! I actually think I remember seeing that now when I was doing research for this video. But later in the timespan of Men, they came to fear it. And if that is due to Melkor, that makes sense.

[@unlimitedperseverance1706]

@@MenoftheWest I read somewhere that originally all men were supposed to be like the Numenoreans. but Melkor corrupted them. since the edain were faithful iluvatar restored them to their original state. Also all of middle earth was like Aman. Originally the valar were gonna live in Middle earth. But Melkor corrupted the land itself. only a small piece of middle earth wasn't corrupted. so the valar took this piece of land and separated it from middle earth so it would be saved. they called this land Aman. Basically originally Middle-earth was going to be a paradise......

[@Apollo1989V]

In one of the history of middle earth books, it is a discussion between a leading woman and Finrod on the beliefs of death

[@JohnRutherford205]

Good evening Yoystan, another great video. I must say that I am never disappointed when you stray into topics like these. Tolkien's perception of death, or at least the way that he wrote death in Middle Earth has always bee what attracted me most to his writing as an adult. Exploring the rather complex themes of his mythos is something that has consumed quite a few waking hours, bowls of tobacco, and glasses of spirit on cold winter nights. A potential theory video I should like to see in the future is what happened to Frodo Baggins in Aman. Your video tonight, however, broached a subject I'd never really thought of before: what happens to Sauron's servants following their demise? I'm inclined to think that the Balrogs would be banished beyond the Wall of Night for eternity, and that the dragons, as you have suggested, had no fea to begin with and therefore had nothing awaiting them in the hereafter. Trolls I think also fall into the same category as dragons. However, it is canon that the original orcs were at first elves who had been corruption beyond all recognition, even their own. I am more inclined to think that death, however it came, would purify these older orcs and make them like their old elf-selves again, absolving them of their ill-deeds and returning them to the Halls of Mandos. Later generations of orc might not be so lucky. The first orcs probably died long before the events of the War of the Ring. I believe that later orcs, like dragons, were mere machines of Sauron's will and are therefore lacking in fea and upon their death nothing happens. They can't really be anything else, because it is established in canon that Sauron cannot create life, but only create the palest mockery of it, which is what orcs are fundamentally. If he created orcs by pouring his own essence into them, then it's possible that they may join Sauron and Melkor beyond the Walls of Night for eternity, or until Dagor Dagorath, at which point they will be finally destroyed by the Valar et al before the Second Music. Great video, and thanks so much for the work that you do. Farewell until next Sunday!

[@marconalesso902]

That reminds me of how, in the Elder Scrolls universe, Falmer (which are corrupted snow elves) don't own a sentient (black) soul anymore, but are more similar to animals in their spirit. The same logic may apply to orcs in the Middle Earth

[@glennross85]

The choice of the half-elven has always intrigued me, I would love to see a theory/explanation video on this one day as I have always wondered about the actual mechanics of how this 'choice' was put into practice. I came up with the theory that when a half-elven consummate's a relationship and creates life, the race of their partner determines which kind of life force they have, ie elven or human. Not sure if I am explaining this right, its a complicated topic I think.

[@jandunn169]

Just like sisters and brothers may not have the same exact DNA...it is a choice on some level what our spirit wants to inherit.

[@MostLikelyMortal]

Always been one of the topics I wish I knew more about. Thanks much!

[@geviesanta3631]

Hey Yoystan, I'm glad you brought up topic about the afterlife of Tolkien's works. I find that topic very curious for both the movies and the books of LOTR. For over 7 months, in the first epilogue video that you did about what happened to the fellowship after the events of LOTR, I thought to myself about whether or not valinor is actually a place in the afterlife. But when I read in the book called the simarillion, I found out that the valars has simply found and form this place for the sake of living live in peace. So wouldn't valinor have any similarities to heaven at this point?

[@smnfdf53257]

Yes I would love a second video on Tolken's mysterious picture of death in LOTR !! Thank you for this channel !!! It is an amazing blessing !!!

[@Strifegar]

Man, best LOTR channel of all, by far. I love your videos. The way you go about making them, the way you present them. It's obvious to anyone watching, you love the material as much as I or anyone else does. Please, keep up the fantastic work.

[@grandlotus1]

Love your work, especially your use of fan art across a broad range of sophistication: in a certain way, the more childlike, the more endearing. You also have an amazing talent for flowing narrative and skilled editing that makes the otherwise static images come alive. Your loving, scholarly approach brings back fond memories of my first reading of Tolkien back in the late '60's. I'm a fan of yours!

[@GaramondGourmond]

You have a truly wonderful and wise life philosophy. It is reflected in your comments. Wisdom is knowing what is important in life and what is not. You have this. Thank you so much for making these videos, giving us your insights, and edifying us about Middle Earth.

[@donaldbadowski290]

Elves did die in the West. Just ask Finwe. Or Feanor's mom.

[@MenoftheWest]

Indeed, but one was murdered and the other died in childbirth (due to Fëanor’s fiery spirit) unfortunately :( No Elves died of natural causes (I believe) in the Undying Lands.

[@San_Vito]

Or the First kinslaying...

[@mikaelfarris4214]

Just discovered this video. This is a topic I've always wanted to know more about in Tolkien's world. I love the LOTR lore.

[@tomthumb325]

These films are without a shadow of a doubt the best in history very entertaining and never get bored of watching them, I love this channel aswell gives you a great insight into all Tolkien's books thank you for your time you keep putting into your channel,👍👍

[@rorydonaldson2794]

Your script writing is bloody superb.

[@mundomanual7308]

You do awesome job with your Tolkien videos! Thank you so much 🙏 Also I love the final positive reflection you give in each video

[@nerdyguy29]

I also vote yes for the "Build a World" video! I just loving watching these videos since I learn more about the lore of Tolkien's work and it just makes me appreciate the movies and the books so much more with the knowledge you give us in these videos so thank you!

[@jacobatkinson3162]

I love learning new things about Tolkiens work. Thanks and keep up the great work!

[@derek978]

About time someone brings this up! Ive always been curious about the afterlife in tolkiens books.

[@ratiounkn3210]

Yep that sounds about right,. Eru give the gift of men, death. Yet he also rewards men with longer lives. Mixed signals.

[@ajsmusic711]

thank you for explaining this , ive always needed more of an in depth explanation.

[@lordinvictus793]

I always did wonder what happened to the "evil" men-easterlings, Haradrim, variags, dunlendings, etc...

[@NoneNone-dw1jo]

Darth Invictus probably he’ll even if they were good. I think if middle earth was more fair a lot of elves and western men would also go to hell for having power to change things but doing nothing

[@andrewverrett568]

I think a point you didn't touch on about the valor and Maier is it seems that the corrupted ones actually do perish. Melkor couldn't be destroyed being second only to iluvator ( sorry first time trying to spell these names) But spirits such as gandalf and sauron i feel can in fact be destroyed a thier spirit level if they become evil. Unless I'm mistaken sauron was destroyed completely. Because he poured so much of his spirit into his evil works. The ring. The reason melkors physical being was damaged by the elf is because he had poured so much of himself into actually creating other evil beings( balrogs, dragons, orcs, etc). Its like in doing these evil works it not only takes away from their physical being but also thier spirit forms. The one thing they want is power but in trying to gain it they slowly destroy themselves. If saurons spirit endured after the destruction of the one ring, did he go back to the eternal halls? Or was he left wandering middle earth unable to ever be strong enough to even influence? I feel like he was just completely destroyed. If he was not allowed in the eternal halls.. Because even if he was weakened so much spirit wise but wandered middle earth he'd still be powerful enough to influence evil works.

[@Gobblinpiss]

No youre wrong because if you think back to the first age when that was to be summoned and which the spirits haunted a ghost body lingering elf poison the great halls. The undying ama in the west as much as gandalf had an affair with aragorn and had king elesar the third cursed amd forsaken and took a blade to the neck by lord gibly the fourth age scumbag

[@mjc_fishing9916]

Absolutely brilliant channel. I’ve been binge watching all day.

[@Badboyben1422]

Excellent Video! It's hard to discern what Tolkien intended with the "Afterlife" as it is a touchy subject to create in fiction and that there is usually a good and bad place. For what we know for certain is that immortal spirits that live within Arda cannot escape it unless if by The Valar judge their spirits so. Those cast out into the Halls of night such as Morgoth (maybe Sauron and Saruman) are still bound within Arda yet in a space without escape save for the door. Mortal spirits such as Men and other off branches of Men such as Hobbits their spirits are allowed to leave the circles of the world. The Dwarves, I believe like you said have halls apart from Elves and Men where they are with Aule the Smith. I believe that Tolkien intended Morgoths final death to be the "True Death" to all evil, where there is no second chance, their spirit is erased completely. Dragons are hard to think about, they do have speech and intelligence, they could possibly be a corrupt Eagle of Manwe maybe, or that just leaving their creation ambiguous is something Tolkien wanted to do or should've had a bit more clarity on. Can't wait for next week!

[@the40yogamer]

great vid id still like a video about foods and weeds of middle earth for next vid thumbs if you agree

[@MenoftheWest]

the40yogamer It won’t be next week’s video, but I’ll put it on the shortlist, my friend!

[@Rob.P974]

Definitely, what was old Toby or was it old tovie, what was in Gandalfs pipe ?? I don't know if Tolkien ever explained this how ever it would be cool if you could gives us your thoughts .

[@MenoftheWest]

Rob .P Haha indeed that would be a very fun video to make! In the first prologue parts of the Fellowship of the Ring, Tolkien talks about Old Toby, but I’ll have to delve into it in a video!

[@NA-ck6cz]

*weed. You know Bilbo and Gandalf gettin zonked

[@Fuxor22]

I was litteraly wondering this a few weeks ago. This channel doesn’t have nearly as many suscribers as it should.

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

The ambiguity of the afterlife in the Tolkienverse is what makes it more interesting.

[@gobigblue6782]

Such a great video. So much info in just a few minutes, so we'll put together. Thanks for making my Sunday's every week.

[@HUUSTISHIA]

Aaaah I've been waiting for this, always wanted to know what happened after Frodo and Gandalf left 😢

[@MenoftheWest]

Oh haha I actually don't really talk much about them specifically. Here is a video about the Fellowship of the Ring and their character epilogues where you may find that info: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2rafoKVqJ1rh6c Hope that helps, my friend! Enjoy!

[@HUUSTISHIA]

@@MenoftheWest Ooooh ok great, thanks for this, this video was great anyways!!

[@MenoftheWest]

@@HUUSTISHIA Thank you, I really appreciate it!

[@kathyhaskova]

Hello! Great video. I watched almost everything, but never had time to write a comment, until today. I have one thing to add. If I remember correctly, Luthien was the only one of the Eldar gifted with the mortal's gift of death - that is, when the time came, she followed Beren and no one saw her ever again. Arwen Undomiel, as a Half-Elven, is a slightly different case. She chose Aragorn and therefore mortal life, but since she was Half-Elven, her lifespan even after her decision was much longer than Aragorn's. And when Aragorn grew weary of the world and chose to leave it in his own terms, she begged him to stay, because she wasn't weary yet to follow him right then. When she finally passed away, she left the world as a mortal, because she no longer counted as an elf - she couldn't sail west after Aragorn died. And that was tragedy about their love - remember, Elroc, her uncle, lived 500 years after he chose mortal life, so Arwen was to face around 350 years alone on Middle-Earth before finally allowed to die. Keep up the good work!

[@kathyhaskova]

@pyropulse Hmm...it's true I didn't check when writing the comment,so yeah,you're right,my bad :-)

[@edraith]

Love your vidz. Dropped a like here too. I have to say that in Tolkien's works there are actually some pronounciation guides (in both LotR Appendices and in the Silmarillion version as assembled and published by Christopher Tolkien). I notice you have a tendency to modify every elvish word in a very peculiar way. The appendices of LotR may prove informative.

[@dbgaming9166]

I hope you can have some inkling (no pun intended ;) Heh) how appreciated your work is. I speak for many of us, I'm sure, when we see you posting a new video and smile, and watch it, feeling like a fellow Tolkien friend has come again to share some more lore. Your channel has become a favorite of mine, and your contributions are appreciated more than you know. There are lots of quiet watchers who see these.

[@kiranpersad5709]

Awesome vid as always Yoystan. Keep it up

[@sourcedrop7624]

I always thought the eagles were maiar. Like Ungoliant.

[@maxpower3990]

Ungoliant wasn't a Maiar, she was a demon of the Outer Dark.

[@Bilboswaggins2077]

We don’t know what Ungoliant is

[@sourcedrop7624]

I looked it up on reddit and other places. I didnt know that there were other beings other than the valar and maiar. I don't think she was bad before she met melkor though. He corrupted her into his service. Whether that means he made her bad or just aligned her with himself. I guess the same may be for tom bombadil. I thought he was maiar but I think he was a different type of being. Am I right that the ainur are tied to arda but the other beings aren't?

[@marcinjhon9729]

Ungoliant is spirit of the void

[@San_Vito]

We don't know, canonically, what Ungoliant is. In the published Silmarillion it's a being that came from the void, maybe representing the void itself. But in other texts it's not that clear. It might be a maia. But still, not canon. The eagles are somehow linked to the Valar Manwë though. Not sure exactly how.

[@Neverwas_one]

Can you start posting the sources for all of the artwork in the description? I always want to track them down.

[@taotaostrong]

Great discussion! Thanks for posting!

[@FuZion1988]

I always thought of the men afterlife as going to another planet to live another life without the gods that's how it sounded like in the silmarillion to me

[@dracodawnstars8245]

This was very interesting. Ann in depth look at the afterlife of the people and creatures of Middle Earth. I really enjoyed this. One thing that really caught my interest was your mention of vampires. I must admit I had no idea there were vampires in Middles Earth. What were they like and where were they mentioned?

[@jessehilton1337]

Great video mate! Such an interesting subject to think on. Looking forward to more like this!

[@supersuit5790]

I would love to see that video you suggested making at the end.

[@soldatheero]

almost 400 views on the first day.. getting a nice little fan base. great videos. LotR is the most beautiful story and world ever imagined :)

[@Aequitas_RJ]

Perhaps the good men that were allowed to return to Iluvatar were made into the new Valar and would take the place of the old and complacent spirits that had made the world and grew weary with their charge. Perhaps these new Valar would finally cleanse Morgoth's original corruption from Arda and remake it the way Iluvatar had originally intended.

[@JabbatheBen]

Awesome, man! Thanks for posting!

[@MenoftheWest]

Of course! Thanks for watching Ben!

[@wrybreadspread]

It's like a syncretism of Christian and Nordic. Is that bad? (Some of) my fellow Evangelicals excoriate JRRT for that portion of his content that originates from Germanic/Welsh myth, and for his readers who embrace wiccan instead of Christian spirituality. I find it fascinating. Roman Catholics...at least those of a literary bent...tend to be more nuanced in their POV's than the Evangelicals.

[@orrointhewise87]

Extremely interesting subject matter! I've always wondered wat happened to all those orcs and evil creatures once they were vanquished. Do they go to an afterlife? A middle earth version of hell? Or do they return to their natural genesis? I guess the ultimate truths to these questions will remain with Tolkien himself As it should b :)

[@majorianus8055]

Wonderful video as always. Good job and good luck to all your endeavours!

[@shoresean1237]

I have an explanation for Tom Bombadil: He was the Tolkien version of the Logos, the Word and Wisdom of God that was his agent that entered the empty void. Tom was the original song of Eru, bound up in one being. After Dagor Dagorath, he was the anchor of the original song as it joined the second true song in best harmony. In his case, being surpassed meant mission truly accomplished.

[@danno1800]

Brilliant!

[@bloodTrail1]

Interesting topic! Love anything I haven't seen before! Keep It UP!!!

[@ObsidianAngiris]

Morgoth was and still bound, even if he was thrown out into the void. He cannot die until the world is unmade, for it is his anchor as The One Ring is Sauron’s

[@kadennedak]

Listening to the LOTR books on Audible, love your vids my man

[@victors.3633]

I have always wondered about this topic. Thanks!

[@masterjedi5510]

I wish there were more lovers of the Tolkien legendarium around my neck of the woods! I think it would be amazing to do some scene reenactments or even full on stage plays of his work! I believe I would make a very convincing orc, with little makeup needed! LOL

[@skeezixcodejedi]

Another great video and discussion; but I have to say .. gorgeous choices in artwork. I need to track some of these down and get or make prints :O

[@WasabiSniffer]

Ah the gift of men. Why the Rohirrim cry of Death has such depth

[@zachiboi5253]

Point 1. Arwen had already chose to become mortal long before she married Aragorn, so that explains why their children won't have that choice. Point 2. If the corrupted Numenoreans feared death they could have just took elven spouses and have half elven children, but then it'll just create more problems than it solves. Point 3. Tolkien was a christian writer with his novels inspired by biblical texts so it would make more sense that in Tolkien's universe the spirits of Men would go to Eru/God after death.

[@lmatt88]

Yes !! a video on Tolkien's approach on death would be awesome

[@hobbitassassin1]

I thought Tuor's fate was never told. He simply set sail west and wasnt heard from again. Is his fate now explained?

[@thomaszonkowski2115]

Great video! I have a request based on this video. If there is more information about the lives of Elves that remain and chose not to go to the Undying Lands. What becomes of them?

[@TheBenjamin119]

Sweet, I've always wanted to know what hobbit afterlife is like. Thanks for another awesome video!

[@anubusx]

Tons of eating, drinking and pipe smoking.

[@davis.fourohfour]

There were other orders of spirits besides Valar and Maiar. Also, non-Timeless Hall spirits and creatures from Ëa could and did enter Arda at will, and they were None of the Above. They were, as it were, from Space. Arda was only one world in Ëa. My speculation about Tom Bombadil is he was the first of the Ëa-an creatures to enter Arda before perhaps even the Valar came, or came in as the First Creature during construction. Odd things lived in Arda that were not from Eru's domain.

[@silverdragon710]

Perfect timing the video on this good morning :) I suggest for the next video the topic of the creation of Ea if you havent covered it yet. How the world was rounded, how Aman was taken from Arda how Beleriand sunk, the creation of stars,... I always thought of Ea as the Universe and Arda as our planet but Aman is a little ambiguous. It is said that Elves are not immortal, like Ainur are, but are rather tied with Arda and simply exist as long as it exists. But since they left Middle Earth for Aman and Aman left Arda do they exist somewhere else? I read a lot of Tolkien but not everything and until I do maybe you could clear this out if you know :)

[@alexcavoli6191]

I always liked to think that the servants of Morgoth made from men went to a type of purgatory for a time where they can be redeemed. Cause no one wanted to be an orc, uruk-hai, goblin etc...I also figured the elven stock ones were bound to Morgoth and they were just forced into a new body by Morgoth over and over until the end of time. Where they'd be released from his bondage.

[@unlimitedperseverance1706]

I love ur videos keep it up!

[@ingobernoble2678]

I'd like to think the Orcs get purified. They never had a chance to be anything else. It seems cruel that they would be stuck with the being that started their misery and that they hate above all else in their afterlife

[@theasylumwithmarkmiller575]

Hey Big Fella..what do you think of a vid of all the great artwork from the Hildebrand..?? not sure if that's right.,but right up to the current art...

[@franceslambert8070]

Would you please do another video about Tom Bombadil and Goldenberry? A more "in depth video would really help me to understand them better. Like, how Tom knew to come help the Hobbits when they were trapped in the barrowdowns, and exactly what Goldenberry did. Were they Myar too?

[@caspianboi]

Whilst reading the Hobbit the other day, I happened upon something quite interesting, a single mention of Fairies, creatures that are not mentioned much in Tolkien's works. perhaps you could research them in the context of the legendarium and tell us about them in a video- would be great!

[@liraco_mx]

A Catholic understanding of death (the separation of soul from the body), and the immortality of the soul (it cannot be destroyed, which you probably meant by "death") might help clarify how Tolkien viewed the afterlife. Nice video

[@WreckingWood]

2:03 "Fear" ? 2:49 "Horror" ? As if my existential crises aren't scary enough!! XD

[@RenBR]

Awesome vídeo as Always!!!

[@willpierson8310]

I’m so glad to be apart of this video because I want to know more a about the undying lands. I don’t think it’s the afterlife in J.R.R Tolkien’s. In my opinion for as long as I have been a fan of lotr I always wanted to know more about the undying lands. It’s the one place of peace and prosperity in middle earth. Nothing more and nothing less. If only there was a deleted scene that took place in the undying lands. I would love to see what that place looked like without searching the web. Another interesting fact is I read Sam later joined Frodo in the Undying lands. I actually wonder if the undying lands is the middle earth version of heaven? And why is you haft to be a ring bearer to go to the undying lands or is there a catch? In other words is there any other way for a human to go to the undying lands? I don’t know it’s the one part of middle earth that doesn’t show on screen.

[@rrose9161]

No one understands what eternity means because we are so focused on this world of shadow and illusion

[@jayswindonley8961]

I had no idea Aragorn was a descendant of Elrose and the ancestral nephew to Elrond. Jus figured out the name of the long span living humans. Minamorians

[@edward18517]

Tom Bombadill's just gonna be chilling Beyond the Walls of Night until the next world gets made.

[@johndododoe1411]

As Morgoth and dead men are all outside the realms of Arda, it makes sense for a dead man to kill Morgoth while battle rages within