Who is Cirdan?

[@KomodoKebab]

Can you imagine how warm a wlecome Cirdan must have recevied upon finally making good on his dream and reaching the undying lands. All those elves he helped get there, all there to celebrate his arrival. At least that's how I like to imagine it, the warmest of welcomes for one of the greatest people the world had seen.

[@YarPirates-vy7iv]

I like to think he was so old and set in his ways he just complained how his old place back in Middle Earth had a nicer view.

[@georgeargon5113]

What a touching take! The Tolkeins (father, son, and grandson) should have included that in the Appendixes.

[@Knight-In-Green]

I always imagined the inhabitants of Valinor as greedily consuming any and all news from Endor(Middle-Earth), resulting in a veritable Hobbit fan-club awaiting their arrival by the time Bilbo and Frodo get there. Hell, I imagine Galadriel and Aule himself welcoming Gimli! Now I'm envisioning an entire cultural trend of welcoming new arrivals and constantly keeping tabs on who is arriving when. A constant stream of excitement among the populace.

[@E3ECO]

Bummer that he missed seeing the light of the Two Trees.

[@OhioCruffler]

@@E3ECO But he also didn't carry the full grief of their loss. six of one...

[@torontocitizen6802]

Cirdan was one of the very best elves that has ever been written. The world needs more Cirdans. Be a Cirdan.

[@lukesayers5850]

Preach.❤

[@olixpatdo8181]

Saruman won’t agree

[@batatah]

I love you

[@Kanjo_Bazooie]

I. Am. Cirdan. (To the tune of I am Thundergun.)

[@reallythatbad1]

I prefer Hermey, myself. He wanted to be a dentist.

[@davekuzyk5740]

Something about the way you make these videos makes Tolkien's lore 100% more interesting. And that's sayin' a lot 😊.

[@stevenstehling]

Cirdan, Employee of the Month for thousands of consecutive years.

[@Wolfeson28]

Cirdan's line when he gives Narya to Gandalf is so beautiful. As we've seen here, Cirdan knows better than anyone the burden of staying true to a difficult duty over hundreds or thousands of years, and I think he sees something of a kindred spirit in Gandalf. He likely recognized on some level that Gandalf feared Sauron - that fear and thus empathy with others' fear is exactly why Manwe wanted Gandalf to go, but it also meant that his heart would need rekindling over time and that Narya was best suited to support him. Narya thus helped Gandalf stay true to his difficult task over the rest of the Third Age, just as it helped him rekindle the hope and courage in others that they would need to hold true in the fight against Sauron. The particular traits of that specific ring synergized perfectly with Gandalf's personality and his methods in a way that it probably wouldn't with any of the other Istari.

[@BarrackObamna]

You’re thinking too hard into a made up story dude

[@Widdershins.]

@@BarrackObamna All of life is a story. Every one of the billions of people who have lived, lived a story. We are formed, educated, and inspired by the stories we read, witness, and experience. The best thing we can do for ourselves is to think hard about the very best and most uplifting stories we encounter. It may be true that we are what we eat, physically speaking; but mentally, emotionally and spiritually we are what we read, hear, and allow into our minds and hearts. LofR is one of the best "foods for thought" we can ruminate over. You can't think too hard about courage, honor, virtue, and sacrifice...not if you ever hope to embody them yourself one day.

[@BarrackObamna]

@@Widdershins. you’re thinking too hard into a made up story buddy.

[@Widdershins.]

@@BarrackObamna If it's a good and useful story, there's no such thing as thinking too hard about it. Wish you knew how to do it yourself. Oh well.

[@BarrackObamna]

@@Widdershins. you’re thinking too hard into my comment pal

[@danoconnell1833]

I love the Tolkien lore but I will never be a scholar, so I am infinitely grateful to Robert and In Deep Geek for his gentle and insightful storytelling. Robert, you make it come alive for me. Thank you.

[@SeanSafford]

What I love about Cirdan is that he is sort of the blue collar hero. He’s not nobility. He’s “old” but more importantly he is kind of grizzled (for an elf).

[@sandyanarayanswami5708]

I have always loved Cirdan, for many of the reasons listed here by others, which I will not reiterate. Someone suggested he resembles a Bodhisattva. I am Indian and a lifelong JRRT fan, despite not being a Christian, so this idea resonates greatly with me. His words to Gandalf on his arrival in Middle-Earth are among my very favorites, for their sheer beauty, wisdom, humility, and selflessness.

[@piotrjeske4599]

He is like a Guru who sacrifices his own Nirvana to get others through their cycles , so they can reach it. And only when all is gone he too takes the "trip".

[@andrewscoppetta4944]

Last time I was this early, Eru Iluvatar was still working on his harmonies

[@tylercooper1551]

About the last time this shtick was actually relevant

[@MCAPrince]

So halway to Círdan's birth

[@ReganousTheGrey]

lmao 🤣

[@BarrackObamna]

Jesus this copypasta is worn out

[@scotthudson8722]

Huzzah! The passage where Cirdan passes the ring on to Mithransir gets me choked up every time

[@osimarmedeiros]

I like to think that for Cirdan, all of the Valar would personally greet him on the shores of the undying lands. Awesome video, as always.

[@Karl.Jayce-DE]

❤

[@dromankass8655]

And of all the Valar, Ulmo, Lord of the Waters, would be the most pleased to welcome this great mariner and shipwright into Valinor

[@thomasthibodeaux9908]

Whole thread is beautiful

[@saraha8219]

Cirdan sounds a lot like a bodhisattva, desiring nirvana (the Undying Lands) but voluntarily remaining in samsara (Middle Earth) until he had helped the rest of the elves to escape.

[@astrotter]

I'd not thought of this before, but you're right. I wonder if Tolkien had that in mind, he would have certainly been acquainted with the concept.

[@EventDogs]

I think as a Christian he would have been more familiar with the theme through the New Testament of the Bible that says Christians greatly desire to be in Heaven rather than Earth, but stay here to point the way for others to know Jesus and be able to go there too.

[@Pfhorrest]

I had the exact same thought while watching this video!

[@TheDoctorofOdoIsland]

​@@EventDogsYeah, Tolkien may have had in mind the story of the Beloved Disciple, when Jesus told Peter he would follow Him in martyrdom but John the Beloved would tarry on the Earth until the Second Coming.

[@AmachiEligwe]

@@EventDogs probably had that in mind but I think Cirdan sounds more like a Bodhisattva than that, even tho by chance.

[@scottbrickner4980]

In a world of Feanors, be a Cirdan.

[@AndrewHepburn]

This is my new favourite internet comment of all time

[@mkazee9032]

Your videos have greatly enhanced my understanding and appreciation of these stories. Thanks!

[@Kitastroboy]

Simply wonderful. The way Robert mixes the history and lore with poetic insight and love for the characters is splendid.

[@Calvinosaur]

Círdan had a representative at the council of Elrond: Galdor of the Havens. This makes him one of the first people outside Rivendell to learn of the Fellowship and its quest.

[@dandiehm8414]

He also sent Messengers to warn Orodreth of the coming disaster in Nargothrond, and on their way those same messengers sent helped Tuor escape Hithlum and sent him on his way to Gondolin.

[@ethanfreel1222]

@@dandiehm8414 was this the Dagor Bragorlach (I have no idea how to spell it)? The fourth battle, where almost everyone in Beleriand got wrecked by Morgoth?

[@dandiehm8414]

@@ethanfreel1222 No - this was after the Dagor Bragollach. It was actually about 20 years after the Fifth Battle (Nirnaeth Arnoediad)

[@thomasthibodeaux9908]

@@dandiehm8414this comment chain is absolutely 🔥

[@ETHRON1]

I still say you should do an Audio-book reading of the books...i'ld buy them...even my wife enjoys listening to you, and that says alot..

[@jaykaramales3087]

You've outdone yourself with this one Robert. You brought Cirdan alive for me in a way I never saw him before.

[@thatplant]

Cirdan: how the HELL did you guys lose the KING?? Other elves:¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

[@superslayerguy]

“Idk bruh”

[@AllAhabNoMoby]

We have to assume Melian was hawt.

[@Knight-In-Green]

@@AllAhabNoMoby "Spell of Enchantment" are the words used. Honestly... it seems to me Melian straight up just rufied him, gave him a power-up, and then just kinda went about her Lembas while he went about posturing. Unless I'm completely off-target, it seems Tolkien/Christopher left it a teeny tiny bit ambiguous... Just imagine her biting her lip as she sees the Children of Illuvatar the first time, in the vision, lol But she was probably hawt as sin, yeah...

[@AllAhabNoMoby]

@@Knight-In-Green She was a bit of a pedo as well I guess. 😂

[@daniels7907]

@@AllAhabNoMoby - The Ainur can change shape. Melian was as hawt as she wanted to be. Thingol never stood a chance.

[@brockn7878]

Thank you. This is the single most important episode for my personal journey through Tolkien and Middle Earth. I was familiar with Most of the other characters and stories but this elves storyline hadnt really settled into my attention and it explains so much. Wonderful episode 👏

[@NoahJohnson1981]

I love how you highlight the core story of the legendarium, filtering out the dense irrelevancies that I can’t get past. You’re a true scholar Robert, thank you.

[@jasN86]

What an amazing video about one of the most underrated characters in the general lore. Thanks for creating and sharing!

[@HansDester]

Exactly how is he underrated when everyone who is into LOTR loves the guy?

[@luciussakura5031]

Cirdan is honestly one of my favourite elves. I love that his important moments are (mostly) just quiet moments of duty and kindness.

[@isomeme]

I was brought up by an English father who instilled in me the certain knowledge that duty is sacred. I wept on first reading Cirdan's story, and I'm sniffling again right now. Thank you for this lovely tribute to the most admirable character in all of Tolkien's legendarium.

[@dromankass8655]

'We farm these lands, guard these animals and beasts. We protect them and ordain the time of their births and the time of their deaths. Between those times, we have a Duty' - Granny Aching (a Shepherdess and Witch of the Chalk Hills in the book Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett). A woman who took her duty seriously.

[@isomeme]

​@@dromankass8655, perfect.

[@davelahoud1256]

Now that is a story worth telling. Can you imagine if this was put to film or long-form episodes. Thank you for shining the well deserved limelight onto Cirdan. A legend indeed.

[@BeyondIntention]

It’s what we should have gotten, if someone who CARED had bought the rights.

[@darkaxel1991]

Cirdan, Elrond, and Galadriel were using the power of the three to maintain their realms. Cirdan giving up his ring seems to be a recognition that the Age of Elves on Middle Earth was ending.

[@ThatOneCoolGuy69420]

Love this content

[@ThommyofThenn]

I love Tolkien for writing characters that let your imagination kick into gear and i like IDG for recognising and understanding this and combining insight with some truly beautiful artworks

[@68mlk]

I've enjoyed this so much, including the beautiful images. Cirdan is such an interesting character. Thanks!

[@cmoneill]

Easily just made Cirdan one of my favorite characters.

[@SheosMan117]

6:50 He guided others to a treasure he could not possess.

[@SFMarcus]

What a moving and beautifully written video! And I always love the thoroughness of the lore that you collect and disperse.

[@Karl.Jayce-DE]

Lore is everything ❤

[@DrLicuid]

I wonder if first-born elves staying in Aman grew beards by the time of Cirdan arriving there, or if stalled decay of undying lands helped them look younger. That might make Cirdan the only elf that ever managed to grow a beard and look his age.

[@cavalierlady1033]

Thank you so much for this wonderful video! Cirdan has always been one of my favorites. A sacrifice made for others for thousands of years --- I hope his arrival in the Undying Lands, finally, was as glorious as he had hoped for so long!

[@petergulmann7259]

Another great video! Thanks for making these awesome videos, Robert!

[@JF-vf7mm]

Your videos are so awesome! Each one I listen to is better and better. Cirdan is certainly very inspiring. I love Tolkien’s world of heroes - not just one or a bunch - literally a world of them!

[@valcouren]

Cirdan and Fangorn have always been my two favorite characters in Middle Earth (with Galadriel pulling third) as they are the eldest of those bound to the fate of Middle Earth. Having been present for all the long ages from the age of stars through to the dominion of man. Such a long tale having forgotten more than most ever even saw in their entire lives.

[@nikosmanarolis9962]

Cirdan to me is the personification of showing loyalty to your duty ( or what you perceive as "your duty" ) despite your personal desires. Something extremely hard even for a short period of time , not to mention for centuries .... which is why i think people are in awe of him and the nobility of his character. Thankfully the new rings of power show seems to have portrayed him quite accurately in that regard. One of the highlights of the show certainly

[@anatolydyatlov963]

In the show, Sauron deceived everyone and actively helped in crafting the three elven rings. Elrond's suspicion and desire to destroy them was justified, given the unknown extent of Sauron's corrupting influence. Galadriel's assurance that "he didn't touch them, they're safe" carried little weight, considering her own suspected manipulation by Sauron. Despite these risks, the "old and wise" elf decided to keep and use one of the rings. This isn't wise, it's reckless. The ONE GUY who was introduced as "old and wise" immediately did something utterly stupid just a few scenes later. I don't think this is good portrayal.

[@vintagesteel]

If you consider yourself to be a true Tolkien fan, I wouldn't even consider watching the rings of power. It's trash and so disrespectful to Tolkien and his works. By the way Círdan didn't help for centuries, he did it for MILLENNIA.

[@Tyresio12]

To quote another British author: "Personal’s not the same as important".

[@anatolydyatlov963]

@@vintagesteel To be fair, I'm a huge Tolkien fan, I've read the books, and even participated in some LARPs, but I've never treated the show as an adaptation. For me, it's always been just a fanfic, despite how Amazon decided to market it - I don't care what they say. With this approach, I enjoyed the first season, but the second... well, even if you treat it as something loosely inspired by Tolkien's writings, it's still hard to watch. There are simply too many inconsistencies and lazy narrative shortcuts. The one I mentioned above is just a small drop in a sea of absurd ideas that poison the show.

[@thecpt6265]

@@anatolydyatlov963 I'm sorry wasn't that basically what happened in the books? he didn't trust Annatar and objected to the rings and yet in the end he wore Narya

[@hondadog-yo2sr]

Robert's reading voice is right up there with the late great Sebastian Cabot. Those of a certain age will know...

[@pissedoffhobbit974]

My favorite and most overlooked character.

[@TheDarkElder]

A true legend for sure. Good he lived long enough to see his dream (finally) come true. At least humans don't need thousands of years of patience to see that happen, not sure anyone would be willing to take on that role of dutifully helping everyone else live your dream for ages upon ages.

[@ADHDville]

I appreciate you credit the artists that you feature here and provide links.

[@lunafencoven]

In The Rings of Power, Gil-Galad feels like the general manager at Walmart, and Cirdan is that employee whose seniority surpasses the manager. He gets to do whatever he wants as long as he doesn't openly oppose the manager.

[@ssl3546]

how is that blasphemy of any relevamce here? are you also going to talk about what you ate for breakfast today?

[@danielopoku-baah5644]

Underrated might be a bit strong but Cirdan is up there with one of the best characters. This video made me really acknowledge how much he’s been through and appreciate how wise he was

[@Prom591]

For whatever reason, that one hit me right in the feels!

[@shanechudzik8554]

Cirdan's role strongly reminds me of the Buddhist Bodhisattava, or at least some versions of it, as a person who achieves the ability to ascend but does not so that they may stay behind to help teach others.

[@MrKurtank]

Nice one, Cirdan. A winning side always has someone like him.

[@gaminawulfsdottir3253]

Of all the stories of Middle Earth, this may well be the most moving.

[@charleslarrivee2908]

I just wanna say, I really appreciate some of your...visual aids that you've included in this video 😊

[@suecondon1685]

I've always liked Ben Daniels, he's a great actor, and he was well handsome when he played Tristan in the BBC's Merlin. Interesting backstory, thank you!

[@locker1325]

A legendary KZbin channel telling stories of legendary people.

[@stephanielash8270]

Beautifully told Robert. Thank you!

[@lunatickgeo]

I remember the first time I saw the name, Cirdan the Shipwright, the elf with a beard who makes the ships the elves use to sail to Valinor. I thought that he was "just" a craftsman who lived in the Grey Havens, like a game NPC with a store that you have to bring materials to to have your ship made 😅

[@mariocp]

Great video as usual, many thanks. Please consider doing one about Celeborn, we all know he's not just Galadriel's husband but I'd love to see your take on him. Cheers

[@Nathan-vt1jz]

Excellent content as usual. The world needs people with Cirdan’s servant attitude.

[@elizabethford7263]

I think his is the saddest story. A truly unsung hero to whom all elves owe so much but rarely know.

[@VTPSTTU]

Thanks for this and all of your other videos. You are an excellent creator.

[@beardsy1743]

Thanks Robert! Amazing video as always.

[@mboettcher349]

These are always good, but this one, for me, was the best one you've done in awhile.

[@istari0]

Círdan is a fascinating character and one that I wish we knew his story in greater detail. One minor note though, Sauron did not attack the Grey Havens out of fear of the Númenoreans. Sauron's armies had not broken through Gil-Galad's defenses at the river Lhûn before the fleet of the Númenoreans arrived and began destroying Sauron's armies. If the fleet had not shown up around that time, Sauron would have broken through and attacked the Havens.

[@thelasonj]

So beautiful. Thanks Geek. ❤

[@anne-marieconnolly7297]

Brilliant and insightful as always!

[@brettmuir5679]

Cirdan has long been my favorite character in Middle Earth. I think of him in his long long search for Elwë his buddy from the beginning of time....and then remains to be the one on the Last Ship

[@georgeargon5113]

What a wonderful study of a selfless character. Thank ypu

[@petermarschall2637]

Hi Robert, big thanks for your videos! I noticed, that there is no video out there on the very important and extremely interesting topic of what if Aragorn took the one ring. I am frankly startled that those videos exist about Gandalf, Sauron or Saruman, but not about this great hero of our beloved story. It would be joy to your faithful viewers, if you put in that effort. But if you decide to record other videos, no one will begrudge you and just watch those joyfully!

[@seacucumberable]

Bless this channel

[@timtas1968]

Good piece, athough strictly speaking, Gil-Galad had the support of the Numenorians, as it was also him that befriended Aldarion. I don't know why everybody always tries to belittle Gil-Galad, what did he ever to wrongg to deserve this?

[@steveaustin4013]

What a great video. Loved this

[@xina968]

Love Robert's videos!

[@Christrulesall2]

Robert has the perfect ASMR nighttime voice. He could put a lion to sleep.

[@AllAhabNoMoby]

What I like most about Cirdan - and what proves his foresight more than anything else - is that he boycotted Gillette before the need for it became obvious to everyone.

[@thedragondemands5186]

This was a masterful video - well, I love the source material, but you did it justice

[@dogs-game-too]

The world needs more like Cirdan

[@Minstrels-of-Middle-earth]

Círdan is one of our favourites. We're working on a song about him, posted a demo recently.

[@gandalf4751]

Cirdan 😍😍😍

[@D2attemp]

Not gonna lie, Thingol abandoning Cirdan and his vassals at the Falas to the Orcs after Cirdan had spent so much time looking for him was a dick move

[@gael.aubrit]

So beautifuly and elegantly said, thank you!

[@Pfhorrest]

Circan is my new favorite elf.

[@ooee6383]

12:39 Australia is Valinor confirmed

[@chrisfraser5088]

Always been my favourite of all the Elves 😊

[@paulharrison2557]

Imagine having someone that old and wise and not making them your leader? Others spoke of being of the lineage of Olwe, Finwe etc, or descended from Earendil, he KNEW them!

[@melvineldelov3442]

You answer questions before we think of them 🤙

[@robertoperalta2526]

Awesome video! Wished TROP did this legendarium justice…

[@NevermissaPoint]

thanks for this video but... 4:45 Thingol was long gone by that time i believe it was Turgon of Gondolin who suggested to turn to west

[@jeyfromnowhere]

So...he was...Shipwright the Shipwright?

[@esquilax5563]

Like Torpenhow Hill, AKA _Hill Hill Hill Hill_

[@jeffeppenbach]

@@esquilax5563 Or like someone who's last name is... water-water.

[@Knight-In-Green]

Maybe he's so old and has fulfilled his role so dutifully, that the word is derived from his name? Maybe... by the time any of them needed a word for "Shipwright"(which I assume none of them did before they reached the western shores), Cirdan was already building ships? Or, at the least, when they were taught the craft; Cirdan was already building by the time the others got finished with their lessons lol

[@danielreynolds6173]

Yes, that's wright.

[@deanostanley8530]

It's a video like this that really hammers home what a travesty the ROP is

[@isaakring2573]

My favorit character in lotr i think

[@diredier]

Love your videos, thank you :)

[@General12th]

Hi Robert! I wonder if part of the reason why Cirdan was so eager to attempt dangerous missions was because he knew that if he died, he'd just end up in Valinor anyway -- and earlier than he would have if he lived -- so he might as well make himself useful while he waited.

[@worker-wf2em]

Given Tolkien’s staunch Christian background and the influence it had on his writing, I wonder if perhaps Cirdan’s inspiration is drawn in part from the prophet Daniel and his story

[@helikos1]

Hi, I don't know if it's already been discussed but I would love to see videos detailing the Valar and Maiar, also perhaps a video explaining the relationship between the Maia of Aule and if there was any reasoning why they both turned to evil.

[@J4R0D]

crafting is akin to creation, but it can lead to a desire for control of creations. Aule created the dwarves, but knew his place Feanor created the silmarils, and his spirit was darkened when he couldn't control them Sauron of course created his ring, and Saruman coveted it And of course Morgoth sought his own unique creation from Eru's

[@jenniferwood144]

Well done

[@nickcastings1568]

Hi Robert, this is a fabulous add on to the Lord of the rings, thank you for what you have done, have you ever read or, if you have, thought of doing the same type of thing for the Anne Mcafferey Dragonbooks? Carry on the great work, and once again thank you.

[@ahmadkhalid5819]

Cirdan is very parent coded. Took upon a thankless mission and stayed on it for thousands of years, and made sure he didn't leave anyone behind ♥

[@mattyboyb523]

Fantastic!

[@boffo63]

This character needs a full 3 seasons. 12 episodes a season.

[@jacksawyer3510]

After thousands and thousands of years of anticipation and longing, I wonder if the undying lands lived up to the hype? Or was it like when the penguins finally made it to Antarctica in the movie Madagascar?

[@unclemonty6766]

If you want to stay alive in middle earth, find Cirdan, wherever he is, and stick with him.

[@Debba521]

Very nicely done! Cirdan was truly one of the great unsung heros of Arda. I sure hope he got a lively welcome when he finally arrived at Valinor. But will someone please tell me where it's written that he had a beard? I don't recall reading that, but I do recall Tolkien stating that Elves had no beards. It just looks wrong to see an Elf with facial hair and a lot of age, for that matter.

[@lars9925]

I think you didn't make your first point clear enough. Cirdan was actually the ONLY ONE (we know) of the firstborn elves who awoke in Cuiviénen that was still alive and in Middle Earth. He lived there for at least six ages. He started his life before the three Ages of the Trees, during which Morgoth was in captivity, and he lived on there at least until the beginning of the Fourth Age of the Sun and Moon.

[@geneericmueller]

I love how you use images from the Lord of the Rings Online!

[@TheColdfoot]

You should make First Law & Realm of the Elderlings content!