Fall, Mortality, and Machine in Tolkien, Part 2: Lessons on Dying Well in Middle-Earth

"Leaf by Niggle" (aka "Tree and Leaf") is the closest thing Tolkien ever wrote to an autobiography, though it's still very much a fictional short story. It gives us just a peek inside his personal aspirations and frustrations.

2 Kesä 202111min

In this video I discuss the theory that Aragorn's choice of a family name, "Telcontar," is intended as way to make Tolkien a part of his own mythology. I discuss the pros and cons of the theory, but if you think I missed something, chime in with a comment!

2 Kesä 202120min

Perhaps Tolkien's only foray into outright comedy, Farmer Giles of Ham is humorous on multiple levels, from its nature as a parody to the many language-based jokes Tolkien includes in the story. It's a short, whimsical read very different from what most of us know Tolkien for, and well worth picking up. I recommend picking up this compilation: https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Perilous-Realm-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0547154119/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1477875238&sr=1-4&keywords=farmer+giles+of+ham Unfortunately I can't seem to find an edition with commentary to explain the jokes that require more learning, but this at least has several other stories worth having in your collection.

2 Kesä 202110min

I had a hard time understanding the end of Tolkien's great story for a long time, and I'm sure many others have as well, so here's what I think it really means. My previous video on the character arcs of all four hobbits is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOQ7dIVsktQ You can now find me on Rumble at https://rumble.com/c/c-355195 And on Odysee: https://odysee.com/@TolkienLore:f You can support my channel by visiting my Patreon page: www.patreon.com/tolkiengeek.

31 Touko 202110min

Bilbo's riddle contest with Gollum is much more than just a game.... You can also find me on Rumble at https://rumble.com/c/c-355195 And on Odysee: https://odysee.com/@TolkienLore:f You can support my channel by visiting my Patreon page: www.patreon.com/tolkiengeek.

24 Touko 202118min

This video is for people who've never read the Silmarillion, or who need a quick refresher because it's been too long. I cover the basics of what it's all about, and future videos will get into a bit more detail. Or if you want the long version, pick up the book! https://www.amazon.com/Silmarillion-J-R-R-Tolkien/dp/0544338014/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483330919&sr=8-1&keywords=silmarillion Other videos I've done on Silmarillion topics: Numenor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqDslbXjg70 Beren & Luthien: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=123Pml3Zeko Story of Kullervo (basis for Turin Turambar): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-FtGIqizCY

21 Touko 202137min

One of my pet peeves when it comes to movies and other videos/audio about Tolkien is that so many people don't seem to know how to pronounce things properly, despite the fact that Tolkien provided a pronunciation guide in the Lord of the Rings Appendices! Here's some basic rules that should help you pronounce basically anything correctly.

21 Touko 202114min

Did you know the Hobbit you read isn't the Hobbit Tolkien originally wrote? It's also not the one Bilbo originally wrote...

21 Touko 202116min