Yet another LOTR question... [merged]
06-27-01, 12:36 PM
#2
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Yep. That was explained to Frodo by Gandalf in FOTR when he comes to verify that this ring was The Ring. Gandalf gives the history of the ring and how it came into Smeagol's ownership.
06-27-01, 12:43 PM
#3
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OK thanks, it's my first time through these books, I know I know...what was I waiting for...and I just wanted to be sure without hunting back through FOTR...but I guess I should look back...
PLus I always seem to put this book down for a couple days and read a different book...
PLus I always seem to put this book down for a couple days and read a different book...
08-08-01, 12:59 PM
#4
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LOTR question: Re the appendix.
I am nearly finished the book...I'm at the
and I am wondering if it is worth it to read through the appendixes{appendi?} or is it for the hardcore people? Let me know your thoughts.
Spoiler:
08-08-01, 08:44 PM
#5
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At the very least, read Appendix A. It tells you the events that occured before LOTR (basically what happened in The Silmarillion) which sheds a whole new light on some things; but most importantly, it tells you what happened to the remaining characters after the events of LOTR. The fate of Aragorn & Arwen is terribly sad.
The other appendices are things like a pronunciation guide and notes on the languages of Middle-earth (LOTR is really about language and nothing more), family trees, the Shire calendar, things like that; but you may find them interesting.
The other appendices are things like a pronunciation guide and notes on the languages of Middle-earth (LOTR is really about language and nothing more), family trees, the Shire calendar, things like that; but you may find them interesting.
08-09-01, 09:39 AM
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I'd suggest to scan through it, not read it like the novel. Find the interesting pieces and skip what you don't like. I've always wondered why they put an appendices in the book to begin with. It seems pretty hardcore to me, but I'm sure there are people who have memorized them; just like there are people who can actually speak Klingon.
08-09-01, 03:39 PM
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Unlike Klingon, which is a made-up language (making up nonsense words, whatever sounds good to the creators), Quenya (Tolkien's High Elvish), and to a lesser extent his other languages, is a real language that actually has a natural evolution to it and very specific rules of grammar.
You can learn to speak it and learn about the other languages he contrived at this site: http://www.uib.no/People/hnohf/
You can learn to speak it and learn about the other languages he contrived at this site: http://www.uib.no/People/hnohf/
09-04-02, 01:47 PM
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Hmmmm. Good question.
Your theory makes sense, but I suspect it may have more to do with the fact that it is The all-powerful One Ring, and as such has a number of magical elements reflective of the user's wishes (ex. invisibility).
Your theory makes sense, but I suspect it may have more to do with the fact that it is The all-powerful One Ring, and as such has a number of magical elements reflective of the user's wishes (ex. invisibility).
09-07-02, 07:48 PM
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I didn't read benedict's links, but I think that any mortal will become invisible by wearing the ring. A maiar would not become invisible, in fact Tom Bombadil made the ring dissapear when he put it on.
09-12-02, 09:24 AM
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My question:
Was Frodo Bilbo's cousin or nephew? It seems I remember him being his cousin in the books but almost every tv and film adaptation refer to him as Bilbo's nephew.
Was Frodo Bilbo's cousin or nephew? It seems I remember him being his cousin in the books but almost every tv and film adaptation refer to him as Bilbo's nephew.
11-26-02, 05:20 AM
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Question about LOTR books, how come only men...
How come only men fought against Sauron in the war? Other than Gimli and Legolas, I don't recall reading anything about elves or dwarves participating. Is it because dwarves supposedly don't care about anything else but their own wealth and elves are all leaving middle earth? Or what...I'm sure there' s a good reason, I just don't know it. You'd think that if they could, they woulda helped Gondor and Rohan out a bit.
11-26-02, 05:24 AM
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Others will come in with the full story, but I believe the Elves were concerned with matters up North, and played a vital role in keeping the lower areas from being attacked on another front.
I don't believe there were that many dwarves left and they were all in the North as well...less sure about that though....
I don't believe there were that many dwarves left and they were all in the North as well...less sure about that though....
11-26-02, 06:23 AM
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I've read all three books and I don't think that's it. I don't see what "issues up north" could be more important than fighting Sauron in what would determine the future of middle earth. I also don't remember anything about the "lack of dwarves." Once again, I could be wrong because I've only done one read through on the books, but I don't think "we're busy" is a good reason enough.
11-26-02, 07:11 AM
#17
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The Elves took a more active role against Sauron the first time around.
However, during the "War of the Ring" (events in the LOTR trilogy), the Elves were leaving Middle Earth, so what few that were actually left had little interest in saving Middle Earth, as they were returning to the Valinar (the Undying Lands).
One of the themes of the trilogy is that it is about the ascendancy of Man into the dominant race on Earth.
However, during the "War of the Ring" (events in the LOTR trilogy), the Elves were leaving Middle Earth, so what few that were actually left had little interest in saving Middle Earth, as they were returning to the Valinar (the Undying Lands).
One of the themes of the trilogy is that it is about the ascendancy of Man into the dominant race on Earth.
11-26-02, 10:35 AM
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I thought both the elves and dwarves were pretty much dwindling races by the times of LotR.. the elves, as mentioned, where leaving middle earth, and the dwarves were just going extinct, but IIRC
I could be wrong about the last part though.
Spoiler:
11-26-02, 12:47 PM
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Originally posted by mytzplyx
I've read all three books and I don't think that's it. I don't see what "issues up north" could be more important than fighting Sauron in what would determine the future of middle earth. I also don't remember anything about the "lack of dwarves." Once again, I could be wrong because I've only done one read through on the books, but I don't think "we're busy" is a good reason enough.
I've read all three books and I don't think that's it. I don't see what "issues up north" could be more important than fighting Sauron in what would determine the future of middle earth. I also don't remember anything about the "lack of dwarves." Once again, I could be wrong because I've only done one read through on the books, but I don't think "we're busy" is a good reason enough.
http://www.glyphweb.com/arda/w/warofthering.html
Sauron at all times held the military advantage in the War, due to his overwhelming forces; not only Orcs and Trolls, but Men of Harad and the East. His main immediate object was the overthrow of Gondor, his near neighbour and the strongest of his enemies. He had such forces at his command, though, that he was able to fight the war on many fronts, also attacking Dale, Erebor and the Wood-elves in the far north, and Lórien from his secondary stronghold at Dol Guldur. There can be no doubt that, had the Wise not achieved possession of the Ring, Sauron would ultimately have been victorious.
04-06-03, 05:58 PM
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Lord of the Rings questions (spoilers)
Well I just finished reading Lord of the Rings, the whole thing. I thought the story was really great. I didn't read the 100+ page appendix at the end, so maybe these questions are answered there..... but anyway...
What is in the west? The elves want to go there... why? Why can't they just stay where they are? I get the idea that it's just some other continent that they take a boat to... is that land over there just like Middle Earth? Or, is it some huge burrial island where they all go to die? Or is it just thought of as them just "going to heaven" or whatever...? Why did Gandalf, Bilbo and Frodo go with them in the end? They're not elves.
Aragorn and his ancestors came to middle earth a long time ago. Did they come from this holy west-place? If so why didn't they stay? Why can't/won't they go back?
What's the deal with Tom Bombadil? Why didn't he want the ring? Who is he, exactly, and what about his lady-friend?
Will Bilbo and Frodo, being ringbearers, ever die, or will they just wither away into a gollum-thing? In the end Bilbo is very old but still hanging on...
OK, That's all I can think of right now, but there will be more...
What is in the west? The elves want to go there... why? Why can't they just stay where they are? I get the idea that it's just some other continent that they take a boat to... is that land over there just like Middle Earth? Or, is it some huge burrial island where they all go to die? Or is it just thought of as them just "going to heaven" or whatever...? Why did Gandalf, Bilbo and Frodo go with them in the end? They're not elves.
Aragorn and his ancestors came to middle earth a long time ago. Did they come from this holy west-place? If so why didn't they stay? Why can't/won't they go back?
What's the deal with Tom Bombadil? Why didn't he want the ring? Who is he, exactly, and what about his lady-friend?
Will Bilbo and Frodo, being ringbearers, ever die, or will they just wither away into a gollum-thing? In the end Bilbo is very old but still hanging on...
OK, That's all I can think of right now, but there will be more...
04-06-03, 06:10 PM
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Re: Lord of the Rings questions (spoilers)
Originally posted by necros
Who is he, exactly, and what about his lady-friend?
Who is he, exactly, and what about his lady-friend?
Tom Bombadil abides.
04-06-03, 09:11 PM
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Re: Lord of the Rings questions (spoilers)
Originally posted by necros
I didn't read the 100+ page appendix at the end, so maybe these questions are answered there..... but anyway...
I didn't read the 100+ page appendix at the end, so maybe these questions are answered there..... but anyway...
