The "Ring" and the Remnants of the West

the Asia Times ^ | January 11, 2003 | Spengler

[Maigret]

Thanks for the explanation, Samwise :)

[LadyDoc]

Pearce has discussed the religious background of Lord of the Rings twice on EWTN:(if they don't download, go to www.ewtn.com and go to audio page and search for tolkien or pearce)


http://www.ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/dload1.asp?rafile=wo121401.ra&source=frmselectseries.asp&seriesID=&T1=pearce

and

http://www.ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/dload1.asp?rafile=lr_288.ra&source=frmselectseries.asp&seriesID=&T1=pearce

The National Geographic has a good DVD/program on the relationship of nordic and Finnish sagas --as well as the influence of world war I-- on Tolkien's books.

[Maigret]

I recently read Tolkien and the Sanctifying Myth and thought it was quite good, will check out your referenced sites, thanks.

[Vast Buffalo Wing Conspiracy]

What a misguided analysis. I don't see any opposition or "negation" between Wagner and Tolkien. Their art reflects their times, with many similarities and many differences. I enjoy them both.

[Mamzelle]

Bump. Tolkein cast Wagner into Mount Doom!

[boris]

"Wagner's music is much better than it sounds."--Mark Twain

--Boris

[boris]

"Alberich forges a Ring of Power Sauron forges a Ring of Power Wotan needs the giants to build Valhalla The Elves need Sauron to forge their Rings of Power The Ring gives the bearer world domination The Ring gives the bearer world domination Wotan uses the Ring to pay the giants Sauron betrays the Elves The Ring is cursed and betrays its bearer The Ring is evil and betrays its bearer Fafner kills brother Fasolt to get the Ring Smeagol kills friend Deagol for the Ring Fafner hides in a cave for centuries Smeagol-Gollum hides in a cave for centuries Siegfried inherits the shards of his father's sword Aragorn inherits the shards his fathers' sword Brunnhilde gives up immortality for Siegfried Arwen gives up immortality for Aragorn Wotan plays "riddles" for the life of Mime Gollum plays "riddles" for the life of Bilbo A dragon guards the Nibelungs' hoard A dragon guards the dwarves' hoard The gods renounce the world and await the end The Elves renounce the world and prepare to depart The Ring is returned to its origin, the River Rhine The Ring is returned to its origin, Mount Doom Hagen falls into the river Gollum falls into the volcano The immortals burn in Valhalla The immortals leave Middle-earth A new era emerges in the world A new era emerges in the world Men are left to their own devices Men are left to their own devices"

A 239-word "sentence" with almost no punctuation! Surely a contender for the Guiness Book of Records!

--Boris

[Festa]

The word recast is not what bothers me. But Tolkien did not recast Wagner, he recast nordic myth which Wagner had perverted.

The Elves are naturally immortal but are no more Gods than the number 2. The number 2 exists outside of space and time yet is no more a God and you or I. Where the author gets this comparison is beyond me.

Like the Beowolf poet, Tolkien found much to like about nordic myth. He preferred it over Greek myth because in Nordic myth, evil is stronger than good yet Good must fight evil if for no other reason than to do what is right. It is fascinating stuff. This is what Tolkien recasts, with a hidden Christian spin.

As to the weak American culture, you can thank the liberals for that one.