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Home , A Elbereth Gilthoniel, Dark lord, Frodo Baggins, Mythopoeia (poem)

投稿類別: 英文寫作

篇名: The Religious Elements in

作者: 洪詠惠。國立師範大學附屬高級中學。高二 1318 班

指導老師: 余佳玟 老師

The Religious Elements in The Lord of The Ring

I. Introduction

Motivation and Purpose of the Study

In 2001, when The Lord of The Rings was shot into a movie trilogy, I was fascinated. For more than forty times I’ve watched the trilogy, memorizing every quote and detail. After the story was rooted in my mind, I started to get interested in the ingredients that influenced the author while he built this epic .

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the classic works The , The Lord of the Rings, and . (Biography,1977)

The background of The Lord of the Rings was located in Middle-Earth, a world Tolkien created with fictive linguistics, geography, races, history and culture. In other words, Tolkien has originated an integrity world. (Biography,1977)

The Lord of the Rings developed as a personal exploration by Tolkien of his interests in philology, religion, tales, Norse and general Germanic mythology, and also Celtic, Slavic, Persian, Greek, and Finnish mythology, and the Anglo-Saxon poem . (Letters, 1981)And also he put in his point of view towards industrialization and his personal experiences during his military service during World War One. (National Geographic.,2006)

Above all those factors that influenced Tolkien, the religious and mythology elements interested me the most. Therefore, the thesis below explains how those elements were shown affecting The Lord of the Rings.

Scope and Method of the Study

In order in find out the religious and mythology elements that influenced The Lord of the Rings, I analyze the significant that are related with Catholicism, Celtic mythology and Druid, and Norse mythology. The significant comes from the three volumes of The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien’s own explanations, and researches about Tolkien’s .

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The Religious Elements in The Lord of The Ring

II. Thesis

1. Definition

1-1. Mythopoeia

1-1-1.Definition of mythopoeia

Mythopoeia is the act of making and creating mythologies in modern literature and film, where a fictional mythology is created by the writer of prose or other . (New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary)

Mythopoeia was used by J. R. R. Tolkien in the 1930s. The authors in this genre integrate traditional mythological themes and into fiction. Works of mythopoeia are often categorized as fantasy or but fill a niche for mythology in the modern world, according to Joseph Campbell, a famous student of world mythology. Different from mythologies that arise out of centuries of oral tradition, mythopoeia are penned over a short period of time by a single author or small group of collaborators. (The Power of ,1988).

Critics about mythopoeia said that it is artificial mythology, which emphasizes that it did not evolve naturally and is an artifice comparable with artificial language, so should not be taken seriously as mythology. For example the noted folklorist Alan Dundes argued that "any novel cannot meet the cultural criteria of myth. A work of art, or artifice, cannot be said to be the narrative of a culture's sacred tradition...it is at most, artificial myth. Tolkien wrote a poem “Mythopoeia” to defend mythopoeia, referring that authors are “little makers” wielding his “own small gold scepter” ruling his sub creation. (Dundes, 2003)

1-1-2. Tolkien’s mythopoeia works

Tolkien's now famous work of mythopoeia includes The Lord of the Rings 、、 The Silmarillion.、Unfinish tales、The Children of Hurin, and The History of Middle-Earth, edited by his son. (Biography,1997)

J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth is perhaps the best-known of contemporary invented mythology. In his fictional works, Tolkien invented not only origin , creation myths and an cycle, but also fictive linguistics, geology and geography. (Dundes, 2009)

1-2. Catholicism

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The Religious Elements in The Lord of The Ring

The Catholics esteem the Holy Bible as their highest authority and the source of their doctrine. They believe that the Holy Bible was written by those who were implied by God The Holy tradition is the tradition of the church, or could be viewed as the life throughout the church. Catholics believe that God’s revelation passes down to believers by the Holy tradition and oracles. Churches take charge of safekeeping, studying, experiencing and promoting further comprehension towards the Holy Bible and the Holy tradition to ensure that they become living oracles of God. (McBrien, Richard ,1994)

Catholics believe that in the end of their lifetime, they will face the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell. Death is a not the end; instead, it is crossing the border of this life to the afterlife. After Death, the spirits will face the Judgment. Those who were kind in life will go to Heaven, while the ones go to Hell. The Four Last Things alert Catholics of being good in life. (McBrien, Richard ,1994)

1-3. Celtic mythology

Celtic mythology was a belief in the Iron Age. Their religion is Druidism, which is polytheism, like most Iron Age Europeans. Celtic mythology and Druidism faded after contacting with the Roman Empire, who viewed it as paganism. Part of it was absorbed by Catholicism during the Middle Age. (Hutton Ronald, 1991)

Druids are the clergies of Druidism. In Celtic mythologies, Druids are capable of communicating with the Gods. Despite taking charge of sacrificial ceremony and religious festivals, Druids are doctors, sorceries, deviators, poets and historians. Druidism believes in the form of reincarnation and animism, which made them close and friendly with nature. (Hutton, Ronald,2007)

In Celtic mythology, the Otherworld is the realm where deities and other spirits dwell. Some tales refer to the Otherworld as "The Fortunate Isles" in the western sea, but invisible to most humans. In Irish poetry, Otherworld has often been described as a land of paradise, happiness, and nice weather. The Otherworld is also called the Land of the Living, Delightful Plain, and Land of the Young It is believed to be a country where there is no sickness, old age, or death, where happiness lasts forever. (James MacKillop, 1998)

1-4. Norse mythology

Norse mythology is a specific mythology system in Scandinavia. There isn’t much information to be found, it was mostly passed on by the songs of Bards. The heyday of Norse mythology was in 8～11 century, when the Vikings threatened Europe the most. After the 13th

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century, the Vikings gradually withered and Europe churches sprang up, the Vikings were forced to devout to Christian religion. (Abram, Christopher,2011)..

While most mythologies portray the glory of the creation and Gods, Norse mythology portrays the destruction of the world. Gods in Norse mythology will die, and they are not perfect. In Norse mythology, they believe that all things circulate, when the old pass away, new life comes forth. (Abram, Christopher,2011)

Norse mythology is a polytheistic system that could be sorted into five columns: , Aesir, Vanir, and Dwarves. Giants are the first born, they give birth to the Gods Aesir and Vanir, but are also their biggest enemy. The Gods separate into two tribes: Aesir led by Odin and Vanir led by Njord. Elves and Dwarves are semi-gods that pay service to the Gods. (Abram, Christopher,2011)

One of the most unique characteristic of Norse mythology is that their world will collapse in the end, which is known as the Ragnarök, the end of the Gods. The Gods have a prophecy that this war is meant to fail and the Gods will die, no matter what. Even so, the Gods face the end straightforwardly. They cannot change what is meant to happen, but they try to protect it. The Ragnarök forms a tragicl atmosphere in the Norse mythology, making it one of the most pessimistic mythologies. (Abram, Christopher,2011)

2. Introduction of The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings is an epic fantasy novel written by English author J. R. R. Tolkien. This story began as a sequel to The Hobbit, and eventually developed into a much larger work with the volumes: The Fellowship of the Ring, and .

The title of the novel refers to the story's main , Dark Lord , who created the to rule conquer Middle-Earth.

After the last alliance of Men and Elves towards the Dark Lord, Sauron was defeated. The One Ring passed to , King of Numenors, then to who gained twisted and crooked life because of the power of the Ring, and then to a Hobbit of Shire, then to his nephew , and it was how the story begins.

2500years after the last alliance, Dark Lord Sauron had regained his dark force, if only he retake his One Ring, the fate of Middle-Earth will be in grave danger. The Ring must be destroyed, but that can only be done by casting it into of , where it was forged. Frodo, the Ring bearer, volunteered to take on this task, followed by his loyal friend and gardener Sam, the Merry and Pippin, a ranger but also the crownless king ,

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captain of , a warrior ; an Elven prince , and the wizard . Together they became the fellowship of the Ring.

As the dark force attacked the fellowship within and without, it began to break. Frodo escaped, determining to finish the alone, although Sam guesses his intent and comes along.

Even though the fellowship was broken, all members supported Frodo to continue his task from different places. Merry and Pippin had ’s Isegard destroyed with the help of . Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli helped the two countries of Men fought against the dark army. And after that they drew out Sauron’s army so that Frodo could enter Mount Doom. Sam managed to support Frodo, as the Ring continuously consumes Frodo’s strength, even after Frodo sent him away because of Gollum’s false accusation and disturbance.

However, in front of Mount Doom, Frodo lost his combat with the Ring and decided to own it. Gollum, who had desired the Ring for long, snatched it by biting off Frodo’s finger. Frodo and Gollum fought for the Ring, until Gollum accidently fell into the crater of Mount Doom with it.

The Ring was destroyed, and Sauron’s dark force collapsed. Peace went back to Middle- Earth. Aragorn returned to his throne. The Ring-bearers Frodo and Bilbo sailed into the West with Gandalf and the Elves.

3. Analysis

3-1. Catholicism in The Lord of the Rings

Catholicism is a monotheistic religion. This made Tolkien’s mythology a totally paganism. But in fact, Tolkien himself was a devout catholic.

“ The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision. That is why I have not put in, or have cut out, practically all references to anything like 'religion', to cults or practices, in the imaginary world. For the religious element is absorbed into the story and the symbolism.”(Letters,1981) Tolkien acknowledged this by himself.

The most notable symbolism of Catholicism in The Lord of the Rings was the date. The date Frodo and the fellowship set out from was December 25. That day was the beginnings of Frodo’s task, so was the same date ’ task began. On March 25, the Ring was destroyed, and Frodo’s task was done. Catholics recognize this date as both the Annunciation and the date traditionally assigned to the Crucifixion of Jesus.(The Fellowship of the Ring)

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Lembas is bread made by the Elves. It was given to the fellowship by the elves of Lothlorien. One small bite of Lembas could fill a ’s daily need. The word means “journey bread” or “waybread” in Elvish. The Elven bread “Lembas”, could also be viewed as a catholic element: Eucharist. Eucharist strengthens catholics throughout the journey of their life. It is the “bread of the strong,” the “bread of life,” and the “food of the elect.” As a sacrament, it carries a pledge of all the actual graces needed to be strong in resisting sin. It fortifies, heals, satiates, and refreshes the one who partakes of it. (Brother-André Marie,2007) On the slopes of Mount Doom, Frodo and Sam had nothing to drink or eat except of lembas. Lembas was described “The Lembas had a virtue without which they would long ago have lain down to die. It did not satisfy desire, and at times Sam’s mind was filled with the memories of food, and the longing for simple bread and meats. And yet this waybread of the Elves had a potency that increased as travelers relied on it alone and did not mingle it with other foods. It fed the will, and it gave strength to endure, and to master sinew and limb beyond the measure of mortal kind.” (Return of the King) From which we could see the Catholicism element in Lembas.

3-2. Celtic mythology in The Lord of the Rings The Elves urge to go to , the undying land. They think that their days on the Middle Earth have come to an end, the time of elves is over. Valinor, just like the Otherworld in Celtic mythology, locates in the Western sea, yet could not be found by mortals. This fact was shown in Legolas’s song of the sea:

To the Sea, to the Sea! The white gulls are crying, The wind is blowing, and the white foam is flying. West, west away, the round sun is falling. Grey ship, grey ship, do you hear them calling, The voices of my people that have gone before me? I will leave, I will leave the woods that bore me; For our days are ending and our years failing. I will pass the wide waters lonely sailing. Long are the waves on the Last Shore falling, Sweet are the voices in the Lost Isle calling, In Eressea, in Elvenhome that no man can discover, Where the leaves fall not: land of my people forever! (The Return of the King)

Despite Elves and Valinor, the reincarnation of Gandalf is also a Druidic element. In the mines of , Gandalf fought with the of . In the end, he threw down his

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enemy and smote its ruin upon the mountainside. Having overdraft his power, Gandalf died, but he reincarnated and came back after the God gave him life again. He described: “Darkness took me. And I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead and everyday was as long as a life-age of the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done.”(The Two Towers)

3-3. Norse mythology in The Lord of the Rings

Norse mythology is one of the most dismal mythologies. They believed: One must have the courage to face their failure and death to be proved . Extreme bravery isn’t just to conquer evil, it is to choose to defend evil even knowing that you will fail anyway.

This kind of heroism could be seen in the Return of the King, before the battle upon the black gate, Aragorn knew they would be over numbered by the black army, but still they fought bravely.

Aragorn said to his army“I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of Men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the Age of Men comes crashing down, but it is not this day! This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West! ”(Fran Walsh,2003)

Just like the Nordic Gods, they knew one day they will all fail, but they believe as long as they strive, the end will not be today.

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III. Conclusion

Although The Lord of the Rings was filled with religious elements, in the story, there was no organized religion or religious institution on Middle- Earth.

Middle- Earth’s religion tends to be a looser label of spirituality. And it is different among different races and cultures.

Elves worship Iluvatar. They also worship the Valar, but Tolkien explains that they “view the Valar as children view their parents or immediate adult superiors, and though they know they are subjects of the King he does not live in their country nor have there any dwelling."(Letter,1954) Tolkien basically equates the elves’ relationship with the Valar like Catholics’ relationship with saints. Varda is the most beloved Valar by the elves. Most elves sing “”, a song in her honor, every night when the stars come out. (The Silmarillion)

Men are much more monotheistic than elves, and put less emphasis on the Valar. In Numenor they once have an altar dedicated to Iluvatar. People could come there to pray to him privately. (The Silmarillion)However, men of did not seem to reconize Iluvatar, we could tell from the Rohirrim. (The Two Towers)

Dwarves worshipped Aule probably more than Iluvatar, for it was Aule the Valar that created them. They called him Mahal, and believed that he would care for them in the afterlife. (The Silmarillion)

As for hobbits, there was no form of worship or prayer, unless they were influenced by the elves.(The Fellowship of the Ring)

Why wasn’t there an organized religion in Middle-Earth? I suppose it is because that Tolkien himself was a devote Catholicism. He wished to express the power of faith and belief in his characters, yet he did not wish to create a religion for them to worship. The religious elements in the books were to make its characters more distinguish, so that the story vibrates the readers. If Tolkien created a new religion in his work, then the power of faith he wished to deliver would become a totally paganism for catholic.

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IV. References

1. Carpenter, Humphrey. (1977).Tolkien: A Biography. New York: Ballantine Books. ISBN 0- 04-928037-6.

2. Carpenter, Humphrey; Tolkien, Christopher, eds. (1981). The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien. London: George Allen & Unwin. ISBN 0-04-826005-3.

3. "World War I and World War II". National Geographic. Retrieved 16 June 2006. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngbeyond/rings/influences.html

4. New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary http://ukcatalogue.oup.com/product/9780199206872.do

5. Moyers, Bill and Joseph Campbell. (1988) The Power of Myth. Betty Sue Flowers (ed.). New York: Doubleday, hardcover: ISBN 0-385-24773-7

6. Adcox, John(2003). Can Fantasy be Myth? Mythopoeia and The Lord of the Rings. Published by The Newsletter of the Mythic Imagination Institute7. McBrien, Richard P. Catholicism. HarperCollins. (1994). ISBN 978-0-06-065405-4.

7. HUTTON RONALD (1991). The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles: Their Nature and Legacy. Oxford: Blackwell. ISBN 0-631-18946-7.

8. Hutton, Ronald(1997) The Druids. London: Hambledon Continuum

9. James MacKillop,(1998).Dictionary of Celtic Mythology, Oxford:. ISBN 0-19-860967-1

10. Abram, Christopher (2011). Myths of the Pagan North: the Gods of the Norsemen. London: Continuum. ISBN 978-1-84725-247-0.

11. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. (2002). The Fellowship of the Ring

12. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. (2002). The Two Towers

13. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (2002) The Return of the King

14. Brother-André Marie (2007). Tolkien and the Eucharist http://catholicism.org/ad-rem-no- 36.html

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15. Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, .(2003).The Return of the King movie script,based on the book by J.R.R. Tolkien

16. John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.(1997) The Silmarillion.

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