Amateur Studies in Tolkien
I was struck by a passage recently in my annual re-read. When Frodo, Sam, and Pippin have their first encounter with a Black Rider, the text refers to the Ring as belonging to Frodo. A sudden unreasoning fear of discovery laid hold of Frodo, and he thought of his Ring. [I, 3, 'Three is Company']... Continue Reading →
RIP Sir Ian Holm
"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." So too if script-writers would not change perfectly-written lines of dialogue for no good reason at all!
How bad does something have to be in order for a vicious, shape-shifting were-bear to call it savage?
When Tolkien impacts your child deeply enough to warrant tears...
You think Bilbo was unprepared? Get a load of these guys.
I've been having a bit of a muse this morning regarding Bilbo's burglarious services to Thorin & Co. I'm not a legal expert, but I'd be interested to hear other people's thoughts: One of Bilbo's protestations is the vast extent of the treasure when measured against the efforts of one small hobbit burglar: "...you cannot... Continue Reading →
When at last poor little Bilbo . . . poked his head out of the leaves he was nearly blinded . . . The sun was shining brightly . . . he saw all round him a sea of dark green ruffled here and there by the breeze. And there were hundreds [of]... Continue Reading →
It is an interesting thing to note that the original MS had Bilbo become an even greater cheat at the Riddling Game than we might care to see. Not only did he ask the "What have I got in my pocket?" question, which was arguably not a fair question or a proper riddle (like many,... Continue Reading →
It was a dwarf with a blue beard tucked into a golden belt, and very bright eyes under his dark-green hood. As soon as the door was opened, he pushed inside, just as if he had been expected. He hung his hooded cloak on the nearest peg, and “Dwalin at your service!” he said with... Continue Reading →
The Mathom-house 