This weekend (Saturday November 14 at 6pm EST), Hall of Fire will be going wizarding as we examine the nature of those who were sent to Middle-earth to oppose Sauron — the Istari.
Wizard is a translation of Quenya istar (Sindarin ithron): one of the members of an “order” (as they call it), claiming to possess, and exhibiting, eminent knowledge of the history and nature of the World.
The translation (through suitable in its relation to “wise” and other ancient words of knowing, similar to that of istar in Quenya) is not perhaps happy, since Heren Istarion or “Order of Wizards” was quite distinct from “wizards” and “magicians” of later legend; they belonged solely to the Third Age and then departed, and none save maybe Elrond, Círdan and Galadriel discovered of what kind they were or whence they came. (Unfinished Tales)
Continue reading “Hall of Fire this weekend: The Istari”
The seven sons of Fëanor — Maedhros, Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, Amrod and Amras. Famous, or notorious, in Tolkien’s stories — depending on your view. This weekend, they’re our topic in Hall of Fire.
[Feanor’s] seven sons leapt straightway to his side and took the selfsame vow together, and red as blood shone their drawn swords in the glare of the torches. They swore an oath which none shall break, and none should take, by the name even of Ilúvatar, calling the Everlasting Dark upon them if they kept it not…
The seven sons of Fëanor Continue reading “Hall of Fire this weekend: The Sons of Feanor”
In the Hall of Fire, we’ve reached the end of our chapter-by-chapter read-through of The Hobbit. This weekend we’ll discuss the final chapter, touching on the return journey, the interlude in Rivendell, the final division of the troll hoard and the domestic chaos that Bilbo discovers on his return.
“It was on May the First that the two came back at last to the brink of the valley in Rivendell…”
The Hobbit: Chapter 19: The Last Stage Continue reading “Hall of Fire this weekend: The Hobbit chapter 19”
This weekend, TORn’s Hall of Fire returns to The Hobbit for the penultimate chapter of our read-through as Tolkien wraps up his tale with more poetry and pathos than one would expect in a “children’s tale.”
“Victory after all, I suppose! Well, it semms a very gloomy business.”
Continue reading “Hall of Fire this weekend: The Hobbit chapter 18”
This weekend, Hall of Fire will be examining the reasons that may have motivated Frodo to accept the Ring Quest.
`I will take the Ring,’ he said, `though I do not know the way.’
Why did Frodo accept the Ring Quest? Continue reading “Hall of Fire this weekend: why did Frodo accept the Ring Quest?”
This weekend, Hall of Fire examines an elf of Middle-earth whose name is quite well-known yet whose history, and mission, remains comparatively opaque by comparison — Cirdan the Shipwright.
“As they came to the gates Círdan the Shipwright came forth to greet them. Very tall he was, and his beard was long, and he was grey and old, save that his eyes were keen as stars; and he looked at them and bowed, and said “All is now ready.”
Cirdan the Shipwright Continue reading “Hall of Fire this weekend: Cirdan the Shipwright”
