Anyone who’s read both The Silmarillion and The Hobbit will have noted the strong similarities between the Elvenking of Mirkwood and Thingol Greycloak. In this article, Tolkien scholar Michael Martinez examines whether, at the time Tolkien was writing The Hobbit, the Elvenking was intended to be Thingol himself.
John Rateliff addressed this question in The History of The Hobbit without really closing the issue, although he favors the view (based on the available evidence) that the Elvenking of The Hobbit (whom we learn is named Thranduil in The Lord of the Rings) is NOT to be equated with King Thingol in The Silmarillion. Continue reading “Was the Elvenking of The Hobbit supposed to be Thingol?”
Ringer Marthe has sent us this interesting and thought-provoking article outlining comparisons of the Elven-king Thranduil with the legends of The Fisher King and Oberon, based on comments Lee Pace made in the August copy of Empire Magazine.
Continue reading “Thranduil, The Fisher King and Oberon; Why It Matters”
Here are three quite interesting descriptions from The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Annual 2014 of the areas of Middle-earth that Thorin & Company will be passing through early on in The Desolation of Smaug.
Not much that’s new, but it’s certainly more confirmation of divergences from Tolkien’s novel. If you’re trying to remain unaware of these little surprises, don’t read on — here be SPOILERS!
But if you like what you see, you can order your copy of the book from Amazon.
Bilbo’s travels with Thorin and the rest of The Company have taken him far from his home in The Shire. From towering mountains to cavernous depths, the heroes find themselves passing through some truly amazing places.
Beorn’s cabin
When the group are searching for somewhere to rest after their dangerous journey through the Misty Mountains, Gandalf leads them here. But after they are chased by a huge bear, Bilbo thinks that htey might have been safer if they’d stayed up a tree surrounded by Wargs!
However, the Shape-shifter Beorn reveals that he is the bear, and welcomes everyone into his home. They Company are able to rest here in peace before continuing their quest.
Mirkwood
When Gandalf heads south on a quest of his own, The Company are faced with travelling through this weird wood on their own. Blanketed in shadows and filled with decay and evil, Mirkwood has claimed the lives of many an unwary traveller. If the deadly waters of its dark rivers don’t claim you, then one of the horrible creatures lurking in the shadows surely will…
The Hall of the Elvenking
The fortress of Thranduil, the King of the Wood Elves. Thranduil sees Mirkwood as his private realm and has little patience for those who enter it without his premission — especially if they happen to be Dwarves. Built over the swift river that leads to the Long Lake, it is here Thorin and his companions are taken when they are captured by the Elves. Luckily for them, Bilbo has a trick or two up his sleeve.
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Courtesy of Ringer narflet on the TORn messageboards, here is a cool summary of all the plot hints and twists that are revealed in the movie tie-in book The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Annual 2014.
Fair warning, these ARE plot spoilers. Keep away if you prefer surprises!
What do you make of it all? And if you like what you see, remember you can order your copy of the book from Amazon. Continue reading “Hobbit spoilers from The Desolation of Smaug annual!”
Courtesy of TORn messageboarder narflet here are six more cool images from the new movie tie-in book that’s just been released — The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Annual 2014.
No new spoiler hints to speak of here, but some very nice character shots of Tauriel, Legolas and Bard the Bowman for sure, plus a wider angle of that art image of the dwarves tumbling down the river in barrels.
What do you think of them? If you like what you see, remember you can order your copy of the book from Amazon. Continue reading “Six dramatic images from the Desolation of Smaug 2014 annual”
Evangeline Lilly has begun an ongoing series of twitter chats with fans about Tauriel. Here are some of her interesting responses to today’s #TaurielTrivia. TORn Staffers Justin and Demosthenes add their observations to her answers to fans’ questions.
Pre-emptive warning: there is a little bit of spoiler discussion. Continue reading “#TaurielTrivia provides spoilers and food for thought!”
