For example, he drew on the polytheistic Norse gods for the Valar, Gandalf is a portemanteau for the Norse words "magic" and "being" or "elf". Gimli, in Icelandic means "Home of the Gods".
What other spiritual/religion sources do you see in the Lord of the Rings (as well as the Hobbit and the Silmarillion)?
2007-03-28 01:49:56 · 9 answers · asked by awayforabit 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Tolkien said he created the Lord of the Rings because England had no mythology of her own. He drew upon both pagan and Catholic sources. Some of the pagan sources you mentioned (Norse and Finnish).
Some of the Catholic themes are:
1. A ringbearer who nearly sacrifices his life to save others
2. Waybread from the elves which is physically and spiritually sustaining (a parallel to the body and blood of Christ in the Mass)
3. The elves as a sort of priestly class that channel "grace" to the world
4. The one ring as the sin that tempts us, enslaves us and chains us down
There are probably hundreds of others, but those are the few that came to mind.
God bless you
2007-03-28 02:00:24 · answer #1 · answered by Veritas 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are elements of Christianity with the Orcs ( Demons/fallen elves) we also have Gandalf with Christ like attributes he dies and is sent back at the turning of the tide. Also there is one true God Illuvatar and the Anuir(Angels) Melkor the first dark lord ( Satan) Sauron ( Antichrist) .
2007-03-28 09:06:48 · answer #2 · answered by jack lewis 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Mahabharat
2007-03-28 08:56:55 · answer #3 · answered by Sorrowful W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christianity, the Kalevala, the Eddas and the Heimskringla...
2007-03-28 08:55:57 · answer #4 · answered by Invisible_Flags 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The man I married is one of nine brothers, so there were a few things, but personal to me.
2007-03-28 08:58:44 · answer #5 · answered by Lukusmcain// 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I first thought of Pagan. Not a good answer, I know.
2007-03-28 08:54:32 · answer #6 · answered by Gorgeoustxwoman2013 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It was inspired by Finnish folklore " Kalevala".
2007-03-28 08:54:01 · answer #7 · answered by SeeTheLight 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Return of the King
Tolkien was Catholic you know.
2007-03-28 08:54:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Good vs Evil
satan eventually being wiped out
It's very Christian in nature....which is why I support it.
2007-03-28 08:53:10 · answer #9 · answered by primoa1970 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋