An Analysis of Music in the Creation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth
Music is a part of daily life, and it makes up enormous sections of cultures around the world. J.R.R. Tolkien, in creating his own world, made certain that the aspect of music was still deeply engrained within his fictional works. Music is used to further deepen the plots, enhance the characters’ emotions, and to give life to a world that to him was as precious as our own. So the question arises: In what ways and to what extent is music used in the creation and existence of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth?
In the beginning of Middle Earth, Tolkien writes about the creation, beginning with the creator, “Eru, the one who in Arda is called Iluvatar”, who forms “first the …show more content…
Hobbits tended more to play “pipes, flutes” and “fiddles”, or other simple instruments, while the Dwarves were partial to “the harp” (Hargrove 1). Dwarves were also known to use “little fiddles, flutes, clarinets, viols, and drums” (Hargrove1). The harp was considered to be a sign of royalty, to the dwarves, and Dwarven Kings would often possess one. Elves often played “the flute and harp”, but also considered their voices to be instruments, and it was often preferred to sing without accompaniment on more solemn occasions (Hargrove 1). A famous elven harpist and singer was “Maglor, one of Feanor’s sons” (Hargrove 1). These harp was a basic instrument that Tolkien borrowed from the Middle Ages, during which the harp was considered to be a “basic instrument” and was most commonly “strummed between the lines in Germanic lays” (Hargrove 1). Just as in the Middle Ages, the harp is common throughout Middle Earth and is one of the most influential …show more content…
Dwarves, Elves, Hobbits, and Men use music to express emotion, celebrate events, lament tragedies, and honor their heroes. Dwarves consistently used their music to celebrate wealth and great leaders, or describe impactful events. An example of this is when Thorin’s company stayed at the house of Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit, and they “began to sing […] deep throated singing of the dwarves” (Tolkien Hobbit 14). During their song, Bilbo can clearly hear their “love of beautiful things made by hands” (Tolkien Hobbit 15). The dwarves preferred “fiddles, flutes, clarinets, viols, drums, and harps” (Hargrove 1). The Race of Man, however, was keener on singing songs that described the future. In Tolkien’s book, The Hobbit, the Men of Lake town sing of the “Mountain-King’s return”, of how on that day “the streams shall run in gladness and the lakes shall shine and burn” (Tolkien Hobbit 14). Hobbits, or Halflings, are more focused on simpler songs, concerning more light-hearted subjects. Frodo Baggins’ song while visiting the city of Bree concerns a “cat playing a Fiddle” (Hargrove 1). Certain Hobbits, specifically Sam wise Game, sang darker songs, due to their exposure to the world outside of their home, the Shire. Sam wise a “sad song” which “recounts the death of Gil-Galad”, who was the very “last of the High-Elven kings in Middle Earth” (Hargrove 1). Elves are very influential in their music,
Music is a part of daily life, and it makes up enormous sections of cultures around the world. J.R.R. Tolkien, in creating his own world, made certain that the aspect of music was still deeply engrained within his fictional works. Music is used to further deepen the plots, enhance the characters’ emotions, and to give life to a world that to him was as precious as our own. So the question arises: In what ways and to what extent is music used in the creation and existence of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth?
In the beginning of Middle Earth, Tolkien writes about the creation, beginning with the creator, “Eru, the one who in Arda is called Iluvatar”, who forms “first the …show more content…
Hobbits tended more to play “pipes, flutes” and “fiddles”, or other simple instruments, while the Dwarves were partial to “the harp” (Hargrove 1). Dwarves were also known to use “little fiddles, flutes, clarinets, viols, and drums” (Hargrove1). The harp was considered to be a sign of royalty, to the dwarves, and Dwarven Kings would often possess one. Elves often played “the flute and harp”, but also considered their voices to be instruments, and it was often preferred to sing without accompaniment on more solemn occasions (Hargrove 1). A famous elven harpist and singer was “Maglor, one of Feanor’s sons” (Hargrove 1). These harp was a basic instrument that Tolkien borrowed from the Middle Ages, during which the harp was considered to be a “basic instrument” and was most commonly “strummed between the lines in Germanic lays” (Hargrove 1). Just as in the Middle Ages, the harp is common throughout Middle Earth and is one of the most influential …show more content…
Dwarves, Elves, Hobbits, and Men use music to express emotion, celebrate events, lament tragedies, and honor their heroes. Dwarves consistently used their music to celebrate wealth and great leaders, or describe impactful events. An example of this is when Thorin’s company stayed at the house of Bilbo Baggins, a Hobbit, and they “began to sing […] deep throated singing of the dwarves” (Tolkien Hobbit 14). During their song, Bilbo can clearly hear their “love of beautiful things made by hands” (Tolkien Hobbit 15). The dwarves preferred “fiddles, flutes, clarinets, viols, drums, and harps” (Hargrove 1). The Race of Man, however, was keener on singing songs that described the future. In Tolkien’s book, The Hobbit, the Men of Lake town sing of the “Mountain-King’s return”, of how on that day “the streams shall run in gladness and the lakes shall shine and burn” (Tolkien Hobbit 14). Hobbits, or Halflings, are more focused on simpler songs, concerning more light-hearted subjects. Frodo Baggins’ song while visiting the city of Bree concerns a “cat playing a Fiddle” (Hargrove 1). Certain Hobbits, specifically Sam wise Game, sang darker songs, due to their exposure to the world outside of their home, the Shire. Sam wise a “sad song” which “recounts the death of Gil-Galad”, who was the very “last of the High-Elven kings in Middle Earth” (Hargrove 1). Elves are very influential in their music,