Influence of Norse Mythology and Christian Values on Tolkien’s Views of Good and Evil
The most prevalent theme in John Ronald Reuel Tolkien’s legendarium is the recurring battle between good and evil. The moral struggle between good and evil has been recorded and demonstrated in nearly all cultures, including Norse mythology and Tolkien’s personal philosophy, heavily influenced by his Christian upbringing. Tolkien, having studied both extensively, found inspiration in both when creating his Middle-earth chronicle, especially in developing his characters. Through his intricate and complex characters, Tolkien expressed his beliefs on the dichotomy of good and evil.
The two most significant characters that embody Tolkien’s perspectives on good …show more content…
The Orcs, originally commanded by the first Dark Lord of Middle-earth, Melkor, are described as “squat, broad, flat-nosed, sallow-skinned, with wide mouths and slant eyes” (Letters, p. 210); yet, after the fall of Melkor, they retreated back to their caves, for they are directionless and helpless without a leader. With the eventual rise of Sauron, Melkor’s most trusted servant, the Orcs became the main host of Sauron’s powers. The Orcs become the muscle of the battles between the light and the dark, for they are of insignificant loss. In addition to the Orcs, Sauron also commands the powers of the Nazgûls. Similar to the einherjar of Odin, the Nazgûls, or the Ringwraiths, are the fallen and resurrected men, “like vultures that expect their fill of doomed men’s flesh. Out of sight and shot they flew, and yet were ever present, and their deadly voices rent the air” (Return of the King, p. 97). These men are the original bearers of the nine Rings of Power given to them by Sauron. With prolonged use of the gifted rings, the rings’ powers eventually usurp the kings’ physical beings, rendering them ghost-like. Sauron commands the powers of these men via his One ring. Both Odin and Sauron resort to forced servants to do their ill biddings, to build an army to later use in battle. The two characters’ desire for power is represented by their physical recruitments of beings to fight for their
The most prevalent theme in John Ronald Reuel Tolkien’s legendarium is the recurring battle between good and evil. The moral struggle between good and evil has been recorded and demonstrated in nearly all cultures, including Norse mythology and Tolkien’s personal philosophy, heavily influenced by his Christian upbringing. Tolkien, having studied both extensively, found inspiration in both when creating his Middle-earth chronicle, especially in developing his characters. Through his intricate and complex characters, Tolkien expressed his beliefs on the dichotomy of good and evil.
The two most significant characters that embody Tolkien’s perspectives on good …show more content…
The Orcs, originally commanded by the first Dark Lord of Middle-earth, Melkor, are described as “squat, broad, flat-nosed, sallow-skinned, with wide mouths and slant eyes” (Letters, p. 210); yet, after the fall of Melkor, they retreated back to their caves, for they are directionless and helpless without a leader. With the eventual rise of Sauron, Melkor’s most trusted servant, the Orcs became the main host of Sauron’s powers. The Orcs become the muscle of the battles between the light and the dark, for they are of insignificant loss. In addition to the Orcs, Sauron also commands the powers of the Nazgûls. Similar to the einherjar of Odin, the Nazgûls, or the Ringwraiths, are the fallen and resurrected men, “like vultures that expect their fill of doomed men’s flesh. Out of sight and shot they flew, and yet were ever present, and their deadly voices rent the air” (Return of the King, p. 97). These men are the original bearers of the nine Rings of Power given to them by Sauron. With prolonged use of the gifted rings, the rings’ powers eventually usurp the kings’ physical beings, rendering them ghost-like. Sauron commands the powers of these men via his One ring. Both Odin and Sauron resort to forced servants to do their ill biddings, to build an army to later use in battle. The two characters’ desire for power is represented by their physical recruitments of beings to fight for their