The Lay of Leithian: The Theme of Release in the Tale of Beren and Luthien
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ม.ค. 2025
- Leithian, or release from bondage, is the Elvish name for the tale of Beren and Luthien, and is an apt description of a major theme that runs through the story.
For a fuller synopsis of the story, check this video: • Silmarillion Synopsis ...
For some additional background on the story, check this video: • The Real Life Inspirat...
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7:25 "werewolves eat them one by one"
Sigmund's brothers in the Völsunga saga ...?
Excellent account of the many ways entrapment and release appear in the Lay of Leithian.
Not to make this all about the Noldor, BUT...
...by fulfilling his Oath to Beren and dying by self-sacrifice, Finrod is 'unbound' not only from his obligation to the House of Beor but by the Doom of the Noldor and the knock-on consequences of his cousins' Oath. We know he's released from Mandos and allowed to return to Tirion. Instead of being bound to futility, his actions contribute to the eventual redemption of his people by allowing for the birth of Earendil.
Meanwhile the Least Popular Feanorian Brothers, thinking they've found a perfect opportunity, end up doubly-bound by their own Oath/Curse, and the only thing they're 'released' from in the end is residency in Nargothrond (and, in Curufin's case, Beren's chokehold).
Love u man! What a moving story...
I think Tolkien intended Luthien's escape to be the in-universe origin for the story of Rapunzel. Similar to Frodo's song at the Prancing Pony eventually evolving into famous children rhymes of today.
I don't remember and may be mistaken but was it finrod who chose not to take a mate in Middle-earth because his true love was in the West? His service allowed him to be free to unite with her. I have to wonder what Feanor thought about all of these elves that were reincarnated into a body while he was passed over. Did he learn anything? That's something we can't really tell
Feanor is condemned to witness all the ages of the world in the Halls of Mandos
Fëanor is allowed to redeem himself at Dagor Dagorath, after which he breaks the Silmarils so their light may be used to create two new trees of light.
Yes, Finrod and Amarië. And the book is annoyingly cagey about whether they get together eventually. But if I was Amarië, I’d wait for him. Yes he appears to have learned: because he personally takes the Silmarils apart so that the world can have light. This is according to the Second Prophecy of Mandos.
I always enjoy the details of your lessons. It will make my next reading more insightful.
I am currently reading through the History of Middle Earth series and am on the Lays of Beleriand, so this is a timely video. Interesting to see Christopher detail his father's development of the tale. The 3 Great Tales concerning the great heros of the Edain and their interaction with the Eldar are the best stories of the entire legendarium, imo. Great video!
- Beren, did you steal that apple pie?
- F R E E I N G that apple pie.
@ 0:58 you say they’re betrayed by Borlas and you say it a few more times after. I’m sure it was just a slip but the correct person is Gorlim the Unhappy. For those who do not know, Borlas is one of two people: the original name of Borlad, one of the sons of Bór killed in the Nirnaeth Arnœdiad; or the son of Beregond of Gondor.
PS - you sound like you’re from Appalachia. If so, I’d guess WV or KY 😅
Yeah that was definitely a slip lol. And no, not from Appalachia. ;)
@@TolkienLorePodcast Really liking your content.
And they lived happily ever after, to the end of their days.
Such excellent lorecraft.
It takes a lot to surprise me with new revelations from Middle Earth, but you've managed it twice recently. I doff my cap to you.
Elves are Children of Eru; therefore, they HAVE to be immortal beyond the current world's existence.
Says who?
Carcaroth is always described as a wolf, not a werewolf.
details oh Geek: "Gorlim it was" not Borlas who betrayed Barahir, and it is to Morgoth rather than Sauron that he betrays them.
If I said Borland that was probably a slip, but Sauron is the one who traps Gorlim in at least some versions of the story.
@@TolkienLorePodcast "and thus sad Gorlim led away... before the knees of Morgoth falls"
What are you quoting from?
@@TolkienLorePodcast lay of leithian in Lays of Beleriand
Not the latest version of the story. Pretty sure it’s Sauron in the published Silmarillion.
Well I think it still is Carcharoth's fault he's a bad guy. The werewolves were, as I understand, inhabited by spirits housed in monstrous bodies so Carcharoth is seemingly actually a maia. So he willingly followed Melkor out into rebellion.
eh…the use of the word “housed” actually suggests they aren’t maiar (Tolkien typically says the Ainur are “clothed” in bodies, but the Children of Ilúvatar are “housed” in bodies). The fact that it says Morgoth raised Carcharoth from a puppy suggests that the werewolves are actually breeding. Now it is true, it is unlikely that Ilúvatar is making souls for werewolves. However, Sauron and Morgoth seem to have figured out a way to obtain souls for their various creatures. The most likely source of this is sacrifice rituals conducted by humans who worship Morgoth. The souls being sacrificed of course can be, and probably often are, completely innocent. In this case, it would seem, an infant: or perhaps even an unborn child. The promise of no-strings-attached sex would certainly be a good recruitment strategy, and it’s not like the humans would think about what Sauron and Morgoth were doing with the aborted children’s souls. Hence how we can have werewolves (or indeed orcs) breeding without assuming that Ilúvatar is creating souls for them.
@@golwenlothlindel the orcs are corrupted elves, men and possibly dwarves therefore they have their own inheret souls. Considering creatures like werewolves and dragons then these were given to fallen maiar. Also ghosts of orcs and evil men as well possibly. But he cant harvest innocent souls. It says in the text that Morgoth and Sauron had no power to withold the spirits of the dead of their spiritual destination.
Love these characters!
Whoo hoo!! Podcast versions!!
Gorlim gets a bad rap. He was compromised. It can happen to the best of men.