12:57 is probably my favorite line from the book so far. All of these descriptions of Angband are clearly manifestations of the destruction of the Trees of Valinor. But as soon as the sun is introduced, some green stuff starts to grow. Life becomes prevalent again, even next to the “gates of hell” as Tolkien describes it. It’s a nice image and reminds us that no matter what Melkor does to the world, hope will always remain, even if just a small patch of grass in the most evil land there is
Nearly 20 years after my first reading, "Of Beleriand and its Realms" still makes me want to cry, and not in a Luthien's-lament-before-Mandos way. Helps so much to have the commentary overlaying the map.
@@Crafty_Spirit Yeah. I mean..Morgoth won. He withstood Feanor’s expedition and subsequent attempts at dislodging him. The great kingdoms the elves established were destroyed. If the Isle of Balar hadn’t existed, who knows what would have happened. Gil-Galad would probably have been killed.
I always loved Tolkien and his obsession with geography, description of landscapes and place names. Many a time I go through LOTR and flick through to the maps at the back to match a name to a line I've just read.
I recommend the Atlas of Middle Earth as the best tool, along with the Appendices of LOTR, in reading and comprehending The Silmarillion. Thank you for investing so much time and effort in bringing these stories to life. I know people are wary of reading it, but your “Explained” series is fabulous and will hopefully open many more eyes and minds to the glorious tales within it. I love this book and it’s stories and finding your channel is honestly a huge blessing in my life. Thanks again for all your hard work!
I actually find it admirable that Tolkien himself realized that while he had a purpose for bits like this that it was a niche interest and didn't seem too put off by the idea that others might not be as enamored with this core element as he was. Too many authors who have been seen as masters, or creators in general, are so dismissive or aggressive to spectators who 'don't get it'. I wish I could say I was paying enough attention to notice that the maps were incomplete, but wow. That's kinda amusing. Thanks for the info on which are more reliable! Once again you have turned what would otherwise be a muddle of words to me into something decipherable. Even with lion-yawn-dulled brain!
Tolkien was super humble in general and didn't think anyone would ever want to read his stories until the success of The Hobbit. Even then, he never thought he would be able to get The Silmarillion published until after the more widespread success of The Lord of the Rings, largely because of all the linguistic content and how niche it is (and because he'd already been turned down by multiple publishers).
I found LoTR project first before finding your pages, and it blew my mind. Both are excellent resources for me being a first time reader. They keep me captivated and interested through these difficult readings, so thanks!
Your suggestion of looking at place names as a window into a language is brilliant. In the real world you can look at Tokyo and Kyoto as a starting point into a writing system that seems inscrutable at first and see other common elements in names such as yama 山, saki 崎 etc. It can work to reinforce learning that might be otherwise dry and abstract.
FYIthere is a minecraft server that shows all of Middle Earth in fine detail of every land and town from sea to mountains. The lovinfg and dedicated work of several hundred people over a decade.
12:57 is probably my favorite line from the book so far. All of these descriptions of Angband are clearly manifestations of the destruction of the Trees of Valinor. But as soon as the sun is introduced, some green stuff starts to grow. Life becomes prevalent again, even next to the “gates of hell” as Tolkien describes it. It’s a nice image and reminds us that no matter what Melkor does to the world, hope will always remain, even if just a small patch of grass in the most evil land there is
Nearly 20 years after my first reading, "Of Beleriand and its Realms" still makes me want to cry, and not in a Luthien's-lament-before-Mandos way. Helps so much to have the commentary overlaying the map.
Yeah, it's the last big bottleneck of the book. The good news is, after this chapter, it's all story from here on!
What makes me cry is that rereading this chapter reminds you that all the realms listed will fall, and fall totally
@@Crafty_Spirit Yeah. I mean..Morgoth won. He withstood Feanor’s expedition and subsequent attempts at dislodging him. The great kingdoms the elves established were destroyed. If the Isle of Balar hadn’t existed, who knows what would have happened. Gil-Galad would probably have been killed.
Me too
I always loved Tolkien and his obsession with geography, description of landscapes and place names. Many a time I go through LOTR and flick through to the maps at the back to match a name to a line I've just read.
I am proud to be called a Tolkien geek!
Me too!
This channel is a treasure.
I recommend the Atlas of Middle Earth as the best tool, along with the Appendices of LOTR, in reading and comprehending The Silmarillion. Thank you for investing so much time and effort in bringing these stories to life. I know people are wary of reading it, but your “Explained” series is fabulous and will hopefully open many more eyes and minds to the glorious tales within it. I love this book and it’s stories and finding your channel is honestly a huge blessing in my life. Thanks again for all your hard work!
I actually find it admirable that Tolkien himself realized that while he had a purpose for bits like this that it was a niche interest and didn't seem too put off by the idea that others might not be as enamored with this core element as he was. Too many authors who have been seen as masters, or creators in general, are so dismissive or aggressive to spectators who 'don't get it'.
I wish I could say I was paying enough attention to notice that the maps were incomplete, but wow. That's kinda amusing. Thanks for the info on which are more reliable!
Once again you have turned what would otherwise be a muddle of words to me into something decipherable. Even with lion-yawn-dulled brain!
Tolkien was super humble in general and didn't think anyone would ever want to read his stories until the success of The Hobbit. Even then, he never thought he would be able to get The Silmarillion published until after the more widespread success of The Lord of the Rings, largely because of all the linguistic content and how niche it is (and because he'd already been turned down by multiple publishers).
I found LoTR project first before finding your pages, and it blew my mind. Both are excellent resources for me being a first time reader. They keep me captivated and interested through these difficult readings, so thanks!
Your suggestion of looking at place names as a window into a language is brilliant. In the real world you can look at Tokyo and Kyoto as a starting point into a writing system that seems inscrutable at first and see other common elements in names such as yama 山, saki 崎 etc. It can work to reinforce learning that might be otherwise dry and abstract.
FYIthere is a minecraft server that shows all of Middle Earth in fine detail of every land and town from sea to mountains. The lovinfg and dedicated work of several hundred people over a decade.
It has been several years since I've played any Minecraft but I was actually aware of that project already. An impressive work, for sure.
Thanks dan. Love the art
Cheers Shane!
the last of the bottleneck is so real 💀. after this chapter, the story is easier to comprehend lol
Bottleneck? I love this chapter! Then again, I’m Social Studies teacher. 🤓
As a geographer I agree
This chapter was a slog to read through. I appreciate your video which definitely helps.
Does anybody know if there is any academia in regards to tolkien? Like becoming a scholar or something?
💚💙
Hi :-) Do you think the Eastern Borders are canon or rather Wynn-Fonnstead filling the gaps?
What's Tolkien writing in that clip?