I love that I found this channel. I'm the only fan of Tolkien out of my friend group that has read more than the LotR books. Every video feels like I get to sit down and actually talk about some of the best parts of Middle Earth lore.
I have to agree with you the death of Fingon is the saddest part of all the battles. Fingolfin died a hero wounding Morgoth and his body rescued by Thorondor. Feanor, the co-author of the miseries brought upon the Noldor and the other Elves by his wanton oath, even he died surrounded by his sons. No one was there to bear the stricken body of Fingon from the field, and was thus fated to lay lost under the hill of the dead before the gates of Angband. When I first read of Fingon’s heroic battle and the desecration of his body I had tears of emotion in my eyes. Beautifully presented @Rainbow Dave, and well done!
Most writers would have had them *somehow* pull through, with humans, dwarves, and elves all laying down their own interest for the greater good, and have the Valar come in as the cavalry to save them just at their darkest hour. Here, the battle goes exactly as one would expect. The elves and men suffer for every mistake they've made up to this point, while this battle strains the relationship between the Free People's forever after. It's the most painful part of the Silmarillion, but good grief if it isn't an amazing piece of writing.
I had no idea Tolkein was so talented at getting THIS dark. My lord he's good at getting your hopes up with pure awesome and then stepping on your dreams.
Oh boy, you haven't read the Children of Hùrin, then. It's one of my favorite books, and also one of the saddest and bleakest stories I've ever read, and the Nirnaeth Arnoediad is merely its beginning. It has a few sparks of hope, but man are they few and far between. Be sure to prepare tissues.
I reread the Unfinished Tales rendition of the Turin arc and there was a(n offstage) r-pe scene in there Yeah, JRRT was a more subtle Stephen R Donaldson; they both went there
I have never been moved to tears by a fan channel before, until now. I have watched through nearly all of your videos several times just to experience to fracking passion you through into it. Best “explainer” of this lore I’ve found so far. The Legendarium has been part of my life since I was 5 years old when my father read me to sleep with The Hobbit, and the pathos with which you go through these stories echos my own personal experience reading them over and over. Bravo my friend, bravo. Please do not stop.
@@tolkienuntangled Dave can you help me out? Under in deep geek, I the video the war from Gandalf perspective under a discussion under kyle s, there's someone who doesn't understand that the Hobbits when they went to valinor would not become immortal. That they would eventually die because they were immortal. Thx Dave 👍
The Silmarillion is so freaking epic. It was the first thing I read after watching the LOTR movie trilogy, so it has a very special place in my heart. Recently, my love for it has been rekindled and that’s how I discovered this channel. Love your content.
Man, the sorrow and terror that this battle caused in my heart is undescribible. So many bad things happened, and everything went south in this battle. And the way Fingon was brutalized almost brought me to tears. Only Tolkien himself would be capable of writing such a compelling narrative.
Wanted to say that a lot of Tolkien lore I used to think was stupid, but your videos helped me to understand and that's no longer the case. I actually find it pretty cool now. Just goes to show, you can always learn more if you're willing. Thanks!
Thank you for this video. Of The Fifth Battle is the greatest chapter ever written, in my opinion. It was really cool to hear someone else talk about the same love for Fingon that I've always had. Fingon was my favorite character in The Silmarillion and his death hurt the most. Fingon was such a bad ass that Maedhros had already given him the nickname The Valiant before he ever stepped foot in Middle Earth.
Death: "Its time to go." Fingon: "Was I a good elf?" Death: "No..." Fingon: "..." Death: "I'm told you were the best. Now then, shall I lead thee to thy Halls of Mandos?"
Absolutely adore your content RD! In my opinion you really standout from the other Tolkien channels, your quality of content and your wisdom of the legendarium is a joy to listen to!
It's the narration style for me. Tolkien's universe and the stories are so complex, a simple linear style of story telling just won't do. The amount of effort RD puts into crafting this, his knack of story telling and his knowledge all come together in this fantastic listening experience!
@@calico27 I agree. The content is great but I'm not sure it is that much better than many of the other channels that are also very in depth . It is the delivery that sets this channel apart from the others. Dave's cadence is so engaging and his storytelling skills are top notch. It is a special channel.
Wow, this is the channel for which I’ve been looking! I first read The Silmarillion in 1979 and I feel like I’ve finally found someone who appreciates it. I’m also a big fan girl of Círdan.
This channel just gets better and better. I'm really loving the snazzy new titles. Your passion for these characters is really what makes it, though. You had me all emotional, here.
Maybe you all work for a rival company and this is industrial sabotage. Maybe you're the kind of people who enjoy watching paint dry as a hobby. What is wrong with you people? Did any of you actually WATCH the rings of power??? It was fantastic!!!! I loved Galadriel! The other characters were great too! The storyline had plenty of twists and turns. They did Sauron very cleverly. At last! We get a reasonable explanation as to why he was dumb stupid enough in the first place to put so much of his power into such a small and easily lost item. Jackson's hobbit series was abysmal. The house of the dragon on sky was as dull and pointless as a daytime soap opera. Power of the Rings was magical!!! We FINALLY got to see what it was like to be a slave in an orc pit. Someone did complain they didn't like Rings of Power because it had a scene with a cow in it. But I haven't yet heard of any rational explanation as to why it is supposed to be so bad. So get real and watch it again. Either that or go back to watching paint dry all day.
Hey Dave, i've stumbled onto your channel a while ago, and you're really a pleasure to watch! You're voice is calming, and you present the Professor's work in a way that's easy to digest for everybody.
The Silmarillion to me is possibly the darkest most heartbreaking work Tolkien did, mainly because unlike the other works most of the stories in this book either end sadly or at the very least don't end on a happy note even if the characters ultimately do triumph over evil in the end. It's more meaningful, but at the same time I can't think of many books that made me feel bad more times than the Silmarillion did >.>;;
When you put side by side The Hobbit, a rather jovial adventure full of song and mischief, and The Children of Hurin, a study of deliberate misfortune and cruel fate, it's like no way this is the same author and the same universe. This contrast might be why Silmarilion is so impactful with how downright gnarly some of these tales are sometimes.
Happy Friday, Rainbow Dave I wanted to extend a big thank you. My girlfriend and I recently did a 20 hour road trip that we took three days to do. While she’s always been into the Peter Jackson movies, she has always found the Silmarillion to be somewhat impenetrable. Until your videos! We’ve downloaded most of your content so we can listen to it offline outside of cellular service (essential to driving down the British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California coast highway) and she is now one of your biggest fans! And yes, she is now reading the Silmarillion with actual gusto! With that said, Stay Groovy!
Excellent work as per usual, RD! Loving this series so far. As if Tolkien’s words weren’t colorful and alive enough, you bring an accessibility and a color all your own to the professor’s work. Aside from that, you always have talked about Cirdan the Shipwright as your favorite, however, aside from simply his literally enduring for so long and his integrity, I want to know why you and other more die hard fans love him so much! There just doesn’t seem to be as much written about him as say, Fingolfin, or Fingon, or even Maedhros, for example. Perhaps a future video with a friendly contest between your top two/three favorite elves with there being a clear and dedicated winner at the end, forever putting to rest who truly is your favorite elf! Much love right back to you!
Dave, I have been watching all your videos so far, every single them. And what I love most about your narration is the strong emotion you put into all the hardest and saddest moments of all the Legendarium. It's so accurate and necessary. And even makes me (really) cry. I love your work, Dave. It's great. I can't hardly wait for the end of the first era, to listen everything about the second era. Thanks for everything, every video. Lots of love from Brasil
I’m so glad you gave Fingon’s duel with Gothmog so much respect, it astounds me how little recognition Fingon gets and his death was heartbreaking. Dang I’m subscribing….
Your are such a good story teller your passion is obvious and it shows in the quality of your content . I hope youn continue these videos so there is never a time when i have exhausted all of your content
I cannot believe how many hours of your content that i've watched but I just cannot get enough! These videos are such an excellent way to digest The Silmarillion. The way that you pair visual images of characters throughout the story really helps me to catalogue and remember who everyone is and how they relate to eachother. I feel like I can finally go back to the book and give it another shot now that I'm so much more familiar with the characters. Thank you!!
Another amazing video - engaging retelling of course - but also chock full of insights and connections - so personal and almost ground level - you place us in these events!! Thank you!!
How do you manage to convey such pathos in such a jocular manner? Absolutely wonderful story-telling. Interesting connective observation: Maedhros and Beren both lost a hand in pursuit of the Silmarils - yet another example of Tolkien's narrative symmetry. I first read the Silmarillion very soon after it was first published (I'd only recently previously finished tLotR) and my instant reaction after reading the first few lines was "this feels like Tolkien's version of a Bible". I loved it from the outset.
The talk about fingon legit made me tear up, the way you narrated the "duel" was awesome. Do you think that FIngon would have been able to beat him if the other balrog did not cheat?
Killing a balrog was possible for the mightiest of the elves. Such as Glorfindel and Echtelion. But it usually cost them their lives. So Fingon imo might have killed Gothmog but died afterwards.
45 years it took from reading the Hobbit to finally reading the Simillrillan. Rainbow Dave, you are fantastic in making the story understandable. JRR Tolkien would be proud of you. I am now doing a second reading with a greater understanding. Thank you!!
I absolutely love these videos Rainbow Dave. You’re truly a gem. You’re so pretentious and passionate about these stories it’s so fun because so am I. I really love how in depth you go into the details and feelings of watch characters because it adds so much more dimension to the story. I cannot wait to to watch all the videos that you have in store and rest assured that you have a fan for life and I will definitely support you with a dollar if you ever make a Patreon or something. Your videos are definitely worth it to me
There is always a good battles morgoth lost many too.. He is a dark Lord more powerful than Any so he deserves a absolute genocide kind of a battle too.. Well he has two actually.. Unnumbered tears and battle of sudden flame one
Mae govanna! Love this channel, man. It's clear how much you love Tolkien's work and how much work you've put into this channel. I recently found my 1959 copy of LoTR and appendix in one volume and was re-reading, checking out TH-cam channels on Tolkien. My favorite stories were always in the Silmarillion. I was introduced to Tolkien through The Silmarillion, since it came in a box of books my uncle found discarded and scheduled to be trashed. TRASHED! Imagine throwing away such a beautiful work of art as The Silmarillion! It is Biblical in scope and even in style. Since then, I was 14 at the time, I picked up LoTR and The Hobbit and eventually would read everything I could find by Tolkien. A lot of people think The Silmarillion is a hard read, and sure it's down to individual taste, but if you approach it as the unique work it is and have some patience, I think it's the most rewarding of Tolkien's work. There are so many stories and characters in that book it could fill a dozen seasons of a dozen adaptations. Also: Fe'ah'narl / Feanor is my favorite Tolkien character. I don't *like* him, I just think he is extremely well written and, in the end, has his chance at and achieves redemption. I used to tell my friends "Tolkien's books were excuses for him to make up languages", I don't think this is true, but his love for languages imbue his works with a texture and beauty nearly unmatched in modern storytelling. Also, is it just me or are most of the kings of Numenor named "King King" one way or another? (Tolkien loves Anglo-saxon and you see it in all these names) :P Great channel and content, Dave!
Such a delight! Thank you so much to put this amount of effort into your videos! And thank you Fingon for helping inspire Dave to start this channel! 👌👌👌
Liking this channel alot. Great narratives, great exposition, insites and clear appreciation for undoutbetdly the most pivotal and Earthshaking scenes to come from Tolkien's brain box... I'd been looking for a channel that puts great focus on the events of the Silmarillion proper, the history that stages everything that ultimately happens in the third age and doesn't rehash the same LOTR discussions to death, I believe I've found it!
Hey Dave! I really love your videos! you're doing an awsome job bringing these great stories alive and giving depth to the characters by considering their motives and motivations!
Always look forward to your videos Dave. I like how you handle the lore. You describe things that we sometimes don't see ourselves. In that way you and the red book are to of a kind 😊👍
Another excellent video! You have a way of explaining Tolkien's works that makes it easy for newcomers to digest. I've already gotten 3 others hooked on your channel. Keep up the great work my multi-colored friend!
There are so many cool Elves I love, for various different reason. It really is difficult to choose THE favorite. But if I were to choose, Fingon is the one, for 2 reason; the rescue of Maedhros and this battle. And the fact that I also love Maedhros very much, only increases my love and the high regard for Fingon. On top of all that, he truly is his father's son.
Thank you for your passion and attention to detail in making these videos! You do a great job of connecting events and really delving deep into the characters' motives and perspectives. In this video specifically, you capture the emotional ebb and flow of the battle perfectly. And thank you for doing such justice to the heroic life and tragic ending of my favorite character, Fingon! Like you, I remember his rescue of Maedhros grabbing my heart when I first read the Silmarillion. As did his death 😭
No wait. I need a weekend, a tub of chocolate ice cream, and five boxes of tissue before I can watch this. (Looks guiltily around) Not a spoiler! Not a spoiler! It’s the Silmarillion! Tissues always at the ready!
we all feel this way about such a battle one which could have been a second Dagor Aglereb but instead begins the latter part of the first age. its the darkest point to know it came so close to ultimate victory but all came to ruin.
you know I usually cheer for the villains in fantasy but when I heard about the way Fingon was murdered and defiled that really made me sad. Like that was so brutal. And also the fate of the brothers Gelmir and Gwindor leaves a bitter taste on me. So sad.
Everytime I listen to this, my heart rises when Turgon appears. No matter what I know follows. You tell it so well! I tell you, you've made one hardcore Tolkien fan with your videos at least. It's interesting, at first I was a Lord of the Rings fan, but that's different from being a Tolkien fan, it turns out. Thanks so much for your work!
M8, seeing your notifications pop up really picks up the spirit. Been wild here in Indonesia lately, but I can relax and escape to Arda now, thanks to you.
Ahh! I love Fridays as there is a new RD video. I absolutely adore this battle as it is the most tragic with so many heroes falling. Victory was near and yet so far. Keep up your amazing work, I cannot wait for you to continue with all the stories that remain up until the beginning of the 4th age. 😜
Another great video, my friend. I enjoy them all. As we get closer to the rape of Beren's corpse, I am loving the way you describe Tolkien's work. Thank you.
There is so much here to discuss but I will limit this to 2 comments and a question (or I will be writing for hours and no one wants that). Comment 1: Your delivery on Turgon's appearance in the battle was wonderful; it captures my feelings on this moment in the tale perfectly. I love Turgon's unexpected appearance and so few people talk about it. Thanks for that. Comment 2: Your delivery on Fingon's end, was even better. I think I'm one of those clueless (idiotic?) fans who just doesn't give Fingon his due. But your storytelling skills helped me to see the error of my ways. Thanks for that, too! Question: You mentioned that Maglor's people were horse people, which confused me because I thought all the elves (except maybe sea faring elves) were equestrians, especially in battle. Can you give me some more details on what you meant by this and where you found this information in the text? Somehow I missed this little tidbit of Tolkien lore. The video, as always, was great; reliving the heartbreak, not so much.
Thanks! I'm really glad you're coming around to Fingon. I referred to Maglor's people as horse-riding elves because in the Dagor Bragollach we're told how many of his riders were burned by Glaurung's fire as he passed through Maglor's Gap. You're absolutely right though that this isn't unique to Maglor. Many (if not most) elves have a love of horses, and Fingon might actually be a clearer example of this. Fingon and his horseback archers get a few significant mentions in the Silmarillion.
@@tolkienuntangled OK, good to know I didn't miss something about Maglor and horses as I am quite fond of the hoofed beasts, myself. To clarify: I have always liked Fingon, what is there not to like? He is so brave and loyal in the best ways and his friendship with Maedhros is beautiful. But I don't think I gave him enough credit regarding this battle and his demise. I find this part of the First Age history so heartbreaking that I tend to skip some of the most devastating parts when I reread The Silmarillion. I think I have just pushed these really tragic/violent/ sorrowful scenes aside. Kind of pathetic, huh? Unlike Fingon, I am not so brave!
Why was it a let down? Don't get me wrong, I like Dave's storytelling. But rings of p was fantastic. The main thing I enjoyed was the storyline. It wasn't boring, at least, not for me
the death of gelmir is horrifying..it made my heart sad. being blinded as an elf is especially cruel. he suffered for so long. but this had some beautiful moments as well. great video 💚
I don’t think I’d actually like to see any of the first age in live action. Animated would be the way to go. I hope that The ride of the Rohirrim is good enough to start that trend. Great video Rainbow Dave! It would be cool if this channel had a discord or something like that.
The sons of Feanor were such self-sabotaging idiots. Aside from being killed, they're all immortal, so why the rush to get their hands on that one Silmaril, when the big bad was still around....& was holding on to the other two?
It trickles down from the Union of Maedhros to the Last Alliance to the Fellowship of the Ring Makes me wonder if Gothmog saluted Fingon before he began their duel
I think it may be arguable that Fingon's duel with Gothmog surpasses that of his father as morgoth was great of will and might but not of stregnth. Gothmog on the other hand is more similar to Eonwe as both are imposing fighters, possibly the best of their respective sides
I remember seeing an interview that Tolkien did during the 50s in which he stated that he did not agree with the idea that WWII was “the war to end all wars.” He was very pessimistic about the prospect of this world ever having real peace. Maybe it is that aspect of his belief system that led to this constant war of good against evil that he wrote about. His attitude toward war was very perverse. I know that war is sick. WWI and WWII were both horrific demonstrations of how twisted and perverted mankind can become. Tolkien saw and experienced things that we cannot imagine. I suppose that is why, as he writes of war, he writes some very sickening and heartbreaking things.
I too was moved when I read of FIngon's rescue of Maethros, and the former's death in battle is indeed very sad. But every time I read something this tragic, I remember the Doom of Mandos: "To evil end, all things shall turn that they begin well..." Or, put more bluntly...Damn Feanor...
"If a happy ending is what you were hoping for, I am afraid you are watching the wrong video!" Ha ha ha! Saw what you did there. You could say I have been paying attention! Fingon really was Ned Stark before there was Ned Stark, wasn't he?
A question, and future video ask I'd guess: With your readings and knowledge how do you find the movie Bright? For myself, I'm the usual fence sitter. I both love and hate this film to and for various degrees in which its portrayed. Good enough for me to have questions, at the very least.
I love that I found this channel. I'm the only fan of Tolkien out of my friend group that has read more than the LotR books. Every video feels like I get to sit down and actually talk about some of the best parts of Middle Earth lore.
I confirm this. This channel is awesome 👏
It really is. Dave is great
I feel you dude. It is a great channel, even for someone like me who’s only seen the movies and now I’m reading the books :D
Nerding out to a something like this is a passion
@@bearbear3793
And dave has love for it and doesn't treat it like a business
I have to agree with you the death of Fingon is the saddest part of all the battles. Fingolfin died a hero wounding Morgoth and his body rescued by Thorondor. Feanor, the co-author of the miseries brought upon the Noldor and the other Elves by his wanton oath, even he died surrounded by his sons. No one was there to bear the stricken body of Fingon from the field, and was thus fated to lay lost under the hill of the dead before the gates of Angband. When I first read of Fingon’s heroic battle and the desecration of his body I had tears of emotion in my eyes. Beautifully presented @Rainbow Dave, and well done!
Most writers would have had them *somehow* pull through, with humans, dwarves, and elves all laying down their own interest for the greater good, and have the Valar come in as the cavalry to save them just at their darkest hour.
Here, the battle goes exactly as one would expect. The elves and men suffer for every mistake they've made up to this point, while this battle strains the relationship between the Free People's forever after.
It's the most painful part of the Silmarillion, but good grief if it isn't an amazing piece of writing.
I had no idea Tolkein was so talented at getting THIS dark. My lord he's good at getting your hopes up with pure awesome and then stepping on your dreams.
Oh boy, you haven't read the Children of Hùrin, then. It's one of my favorite books, and also one of the saddest and bleakest stories I've ever read, and the Nirnaeth Arnoediad is merely its beginning. It has a few sparks of hope, but man are they few and far between. Be sure to prepare tissues.
@@magiv4205 Children of Hurin is a true and classic tragic tale - I love it and can barely read it at times - truly heart wrenching and beautiful
Welcome to Silmarillion fandom. Have a complimentary box of tissues.
I reread the Unfinished Tales rendition of the Turin arc and there was a(n offstage) r-pe scene in there
Yeah, JRRT was a more subtle Stephen R Donaldson; they both went there
Fighting in the trenches of World War 1 will do that to you.
After all, what is the cost of a mile?
I have never been moved to tears by a fan channel before, until now. I have watched through nearly all of your videos several times just to experience to fracking passion you through into it. Best “explainer” of this lore I’ve found so far. The Legendarium has been part of my life since I was 5 years old when my father read me to sleep with The Hobbit, and the pathos with which you go through these stories echos my own personal experience reading them over and over.
Bravo my friend, bravo. Please do not stop.
You do a masterful job of weaving together the "small" tales of the legendarium into greater narratives. 10/10, no notes.
Thanks!
@@tolkienuntangled
Dave can you help me out?
Under in deep geek, I the video the war from Gandalf perspective under a discussion under kyle s, there's someone who doesn't understand that the Hobbits when they went to valinor would not become immortal.
That they would eventually die because they were immortal.
Thx Dave 👍
The Silmarillion is so freaking epic. It was the first thing I read after watching the LOTR movie trilogy, so it has a very special place in my heart. Recently, my love for it has been rekindled and that’s how I discovered this channel. Love your content.
Man, the sorrow and terror that this battle caused in my heart is undescribible. So many bad things happened, and everything went south in this battle. And the way Fingon was brutalized almost brought me to tears. Only Tolkien himself would be capable of writing such a compelling narrative.
Wanted to say that a lot of Tolkien lore I used to think was stupid, but your videos helped me to understand and that's no longer the case. I actually find it pretty cool now. Just goes to show, you can always learn more if you're willing. Thanks!
I love the enthusiasm & love the creator has for JRR Tolkein.
Thank you for this video. Of The Fifth Battle is the greatest chapter ever written, in my opinion.
It was really cool to hear someone else talk about the same love for Fingon that I've always had. Fingon was my favorite character in The Silmarillion and his death hurt the most.
Fingon was such a bad ass that Maedhros had already given him the nickname The Valiant before he ever stepped foot in Middle Earth.
Same! He’s my fav! I’m so upset his death is so brutal.
Death: "Its time to go."
Fingon: "Was I a good elf?"
Death: "No..."
Fingon: "..."
Death: "I'm told you were the best. Now then, shall I lead thee to thy Halls of Mandos?"
Absolutely adore your content RD! In my opinion you really standout from the other Tolkien channels, your quality of content and your wisdom of the legendarium is a joy to listen to!
Thanks!
It's the narration style for me. Tolkien's universe and the stories are so complex, a simple linear style of story telling just won't do. The amount of effort RD puts into crafting this, his knack of story telling and his knowledge all come together in this fantastic listening experience!
@@calico27 I agree. The content is great but I'm not sure it is that much better than many of the other channels that are also very in depth . It is the delivery that sets this channel apart from the others. Dave's cadence is so engaging and his storytelling skills are top notch. It is a special channel.
@@tolkienuntangled
Dave I laughed for five minutes straight but trust me.
Everyone should type in twilight: rings of power.
I just was in hysterics 😂👍
Wow, this is the channel for which I’ve been looking! I first read The Silmarillion in 1979 and I feel like I’ve finally found someone who appreciates it. I’m also a big fan girl of Círdan.
Cirdan's my favorite elf.
Círdan is incredible. Idk if I could pick a favorite
This series is one of your absolute all-time best! What a heart wrenching turn things have taken.
This channel just gets better and better. I'm really loving the snazzy new titles. Your passion for these characters is really what makes it, though. You had me all emotional, here.
I swear your telling of this battle is a million times better than anything Amazon has put out.
I agree
Rings of power more like Rings of Weaknesses
@@Vvaleraen2 that is a more appropriate title.
Maybe you all work for a rival company and this is industrial sabotage. Maybe you're the kind of people who enjoy watching paint dry as a hobby. What is wrong with you people? Did any of you actually WATCH the rings of power??? It was fantastic!!!! I loved Galadriel! The other characters were great too! The storyline had plenty of twists and turns. They did Sauron very cleverly. At last! We get a reasonable explanation as to why he was dumb stupid enough in the first place to put so much of his power into such a small and easily lost item. Jackson's hobbit series was abysmal. The house of the dragon on sky was as dull and pointless as a daytime soap opera. Power of the Rings was magical!!! We FINALLY got to see what it was like to be a slave in an orc pit. Someone did complain they didn't like Rings of Power because it had a scene with a cow in it. But I haven't yet heard of any rational explanation as to why it is supposed to be so bad. So get real and watch it again. Either that or go back to watching paint dry all day.
@@fred20097 so how long have you been working for Amazon?
Hey Dave, i've stumbled onto your channel a while ago, and you're really a pleasure to watch! You're voice is calming, and you present the Professor's work in a way that's easy to digest for everybody.
The Silmarillion to me is possibly the darkest most heartbreaking work Tolkien did, mainly because unlike the other works most of the stories in this book either end sadly or at the very least don't end on a happy note even if the characters ultimately do triumph over evil in the end.
It's more meaningful, but at the same time I can't think of many books that made me feel bad more times than the Silmarillion did >.>;;
The children of Hurin is particularly dark
When you put side by side The Hobbit, a rather jovial adventure full of song and mischief, and The Children of Hurin, a study of deliberate misfortune and cruel fate, it's like no way this is the same author and the same universe. This contrast might be why Silmarilion is so impactful with how downright gnarly some of these tales are sometimes.
Happy Friday, Rainbow Dave
I wanted to extend a big thank you. My girlfriend and I recently did a 20 hour road trip that we took three days to do. While she’s always been into the Peter Jackson movies, she has always found the Silmarillion to be somewhat impenetrable. Until your videos! We’ve downloaded most of your content so we can listen to it offline outside of cellular service (essential to driving down the British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and California coast highway) and she is now one of your biggest fans! And yes, she is now reading the Silmarillion with actual gusto!
With that said,
Stay Groovy!
This is awesome! I truly hope she enjoys her read-through.
Excellent work as per usual, RD! Loving this series so far.
As if Tolkien’s words weren’t colorful and alive enough, you bring an accessibility and a color all your own to the professor’s work.
Aside from that, you always have talked about Cirdan the Shipwright as your favorite, however, aside from simply his literally enduring for so long and his integrity, I want to know why you and other more die hard fans love him so much! There just doesn’t seem to be as much written about him as say, Fingolfin, or Fingon, or even Maedhros, for example. Perhaps a future video with a friendly contest between your top two/three favorite elves with there being a clear and dedicated winner at the end, forever putting to rest who truly is your favorite elf!
Much love right back to you!
Dave, I have been watching all your videos so far, every single them. And what I love most about your narration is the strong emotion you put into all the hardest and saddest moments of all the Legendarium. It's so accurate and necessary. And even makes me (really) cry. I love your work, Dave. It's great. I can't hardly wait for the end of the first era, to listen everything about the second era.
Thanks for everything, every video. Lots of love from Brasil
I’m so glad you gave Fingon’s duel with Gothmog so much respect, it astounds me how little recognition Fingon gets and his death was heartbreaking. Dang I’m subscribing….
Thank you for another wonderfully colorful video.
Dave you are the "Bifrost Bridge" to Tolkien's World of Arda for many of us.
Your are such a good story teller your passion is obvious and it shows in the quality of your content .
I hope youn continue these videos so there is never a time when i have exhausted all of your content
Rainbow Dave. Your really are a very talented and in this series, a fearsome narrator. I’m actually anticipating and dreading part 3! Thank you! 😮
I cannot believe how many hours of your content that i've watched but I just cannot get enough! These videos are such an excellent way to digest The Silmarillion. The way that you pair visual images of characters throughout the story really helps me to catalogue and remember who everyone is and how they relate to eachother. I feel like I can finally go back to the book and give it another shot now that I'm so much more familiar with the characters. Thank you!!
Another amazing video - engaging retelling of course - but also chock full of insights and connections - so personal and almost ground level - you place us in these events!! Thank you!!
I love the insights you offer for the characters and the events. Excellent video!
How do you manage to convey such pathos in such a jocular manner? Absolutely wonderful story-telling.
Interesting connective observation: Maedhros and Beren both lost a hand in pursuit of the Silmarils - yet another example of Tolkien's narrative symmetry.
I first read the Silmarillion very soon after it was first published (I'd only recently previously finished tLotR) and my instant reaction after reading the first few lines was "this feels like Tolkien's version of a Bible". I loved it from the outset.
The talk about fingon legit made me tear up, the way you narrated the "duel" was awesome. Do you think that FIngon would have been able to beat him if the other balrog did not cheat?
Killing a balrog was possible for the mightiest of the elves. Such as Glorfindel and Echtelion. But it usually cost them their lives. So Fingon imo might have killed Gothmog but died afterwards.
45 years it took from reading the Hobbit to finally reading the Simillrillan. Rainbow Dave, you are fantastic in making the story understandable. JRR Tolkien would be proud of you. I am now doing a second reading with a greater understanding. Thank you!!
Heartbreaking. Your storytelling is amazing by the way, I adore this channel!
Thanks!
I am adding to those Unnumbered Tears with each of these videos, sir.
One of the better if not the best Tolkien channel I've seen! Good that you're being blessed by YTs algorithm!
I absolutely love these videos Rainbow Dave. You’re truly a gem. You’re so pretentious and passionate about these stories it’s so fun because so am I. I really love how in depth you go into the details and feelings of watch characters because it adds so much more dimension to the story. I cannot wait to to watch all the videos that you have in store and rest assured that you have a fan for life and I will definitely support you with a dollar if you ever make a Patreon or something. Your videos are definitely worth it to me
This whole battle is so tragic and infuriating, I get choked up every time
There is always a good battles morgoth lost many too.. He is a dark Lord more powerful than Any so he deserves a absolute genocide kind of a battle too.. Well he has two actually.. Unnumbered tears and battle of sudden flame one
Amazing job Dave♡ thank you so much.. I'm looking forward for every video you upload.
Mae govanna! Love this channel, man. It's clear how much you love Tolkien's work and how much work you've put into this channel. I recently found my 1959 copy of LoTR and appendix in one volume and was re-reading, checking out TH-cam channels on Tolkien. My favorite stories were always in the Silmarillion. I was introduced to Tolkien through The Silmarillion, since it came in a box of books my uncle found discarded and scheduled to be trashed. TRASHED! Imagine throwing away such a beautiful work of art as The Silmarillion! It is Biblical in scope and even in style. Since then, I was 14 at the time, I picked up LoTR and The Hobbit and eventually would read everything I could find by Tolkien. A lot of people think The Silmarillion is a hard read, and sure it's down to individual taste, but if you approach it as the unique work it is and have some patience, I think it's the most rewarding of Tolkien's work. There are so many stories and characters in that book it could fill a dozen seasons of a dozen adaptations.
Also: Fe'ah'narl / Feanor is my favorite Tolkien character. I don't *like* him, I just think he is extremely well written and, in the end, has his chance at and achieves redemption. I used to tell my friends "Tolkien's books were excuses for him to make up languages", I don't think this is true, but his love for languages imbue his works with a texture and beauty nearly unmatched in modern storytelling. Also, is it just me or are most of the kings of Numenor named "King King" one way or another? (Tolkien loves Anglo-saxon and you see it in all these names) :P
Great channel and content, Dave!
Such a delight! Thank you so much to put this amount of effort into your videos! And thank you Fingon for helping inspire Dave to start this channel! 👌👌👌
Amazing story telling as always!
Can wait for the finale
Thanks Dave!
Liking this channel alot. Great narratives, great exposition, insites and clear appreciation for undoutbetdly the most pivotal and Earthshaking scenes to come from Tolkien's brain box... I'd been looking for a channel that puts great focus on the events of the Silmarillion proper, the history that stages everything that ultimately happens in the third age and doesn't rehash the same LOTR discussions to death, I believe I've found it!
Poetic!!! Cannot wait for the next episode!
Hey Dave! I really love your videos! you're doing an awsome job bringing these great stories alive and giving depth to the characters by considering their motives and motivations!
Always look forward to your videos Dave.
I like how you handle the lore.
You describe things that we sometimes don't see ourselves.
In that way you and the red book are to of a kind 😊👍
Another amazing video, thanks for these epic way to present Tolkien's greatest work!
an other epic video.....I truly love the sound of your voice and passion narrating this. such insight lol
Another excellent video! You have a way of explaining Tolkien's works that makes it easy for newcomers to digest. I've already gotten 3 others hooked on your channel. Keep up the great work my multi-colored friend!
Dave the colourful 😬😁
Please, please,please keep making content! I can never get enough of this lore. You are superb at what you do!
Moved to tears with this. The atrocious rings of power brought me to your channel. Thank you!
There are so many cool Elves I love, for various different reason. It really is difficult to choose THE favorite. But if I were to choose, Fingon is the one, for 2 reason; the rescue of Maedhros and this battle. And the fact that I also love Maedhros very much, only increases my love and the high regard for Fingon. On top of all that, he truly is his father's son.
Thank you for your passion and attention to detail in making these videos! You do a great job of connecting events and really delving deep into the characters' motives and perspectives. In this video specifically, you capture the emotional ebb and flow of the battle perfectly.
And thank you for doing such justice to the heroic life and tragic ending of my favorite character, Fingon! Like you, I remember his rescue of Maedhros grabbing my heart when I first read the Silmarillion. As did his death 😭
No wait. I need a weekend, a tub of chocolate ice cream, and five boxes of tissue before I can watch this. (Looks guiltily around) Not a spoiler! Not a spoiler! It’s the Silmarillion! Tissues always at the ready!
we all feel this way about such a battle one which could have been a second Dagor Aglereb but instead begins the latter part of the first age. its the darkest point to know it came so close to ultimate victory but all came to ruin.
you know I usually cheer for the villains in fantasy but when I heard about the way Fingon was murdered and defiled that really made me sad. Like that was so brutal. And also the fate of the brothers Gelmir and Gwindor leaves a bitter taste on me. So sad.
Everytime I listen to this, my heart rises when Turgon appears. No matter what I know follows. You tell it so well!
I tell you, you've made one hardcore Tolkien fan with your videos at least. It's interesting, at first I was a Lord of the Rings fan, but that's different from being a Tolkien fan, it turns out. Thanks so much for your work!
This channel has become my favorite Tolkien lore channel
Glad you’re enjoying it!
5:40 "His two EEDIOT brothers..." 😂😂😂
M8, seeing your notifications pop up really picks up the spirit. Been wild here in Indonesia lately, but I can relax and escape to Arda now, thanks to you.
51:06 OMG, I got exatly the same feeling! Thank you for the great video ❤
Your storytelling skills are matchless!
Yet another awesome epic video!!! The first age is my favorite, but man it was rough!!
You dive 10,000 fathoms deeper than other Tolkien channels. I’m blown way down in a great way.
Ahh! I love Fridays as there is a new RD video. I absolutely adore this battle as it is the most tragic with so many heroes falling. Victory was near and yet so far. Keep up your amazing work, I cannot wait for you to continue with all the stories that remain up until the beginning of the 4th age. 😜
Another fantastic video, can't wait for the follow up!
Another great video, my friend. I enjoy them all. As we get closer to the rape of Beren's corpse, I am loving the way you describe Tolkien's work. Thank you.
The luckiest man to walk this earth, is the one who finds a love like Beren and Lúthien.
This was incredible. Thank you!
There is so much here to discuss but I will limit this to 2 comments and a question (or I will be writing for hours and no one wants that). Comment 1: Your delivery on Turgon's appearance in the battle was wonderful; it captures my feelings on this moment in the tale perfectly. I love Turgon's unexpected appearance and so few people talk about it. Thanks for that. Comment 2: Your delivery on Fingon's end, was even better. I think I'm one of those clueless (idiotic?) fans who just doesn't give Fingon his due. But your storytelling skills helped me to see the error of my ways. Thanks for that, too! Question: You mentioned that Maglor's people were horse people, which confused me because I thought all the elves (except maybe sea faring elves) were equestrians, especially in battle. Can you give me some more details on what you meant by this and where you found this information in the text? Somehow I missed this little tidbit of Tolkien lore. The video, as always, was great; reliving the heartbreak, not so much.
Thanks! I'm really glad you're coming around to Fingon.
I referred to Maglor's people as horse-riding elves because in the Dagor Bragollach we're told how many of his riders were burned by Glaurung's fire as he passed through Maglor's Gap. You're absolutely right though that this isn't unique to Maglor. Many (if not most) elves have a love of horses, and Fingon might actually be a clearer example of this. Fingon and his horseback archers get a few significant mentions in the Silmarillion.
@@tolkienuntangled OK, good to know I didn't miss something about Maglor and horses as I am quite fond of the hoofed beasts, myself. To clarify: I have always liked Fingon, what is there not to like? He is so brave and loyal in the best ways and his friendship with Maedhros is beautiful. But I don't think I gave him enough credit regarding this battle and his demise. I find this part of the First Age history so heartbreaking that I tend to skip some of the most devastating parts when I reread The Silmarillion. I think I have just pushed these really tragic/violent/ sorrowful scenes aside. Kind of pathetic, huh? Unlike Fingon, I am not so brave!
I was super bummed when rings of power was such a let down. Finding your channel almost levels that out. Thanks for the great content
Why was it a let down? Don't get me wrong, I like Dave's storytelling. But rings of p was fantastic. The main thing I enjoyed was the storyline. It wasn't boring, at least, not for me
Love your work Rainbow Dave, keep it up
Thanks again for your great work!
Another wonderful video. Keep up the awesome work.
“…fire in a field of reeds…” also evokes the image of a rage that will not last long.
Yep, that stuff burns quickly.
Your profile background image, is that the window of Notre Dame?
It's said that the blue in it, nobody has ever been able to remake.
@@TrangDB9 Yup. I visited the Cathedral of Notre Dame in 2017. When I heard the news about it burning I was so sad.
@@mrs.manrique7411 unfortunately I've never made it there. But I have seen photos of many places I've not been 😁
Great video. Will you ever do a video on the full tale of the Silmarils? You stopped after Feanor’s death and Beren and Luthian.
Loved your entire video, thank you so much🙏
Thanks!
Thank you!
the death of gelmir is horrifying..it made my heart sad. being blinded as an elf is especially cruel. he suffered for so long. but this had some beautiful moments as well. great video 💚
YES! SO EXCITED FOR THIS VIDEO! 💚💚💚
Love all your videos Rainbow Dave. Thank you. 🫶🏼
I don’t think I’d actually like to see any of the first age in live action. Animated would be the way to go. I hope that The ride of the Rohirrim is good enough to start that trend. Great video Rainbow Dave! It would be cool if this channel had a discord or something like that.
Nirnaeth Arnoediad PTSD intensifies*
Already waiting for the next video, wishing there were fewer days in the week :p
Rad!!! Thanx Dave Happy Friday!! 😊❤💛💚💙💜
The sons of Feanor were such self-sabotaging idiots. Aside from being killed, they're all immortal, so why the rush to get their hands on that one Silmaril, when the big bad was still around....& was holding on to the other two?
Tolkien is showing us lessons in following blindly, especially a psychopathic like Feanor.
That is probably what Meadhros told them. At length. And at a considerable volume.
In German we have a saying: old age does not protect one from stupidity. (Alter schützt vor Torheit nicht).
In one of the HoME books that what Dior tells the Feanorians: *other twain are there in the selfsame place,’ said he, ‘an your hearts be bold enow.’*
34:20 So vivid in my mind, tens of thousands of glowing blue Elven swords and weapons in the hills and city.
It trickles down from the Union of Maedhros to the Last Alliance to the Fellowship of the Ring
Makes me wonder if Gothmog saluted Fingon before he began their duel
He might have done so mockingly. Or taunted him with his previous killing of the king Fëanor and how Fingolfin was killed by Morgoth.
I think it may be arguable that Fingon's duel with Gothmog surpasses that of his father as morgoth was great of will and might but not of stregnth. Gothmog on the other hand is more similar to Eonwe as both are imposing fighters, possibly the best of their respective sides
I remember seeing an interview that Tolkien did during the 50s in which he stated that he did not agree with the idea that WWII was “the war to end all wars.” He was very pessimistic about the prospect of this world ever having real peace. Maybe it is that aspect of his belief system that led to this constant war of good against evil that he wrote about. His attitude toward war was very perverse. I know that war is sick. WWI and WWII were both horrific demonstrations of how twisted and perverted mankind can become. Tolkien saw and experienced things that we cannot imagine. I suppose that is why, as he writes of war, he writes some very sickening and heartbreaking things.
Some of these fan artists definitely saw something more in the relationship between Fingon and Maedhros😂
I love your channel man, god bless you.
love your content! Thanks
Badass new intro brotato!
Thanks!
Great video keep up the good work
And I thought I've cried enough while reading of Fingon's death. Rainbow Dave , U should be the one reading Silmarilion e-book!
I too was moved when I read of FIngon's rescue of Maethros, and the former's death in battle is indeed very sad. But every time I read something this tragic, I remember the Doom of Mandos: "To evil end, all things shall turn that they begin well..."
Or, put more bluntly...Damn Feanor...
"If a happy ending is what you were hoping for, I am afraid you are watching the wrong video!"
Ha ha ha! Saw what you did there. You could say I have been paying attention! Fingon really was Ned Stark before there was Ned Stark, wasn't he?
Okay, I am completely hooked
A question, and future video ask I'd guess: With your readings and knowledge how do you find the movie Bright? For myself, I'm the usual fence sitter. I both love and hate this film to and for various degrees in which its portrayed. Good enough for me to have questions, at the very least.
What's the name of the artist at 42:00?
Children of Hurin ..is a very dark read .But absolutely brilliant .