THE HOBBIT AND THE LORD OF THE RINGS
“The Hobbit” is a fantasy novel written by JRR Tolkien, first published in 1937. The story follows the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, a quiet and homely hobbit, who is drawn into an epic quest by the wizard Gandalf and a group of dwarves
The plot begins when Gandalf selects Bilbo as the “thief” needed to accompany the thirteen dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield on their quest to reclaim the dwarven kingdom of Erebor, which has been taken over by the fearsome dragon Smaug. Bilbo , initially reticent, embarks on the adventure, discovering skills and courage he never knew he possessed.
Throughout their journey, the party faces numerous dangers, including trolls , goblins, giant spiders, and elves. Bilbo also finds the One Ring, an item of great power that will play a crucial role in Tolkien’s future works.
Finally, they reach the Lonely Mountain, where Bilbo uses his wits and the ring to help the dwarves face Smaug. After the dragon’s death, the dwarves reclaim their home and a battle ensues between the elves and men. Bilbo finds himself at the center of the conflict, eventually returning home with great treasure and a newfound appreciation for the world beyond the Shire.
“The Hobbit” is a captivating story filled with memorable characters, exciting adventures, and themes of bravery, friendship, and the power of self-improvement. It is also a prelude to Tolkien’s epic “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. “The Hobbit” was written by JRR Tolkien, a renowned British writer and university professor. Tolkien is widely considered one of the founding fathers of the modern fantasy genre.
Relationship to “The Lord of the Rings”: “The Hobbit” is set in the same fictional universe as “The Lord of the Rings” and serves as a prelude to that trilogy. The story of “The Hobbit” takes place approximately 60 years before the events of “The Lord of the Rings.”
Influences and origin: Tolkien was inspired by mythology and fairy tales, both European and Nordic. The story of “The Hobbit” arose from a story that Tolkien had invented for his children, with the character of Bilbo as the main character.
Main characters: In addition to Bilbo Baggins, the main character, other notable characters include Gandalf, a powerful wizard and leader of the party; Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of the dwarves; and Gollum , a sinister creature who possesses the One Ring.
Themes: “The Hobbit” explores themes of bravery, friendship, personal transformation, and the struggle between good and evil. The temptation and corruption of power through the character of the One Ring is also addressed.
Writing Style: Tolkien is known for his descriptive and detailed writing style, which creates a rich and vivid world for readers. His work is also characterized by the use of poems and songs, which add a lyrical dimension to the narrative.
Reception and legacy: “The Hobbit” was an immediate success and received critical acclaim. It has been translated into numerous languages and has sold millions of copies around the world. The story of Bilbo Baggins and Middle-earth has left a lasting legacy in literature and has inspired film adaptations, games, and other forms of media.
“The Lord of the Rings” is a trilogy of fantasy novels written by British author JRR Tolkien. The trilogy is made up of three books: “The Fellowship of the Ring”, “The Two Towers” and “The Return of the King”. Published between 1954 and 1955, these books became a cult work in fantasy literature and have been adapted on several occasions for film and television.
The story of “The Lord of the Rings” takes place in Middle-earth, an imaginary world created by Tolkien. Middle-earth is populated by various races, including elves, men, dwarves, and hobbits. Hobbits are a small, quiet race that live in holes in the hills of the country called The Shire.
The plot begins with the hobbit Frodo Baggins, who inherits a magic ring from his uncle Bilbo . This ring turns out to be the One Ring, the most powerful object in the world, created by the villain Sauron to rule over all other races. The ring has the power to grant the wearer control over the other magical rings that exist in Middle-earth.
Frodo is sent on a dangerous mission to destroy the One Ring on Mount Doom, where it was originally forged. Along his way, he joins a company of various characters, including three other hobbits, an elf, a dwarf, a human, and a wizard.
The Fellowship of the Ring, as they call themselves, faces a number of dangers and adversities along the way. The Nazgûl , Sauron ‘s most powerful servants , pursue them at every turn, while treachery and deceit constantly threaten the group’s unity. Furthermore, Sauron ‘s forces have conquered much of Middle-earth and war is fast approaching.
In “The Two Towers”, the Community is divided into three groups. Frodo and his companion Sam continue their journey towards Mount Doom while the other members of the company join the fight against Sauron ‘s forces .
Sauron ‘s forces and the inhabitants of Middle-earth is fought at the Black Gate of Mordor. Meanwhile, Frodo and Sam face their own battle on the side of Mount Doom. The story culminates in a series of unexpected twists that endanger the survival of the characters and the fate of Middle-earth.
In addition to the main plot, “The Lord of the Rings” is also full of side stories and fascinating characters. Tolkien built an entire Middle-earth, with its own mythology, languages, and geography. The attention to detail in creating this world has made the work highly regarded by readers and critics around the world.
“The Lord of the Rings” is considered one of the best examples of fantastic literature of all time. The work has had a lasting impact on popular culture, influencing literature, film, television, video games, and other entertainment media.
One of the biggest influences of “The Lord of the Rings” has been on the genre of fantasy literature itself. Before Tolkien’s work, fantasy literature was considered a minor genre and was primarily associated with children’s literature. Tolkien transformed the genre with his creation of a complete and compelling Middle-earth, proving that fantasy literature could be just as serious and respected as any other literary genre.
The play has also been highly influential in film, especially after the film adaptation directed by Peter Jackson, which was released in three parts between 2001 and 2003. The film trilogy was highly acclaimed by critics and was a huge commercial success. Jackson’s adaptation won 17 Oscars, including Best Picture, demonstrating the play’s lasting impact on popular culture.
In addition to its impact on popular culture, “The Lord of the Rings” has also been the subject of academic and critical scrutiny. The work has been examined from literary, philosophical, religious, and political perspectives. Critics have praised the work for its ability to deal with profound themes, such as the struggle of good and evil, human nature, and the complexity of war.
“The Lord of the Rings” is an epic work of fantasy literature that follows the story of a hobbit named Frodo as he undertakes a dangerous mission to destroy the One Ring. The work is known for its detailed creation of Middle-earth and its complex characters and plots. It has been a lasting influence on literature, film, and popular culture in general, and remains an important work in the history of fantasy literature.
WEAPONS EMPLOYED IN THE NOVEL SERIES THE LEGENDARIUM OF MIDDLE-EARTH
In “The Hobbit” series, both in the novel and in the film adaptations, there are a variety of weapons and accessories used by the characters.
Dagger of the Witch-king: The Dagger of the Witch-king, also known as the Morgul Dagger , is a fictional weapon appearing in the novel “The Lord of the Rings” by JRR Tolkien. The dagger is a dark magical weapon that was created in Angmar during the Third Age of the Sun by the servants of the Witch King of Angmar, the leader of the Nazgûl .
The Morgul Dagger was forged from black steel and cursed with dark magic, making it deadly poisonous. It also had the ability to turn those who were injured by it into undead wraiths, similar to the transformation of the hobbit Frodo after being wounded by the dagger in the movie “The Fellowship of the Ring”.
The dagger was recovered by Aragorn after the Battle of Weathertop , where Frodo was wounded, and was brought by Gandalf to Minas Tirith for study by the wise men of Gondor . Ultimately, it was destroyed in the rift on Mount Doom, along with the One Ring.
Aragorn ‘s Anduril Dagger : In “The Lord of the Rings”, Aragorn carries a dagger called ” Andúril “, also known as “The Flame of the West”. The dagger is an ancient sword that was forged from the broken sword of Elendil, the king of Gondor and Arnor . After Elendil died in battle against Sauron , his sword was broken in two, both parts being kept by his family.
Years later, Aragorn , as a direct descendant of Elendil, obtained both parts of the sword and brought them to the elves of Rivendell , who forged them again into a single sword called Andúril . The sword became a symbol of Aragorn ‘s authority and a powerful weapon in his fight against Sauron and his minions.
In addition to its value as a weapon, Andúril also held symbolic and emotional importance to Aragorn , who felt called to carry on his ancestor’s legacy and defend Middle-earth against the dark forces.
Dart Sword of Bilbo Baggins: Dart is the short sword that belonged to the hobbit Bilbo Baggins and was later inherited by his nephew Frodo. The sword was of elven origin and was found by Bilbo in the cave of the trolls , after he and the dwarves had been captured by them.
Dart was a short, slender sword with a sharp blade and a leather hilt. Although it was a small sword, it was remarkably sharp and capable of inflicting wounds on Bilbo ‘s and Frodo’s enemies .
The sword also had the ability to glow in the presence of orcs and other hobbit enemies, making it especially useful in the dark. Also, Dart was used by Bilbo to free his friends from the giant spiders in Mirkwood.
Despite its small size, the Dart sword became an invaluable tool for Bilbo , and later for Frodo, in their fight against the dark forces in Middle-earth.
Anduril Sword : Andúril is a fictional sword that appears in the novel “The Lord of the Rings” by JRR Tolkien. Also known as “The Flame of the West”, Andúril is an ancient sword that belonged to the royal family of Gondor and Arnor , and was forged from the broken sword of Elendil, the king of both kingdoms.
After Elendil died in the Battle of Dagorlad , his sword was broken in two, both parts being kept by his family. Years later, Aragorn , Isildur ‘s heir and Elendil’s direct descendant, recovered both parts of the sword and brought them to the elves of Rivendell , who forged them again into a single sword called Andúril .
Andúril is a mighty sword possessing a magical edge that does not dull and shines with a brilliant light in the presence of darkness and evil. It was used by Aragorn in his fight against Sauron and his forces in the War of the Ring and became a symbol of his authority and legacy as King of Gondor and Arnor .
In addition, Andúril also became an important tool in the destruction of the One Ring, as it was used by Frodo and Sam to cut through the web that Gollum had woven around them as they approached Mount Doom.
King Elendil’s Narsil Sword : Narsil is a fictional sword that appears in the novel “The Lord of the Rings” by JRR Tolkien. The sword originally belonged to King Elendil, who carried it in battle against Sauron in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. In battle Elendil fought alongside his son Isildur , who slew Sauron by cutting the One Ring from his finger with Narsil .
However, during the battle, Narsil was broken in two, and his blade became a symbol of the victory of the Last Alliance and the fall of Sauron . Fragments of the sword were preserved as heirlooms in the royal family of Gondor and Arnor .
Years later, the fragments of the sword were recovered by Elendil’s descendant, Aragorn , and brought to the elves of Rivendell for the sword to be reforged . The reforged sword was named Andúril , also known as “The Flame of the West”.
Narsil is described as a long-bladed, double-edged sword with a cross guard, with engravings and gold detailing on the blade and hilt. The sword was considered one of the most powerful weapons in Middle-earth, and its fragment became an important item in the fight against the dark forces.
Sword of Thranduil : The sword of Thranduil is a fictitious sword that appears in the trilogy of films of “The Hobbit” directed by Peter Jackson. Thranduil is the elven king of Mirkwood and his sword is a distinctive weapon that shows his power and status as an elven ruler.
Thranduil ‘s sword is described as a curved, single-edged sword, with a slender, sharp blade and a gem-encrusted hilt. The blade of the sword resembles that of a crescent moon blade, suggesting an affinity with nature and the moon, common themes in elven culture.
In the film, Thranduil wields his sword with great skill in battle, demonstrating his prowess and power as an Elven warrior. In addition, the sword is also used as a bargaining chip when Bilbo Baggins and the dwarves try to escape from Thranduil ‘s palace after being captured.
Overall, Thranduil ‘s sword is an important item in elven culture and is a showcase of the skilled craftsmanship and graceful aesthetics of elves in Middle-earth.
Legolas ‘ Dagger – Legolas , the elf in the “Lord of the Rings” film trilogy directed by Peter Jackson, is known for being a skilled archer and also for carrying a dagger or knife as a secondary weapon.
Legolas ‘s dagger is described as having a long, slender blade, with an elegant, gem-studded hilt. The blade is so sharp that it is capable of cutting an enemy’s hair without dealing fatal damage, an ability that Legolas demonstrates in the film.
Legolas ‘s dagger is also useful for other tasks, such as cutting ropes or opening crates. Legolas is an expert in the handling of this weapon, and uses it with great skill in numerous scenes of the film.
Legolas ‘s dagger also has symbolic value for the character, as it represents his skill as a hunter and warrior. Although he is known for his prowess with the bow, the dagger proves that Legolas is equally capable in close combat and that he does not rely solely on his skill at archery.
Overall, Legolas ‘s dagger is an important item in elven culture and is an example of the craftsmanship and elegant aesthetics of elves in Middle-earth.
Sword of Theoden : The sword of Theoden , the king of Rohan in the “Lord of the Rings” film trilogy is called Herugrim . It is a long-bladed, double-edged sword with a crossed guard and a hilt decorated with gold details.
Herugrim is a beautiful and powerful sword that has been passed down from king to king in the line of the rulers of Rohan. The sword is a symbol of the king’s power and authority, and is used in important ceremonies such as the king’s coronation.
In the film, Herugrim is led by Theoden in numerous battles, proving his skill as a warrior and leader of his people. The sword is also an important plot item when it is stolen from Theoden by Grima Wormtongue, an evil advisor seeking to weaken Rohan’s resistance to the advancing army of Saruman .
The sword is later recovered by Aragorn and returned to Theoden , who uses it in the Battle of Helm’s Deep, one of the most epic battles in the film. In battle, Herugrim proves to be a deadly and powerful sword, capable of dealing deadly damage to Rohan’s enemies.
In short, Herugrim is an important sword in Rohan culture and is a symbol of the king’s power and authority. The sword is also an important plot item in the film, being used in numerous battles and key events in the story.
Tauriel ‘s Sword : Tauriel is a fictional character who appears in the “The Hobbit” movies directed by Peter Jackson. In the film, Tauriel is a wood elf and one of the most skilled warriors of her people. She possesses a number of weapons, including a bow and arrows, and also a sword.
Tauriel ‘s sword is a curved one-handed sword, resembling a traditional Japanese sword. It has a long, thin blade, with a single edge, and a leather-wrapped hilt. The sword is light and agile, allowing Tauriel to move quickly in combat.
In the movie, Tauriel uses her sword in numerous battles, fighting against orcs, goblins, and other evil creatures. She is a skilled and agile warrior, and her sword is a valuable tool in her arsenal.
Tauriel ‘s sword also has an important role in the plot of the film. In one scene, Tauriel is captured by orcs and her sword is taken from her. Legolas , another warrior elf, later finds the sword and realizes that Tauriel has been captured. The search for Tauriel and the recovery of her sword become a major goal for Legolas and other characters in the film.
Tauriel ‘s sword is a light and agile curved one-handed sword that resembles a traditional Japanese sword. Tauriel uses it in numerous battles and is a valuable tool in her arsenal. The sword also has an important role in the film’s plot, with its loss and recovery being a major goal for other characters in the story.
Glamdring Sword : Glamdring is a legendary sword that appears in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. It is also known as Gandalf’s Sword, as it is used by the wizard during many of his adventures.
The sword is described as having a long, straight blade, double-edged, with a large hilt and adorned with blue gems. In the film, it is revealed that Glamdring was forged by the elves of the First Age and is considered one of the most powerful swords ever created.
In the plot of the film, Gandalf finds the Glamdring in the lair of the dragon Smaug’s treasure, along with other legendary weapons. The sword is a valuable and powerful item that is used in numerous battles throughout history, including the Battle of Moria and the Battle of the Five Armies.
Glamdring is also known for her ability to detect the presence of nearby orcs and goblins , making her a valuable tool for Gandalf and his party during their quest to destroy the One Ring.
We can say that Glamdring is a legendary and powerful sword in Middle-earth, forged by the elves of the First Age. It is known as Gandalf’s Sword and is used in numerous battles in the film. The sword is also valuable for its ability to detect the presence of nearby enemies, making it an important tool for Gandalf’s party on their quest to destroy the One Ring.
Orcrist Sword : The Orcrist sword is an elven sword that was forged by the elves of Gondolin during the First Age and is known as the “Goblin Striker”. It is a long, straight sword with a hilt decorated with jewels and gold details.
The Orcrist sword is found by the main character, Bilbo Baggins, and the dwarves Thorin and company in the goblins’ lair. It is a legendary weapon that is considered very effective against goblins and orcs, due to its sharp blade and its ability to shine in the presence of enemies.
Throughout the film, the sword is used by Thorin and other characters in various battles against goblins, orcs, and other enemies. Additionally, the Orcrist sword is significant in the film’s plot as it symbolizes the dwarves’ connection to the elves and the ancient alliance between the two races.
The Orcrist sword has an elaborate and detailed design, with a long, straight blade and a hilt adorned with jewels and gold accents. The sword’s ability to shine in the presence of enemies makes it a valuable tool for characters in their fight against goblins and orcs. In addition, the sword symbolizes the connection of the dwarves with the elves and the ancient alliance between the two races, which makes it an object of great value to the characters in the film.
Sting Sword: The Sting sword is a legendary weapon featured in the “Lord of the Rings” film trilogy. It is a straight-bladed short sword with a leather-wrapped hilt emblazoned with elven inscriptions.
The Sting sword is known for its ability to detect the presence of nearby orcs, emitting a bluish light when in close proximity. This makes the sword a valuable tool for the hobbit Frodo Baggins during his quest to destroy the One Ring. Since most hobbits are not experienced warriors, the sword provides them with a degree of security on their perilous journey.
In the film, Frodo acquires the sword Sting after finding it in the trolls ‘ den . During his journey, the sword is used in various battles against orcs, goblins, and giant spiders. The sword is also used by other characters in the film, including Bilbo Baggins, Frodo’s uncle, and Sam, Frodo’s best friend.
The Sting sword plays an important role in the film’s plot, as it symbolizes the strength and courage needed to carry out the mission of destroying the One Ring. Also, the sword’s ability to detect the presence of nearby orcs is essential for the safety of the main characters on their journey.
In short, the Sting sword is a straight-bladed short sword with a leather-wrapped hilt adorned with elven inscriptions. She is known for her ability to detect the presence of nearby orcs, making her a valuable tool for the main characters on their perilous journey. The sword plays an important role in the film’s plot, symbolizing the strength and courage needed to carry out the mission to destroy the One Ring.
Tauriel ‘s bow and arrows : Tauriel is a wood elf and is seen using a bow and arrows with great skill throughout the series. His bow skills are impressive and play a major role in various action scenes.
Dwalin ‘s Hammer : Dwalin , one of the company’s dwarfs, uses a large hammer as his main weapon. The hammer is heavy and blunt, and Dwalin uses it with great strength and skill in battle.
Invisibility Cloak: Bilbo finds a magic ring that gives him the power to turn invisible while wearing it. This invisibility cloak allows Bilbo to remain undetected in dangerous situations or avoid direct combat.
Legolas bow and arrows : Legolas is an elf with great skill with a bow and arrows. His elven bow is elegant and accurate, and he can shoot arrows with great speed and accuracy. Legolas is known for his ranged combat prowess and his acrobatic moves during battles.
Dain Ironfoot ‘s War Axe : Dain Ironfoot is the king of the dwarves of the Iron Hills and leads a reinforcement army in the Battle of the Five Armies. Dain wields a mighty hatchet that he uses with great strength and skill in battle.
Bow and arrows of Bard the Archer: Bard the Archer is a human character who becomes a key figure in the story by defeating Smaug the dragon. Bard is an expert archer and uses a longbow with specially designed arrows to take down large and powerful creatures.
Thorin ‘s Shield : Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of the dwarves, carries a distinctive shield made of oak. This shield is large enough to provide protection against attacks and becomes an important symbol of Thorin ‘s heritage .
Bilbo ‘s Tool Belt : As Bilbo embarks on his adventure, he carries around a tool belt that provides him with various utilities. Contains compartments to carry items such as ropes, flasks, coins and other practical tools that help you face the challenges of the journey.
Stone of the Ark The Stone of the Ark, also known as the Stone of the Realms, is an ancient and precious object that belonged to the kingdom of Erebor. It has the ability to emit a brilliant glow when seen by the rightful heirs of the kingdom, and it plays an important role in history as a symbol of hope and reclamation.
THE RUSSIAN NOVEL THAT REVERSES THE ROLES OF THE LORD OF THE RINGS
What if JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy was told from the dark side? Kirill Russian writer Yeskov gave answers to all of this in his novel The Last Ring .
Despite Tolkien’s fame, his birth in apartheid South Africa weighed heavily on him, and the fact that he was also a devout Catholic, and very conservative, to the point of supporting Franco in the Spanish Civil War, and a faithful supporter of It weighed heavily that Tolkien was born in apartheid South Africa and that, in addition to being a devout Catholic who had more than once expressed derogatory views on Anglicanism, he was very conservative, having supported Franco’s side in the Spanish Civil War and the Neville Chamberlain’s policy of reconciliation with Hitler. The fact is that today his figure is being questioned, to the point that he is considered a sympathizer of the British far-right parties.
All this constituted the starting point for Kiril Yuryevich Yeskov , a prestigious Russian biologist and paleontologist born in Moscow in 1956, to experiment in the field of science fiction through his novels.
From sarcasm, without reaching parody, published in 1996 The Secret Gospel, in this novel there is no place for myths. For example, in it Jesus appears as manipulated by the Roman secret services that, through the so-called Operation Fish, pretend that he preaches non-violence to change the ancestral hostility of the Jews, always with Judas as a shadow agent.
For its part, The Last Ring is based on the maxim that history is written by the victors to rewrite Tolkien’s trilogy from the point of view of the bad guys -who turn out to be not so bad- and continue it. In his version, Mordor is a promised land about to start an industrial revolution and Barad-dûr its capital, an illustrious, luminous city that lives in the splendor bestowed on it by artists, poets, philosophers and sages in a civilizing task in open opposition to the wizarding superstitions that keep Middle-earth ignorant . The Nazgûl are scientists who have created an innocuous ring to try to divert attention from a sinister alliance between elves, humans, dwarves and halflings that threatens them with its imperialist and predatory ambitions.
Aragorn is a puppet managed by the elves to control the kingdom of Gondor , prior to the murder of Boromir when he discovers his plan, and being cunningly manipulated by Arwen for that purpose; Faramir lives in exile, watched over by Éowyn ; and Gandalf is described by Saruman as the final solution to the Mordorian problem . Clarified those precedents that change the meaning of the original, Yeskov begins its sequel starting with the fall of Sauron who is actually called Auron – and the massacre perpetrated by the elves in Mordor after the defeat of the orcs, which, by the way, are not monsters: that is the name given to the soldiers of that land with an infamous spirit, just like the trolls .
Precisely two of them, Haladdin and Tzerlag , accompanied by an irredeemable Gondorian nobleman , Tangorn , constitute what we could call the alternative Company of the Ring to the one that featured in Tolkien’s work. Only this time you don’t have to destroy a ring but Galadriel ‘s mirror , which, being the link between the physical world and the one from which the elves came, the Arda, its disappearance would leave them devoid of magic and, consequently, of power.
Thus, the role that Frodo had in The Lord of the Rings is assumed here by Haladdin , a somewhat dumb character, while Gandalf’s previous patronage is now exercised by Sharya-Rana, the last Nazgûl .
The last ring could not be translated into English for a paper edition and has only been published under a non-commercial license in a free digital version. This is because Tolkien’s heirs maintain tight control over copyright -until 2043- and do not admit works related to the subject that do not have their authorization. But in other countries it can be found in bookstores; in Spain since 2004, the year it was translated.
