Mythological Influences In The Lord Of The Rings

Marcus A. Norman
Prof. Gill
GNHU 380 - J.R.R. Tolkien
December 9, 2015
Of Mythological Influences and References to The Silmarillion Among other things, Tolkien was perhaps chiefly a scholar of mythology, and despite his dislike of allegory, his universe is shot through with mythological archetypes. Among Tolkien’s obvious mythological influences (Biblical, Celtic, Norse, and Arthurian mythologies, etc.), I believe Biblical held the most significant effect on The Lord of the Rings, albeit Finnish/Nordic appears more so than any other. Additionally, Tolkien wanted to publish The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings together, since he saw them as connected mythological cycles. To a degree, one’s reading of The Lord of the Rings, is deepened
by a knowledge of The Silmarillion, not just on the level of setting or context, but in terms of literary theme, symbol, and characterization. Christianity was vital to the world created by Tolkien. In terms of significance, it was quite possibly even more influential than Finnish or Norse mythology. Tolkien, a Roman Catholic, was intensely bound to God through his faith and it was important in all aspects of his life. After doing some research on Tolkien’s life, one can infer that his religion might possibly be one of the deepest and strongest elements of his personality. “Even during an English mass in the bare modern church in Headington that he attended during his retirement, where he was sometimes irritated by the singing of the children’s choir and the wailing of babies, he would then, receiving communion, experience a profound spiritual joy, a state of contentment that he could reach in no other way” (Carpenter 143). As such, it only makes sense that he was influenced by such a profound faith. Proof of this is spread out amongst pages and pages of his writing, with one of the greatest influences being Earendel, a major character in The Silmarillion. The very seed which grew in Tolkien’s mind, eventually conceiving The Silmarillion, and inspiring The Lord of the Rings came from Crist, an Old English Anglo-Saxon poem written by Cynewulf.
It spoke about the Advent, the Ascension, and the Last Judgment of Christ. More specifically, the line which drew such inspiration was, “ea/a Ea rendel engla beorhtast ofer middengeard monnum sended,” which translates to, “Here, Earendel, brightest of angels, sent from God to men” (Kilby 57). Tolkien took this line, as some sort of lost chapter, a missing link to our own mythology. As such, he incorporated it, and expanded upon it, rebuilding our lost story. It was more of a recording rather than an inventing of a myth. However, this line alone sums up Earendel as a character, and foreshadows his significance to the plot. The symbolism of Earendel being an angel sent from God (the Ilúvatar), can be considered a direct link to the song of the Ilúvatar (his grand plan) when he sets sail Westward to Valinor, to repent for the entirety of Middle-Earth, and plea for help to save
it. Throughout all of the mythology of Middle-Earth, there is no worship of God specifically, yet he does exist. This is most noticeable explicitly in The Silmarillion. Tolkien never denies the existence of God. In fact, he only compliments it. The Ilúvatar, whose name translates to “The One,” is the supreme god-like figure of Middle-Earth. He created the Ainur, who became the Valar, who are not gods, but rather guardians, angelic powers holy and subjected to the Ilúvatar. Of the Ainur, there was Melkor, strongest of them all. He thought himself better than the Ilúvatar and challenged him. Defeated by the Ilúvatar, Melkor was cast out, exiled from the Ainur/Valar and became Morgoth, Lord of Darkness. This is a direct mirror to the tale of Paradise Lost, when Lucifer the brightest and strongest of Angels (God’s favorite), rebels against God and is cast out of Heaven, thrown into the fires of Hell. Cursing God, Lucifer, who still thinks himself better than the Ilúvatar becomes Satan, he who cannot create, but only destroy. Then there is the topic of Atheism which is suggested in The Silmarillion and then can be assumed there were atheists elsewhere within the realm of Middle-Earth.
Back during the downfall of Númenóre, Sauron convinced King Ar-Pharazôn and a group of Númenóreans that the Ilúvatar did not exist. “'It is he whose name is not now spoken; for the Valar have deceived you concerning him, putting forward the name of Eru, a phantom devised in the folly of their hearts, seeking to enchain Men in servitude to themselves. For they are the oracle of this Eru, which speaks only what they will. But he that is their master shall yet prevail, and he will deliver you from this phantom; and his name is Melkor, Lord of All, Giver of Freedom, and he shall make you stronger than they'” (Tolkien 134). This can be analyzed a few ways. Firstly, the Númenóreans (some) can be viewed as Atheists, because they perceive existence of the Ilúvatar is false. Or Morgoth can be viewed as Satan and Sauron an Anti-christ figure, since both of them deceive mankind into following the path of evil. “Why do the Lords of the West sit there in peace unending, while we must die and go we know not whither, leaving our home and all that we have made? And the Eldar die not, even those that rebelled against the Lords. And since we have mastered all seas, and no water is so wild or so wide that our ships cannot overcome it, why should we not go to Avallónë and greet there our friends?” (Tolkien
129).