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
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
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