Yokyo, Welcome to the Tolkien Forums. Here is a good place to share that passion for Tolkien. It is a place to relax and have a little fun. I am just a member here but have been welcomed warmly by the other members and administrators (called the Valar and Maiar) and encouraged to ask questions and give opinions. There are lots of threads and even if it has been a few months (or years) since the last post feel free to make a post. I can assure you folks will respond.
Please tell us a little about how you became a Tolkien fan. Who is your favorite character? What is your favorite passage? Which books have you read and/or films have you watched? That is an interesting avatar. Where did you find it?
Feel free to jump in anywhere. If I can help please feel free to ask in a post, chatbox, or PM. Again welcome, Bear an Elf-Friend
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Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit Called or uncalled, God is present
Thank you Bear and Bilbo. I have to say I was somewhat nervous joining the forum! Those are all good questions which I will answer later (I have to get to work for now!). But to chose only one favourite character/passage/book will be hard!
I have to admit to being shallow. I've have not read the books, but I love Pete Jackson's version in the movies.
My favorites are the Three Hunters. Aragorn because he's so doggone noble, courageous, compassionate and everything a man/king should be. Legolas strong, silent, and a nimble kickass. And axe wielding Gimli, earthy with a sense of humor. Actually, Gimli reminds me quite a bit of a close friend of my husband and me, only this guy is taller.
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Go not to the elves for counsel, for they will say both yes and no.
Shallow? Not at all. I know a few people who are more familiar with Jackson's Middle Earth than Tolkien's. Good selection there, but let's not forget Gandalf, I like his bluntness. That's funny about your husband's friend. My father is a lot like Gimli (height and all)!
Bear - in reply to your earlier questions (I must confess I spent most of my day trying to narrow down the answers!) -
I got into the world of Tolkien after reading Roverandom as a child. I loved Tolkien's descriptions and adventure. Later I became fascinated by the linguistics of Elven language, so I read more and more. I have always liked Norse mythology, so the similarities and parallels are very interesting.
Favourite book - I cannot chose just one. The Children of Hurin because I like the twist. And the first Tolkien book I read - Roverandom, which now has so much significance for his later books. The Silmarillin is great because I always want to know how things came to be!
I have read many Tolkien books (over and over) but currently I am reading Morgoth's Ring. I have watched the Peter Jackson films (which I love) and the animated versions of The Hobbit and LOTR.
Favourite character - Gandalf. He's sharp, quick and never afraid. I also like Galadriel because she's one of the oldest elves. And Tom Bombodil is one of favourites too.
One of my favourite quotes ; "I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve"
The avatar - I did a search on "Dunadain" a while ago, they are one of my favourite groups. This image seemed to come up often.
Yokyo, It can take a while coming up with "favorite" answers. It seems Tolkien has so many wonderful characters and passages that choosing one does make it harder to answer. Me? I really like the heroic figure of Fingolfin. Some Elven characters attract me because of their virtue and complexity; especially in the psychological venue. Fingolfin was considered the noblest and most valiant of the sons of Finwë. Fingolfin was also said to be the strongest, most steadfast, and most virtuous of Finwë's sons. He is so noble and rises above the deceits and treachery of his half brother. He has such courage to challenge one of the Valar (Morgoth) to a one on one battle to the death.
My favorite passage is from the Silmarillion about Fingolfin's battle with Morgoth. The quote; "Therefore Morgoth came, climbing slowly from his subterranean throne, and the rumor of his feet was like thunder underground. And he issued forth clad in black armour; and he stood before the King like a tower, iron-crowned, and his vast shield, sable unblazoned, cast a shadow over him like a stormcloud. But Fingolfin gleamed beneath it as a star; for his mail was overlaid with silver, and his blue shield was set with crystals; and he drew his sword Ringil, that glittered like ice. Then Morgoth hurled aloft Grond, the Hammer of the Underworld, and swung it down like a bolt of thunder. But Fingolfin sprang aside, and Grond rent a mighty pit in the earth whence smoke and fire darted. Many times Morgoth essayed to smite him, and each time Fingolfin leaped away, as a lighting shoots from under a dark cloud; and he wounded Morgoth with seven wounds, and seven times Morgoth gave a cry of anguish, whereat the hosts of Angband fell upon their faces in dismay, and the cries echoed in the Northlands. But at last the King grew weary, and Morgoth bore down his shield upon him. Thrice he was crushed to his knees, and thrice arose again and bore up his broken shield and stricken helm. But the earth was all rent and pitted about him, and he stumbled and fell backward before the feet of Morgoth; and Morgoth set his left foot upon his neck, and the weight of it was like a fallen hill. Yet with his last and desperate stroke Fingolfin hewed the foot with Ringil, and the blood gushed forth black and smoking and filled the pits of Grond.
Thus died Fingolfin, High King of the Noldor, most proud and valiant of the Elven-Kings of old. The Orcs made no boast of that duel at the gate; neither do the Elves sing of it, for their sorrow is too deep." (The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter XVIII ~ "Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin", pgs 153 - 154) But surprisingly my favorite book isn't The Silmarillion. I still love The Fellowship of the Ring of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. .I think it is because of the introduction of so many interesting characters and creatures which add and build to create the basis for the other two parts. And it raises so many questions where these characters come from that you have to read Tolkien's other books and stories to fill in the gaps.
I got hooked on Tolkien when my high school English teacher assigned us the reading of The Hobbit. Once started I couldn't stop and started collecting and reading everything in print that I could get my hands on. And it went on and on ... until now my collection fills several shelves in my home library. So now there all multiple copies of The Lord of The Rings, The Silmarillion, and The Hobbit in my home because I have worn the books out and they are falling apart. Had to buy replacements and didn't have the heart to throw the old ones away. My Amazon wish list is loaded with requests for more of Tolkien's works and any scholastic offerings on him or his works.
I waited impatiently for Peter Jackson's film version of The Lord of the Rings and the first day they were released in my home town I was in line for my ticket. And as each Christmas went by I found "Father Christmas" had left me a DVD copy of the films. A lucky man am I. I will probably be waiting in line when they release the film version of The Hobbit.
And from reading this lengthy response I think you can see I am a Tolkien junkie.
That is one of the reasons I fell in love with this site. It is not an encyclopedia. It is not a role playing game. It is a place to play for people who love Tolkien and his works. Yes! It is a place for passion about Tolkien.
Whoa! I think I am writing way too much.
Anyway ... You are really welcome here. Join the fun! Bear an Elf-Friend
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Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit Called or uncalled, God is present
Yokyo, I like your quote too. The whole chapter of the Long Expected Party is great. But I am with you ...I loved Bilbo's farewell speech under thr party tree. I also like the dialogue between Galadriel and Frodo at her mirror. I think I may have been married to the dark queen at one time ~ but Momma Bears and Papa Bears aren't known for hanging out together!
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Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit Called or uncalled, God is present
