The Lord of the Rings

It is unlikely to find a person in the It is unlikely to find a person in the UK and in the USA who is not UK and in the USA who is not acquainted with the writings by the acquainted with the writings by the British author John Ronald Reuel British author John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.Tolkien.

‘‘The Lord of the Rings’ was published The Lord of the Rings’ was published in 1954, so the 50in 1954, so the 50thth anniversary of this anniversary of this epic fantasy novel was celebrated in epic fantasy novel was celebrated in 2004. 2004.

Soon after its publication the book Soon after its publication the book became popular. It was translated into became popular. It was translated into 25 languages. In 1965 American 25 languages. In 1965 American paperback editions of ‘The Lord of the paperback editions of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ came out, and the campus cult Rings’ came out, and the campus cult of the novel began.of the novel began.

“If you’ve never heard of J.R.R. Tolkien and know absolutely nothing about his most famous books “The Hobbit”, “The Lord of the Ring”, “The Silmarillion”, the only possible explanation is that you have spent your entire life living at the bottom of a coal pit on the other end of the galaxy”

David Day‘A-Z of Tolkien’

The story “ The Lord of the The story “ The Lord of the Rings” is based on an old Rings” is based on an old legend. The legend is a story legend. The legend is a story about a man named about a man named Sigmund.Sigmund.

Sigmund’s story comes from Sigmund’s story comes from IcelandIceland and it and it is a very is a very famous story about betrayal. famous story about betrayal.

The story of Sigmund has been The story of Sigmund has been turned in to a movie.turned in to a movie.

It was no wonder: the novel narrates about thrilling adventures, it It was no wonder: the novel narrates about thrilling adventures, it contains detailed maps, poems, unusual names and several appendices contains detailed maps, poems, unusual names and several appendices which include genealogies, calendars and even two alphabets created by which include genealogies, calendars and even two alphabets created by the author.the author.

The Lord of the Rings is an epic high fantasy novel written by The Lord of the Rings is an epic high fantasy novel written by no one no one else than else than J. R. R. Tolkien.J. R. R. Tolkien. The story began as a sequel to Tolkien's The story began as a sequel to Tolkien's earlier, less complex children's fantasy novel The Hobbit (1937), but earlier, less complex children's fantasy novel The Hobbit (1937), but eventually developed into a much larger work.eventually developed into a much larger work. It was written in stages It was written in stages between 1937 and 1949, much of it during World War IIbetween 1937 and 1949, much of it during World War II .. Although Although known to many readers as a trilogy, the work was initially intended by known to many readers as a trilogy, the work was initially intended by Tolkien to be one volume of a two-volume set along with The Tolkien to be one volume of a two-volume set along with The Silmarillion; however, the publisher decided to omit the second volume Silmarillion; however, the publisher decided to omit the second volume and instead published The Lord of the Rings in 1954–55 as three and instead published The Lord of the Rings in 1954–55 as three volumes containing a total of six booksvolumes containing a total of six books for economic reasons. for economic reasons.

The title of the book refers to the story's main antagonist, the Dark Lord The title of the book refers to the story's main antagonist, the Dark Lord Sauron, who had in an earlier age created the One Ring to rule the other Sauron, who had in an earlier age created the One Ring to rule the other Rings of Power, as the ultimate weapon in his campaign to conquer and Rings of Power, as the ultimate weapon in his campaign to conquer and rule all of Middle-earth. From quiet beginnings in the Shire, a hobbit rule all of Middle-earth. From quiet beginnings in the Shire, a hobbit land not unlike the English countryside, the story ranges across Middle-land not unlike the English countryside, the story ranges across Middle-earth following the course of the War of the Ring through the eyes of its earth following the course of the War of the Ring through the eyes of its characters, most notably the hobbits, Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee characters, most notably the hobbits, Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee (Sam), Meriadoc Brandybuck (Merry) and Peregrin Took (Pippin), but (Sam), Meriadoc Brandybuck (Merry) and Peregrin Took (Pippin), but also the hobbits' chief helpers: Aragorn, a ranger, and Gandalf, a also the hobbits' chief helpers: Aragorn, a ranger, and Gandalf, a wizard.wizard.

Along with some of Tolkien's other works, The Lord of the Rings has been Along with some of Tolkien's other works, The Lord of the Rings has been subjected to extensive analysis of its themes and origins. Although a major subjected to extensive analysis of its themes and origins. Although a major work in itself, the story was only the last movement of a larger work Tolkien work in itself, the story was only the last movement of a larger work Tolkien had worked on since 1917, in a process he described as mythopoeia. Influences had worked on since 1917, in a process he described as mythopoeia. Influences on this earlier work, and on the story of The Lord of the Rings, include on this earlier work, and on the story of The Lord of the Rings, include philology, mythology, religion and the author's distaste for the effects of philology, mythology, religion and the author's distaste for the effects of industrialization, as well as earlier fantasy works and Tolkien's experiences in industrialization, as well as earlier fantasy works and Tolkien's experiences in World War IWorld War I.. The Lord of the Rings in its turn is considered to have had a The Lord of the Rings in its turn is considered to have had a great effect on modern fantasy; the impact of Tolkien's works is such that the great effect on modern fantasy; the impact of Tolkien's works is such that the use of the words "Tolkienian" and "Tolkienesque" has been recorded in the use of the words "Tolkienian" and "Tolkienesque" has been recorded in the Oxford English Dictionary.Oxford English Dictionary.

The enduring popularity of The Lord of the Rings has led to numerous The enduring popularity of The Lord of the Rings has led to numerous references in popular culture, the founding of many societies by fans of references in popular culture, the founding of many societies by fans of Tolkien's works,Tolkien's works, and the publication of many books about Tolkien and his and the publication of many books about Tolkien and his works. The Lord of the Rings has inspired, and continues to inspire, artwork, works. The Lord of the Rings has inspired, and continues to inspire, artwork, music, films and television, video games, and subsequent literature. Award-music, films and television, video games, and subsequent literature. Award-winning adaptations of The Lord of the Rings have been made for radio, winning adaptations of The Lord of the Rings have been made for radio, theatre, and film.theatre, and film.

Tolkien created a new Tolkien created a new language and alphabet for language and alphabet for his fantasy world.his fantasy world.

The Lord of The Rings started as a The Lord of The Rings started as a sequel to Tolkien’s story The Hobbit, sequel to Tolkien’s story The Hobbit, which is a children’s story of the fairy which is a children’s story of the fairy tale genre. The protagonist is Bilbo tale genre. The protagonist is Bilbo Baggins. Baggins.

One of One of Tolkien’s Tolkien’s maps.maps.

The Fellowship of The Fellowship of the Ringthe Ring

Fellowship Fellowship means working means working together and together and putting others putting others before before ourselves.ourselves.

The second book of the Lord of The second book of the Lord of the Rings is “The Two Towers.”the Rings is “The Two Towers.”

One Tower is the symbol of One Tower is the symbol of darkness, one the symbol of darkness, one the symbol of light.light.

The Third and Final book in the The Third and Final book in the “Lord of The Rings” trilogy is “The “Lord of The Rings” trilogy is “The

Return of the King”.Return of the King”.

Frodo BagginsFrodo Baggins – – Elijah WoodElijah Wood

GandalfGandalf – – Ian McKellenIan McKellen

MAIN CASTMAIN CAST

Arwen – Liv Tyler

AragonAragon – –

Viggo MortensenViggo Mortensen

PippinPippin – Billy Boyd – Billy Boyd

SamSam – Sean Astin – Sean Astin

The two towers in Birmingham, The two towers in Birmingham, England and the two towers in England and the two towers in the land of The Lord of The the land of The Lord of The Rings. This is just one example Rings. This is just one example of the ways Tolkien’s of the ways Tolkien’s environment influenced his environment influenced his writing.writing.