Comparing The Hobbit And The Lord Of The Rings

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy ole with nothing in it to sit down or eat: it was a hobbit – hole, and that means comfort." This quote would eventually be a part of the critically – acclaimed book, The Hobbit, written by a leading and ground – breaking philologist named J.R.R. Tolkien, whose love of language was well ahead of his time. His philological desire helped him rise to fame in the world of English literature, writing and creating masterpieces, such as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

Tolkien's love and appreciation for languages and the mythical elements of literature (specifically fantasy and fairy tales)

Born John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, J.R.R. Tolkien was born in 1892, near the end of the Industrial Revolution. Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein South Africa to Mabel and Arthur Tolkien. Arthur Tolkien worked as a bank manager, while Mabel Tolkien stayed at home. However, soon John's health was beginning to worsen, eventually becoming so frail that Mabel Tolkien took him and his younger brother Hilary to Birmingham, England. Unfortunately, J.R.R. Tolkien's father was diagnosed with rheumatic fever and passed away, as he was to join his family just after one more year of living in South Africa. While living in England, Tolkien often was inspired to adapt some of England's natural landscape and scenery into his various works, as this would eventually become implemented into his literature. Also, his mother taught Tolkien a great deal of Latin and other languages, which is mainly where his fondness of philology is derived from. From then on, J.R.R. Tolkien became very fluent in languages, particularly Latin, and began his young age being a very

A few years after, Tolkien was finally given the freedom to elope with Edith Bratt, who, unfortunately, was dating a backup person. However, after a concise and persuading love letter professing his love for her, she finally broke off her backup's marriage and replaced it with Tolkien's, thus finally becoming engaged with one another. While at Exeter, Tolkien preceded to study Classics, but instead switched to English Literature. While at Exeter Tolkien was exposed to a great deal of literature. He read a large amount of Nordic myths, Old Norse poems, a piece known as The Voluspa, and The Crist, a religious poem Tolkien was heavily reliant on when creating his fictional mythology. In fact, in 1914 the poem caused Tolkien to write a poem based on The Crist, prompting the beginning of Tolkien's unique and creative mythology creations. Later on he graduated with first – class honors in his final examinations. However, tragedy struck as World War One prompted everyone in the U.K. to