John Ronald Reuel Tolkien Influences

John Ronald Reuel (J.R.R.) Tolkien is one of the most influential authors not only of the 20th century, but in the history of the medium. He wrote novels that have impacted millions of people, and his work practically created an entire genre. The reason for this impact on literature is undoubtedly the rich world that he set his novels in. Tolkien’s imaginary setting of Arda, where all of his most notable works are set, features a very detailed history, with entire languages and cultures populating it. The characters Tolkien put in his stories have lived on for decades, and the archetypes they occupy have become dominant elements in fantasy stories. How was Tolkien able to create such an influential and convincing fictional world? What about

His primary motivation for crafting Middle-earth and its surrounding places was to “...make a body of more or less connected legend… which I could dedicate simply: to England; to my country” (Tolkien). This resulted in the creation of his legendarium, the combined body of works detailing the history of Arda. The most notable work in this legendarium is The Lord of the Rings, a sequel to Tolkien’s earlier novel The Hobbit, and the first of his published novels to really delve into the complex nature of the setting. It details a quest by nine characters across the continent of Middle-earth in order to destroy the now iconic One Ring, and through this quest Tolkien reveals many elements of his world’s history. When characters reach the sites of ancient battles, these battles are described. When they come across important locations or artifacts, the importance of these things is explained, thus revealing more about the world to both the characters and the audience. Tolkien even takes the time to describe individual plants that exist in Middle-earth, down to the most minute

The Lord of the Rings tells an inversion of this story. The goal of the characters is not to retrieve some powerful artifact, they already have it with them in the form of the One Ring. Their goal is to travel across Middle-earth and destroy the One Ring. In addition, while the Ring can grant power to whoever holds it, this power ends up being detrimental to whoever desires or uses this power. Putting on the Ring allows Sauron and the Ringwraiths to immediately see the one wearing it, putting them in great danger. In addition, the Ring’s promises of power end up corrupting and eventually killing most who are near it. This is in direct contrast to the powerful artifacts gained in more standard literary quests, such as the Golden Fleece of Greek mythology, which could heal wounds and cause prosperity around itself or the Arthurian Holy Grail.. Another element of The Lord of the Rings that goes against the standard conventions of a quest is the protagonist, Frodo Baggins. In contrast to the larger-than-life heroes of epic myths and legends from which Tolkien took inspiration, Frodo is an average, often weak character who over the course of