|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
uncle Iorlas
Nargothrond
Sep 18, 6:56pm
Post #1 of 3
(2359 views)
Shortcut
|
|
astronomical framing
|
Can't Post
|
|
I’ve begun to notice before, but keep seeing more now, how often Tolkien arranges for important events in the plot to fall on dates that resembles the points of Gerald Gardner’s wheel of the year—which I’ve heard characterized as a blend of solstices and equinoxes (equinoces?) that Romans were interested in, and intermediate dates that were important holidays for Celts, but I can’t vouch for that.
But for examples: Bilbo and Frodo’s shared birthday (which is the occasion of multiple plot points between the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings) is more or less the autumn equinox. The Ring is destroyed right about the spring equinox. Elessar and Arwen are married at midsummer. The Scouring hits pretty much on All Hallows. Yule doesn’t really see plot developments or close focus, which probably makes sense because they tend to manage not to be out on the road in the deep of winter; in fact the protagonists are usually fortunate enough to be encamped with elves somewhere for the yuletide, if they aren’t at home in the Shire. There may be other instances, I haven’t actually combed through the text for them yet.
It reminds me a bit of the professor’s translation of Gawain and the Green Knight, and his notes on the same; strong protestations of the Christianity of the text are somewhat complicated by little pagan elements that won’t quite conceal themselves.
|
|
|
Otaku-sempai
Elvenhome
Sep 18, 7:25pm
Post #2 of 3
(2352 views)
Shortcut
|
Shire dates are in advance of ours by about ten days. Certainly, some events align closely with the astronomical framing. Others are close, but maybe more-or-less coincidental, especially when we take into account that Middle-earth does not use the Gregorian Calendar.
Bilbo's and Frodo's birthdays come about a week or so before the autumn equinox. The Battle of Bywater looks is close to the date of All Hallow's, but it would have occurred in late October if we adjust for our modern calendar. The spring equinox in Middle-earth falls around the first of April (with the new year of the Calendar of Imladris beginning on April 6). Even so the destruction of the Ring is only a few days before that.
The departure of the Fellowship from Rivendell takes place a few days before the beginning of Yule-tide, which coincides with the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere; and of course December 25 is Christmas Day for most of the modern world. And, of course, the Shire's Free Fair takes place at mid-summer during the Lithedays, coinciding with the summer solstice.
“Hell hath no fury like that of the uninvolved.” - Tony Isabella
(This post was edited by Otaku-sempai on Sep 18, 7:30pm)
|
|
|
noWizardme
Gondolin
Oct 2, 5:25pm
Post #3 of 3
(250 views)
Shortcut
|
Thanks for raising this interesting subject - yes I agree: Tolkien' use of significant calendar dates for key LOTR story events is very noticeable and I don't suppose it is just a co-incidence.
What symbolism is meant (or can be seen as an applicability)? The problem is, I think that dates related to the changes of seasons are highly noticeable by every culture. For example, Quarter Days and Cross-quarter Days are usually on or near Christian feasts as well as being of significance topagans, wiccans and other groups. That makes it hard to say whether Tolkien might have been thinking of particular Church feasts or holy days, or something Roman or pagan. Or something else entirely.
SO the good news is that there are lots of applicabilities a reader can choose. And the bad news for those who would like there to one right answer is that there probably isn't one that ca be found.
I also enjoy the seasonality of the story generally. Frodo really does move through the seasons, and Tolkien's skill as a nature writer makes this more than the weather just cropping up as a plot point (though it does that too).
Because Frodo decides to set out in Autumn, there's also a symbolism of travelling through the gathering darkness and back into the light (which seems very suitable for the story).
~~~~~~
"I am not made for querulous pests." Frodo 'Spooner' Baggins.
|
|
|
|
|
