Inspiration for Gandalf - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

ninlaith · 07-13-2004, 12:13 AM

Some inspiration for Gandalf came from Sir Tolkiens friend C.S Lewis. Although C.S Lewis also inspired Tolkien to write the character Treebeard which I think is a more fitting analysis. Tolkien always spoke about how he would be walking down the halls at Oxford and would hear this booming echoing voice rumbling down the hall which was C.S Lewis teaching his lessons. But the true inspiration for Gandalf came from the Kalevala, an old and insanely long sort of chant which speaks of an old shaman who would perform good deeds for the people of their tribe and disappear. Sort of explains alot about Gandalf in my thinking. The Kalevala would take nearly two to four days for one of the chosen tribesmen to chant.

07-13-2004, 12:13 AM	#5
ninlaith Wight Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: in my hobbit hole Posts: 204	Some inspiration for Gandalf came from Sir Tolkiens friend C.S Lewis. Although C.S Lewis also inspired Tolkien to write the character Treebeard which I think is a more fitting analysis. Tolkien always spoke about how he would be walking down the halls at Oxford and would hear this booming echoing voice rumbling down the hall which was C.S Lewis teaching his lessons. But the true inspiration for Gandalf came from the Kalevala, an old and insanely long sort of chant which speaks of an old shaman who would perform good deeds for the people of their tribe and disappear. Sort of explains alot about Gandalf in my thinking. The Kalevala would take nearly two to four days for one of the chosen tribesmen to chant.