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#1 | |
Spirit of the Lonely Star
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,133
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Boromir -
The fox did not physically speak, but his thoughts could not be considered "typical" of an animal. In fact, the patterns of the words imply a kind of internal speech: Quote:
My guess is that, as a Catholic, Tolkien felt this way about life in general. There are things that happen in another realm (in the case of Man that would be the spiritual) on which we are truly dependent, but that we do not have the awareness or understanding to comprehend the struggle that is actually going on.
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Multitasking women are never too busy to vote. Last edited by Child of the 7th Age; 03-19-2005 at 06:18 PM. |
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#2 | |
Illustrious Ulair
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties
Posts: 4,240
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I wonder where the talking badgers of the Adventures of Tom Bombadil fit in? I suppose this poem could be seen as a link between the world of traditional fairy tale & that of mythic history. Those two worlds seem to meet & blend in the Old Forest.
One thought did strike me- a 'connection' of sorts between The Hobbit & the story of Sigurd & Fafnir. Sigurd slays the dragon Fafnir & by consuming his heart comes ot understand the speech of birds. Bard, on the other hand, through his ability to understand the speech of a bird is able to kill Smaug - by shooting him through the heart. I wonder also about Sam's words in reference to Bill, that if he statyed in Rivendell much longer he'd learn to speak. As Lalwende pointed out *about Ents, it was the Elves who taught them to speak. One wonders if they had equal facility in teaching animals speech... Quote:
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#3 |
Shady She-Penguin
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: In a far land beyond the Sea
Posts: 8,093
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A new aspect/detail: in the lament for Gandalf by Frodo is said that Gandalf spoke the language(s) of animals. (Sorry, I couldn't quote the thing - I don't have the book in english.) That mention could be only poetry and so not necessarily (clearly) true. I think that animals didn't really talk physically, but some people could understand their thoughts (refering eg. to the lament of Gandalf). Great eagles, dragons, Huan and Erendis' birds are different cases.
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Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris
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#4 |
Deadnight Chanter
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good point, lady. Here the whole lament, for your pleasure
When evening in the Shire was grey
his footsteps on the Hill were heard; before the dawn he went away on journey long without a word. From Wilderland to Western shore, from northern waste to southern hill, through dragon-lair and hidden door and darkling woods he walked at will. With Dwarf and Hobbit, Elves and Men, with mortal and immortal folk, with bird on bough and beast in den, in their own secret tongues he spoke. A deadly sword, a healing hand, a back that bent beneath its load; a trumpet-voice, a burning brand, a weary pilgrim on the road. A lord of wisdom throned he sat, swift in anger, quick to laugh; an old man in a battered hat who leaned upon a thorny staff. He stood upon the bridge alone and Fire and Shadow both defied; his staff was broken on the stone, in Khazad-dűm his wisdom died. *** The finest rockets ever seen: they burst in stars of blue and green, or after thunder golden showers came falling like a rain of flowers.
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Egroeg Ihkhsal - Would you believe in the love at first sight? - Yes I'm certain that it happens all the time! |
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#5 |
Shady She-Penguin
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: In a far land beyond the Sea
Posts: 8,093
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![]() Thank you. That was the thing I was looking for.
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Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris
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#6 |
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: commonplace city
Posts: 518
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as the spirit took him...
I do not have the books handy, but did Legolas not whisper a few nothings into Arod's ear as well? I liken animals speaking in the works somewhat to the eagles: a lesser Deus ex machina or to more define a point (a fortiori), example: of course the animals knew this was the case, silly humans...
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#7 | ||
Ghost Prince of Cardolan
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Essex, England
Posts: 886
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Quote:
Quote:
As I said, totally off tangent, but something I've always been fascinated with. |
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