Ghosts, myths and legends of Middle-earth - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Ibrîniðilpathânezel · 10-29-2008, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Esty, I bow to your argument about the Mewlips in the Bombadil poems. They are as creepy as any boggart (exceptin' Lalwende) or spriggan or malevolent spirit in folklore, if not more so.

I agree. I don't know at all where my copy of the book is right now, but I seem to recall that the "authorial conceit" was that Bilbo and/or Frodo wrote the poems in The Adventures of Tom Bombadil -- and if so, one does have to wonder what nightmare was responsible for "The Mewlips."

Groin Redbeard · 10-30-2008, 05:22 PM

Barrow Wights!

I was reading Mist on the Barrow Downs, very late at night by candle light for extra effect.

They are probably the closest thing to a ghost in Tolkien's world. I don't think that he gave any special references about spirits of people lingering around in Arda after they died.

Another thing that creeps me out is the part in the Silmarillion where Luthien and Beren guise themselves in the manner of a giant bat and a were wolf (at least I think it was a were wolf).

MatthewM · 10-30-2008, 11:22 PM

Indeed the scariest part of The Lord of the Rings has to be The Barrow-Downs. Just read that chapter up until Bombadil's rescue and try not to feel cold, abandoned, and just plain scared. Definitely The Barrow-Downs. There are a lot of other scary things, no doubt, such as The Paths of the Dead (the dead followed you for goodness sake) and The Old Forest. Minas Morgul and the lonliness of Shelob's Lair. All scary...but The Barrow-Downs has to take the cake for me.

Eönwë · 11-01-2008, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrîniðilpathânezel

if so, one does have to wonder what nightmare was responsible for "The Mewlips."

They're sort of like the Wights and the Dead Marshes put together, but worse.

I shiver every time I read that Mewlips thing. And you can just hear water dripping, slowly, drop by drop, cold onto bare stone, where nothing can grow.

Elmo · 11-02-2008, 04:45 PM

If I remember my long lost (stolen) copy of Morgoth's Ring, Elves can come back as a ghost if they refuse the summons of Mandos. I think that was why Sauron was called the Necromancer. These ghost Elves weren't nice I recall.

10-30-2008, 05:22 PM	#2
Groin Redbeard Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Facing the world's troubles with Christ's hope! Posts: 1,635	Barrow Wights! I was reading Mist on the Barrow Downs, very late at night by candle light for extra effect. They are probably the closest thing to a ghost in Tolkien's world. I don't think that he gave any special references about spirits of people lingering around in Arda after they died. Another thing that creeps me out is the part in the Silmarillion where Luthien and Beren guise themselves in the manner of a giant bat and a were wolf (at least I think it was a were wolf). __________________ I heard the bells on Christmas Day. Their old, familiar carols play. And wild and sweet the words repeatof peace on earth, good-will to men! ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

10-30-2008, 11:22 PM	#3
MatthewM Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 628	Indeed the scariest part of The Lord of the Rings has to be The Barrow-Downs. Just read that chapter up until Bombadil's rescue and try not to feel cold, abandoned, and just plain scared. Definitely The Barrow-Downs. There are a lot of other scary things, no doubt, such as The Paths of the Dead (the dead followed you for goodness sake) and The Old Forest. Minas Morgul and the lonliness of Shelob's Lair. All scary...but The Barrow-Downs has to take the cake for me. __________________ "Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills...and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!" -Boromir, The Fellowship of the Ring

11-02-2008, 04:45 PM	#5
Elmo Pittodrie Poltergeist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: trying to find that warm and winding lane again Posts: 633	If I remember my long lost (stolen) copy of Morgoth's Ring, Elves can come back as a ghost if they refuse the summons of Mandos. I think that was why Sauron was called the Necromancer. These ghost Elves weren't nice I recall. __________________ As Beren looked into her eyes within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies he saw there mirrored shimmering.