Landscapes of Middle Earth - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lord of Angmar · 06-28-2003, 10:02 PM

One of the things that has captivated me the most about Tolkien's works, perhaps even more than the stories and characters, is the ever-changing landscape and geography of Middle Earth. It seems to me that Middle Earth plays the most important role in any of Tolkien's works and is the indispensable glue which holds his work together as the ultimate fantasy writing. In this thread I'd like to get a discussion going about which landscapes in Middle Earth give you the best images and feelings when you read about them. I especially enjoy reading about Beren's journey through Nan Dungortheb, where the power of Melian meets the horror of Sauron and "terror and madness walk." I also enjoyed reading about Turin Turambar as he stood atop Amon Rudh and looked out over Beleriand. As for LotR, I would say that the Shire and the Old Forest certainly held great enchantment as I read of them, as well as Lothlorien and the peacefulness of Rivendell. The blackness of Moria was also rather frightening, and I got chills down my back when Gandalf spoke to Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli about the horrors that walk in the deep places of Khazad-Dum, that even the Dark Lord Sauron himself knows nothing of. What are some of your favorite locales, places and geographical descriptions in Middle Earth and in Tolkien's works, and for what reason?

06-28-2003, 10:02 PM	#1
Lord of Angmar Tyrannus Incorporalis Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: the North Posts: 833	Landscapes of Middle Earth One of the things that has captivated me the most about Tolkien's works, perhaps even more than the stories and characters, is the ever-changing landscape and geography of Middle Earth. It seems to me that Middle Earth plays the most important role in any of Tolkien's works and is the indispensable glue which holds his work together as the ultimate fantasy writing. In this thread I'd like to get a discussion going about which landscapes in Middle Earth give you the best images and feelings when you read about them. I especially enjoy reading about Beren's journey through Nan Dungortheb, where the power of Melian meets the horror of Sauron and "terror and madness walk." I also enjoyed reading about Turin Turambar as he stood atop Amon Rudh and looked out over Beleriand. As for LotR, I would say that the Shire and the Old Forest certainly held great enchantment as I read of them, as well as Lothlorien and the peacefulness of Rivendell. The blackness of Moria was also rather frightening, and I got chills down my back when Gandalf spoke to Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli about the horrors that walk in the deep places of Khazad-Dum, that even the Dark Lord Sauron himself knows nothing of. What are some of your favorite locales, places and geographical descriptions in Middle Earth and in Tolkien's works, and for what reason? __________________ ...where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own defence.