A Theological Reading of the Songs and Verse of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, with Reference to their Contribution to the Overall Understanding of Good and Evil Portrayed in Middle-earth /by Katja Bluthardt.

Blunthardt, Katja,

A Theological Reading of the Songs and Verse of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, with Reference to their Contribution to the Overall Understanding of Good and Evil Portrayed in Middle-earth /by Katja Bluthardt. - 2013. - 145 leaves ; 29 cm.

Typescript. Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 How things started: The Meta-narrative-A Cosmology for Middle-Earth Chapter 3 How things were: The "Songs of History" Chapter 4 How things are: The "Songs of the Third Age" Chapter 5 How things will be: The "Songs of Prophecy" Chapter 6 Concluding Remarks Appendices



A Theological Reading -- Tolkein's Notes on Tolkien's Poetry -- The Silmarillion -- Terminology: Good and Evil -- The Structure and Classification of Songs, Methodology. The Creator -- His Creation-agents of good and privation -- Why not despair? -- Theological Application of the Meta-narratie-glimpses of the evagelium. The "Songs of Events" -- The Fall of Gil-galad -- The Tale of Tinuviel -- The Rhyme of Lore -- The "Songs of Places" -- The Praise of Lothlorien -- The Song of Gondor -- The "Songs of Lament" exemplified in "The Lament of Boromir" -- Theological Application of the "Songs of History"-glimpses of the evangelium. The "Songs of Identity" -- Hobbit Songs -- Elvish Songs -- Songs of Men -- Entish Songs -- Special Songs of the Third Age -- "Songs of Happiness and Joy" exemplified in "Hey Dol! Merry dol!" -- Tom and Sam-Songs of Instrument -- "Tom's Battle Song at the Barrow-downs" -- "Sam's Plea to Elbereth" -- Songs of Evil Intent -- Theological Application of the "Songs of the Third Age"-glimpses of the evangelium. The Songs of Prophecy -- "The Ring Verse" -- "Glad Tidings" -- Theological Application of the "Songs of Prophecy"-glimpses of the evangelium. Mind map of the Songs and Verses of the Lord of hte Rhode Islandngs -- Table of the Songs and Verses of the Lord of the Rings -- Lyrics of the Songs and Verses of the Lord of the Rings.

This study offers a theological reading of the songs and verse of The Lord of the Rings that combines elements of literary and theological analysis. Starting off with a discussion of the foundational music, part of the legendary material pre-dating the storyline of the Lord of the Rings, this paper establishes parallels between Tolkien's fictional account and the Biblical narrative, especially the central Biblical account of Fall and Redemption. The doctrines in particular establish the fundamental meaning and literary as we ; as theological impact of songs and verse for the conception and development of the moral framework of Middle=earth is established.




Tolkien, J. R. R. 1 892-1973. --Criticism and interpretation.
Tolkien, J. R. R. 1892-1973 --Religion.


Columbia International University--Dissertations.


Middle Earth (Imaginary place)
Theology in literature.
God in literature.

BV4070 / .T446 2013 BV4070