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--- lb:legendarium [2025-08-24 17:38:35] – [Tolkien's Legendarium] ninjasr
+++ lb:legendarium [2026-02-11 12:22:51] (current) – Also added a small footnote. ninjasr
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Tolkien's Legendarium ======
+<div subtitle>
+{{tag>books films legendarium}}
+</div>
 {{ img:b:r:legendarium.png?460 }}
-**Tolkien’s Legendarium** is a catch-all term to refer to the stories by [[lb:tolkien]] which take place in Arda. The main works that are comprised within the Legendarium include //**Lord of the Rings**//, //**The Hobbit**// and //**The Silmarillion**//.
+**Tolkien’s Legendarium** is a catch-all term to refer to the stories by [[lb:tolkien]] which take place in <span notion>Arda</span>. The main works that are comprised within the <cite>Legendarium</cite> include **<cite>Lord of the Rings</cite>**, **<cite>The Hobbit</cite>** and **<cite>The Silmarillion</cite>**.
-<WRAP centeralign>
+<div center-text>
 [[lb:tl:tengwar]]\\
 [[lb:tl:sindarin]] • [[lb:tl:quenya]]
-</WRAP>
+</div>
-{{tag>books films legendarium}}
 ===== Reviews =====
 ==== The Hobbit ====
-Yeah, I really liked reading //The Hobbit//. I also noticed that the writing style is vaguely similar to my own (vaguely).
+<div rating>
+<div heart>♥</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+</div>
+Yeah, I really liked reading <cite>The Hobbit</cite>. I also noticed that the writing style is vaguely similar to my own (vaguely).
+<div passage>
+But putting that aside...any issues? Yeah, there are a few. First of all...it's very clearly a standalone as it's pretty obvious that some things just don't line up with later works. There's also a strange tendency to not give names to some characters – like the //Elvenking//, who is probably <dfn>Thranduil</dfn>.
+The comedic tone here actually doesn't feel that out of place with the (<cite>LoTR</cite>) Peter Jackson films. The tone is very similar, I feel. Which is...kinda interesting. Though I'd have to read the Lord of The Rings to see if my suspicion is accurate.
-But putting that aside...any issues? Yeah, there are a few. First of all...it's very clearly a standalone as it's pretty obvious that some things just don't line up with later works. There's also a strange tendency to not give names to some characters – like the //Elvenking//, who is probably Thranduil.\\
+I should note that I don't think these issues are that significant, thus <cite>The Hobbit</cite> is a <em underline highlight midori>//masterpiece//</em>.
-The comedic tone here actually doesn't feel that out of place with the (LoTR) Peter Jackson films. The tone is very similar, I feel. Which is...kinda interesting. Though I'd have to read the Lord of The Rings to see if my suspicion is accurate.
+</div>
 ==== The Silmarillion ====
-Having just finished reading //The Silmarillion//...I don't actually have much to say. I liked reading it and, yeah, it felt like reading a history book. Albeit a history book far easier to read.
+<div rating>
+<div heart>♥</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star disable>★</div>
+</div>
+Having just finished reading <cite>The Silmarillion</cite>...I don't actually have much to say. I liked reading it and, yeah, it felt like reading a history book. Albeit a history book far easier to read.
 I did have some trouble following events, names and locations – but that's maybe just a me thing.
-Putting aside its status as a history book, I'll note that it //feels// a bit different from //The Hobbit//, though I can’t articulate exactly why.\\
+<div passage>
-I think it's related to //The Silmarillion// being focused on the Elves – specifically the Noldor – and a little on the Edain. Dwarves are mentioned...but only mentioned. Hobbits make no appearance.\\
+Putting aside its status as a history book, I'll note that it //feels// a bit different from <cite>The Hobbit</cite>, though I can’t articulate exactly why.
-Basically...I think it's pretty clear that //The Silmarillion// originated as //separate// from //The Hobbit//, with the latter being added on afterwards.
+I think it's related to <cite>The Silmarillion</cite> being focused on the Elves – specifically the <span notion>Noldor</span> – and a little on the <span notion>Edain</span>. <span notion>Dwarves</span> are mentioned...but only mentioned. <span notion>Hobbits</span> make no appearance.
+Basically...I think it's pretty clear that <cite>The Silmarillion</cite> originated as //separate// from <cite>The Hobbit</cite>, with the latter being added on afterwards.
+</div>
 ==== Films ====
 === Peter Jackson's Films ===
+<div rating>
+<div heart>♥</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+</div>
 These are good. I dunno what else to say.\\
 There are some who think that it doesn't do a good job, but I think it still manages to communicate Tolkienien themes well enough.
@@ Line 28: / Line 64: @@
 I'll possibly elaborate on this later, it's just that besides “good music” I can’t think of anything concrete.
 === The Hobbit: Maple Film's Edit ===
-This is now my preferred way of watching //The Hobbit// as it is edited into a very satisfying whole.\\
+<div rating>
+<div heart>♥</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+</div>
+<div passage>
+This is now my preferred way of watching <cite>The Hobbit</cite> as it is edited into a very satisfying whole.
 I won't say much about the Peter Jackson films because I've only seen the first two and I barely remember them, as compared to this edit.
+</div>
 Get [[http://www.maple-films.com/jrr-tolkiens-the-hobbit|here]].
 === The Hobbit (Animated) ===
-Honestly? I'd say this is a bad film and not a particularly great adaptation. It's more faithful, in a way, because it does include lines ripped straight from the book...but...\\
+<div rating>
-They pronounce ‘Smaug’ as ‘Smog’. While lines are ripped straight from the book, they are cut together in ways that make no sense. The most glaring example that I remember is “I am Gandalf and Gandalf means me!” which has zero prior buildup...in the book, Bilbo asks him who he is...in the film Gandalf just says this out of the blue, which makes him look insane.
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star disabled>★</div>
+<div star disabled>★</div>
+<div star disabled>★</div>
+<div star disabled>★</div>
+</div>
+<div passage>
+Honestly? I'd say this is a bad film and not a particularly great adaptation. It's more faithful, in a way, because it does include lines ripped straight from the book...but...
-The depiction of the elves is also pretty awful and...I'm not a fan of how Smaug looks. While he's too big in the Peter Jackson films...yeah, more dragon-like.
+They pronounce ‘Smaug’ as ‘Smog’. While lines are ripped straight from the book, they are cut together in ways that make no sense. The most glaring example that I remember is <q :en>I am Gandalf and Gandalf means me!</q> which has zero prior buildup...in the book, <span notion>Bilbo</span> asks him who he is...in the film <span notion>Gandalf</span> just says this out of the blue, which makes him look insane.
+</div>
+The depiction of the elves is also pretty awful and...I'm not a fan of how <span notion>Smaug</span> looks. While he's too big in the Peter Jackson films...yeah, more dragon-like.
 === The Lord of The Rings (Animated) ===
+<div rating>
+<div star bad>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+</div>
 This film is not good, I'll say so bluntly. In fact, it raises a lot of questions...regarding //how// Peter Jackson created a comparatively faithful film trilogy.
 It has a similar issue to the animated Hobbit, in that it rips a lot of lines straight from the book...without accounting for all the lost context. Thus leading to some awkwardness.
-Mispronunciations are everywhere, but the most egregious one is probably Celeborn (pronounced as Seleborn), delivered by Galadriel herself. I think that, besides Isengard, nothing was pronounced correctly.
+Mispronunciations are everywhere, but the most egregious one is probably <span notion>Celeborn</span> (pronounced as <span denote>Seleborn</span>), delivered by <span notion>Galadriel</span> herself.((:fn:>For those who aren't aware, <span notion>Galadriel</span> is <span notion>Celeborn</span>’s wife.)) I think that, besides <span notion>Isengard</span>, nothing was pronounced correctly.
-The animation/artistic style varied quite a bit. Sometimes the backgrounds looked like they were illustrated by Ted Nasmith...and other times...it was...abstract.\\
+<div passage>
-I'd hesitate to call any of the art good, with a few exceptions (some backgrounds and Gandalf explaining his fight with Durin's Bane).\\
+The animation/artistic style varied quite a bit. Sometimes the backgrounds looked like they were illustrated by Ted Nasmith...and other times...it was...abstract.
-Some of the characters just come across as...weird, due to the animation. Gandalf, in particular – with his many gestures – looks like he's crazy.
-You may be tempted to think that this film is funny bad...but it really isn't. Outside of the interaction between Gandalf and Saruman, there isn't anything particularly funny. Well...I guess “M'precious” counts.
+I'd hesitate to call any of the art good, with a few exceptions (some backgrounds and <span notion>Gandalf</span> explaining his fight with <span notion>Durin's Bane</span>).
+Some of the characters just come across as...weird, due to the animation. <span notion>Gandalf</span>, in particular – with his many gestures – looks like he's crazy.
+</div>
+You may be tempted to think that this film is funny bad...but it really isn't. Outside of the interaction between <span notion>Gandalf</span> and <span notion>Saruman</span>, there isn't anything particularly funny. Well...I guess <q :en>M'precious</q> counts.
 I think that the animated Hobbit is better than this, which is an achievement on its own.
@@ Line 54: / Line 122: @@
 The film also ends abruptly. Like, very abruptly. This is //probably// because it was planned to be a part 1 of 2...but, like, none of the Peter Jackson films end the same way.
 === Return of the King (animated) ===
-Between this and the previous film...this one is unquestionably better.\\
+<div rating>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star disabled>★</div>
+<div star disabled>★</div>
+<div star disabled>★</div>
+<div star disabled>★</div>
+</div>
+<div passage>
+Between this and the previous film...this one is unquestionably better.
 Not only is the quality more consistent (in animation/artwork and music), but it's generally better. That isn't to say this is //good//. In fact, I'd say this film is also bad as a film and an adaptation.
+</div>
-Mispronunciations are present as well, which makes it unexpectedly consistent with the previous films. It's also, bizarrely, presented as a sequel to //The Hobbit// – though this was done due to licensing issues.
+Mispronunciations are present as well, which makes it unexpectedly consistent with the previous films. It's also, bizarrely, presented as a sequel to <cite>The Hobbit</cite> – though this was done due to licensing issues.
-The highlights of this film include Sam being a badass and //[[lb:Where There's a Whip (There's a Way)]]//. The former is manifested as Sam imagining himself as turning Gorgoroth into a giant garden and convincing an army of orcs to attack an army of men working for Sauron. The latter is just a good song: unusually thematically appropriate as well.
+The highlights of this film include <span notion>Sam</span> being a badass and <cite>[[lb:Where There's a Whip (There's a Way)]]</cite>. The former is manifested as <span notion>Sam</span> imagining himself as turning <span notion>Gorgoroth</span> into a giant garden and convincing an army of orcs to attack an army of men working for <span notion>Sauron</span>. The latter is just a good song: unusually thematically appropriate as well.
 Would I recommend watching it? Probably not.
 === The War of the Rohirrim ===
+<div rating>
+<div heart>♥</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star>★</div>
+<div star disabled>★</div>
+<div star disabled>★</div>
+</div>
 I'll be honest: I liked this film a lot. It was about average in quality, but everything //did// fit together.
-I can’t really say much off the top of my head that would be of interest. It's mostly just “animation was good”, “heard the theme of Rohan again which was great” and “Helm was a badass”.
+I can’t really say much off the top of my head that would be of interest. It's mostly just <q :en>animation was good</q>, <q :en>heard the theme of Rohan again which was great</q> and <q :en>Helm was a badass</q>.
 Obviously, I'm not sure about lore accuracy, but they //did// adapt a story that was vague in the first place; granting some leeway.
-I think Héra((:fn:>I checked because I was certain that Héra //does// appear in ‘canon’ despite, y'know, the situation and I was right. Though she is [[tlkg>Helm's_daughter|unnamed]] and nobody knows what happened to her. This may as well be canon and probably will be treated as such in the future.)) was cute and sufficiently princess-like. I didn't get the impression she was a ‘girlboss’ despite her central role in the narrative.
+I think <span notion>Héra</span>((:fn:>I checked because I was certain that <span notion>Héra</span> //does// appear in ‘canon’ despite, y'know, the situation and I was right. Though she is [[tlkg>Helm's_daughter|unnamed]] and nobody knows what happened to her. This may as well be canon and probably will be treated as such in the future.)) was cute and sufficiently princess-like. I didn't get the impression she was a ‘girlboss’ despite her central role in the narrative.
-Though I //would// have liked to see Olórin for just a frame.
+Though I //would// have liked to see <span notion>Olórin</span> for just a frame.
 ===== Speculah & Analysis =====
 ==== Canon ====
-I'll note it here but ‘canon’ is probably not easy to apply to the Legendarium. Basically the only work that we can consider ‘definitively canon’ would be //The Lord of The Rings// and everything else is up in the air.
+I'll note it here but ‘canon’ is probably not easy to apply to the <cite>Legendarium</cite>. Basically the only work that we can consider ‘definitively canon’ would be <cite>The Lord of The Rings</cite> and everything else is up in the air.
 While Tolkien did seem to be the kind of author who cares //a lot// about maintaining internal consistency, he just never got to the stage where he published a lot of work. Thus, we mostly got stuff published posthumously.
@@ Line 82: / Line 168: @@
 Personally, I've decided to start treating Tolkien's world //as// a mythology (or like a Japanese franchise). That means that everything and nothing is canon at the same time.
-I think it //would// be possible to construct an internally consistent canon (and for fanfiction reasons, I'm thinking of doing exactly that) but there isn't really a need to. And, let's be honest, at that point it isn't //Tolkien’s// Legendarium anymore.
+I think it //would// be possible to construct an internally consistent canon (and for fanfiction reasons, I'm thinking of doing exactly that) but there isn't really a need to. And, let's be honest, at that point it isn't <cite><em underline highlight>Tolkien</em>’s Legendarium</cite> anymore.
+==== Do Balrogs have wings? ====
+I won't really comment on this too much since it's been done to death...but I find it interesting that nobody seems to consider the following possibility: //The <span notion>Balrogs</span> have wings but can’t fly.//
+I noticed that most arguments are implicitly focused on whether or not <span notion>Balrogs</span> can fly...when, to me, it seems most obvious that the <span notion>Balrogs</span> //do// have wings...but that //doesn't// mean they can fly. In fact, I think they can’t fly.
+Why would a creature have wings if they can’t fly? See any number of flightless birds for your answer.
+==== Do elves need to eat? ====
+I'm writing this quickly since it came to mind. I think that the consensus is that elves //don't need to eat// and won't die of starvation, but I'll suggest something else.
+The reason I'm not satisfied with that is that it makes the act of eating kinda pointless and, thus, it makes the most sense to just not eat at all. So why would <span notion>lembas</span> exist?
+<div passage>
+Instead, I propose that elves //do need to eat// but that they won't die of starvation. So they'll experience the effects (and associated pain), but won't die.
+I think this lines up with what we actually see regarding <span notion>Maedhros</span> for example, who begs to be killed after hanging on a cliff for a few decades (or centuries). Unless he's suffering from boredom, I think it makes a lot of sense to suggest he's been starving.
+</div>
 ==== Do the elves of Valinor know what's happening? ====
-This is a question I'm temporarily raising after having read something interesting in //The Silmarillion//. I'll be sure to interrogate it properly later, however. It's important due to something I'm planning to publish later.
+This is a question I'm temporarily raising after having read something interesting in <cite>The Silmarillion</cite>. I'll be sure to interrogate it properly later, however. It's important due to something I'm planning to publish later.
+<div passage>
+When <span notion>Eärendil</span> and <span notion>Elwing</span> reach <span notion>Valinor</span>, <span notion>Eärendil</span> wanders off alone to find someone to plead his case to((:fn:>As a side note, I do find it a little funny that <span notion>Eärendil</span> has to wander the empty streets because he happened to reach <span notion>Valinor</span> while they were having a festival.)) <span notion>Elwing</span> waits around, but then gets lonely. So she starts wandering around until she meets some <span notion>Teleri</span>, who are surprised to see her.
-When Eärendil and Elwing reach Valinor, Eärendil wanders off alone to find someone to plead his case to((:fn:>As a side note, I do find it a little funny that Eärendil has to wander the empty streets because he happened to reach Valinor while they were having a festival.)) Elwing waits around, but then gets lonely. So she starts wandering around until she meets some Teleri, who are surprised to see her.\\
+She and they talk, during which she explains many of the things that happened in <span notion>Middle-Earth</span> – and it's here where my interest was piqued – they were <q :en>filled with pity and wonder</q> – which implies they didn't know what was going on.
-She and they talk, during which she explains many of the things that happened in Middle-Earth – and it's here where my interest was piqued – they were “filled with pity and wonder” – which implies they didn't know what was going on.
+</div>
-Whether the elves of Valinor know about the events in Middle-Earth or not makes a big difference, though I won't elaborate for a while.
+Whether the elves of <span notion>Valinor</span> know about the events in <span notion>Middle-Earth</span> or not makes a big difference, though I won't elaborate for a while.
 ==== On Neo-Elvish ====
 Read the [[lb:opinion:on neo-elvish|article]] if it exists yet.
@@ Line 99: / Line 204: @@
   * YouTube & Videos
     * [[you>Cr_rb_pitHk|An Exhaustive History of Ralph Bakshi's Lord of the Rings]] by Folding Ideas – I think it's a good video, though a bit pretentious and leaning too much on Post-Modernism.
+  * Other
+    * [[https://lotrscrapbook.bookloaf.net/other/recipes.html|Middle-earth Recipes]] – Discovered recently.
   * Here I'll list a few articles which I'll work on //at some point//. This is mostly for me so I don't forget. Yes, these are mostly languages
     * [[lb:tl:Adûnaic]]