The Keys of Middle Earth: Discovering Medieval Literature Through the Fiction of J.R.R. Tolkien introduces the reader to the world of Medieval Literature through Tolkien's fiction. Using key episodes in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings the reader is taken back to the original works of Old and Middle English, and Old Norse Literature that so influenced Tolkien. The texts are presented in the original with new translations to help the reader approach the medieval poems and tales, and introductory essays draw on recent scholarship and Tolkien's own unpublished notes. Essays on Tolkein's career and use of medieval literature are followed by discussions of key thematic and technical parallels. The editions of such famous poems as The Wanderer, and The Seafarer are presented with comprehensive discussions of their links to Tolkien's own scholarship. New translations are aimed specifically at the newcomer to medieval literature to allow them to see patterns in the original poems and stories. Presenting a new era of Tolkien Studies, this unique book will be of use to students (and teachers) of Medieval/ Old English literature, and general readers eager to find out more about the origins of Tolkien's most famous works.
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'[The Keys of Middle Earth] provides a wide range of texts with insightful introductions and commentary on each of the texts that have been chosen for elucidation.' - Professor Shaun F.D. Hughes, Director of Graduate Studies, Department of English, Purdue University, USA
'The Keys of Middle-earth is ...a much-needed book...The texts, in Old English, Old Norse, and Middle Englsih, are faithfully presented...textual notes are remarkably thorough.' - John R. Holmes, Notes and Queries
'The Keys of Middle-earth is ...a much-needed book...The texts, in Old English, Old Norse, and Middle Englsih, are faithfully presented...textual notes are remarkably thorough.' - John R. Holmes, Notes and Queries
From the Author
This book is aimed at two communities. First there is the fan/reader of Tolkien who wishes to know more about the background to his fantasy. It takes you directly to key passages in medieval literature based on events in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and guides you through them. You will have access to the original medieval text as well as a translation, introductory essay, and notes. In addition you will be shown how the original medieval text influenced Tolkien's fiction.
Secondly this book will be useful to teachers of early English, and students studying that period, as it provides an accessible route, complete with introductory essays on language and metre.
The book makes heavy use of Tolkien's lecture notes held at the Bodleian library in Oxford. Most of this work has never been published and provides fascinating insights into Tolkien's scholarly approaches. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book now sits in my collection of true scholarly works about J RR Tolkien. There is a group of books in which the authors make a genuine, scholarly attempt to analyze Tolkien's work and this is one of the best. It examines the "leaf-mould" of ancient languages that influenced Tolkien's invented languages and narrative tales of Middle Earth. Many other authors refer to these references but most do not have sufficient education in them to thoroughly analyze where they surface in Tolkien's work. These authors do a masterful job as far as I can tell. The book is also very well organized and written in a style that anyone can appreciate and follow. Their analysis of Tolkien's poetry in relationship to Old and Middle English is excellent and described in a such a clear and organized fashion that even someone (like me) who doesn't have any formal education in Anglo-Saxon can follow the associations. The book was clearly written for a general, Tolkien-informed audience and the authors provide sufficient introductory information that sets a context for their analysis of such arcane associations as the influence of the Old English poem Pearl to the description of Lothlorien. This work would be a wonderful method to introduce the old works to a general student audience who have all likely read Tolkien.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Lawrie
Format:Paperback
I was quite sceptical about this book, but I love Tolkien’s work and I was intrigued to know more about the books and other works that influenced him. I’m not a scholar and I don’t know how this work would be received by some of the more academic audiences that perhaps it seeks to reach. I found it fascinating, and extremely accessible. However, more than that, the book’s really broadened my horizons, I’ll never be a Tolkien Scholar but this work’s made me think and at the same time given me a enormously satisfying read. Thanks.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Woz
Format:Paperback
As well as taking you through some of the basics of medieval literature (Tolkien's academic background of course), what I found fascinating about this book was the material from Tolkien's unpublished lecture notes. This gives a new insight into his work as a scholar, and occasionally (as with the piece about the Rohirrim and their possible link to the Anglo-Saxons) a new insight into his thinking. It really does bridge the gap between his mythology and his studies, and as well as providing direct links between the two, you get to see the medieval texts in translation and in their original language. This is a really useful addition to my Tolkien library.
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