JRR Tolkien and the Classical World

January 3rd was the birthday of J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit series. To celebrate his birthday, we will take a look the influence that the Classical World had on his works. The classical world, the history and culture of ancient Greece and Rome, has been a source of inspiration and influence for many writers, including J.R.R. Tolkien.

Tolkien and the Classical World

Tolkien drew from the classical world in various ways, such as:

• The theme of decline and fall, which is prevalent in both classical and Tolkienian histories. Tolkien’s island kingdom of Númenor, for example, resembles Plato’s Atlantis in its rise and ruin, as well as its moral corruption and divine punishment.
• The use of epic and myth, which are the foundations of classical literature. Tolkien’s stories of the First Age, such as the Fall of Gondolin and the Tale of Beren and Lúthien, have been compared to the Iliad and the Odyssey, as well as the myths of Troy and Orpheus.
• The depiction of the classical world in his secondary world. Tolkien’s Gondor, the southern kingdom of Men, has many features that recall ancient Rome, such as its architecture, politics, and history. Tolkien also incorporated elements of Greek culture, such as the plants of Ithilien and the names of some characters, such as Boromir and Faramir.

One of the most obvious influences of Greek mythology, literature and poetry on Tolkien’s works is the island of Númenor, which resembles the legend of Atlantis. Númenor was a powerful kingdom of men that was destroyed by a cataclysmic flood as a punishment for their pride and rebellion against the gods. Tolkien also borrowed the idea of a ring that grants invisibility from Plato’s Republic, where the philosopher tells the story of the Ring of Gyges. Another possible Greek influence is the love story of Beren and Lúthien, which has some parallels with the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Both couples have to face death and the underworld to be reunited, and both involve a harp and a song that move the hearts of the powers that be.

Tolkien and Greek Literature

Tolkien was also familiar with Greek literature and poetry, especially the works of Homer, Sophocles, and Virgil. He admired the epic style and the heroic themes of these authors, and he incorporated some of their elements into his own writings. For example, he used the device of prophecy and fate to create tension and suspense, such as the foretelling of the Witch-King’s doom by a woman and a hobbit. He also used the motif of the tragic hero, who suffers from a fatal flaw or a moral dilemma, such as Túrin Turambar, whose story resembles that of Oedipus, or Fëanor, whose pride and wrath lead to the downfall of his people.

Furthermore, he employed the technique of intertextuality, which is the use of references and allusions to other texts, to enrich his own narrative and to create a sense of depth and history. For example, he named one of his villains Saruman, which is similar to the Greek word for “evil” (σαρος), and he used the term “eucatastrophe” to describe the sudden turn of events that leads to a happy ending, which is derived from the Greek word for “good” (ευ).

Tolkien’s classical influences are not always obvious or direct, but they enrich his sub-creation with depth and diversity. By blending the classical and the medieval, Tolkien created a unique and original mythology for England, one that appeals to readers of different backgrounds and interests. Visit the official site of The Tolkien Estate to learn more about him. Below is a biography of Tolkien, and if you really want to get into his life story, watch the 2019 movie: Tolkien (trailer at the top of this post).