20 Things You Didn't Know About The Lord Of The Rings

16. Balrogs And Wizards Belong To The Same €œRace€

If one analogizes The Silmarillion to common mythology, the Maiar would be akin to the €œangels€ of Middle-earth, lesser in power only than the similar Valar. The Maiar are of divine origin, and so they are shape-shifters and can wander unseen at will. Back before the Lord of the Rings narrative, Melkor €“ the evil Vala €“ corrupted some of these Maiar, one of whom was Sauron, and others who became the Balrogs of Morgoth, otherwise known as €œfreaky fire demon shadow things of doom.€ Now, once the pupil became the master and Sauron€™s evil began to spread, the Valar sent several Maiar in the guise of eccentric old men to help contest Sauron: these were called the Istari, or wizards, which included Gandalf, Saruman, Radagast and two Blue Wizards. So, when Gandalf fought the Balrog in Fellowship, he was technically fighting one of his own brethren €“ sounds like a typical family reunion to us.

15. The Lord Of The Rings Is Not An Allegory

Over the years, The Lord of the Rings has been studied, analyzed and scrutinized by many, from scholars to avid fans. The concept of a power too great for humanity to possess is one that has attracted a great deal of thought, and the One Ring has been seen as a metaphor for, as one example, nuclear weapons. However, Tolkien himself has said adamantly that The Lord of the Rings is not at all allegorical, including in reference to political events such as the Cold War. The professor€™s exact quotation on allegory is the following: €œI cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done so since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence. I much prefer history €“ true or feigned€“ with its varied applicability to the thought and experience of readers.€ So, Tolkien concedes that the novel can be applicable to historical events, but the decision to interpret it as such resides with the reader and not in his authorial intent.