The Monsters of the Lord of the Rings: An (Almost) Complete Guide

Today, we're walking through Tolkien's monsters. Where did they come from, what are they, and are they really all monstrous?

[nickbenton]

Having a favorite Tolkien dragon and having that dragon be Chrysophylax is just…so fabulously nerdy

[antarfodoh]

Tolkien's evolving ideas about the potential for Orcs to be redeemed has made them my favorite. I have this whole elaborate head-canon that I've been writing out, about Orcs in east who managed to rebel against the Darkness, and live relatively good lives.

[toddjackson]

When I was a kid and read "Goblin-men, " for some reason, I processed it as Orcs are twisted Elves, and Goblins are twisted humans. So for decades I thought goblins were corrupted humans that the Dwarves faced in the Hobbit, while Orcs were corrupted elves that the fellowship faced in LOTR, and Uruki were the offspring of goblins and orcs mating. It made so much sense in my young mind that it blew apart when I learned the truth 10yrs ago.

[shybard]

I've always preferred monsters and villains that have motivations and complexities and purposes of their own, rather than being mere hurdles to overcome. But there is something simple and satisfying about a hidden monster beneath the water.

[pseudofenton]

I have learnt so much about Tolkien through your videos, they're so informative! But to be honest, I keep coming back to listen to them mostly because they're just so comfortable to listen to. Your passion and presentation make for wonderful company whilst I'm relaxing and doodling away in the evenings.

So thank you for making these, and I hope this comment keeps the algorithm favorable to your works!

[frankc]

Your description of Gandalf's succumbing to the will of Iluvatar being what ultimately allows him to return as Gandalf the White gave me chills lol I hadn't looked at it from the angle of Gandalf having ultimate faith in Erus plan (which also contrasts Saruman, the former white, who lost faith) for the fellowship to succeed without him being what gets him "promoted" so to speak

[RonGivensRasta]

Jess of the Shire, as someone who read many fantasy and sci-fi books before even discovering LOTR - I must say, you have a serious grip on the lore and overall feel of so much of this legendary work of Tolkien!

Amazing videos packed with information and insight!

Thank you!

[gleann_cuilinn]

Old English expert here!

The pronunciation the <ea> digraph in <neas> is difficult to explain. The <e> sounds like the letter A in "can", and the <a> is like the letter A in "calm", and you glide quickly between the two.
(The <s> is voiceless like in "miss".)

The pronunciation of <y> in <þyrs> is like German Ü, it's like a letter i but with your lips rounded. And the letter "thorn", <þ>, is like a modern TH.
The <r> was probably a tap or a trill like in the modern Scottish accent.

I hope that gives you all the information to pronounce them next time! :)

[olsoceq]

No justification for the treatment of orcs needs to be sought. There is not one instance I can recall (in canon) in which an orc gave quarter, offered mercy, showed pity, or sought to change their ways.
Orcs might be capable of redemption, but do not seek it.
Had such a thing occurred in the narrative, I would like to believe that the free peoples of the west would reciprocate accordingly. While at the same time not forgetting the lesson of whatever is middle-earth's equivalent of the fable of the scorpion and the toad.

[ramtigerfalcon]

I'm so glad to have caught another of your videos.
You do such a bang up job with your descriptions, emphasis and story telling .
I never would've guessed that there was THIS much( more) nuance to one of my favorite stories of all time.

[StuartistStudio]

It was Gandalf who outwitted the trolls, not Bilbo. Gandalf mimicked their voices, and got them arguing among themselves. And as for Stone Giants, Gandalf actually considers looking for a useful one, implying that they are real. And when they do appear later, they aren't fighting, but simply playing a game of catch with boulders. Too many people, Jackson included, misunderstand the phrase "thunder battle" to literally mean that the giants were fighting. The phrase simply refers to a clash between two storm fronts in the mountains.

[PiraticalBob]

Werewolves do appear in LOTR - - the Fellowship of the Ring is attacked by them after the Fellowship descends from the failed attempt to cross the pass over Caradhras, and are the reason that the Fellowship risks entering Moria. Gandalf even calls the werewolf leader "Hound of Sauron." When the werewolves attack the Fellowship many are slain, but no bodies are found the following morning, and the arrows of Legolas are all recovered, except the last one which was set afire by Gandalf's fire-spell.

[marieroberts]

I just remembered something...in days of old in England specifically, a 'wolf's head' was an outlaw...a person that could be killed on sight, like a wolf, and who had a bounty on his life.

Further, the wolf is extinct in the British Isles.

[ananyasharma]

These long form videos are so awesome.
I love to listen to your videos while I'm cleaing/cooking/doing literally anything, like a podcast.
I know they don't do too well in the algorithm, but any long form content you out out is an 11/10 in my book Your channel has really given me a deeper understanding of Tolkien and helped me form my own opinions about his work. I'm so glad the algorithm let me find this channel because it's like a little escapist haven for me to go into. I hope you continue to do what you do and I hope your channel continues to grow, because you deserve all the success you can get.

[mage]

The story of Aule and the dwarves is one of the most emotional things Tolkien ever came up with. He created them but couldn't give them life, and then when Eru got on to him he prepared to destroy them, and then Eru gave them life and a place in creation.

Because Aule made them out of love, and Melkor was always working out of ego.

[ThoughtOnFire]

Bilbo went there and back again. Gandalf wandered all over, and over again . Frodo, though, he went to and fro.

[Megthepp]

Nice informative video! I've come to like the orcs specifically because if they have life like the children of Ilúvatar, then their story is a tragic one. Taken by the dark powers and twisted into a life of constant fighting and being hunted, not given the chance to be redeemed, probably the most "good" of the orcs sticking by their friends or slinking into a cave or forest not to disturb anyone. It gets even worse considering how death works in Tolkien's universe, since they might be derived from elves, even in death the most likely outcomes is they follow the counter-call of Morgoth or they're stuck to the world as houseless-spirits.

I feel people overlook orcs/goblins a lot since they have interesting histories too, the Misty Mountain orcs escaping Beleriand's fall to hide in caves, the Eastern Orcs carving out their own petty independent realms before Sauron rose to power. And despite the fact that they suffer great losses (somewhat cause of themselves as well), they can spring back and survive on whatever they can find.

[Rubbly]

Wowee another high quality video from Jess! She just don't quit!!

[petekaiser]

My favorite has to be the Evil Cat Lady with her cat pack.

[amberadams]

I also love Crysophylax and Farmer Giles. I got so excited when he was mentioned 😂