News from Yarrow about some interesting courses in San Francisco about Tolkien as Epic Literature, and “Magic and the Supernatural in the Medieval World.” [More]
Month: September 2003
Yarrow writes, “A co-worker of mine came across a couple of interesting fall classes on the San Francisco State University (SFSU) Web site:”
“‘Lord of the Rings’ as Epic” (English Language and Literature 630) Students delve deep beyond the pages of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic, guided by English professor George W. Tuma, who has studied Tolkien’s work for more than 20 years and taught English literature at SFSU for 33 years. Tuma, a Tolkien purist, has not seen either “Lord of the Rings” film because he is afraid the films would stray too far from the book. He also notes that Tolkien himself questioned if it was possible to transform the book into a quality movie.
The course description clearly indicates that the lecturer has not seen P.J.’s films, and almost seems to read, “don’t even think about discussing the movies in this class.”
And…here’s another course that San Francisco Tolkien fans might find interesting, also at SFSU:
“Magic and the Supernatural in Medieval Europe” (History 640) Students study fantastic creatures and places, with an exploration of miracles, magic, charms, folk traditions, saints and relics. Taught by Assistant Professor of history Jarbel Rodriguez, the course also covers stories of ghosts and vampires and shows how the supernatural played a role in medieval society and what the beliefs reveal about the medieval world.
Scroll down to find the courses here
Andúril – reforged by elvensmiths from the shards of Narsil – is perhaps the most famous swords in the Lord of the Rings. This United Cutlery replica will be released in November 2003.
Elrond said of the legendary blade: “The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walk this earth.”
The inscription down the length of the blade on both sides is in the Tolkien language of Quenya, written in the runes of Eregion, that say “Nányë Andúril i né Narsil i macil Elendilo. Lercuvanten i máli Mordórëo”. This translates to “I am Andúril who was Narsil, the sword of Elendil. Let the thralls of Mordor flee me.”
The blade inscription features runes framed by stylised symbols of the Sun and the Moon, which represent Anarion and Isildur, the sons of Elendil, and seven symbolic stars that represent Elendil, who died wielding Narsil in battle against Sauron.
Inscribed on the pommel are runes in the Elven language of Sindarin that say Narsil essenya, macil meletya; Telchar carneron Navarotesse. This translates to “Narsil is my name, a mighty sword; Telchar made me in Nogrod.”
NB: Some people have wondered why the blade inscription is in “Dwarven Runes” and not the Tengwar. Both the angular runes (known as the Cirth) and the more cursive Tengwar lettering were initially created by the elves. The Sindar elves of Beleriand invented the Cirth, while the Tengwar originated in Valinor and was “imported” by the Noldorin elves.
The Tengwar became the dominant form of writing for elves – only in Eregion (Hollin) did the Cirth retain its popularity. The elvish smiths of Eregion passed the Cirth on to the Dwarves of Khazad-dum, who adapted it for their own use.
So although runes were primarily used by Dwarves by the Third Age, they were still elvish in origin.
Additionally, Appendix E of LoTR tells that the Cirth was long used only for “inscribing names and brief memorials on wood or stone”. It would have been ideal for a blade inscription.
Finally, when Eregion was overrun by Sauron in the Second Age, Elrond gathered the few survivors of the sack to himself. Afterwards, he retreated with them to Rivendell.
Could it have been that a few Celembrimbor’s famed cadre of smiths survived to enter the service of Elrond and later reforged Narsil? Unfinished Tales does not reveal the fate of the Gwaith-i-Mirdain, although Celembrimbor himself was killed. But it could be that this is part of the logic as well.
It makes a nice unsupported theory anyway.
UPDATE: JO writes, “The simplest explanation for the presence of Dwarvish Cirth on Narsil (and of course Anduril as well) is this: it was made by Telchar, who was a dwarf. No more complex theory is necessary. “
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Another great chance to catch your favorite LOTR star on the small screen this week! [More]
From Ringer Spy Larry. Sword and movie afficionadoes alike have probably been anticipating the unveiling of Andúril, and the wait is finally over. United Cutlery have unveiled the first pictures of the sword, which will be released in November 2003. The blade inscriptions reads … [More] Minor Spoilers! Updated!