Iamnotausername
09-27-2008, 07:04 PM
I was just watching The Return of the King and it got me thinking.
Tolkien wrote LOTR with the intention of creating an ancient mythology or lost history for Britain a la Greek/Norse style.
What I want to know is, what were his inspirations for various characters and creatures?
I think:
Hobbits- They are obviously from the West country or general countryside, what with their simple ways.
Elves- This is easy, the elves were based on Londoners as we are the best looking and most wise people on this island.
Race of men- surrounding areas around London and Yorkshire. Not quite on the samelevel as Londoners, just a couple of notches below, but put the effort in, so you cant fault em.
Orcs- The Welsh
Uruk'hai(sp?)- The Scottish, slightly bigger and uglier version of the Welsh.
I think I nailed it pretty much there!
Tolkien wrote LOTR with the intention of creating an ancient mythology or lost history for Britain a la Greek/Norse style.
What I want to know is, what were his inspirations for various characters and creatures?
I think:
Hobbits- They are obviously from the West country or general countryside, what with their simple ways.
Elves- This is easy, the elves were based on Londoners as we are the best looking and most wise people on this island.
Race of men- surrounding areas around London and Yorkshire. Not quite on the samelevel as Londoners, just a couple of notches below, but put the effort in, so you cant fault em.
Orcs- The Welsh
Uruk'hai(sp?)- The Scottish, slightly bigger and uglier version of the Welsh.
I think I nailed it pretty much there!