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History
Tolkien and the medieval
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J. R. R. Tolkien was attracted to medieval literature, and made use of it in his writings, both in his poetry, which contained numerous pastiches of medieval verse, and in his Middle-earth novels where he embodied a wide range of medieval concepts.
Tolkien enjoyed medieval works like Fastitocalon, and often imitated them in his poetry, in this case in a poem of the same name. French manuscript, c
Tolkien enjoyed medieval works like Fastitocalon, and often imitated them in his poetry, in this case in a poem of the same name. French manuscript, c. 1270
Of all medieval cultures, Tolkien was most familiar with that of the Anglo-Saxons. 11th-century illustration of a king and his council.
Of all medieval cultures, Tolkien was most familiar with that of the Anglo-Saxons. 11th-century illustration of a king and his council.
Tolkien stated that the styles of the Bayeux Tapestry fitted the Rohirrim "well enough".
Tolkien stated that the styles of the Bayeux Tapestry fitted the Rohirrim "well enough".
Tolkien likely based his Balrog fire-demons on his professional study of the Old English word Sigelwara.
Tolkien likely based his Balrog fire-demons on his professional study of the Old English word Sigelwara.
Interlacing in The Lord of the Rings
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J. R. R. Tolkien's narrative interlacing in The Lord of the Rings, also called by the French term entrelacement, is an unusual and complex narrative structure, known from medieval literature, that enables him to achieve a variety of literary effects. These include maintaining suspense, keeping the reader uncertain of what will happen and even of what is happening to other characters at the same time in the story; creating surprise and an ongoing feeling of bewilderment and disorientation. More subtly, the leapfrogging of the timeline in The Lord of the Rings by the different story threads allows Tolkien to make hidden connections that can only be grasped retrospectively, as the reader realises on reflection that certain events happened at the same time, and that these connections imply a contest of good and evil powers.
Scenes from the interlaced tale of the Queste del Saint Graal in a Polish 14th-century fresco
Scenes from the interlaced tale of the Queste del Saint Graal in a Polish 14th-century fresco
Tolkien disliked the French and Italian interlaced romances, like Orlando Furioso, but used their technique anyway. Illustration of Ruggiero rescuing
Tolkien disliked the French and Italian interlaced romances, like Orlando Furioso, but used their technique anyway. Illustration of Ruggiero rescuing Angelica for Orlando Furioso by Gustave Doré, 19th century
Aragorn's unexpected arrival in the captured Corsairs of Umbar's ships (like galleys, shown) is intercut in Jackson's film with Éowyn's desperate batt
Aragorn's unexpected arrival in the captured Corsairs of Umbar's ships (like galleys, shown) is intercut in Jackson's film with Éowyn's desperate battle against the Witch-king to create, by quite different means, a Tolkienesque eucatastrophe.