Medieval Fantasy in Popular Culture

Throughout history, in every civilization, gemstones have been highly prized and sought after. The Bible makes numerous references to jewels and precious stones and their roles. In Tolkien’s Middle-Earth, jewels are holy in much the same way they were in Middle Ages. Tolkien’s mythology is very similar to the Christian mythology with gemstones and numerous comparisons can be seen. First, gemstones are made of some special substance. Another comparison is that the jewel is mostly a shell and it is rooted in the realm of God, and in the bible, it is seen to be indirectly rooted in God himself. This origin in paradise gives rise to the conception that jewels not only contain holy beauty and vitality, but wisdom as well. This is why jewels are seen as having holy status. The first of many precious stones in the Bible is mentioned in the book of Genesis. It is referenced in relation to the creation of man and the Garden of Eden. In the Bible, jewels are said to ...

The Ainulindalë and Other Creation Stories In Tolkien's universe, the world begins as a void and from that void Eru Illuvatar is born. Illuvatar then created both the Valar and the Maiar who he then teaches music. After the Ainur learned how to make music that fit the themes given to them and to merge their themes and songs together, they were instructed to begin the Chorus. However, as the other Ainur were collaborating with one another and learning their place in the world Melkor set himself apart, as he knew Illuvatar's thoughts and what his role in the universe was. Melkor looked down on the other Ainur who had to search for their purpose and began to seclude himself singing to no one and hoarding his ideas. When the time came for the Chorus to sing the world into being Melkor had kept himself apart for so long that his song couldn't merge with the other Ainur and had taken on an arrogant note that set his song in conflict with the rest of the Chorus. Now this cr...