The Lord of the Rings


What is the Lord of the Rings About?

The Lord of the Rings was written by J.R.R. Tolkien between 1937 and 1949 as a sequel to The Hobbit. It has significantly influenced modern fantasy writing and has served as inspiration for countless novels and games in the genre. The story follows a young hobbit named Frodo Baggins, who is the nephew of Bilbo Baggins, the protagonist of The Hobbit. During his adventure in The Hobbit, Bilbo discovers the One Ring, which was created by Sauron and is known as the Ring of Power. Gandalf the Grey convinces Bilbo to pass this ring on to Frodo. Eventually, Frodo, along with his companions Merry, Pippin, and Sam, reaches Rivendell, where the Council of Elrond convenes to decide the fate of the Ring. It is at this council that Frodo volunteers to undertake the perilous journey to Mordor and destroy the Ring in the fires of Mount Doom.


The Fellowship

Frodo
Fordo Baggins
Sam
Sam Gamgee
Merry
Merry Brandybuck
Pippin
Pippin Took
Aragorn
Aragorn
Boromir
Boromir
Legolas & Gimli
Legolas and Gimli
Gandalf
Gandalf

Inspiration and Creation

J.R.R. Tolkien crafted his world as a modern-day folklore, drawing inspiration from Norse mythology and infusing it with his own experiences as a soldier during the First World War. His creation of various languages, most notably Elvish, adds depth and authenticity to the rich tapestry of Middle-earth. One of the remarkable aspects of his writing was his translation of characters' names from the Red Book of Westmarch, which was written in Westron, the language spoken by the hobbits of the Shire. This meticulous attention to detail lends a sense of realism to the narrative, as if the events truly occurred in a distant past.

The Journey

This is the map of Middle-earth showing the Shire, Rivendell where the council of Elrond took place, and Mordor, where the ring was destroyed. Also showing other key locations of the films and books, which you can learn more about here.

Middle Earth Map