Magic in Lord of the Rings and Tolkien's Universe - LotR Lore 

The way he pronounces flashlight really sounds like Fleshlight and that makes this video 100x funnier

Do you think it's possible that the reason magic was described so oddly on The Hobbit because it's supposed to be written by Bilbo, who wouldn't have had the knowledge to understand what he was seeing and experiencing?

Well, even in the real world, the very word "enchant" originally meant to be placed under the influence of a chant -- to have spells sung into that which is enchanted. Words -- spoken, written, and sung -- were magical, even sacred, to ancient peoples, something that was certainly not lost on Tolkien.

One of the few times where magic doesn’t just end up being a plot device. Tolkien made it seem rather believable in his books.

Tolkien's "soft" magic system is definitely really, really interesting and deep. And for that reason I find that I love it so much. This video truly goes so deep into it. It's amazing!!! :)

The magic in Tolkiens work is rare, not heavily abused and something special. Used only in great times of need, but isn't something squandered.

Here it is, the next lore video. This time we explore magic in Tolkien's universe. It was originally a lore question, but it formed to a quite complex video too, but I still think i have to revisit this topic. E.g. I did not cover necromancy (will get its own video at some point) and there are more special cases, like Galadriel's mirror, etc. As said in the video, it's a very complex topic and i just could cover some basic ideas in 20 minutes o.O I hope you like it :) PS: Mistakes: - The sword that Frodo draws at (On? In? Prepositions are not my strength =/) Amon Sûl/the Weathertop is not Sting. It's one of the Dúnedain swords/daggers from the Barrow-downs. Frodo gets Sting from Bilbo when they reach Rivendell. - The stress in Valar and Maiar is on the first syllable. I often say it wrong =/

To me, magic in LotR is more about knowledge than it is about calling on supernatural help. Healing, crafting, inspiring and knowing the thinking of others. All can be done with non-magic basis if one is well studied.

Actually my favorite part was that Gandalf was smart more than he was a magician. I absolutely loved how he killed the trolls by being cunning over having to use magic. Same goes for other examples...

There’s also the part where Gandalf and Saruman have the word battle on the Pass or Caradhras.

In Tolkien’s universe wizards were there to guide people, not to fight in their stead... this is where saruman failed in waging war against rohan. Gandalf could have easily vanquished the witch king, possibly even sauron... people needed to discover the strength within themselves, which is why he left middle earth as his work was done

It was not Sting. It was a sword of the Dùnedain from the Barrow-downs.

Awesome discussion here. As one who loves the Kingdom and peoples of Rohan most of all, I'm reminded of the relationship of the King of Rohan and mearas, great horses like Shadowfax. For a gritty and down to earth people like the Rohirrim, this is about as magical (more fantastical I would say) as it gets. You briefly mentioned the Oath of Eorl (Oath of Cirion) in the History of Rohan video. I would love to hear you speak about this in greater detail as it's a truly moving story and had great impact on the ultimate defeat of Sauron at the end of the Third Age.

Really enjoyed the video! Magic in the Legendarium is one of the most intriguing topics for me, as Tolkien really explains it systematically. Just 1 thing to add: Glorfindel came to Valinor after the Fall of Gondolin in the 1st Age, therefore he might have never seen the Two Trees, unless he came with the noldorin exiles. I seem to recall Glorfindel being one of the Falathrim before joining Turgon's people, but I might be wrong. Either way just being in Aman in the presence of the Valar changes elves. And Glorfindel, Tolkien wrote, was reembodied and "boosted" in power after his sacrifice in the Crissaegrim and allowed to return to Middle Earth.

Magic is a way to speak to the universe which can not be ignored... Think about it. Tolkiens universe was sung into being. Words, spoken or sung, it the very fundamental pillar of the creation of everything. These are also expressions of creativity, which you clearly must have in order to bring a whole plane of existance into being. So creativity is the backbone of the universe. Which makes sense. What you do when being creative is bringing something abstract, something only existing as a thought; an idea, into the real. Something becomes true from not existing at all (in that particular form or combination). If you want to go to science you can put an equal sign between math and music if you want. Math is the language/music/words/tones of the universe. That is the true nature of magic.

I just want to thank you. I was doing a final assignment on this topic and you really helped me through it. much love

You deserve all the best for your channel my friend. Your subjects of discussion are very intriguing; thanks for uploading :)

"A fleshlight would be like magic to them".

Since Tolkien wasn’t really trying to write a story, but rather give England what he saw as a lost history, I’d like to offer up how Gandalf’s wisdom is demonstrative of magic as seen by the ancient view of magic. Tolkien had great difficulty defining magic when asked to define the boundaries of Faerie, but based on his writings about Gandalf and what he was able to say about Magic, (plus his insistence on using the Old English Spelling of the word) it is easy to see his concept of Magic more closely matched those of the Ancient World where Magic was the "Great Work" or the work of the "Wise." In ancient days when people really believed in magic and magical beings such as witches and wizards, there weren’t really “great powers” and spells like we see in so many fantasies and fictions today. In fact, the word magic stems from a title that used to be used for people that practiced Zoroastrianism and could read the stars for signs. The three wise men that brought gifts at Jesus’ birth are also referred to as the three Magi. Magic came from knowledge of the world. Early wizards, druids, shaman, witches, priests, etc. often knew some chemistry or mechanics (this was the showy part of being a temple priest-mixing the right chemicals and using the right mechanics to make the people think they'd seen signs of the power of the Gods) and had some skills we wouldn’t consider magic at all today. Even Gandalf’s “spells” that he casts and items like his fireworks are related to this aspect of ancient magic. Magical peoples were usually the religious leaders and were seen as leaders in that sense. Some of them were seen as able to talk to, or raise the dead, some were seen as prescient, and others were healers-it depends on the culture you look at. By the Middle Ages, magic was seen as having two distinct forms, although there was more of a focus on evil and sorcery (the daemonic form of magic) within the church, belief in natural magic by the people as a way to find healing and protection also remained. Casting coins into wishing wells, Patron Saints and many of our "superstitions" are hold overs from this time. The magic that remained acceptable to all but the most staunch Christians remained rooted in use of natural elements (In northern Europe, particularly in relation to water - wishing wells and healing powers). Additionally, many Christians of the common classes still practiced some “magical rituals” and the Church even placed its holidays near pagan holidays and rolled pagan practices into Church practices (to some extent) in order to help in converting the general populace. Tolkien’s wizards are in keeping with early Medieval and ancient tradition. They can read signs in nature-see and understand things that others can’t, make predictions, wield magical objects (staffs, rings, and Palantir), once in a while make something appear to have happened that is miraculous to everyone else (spells), and lead and “talk to nature”-communicate with moths and eagles and in Saruman’s case the corvids of Middle Earth. Ancient wizards were guides mostly and seen as the highly educated. Gandalf clearly fills that role, and does so with superb skill. He takes hints and clues, a suspicion grows and he heads to the library to confirm it. He is able to read signs of things to come, knows the right words to say (not just when it comes to spells but to ease fear and encourage, knows when not to say something. He is seen as a wise man and followed as one. If you read Arthurian legend from before the twentieth century, you will generally find Merlin to be no greater in his capabilities. They wield the magic of earth, but not necessarily for the purposes of entertainment or convenience the way the wizards and witches in say, Harry Potter, Disney’s Sword in the Stone and other more modern works depict. Likewise, Saruman is able to use his closeness to nature to affect the weather, but as he forgets his bond with nature, nature actually turns on him. Treebeard is that much more incensed by Saruman’s destruction because he is a wizard and should know better how to treat the nature around him. Radagast is the most perfect of Istari in regard to demonstrating closeness to and power in channeling nature for his benefit (though he is less perfect in demonstrating leadership over mankind and academic types of wisdom-leading to his failure). The “spell” Gandalf uses to break the bridge and prevent the Balrog from annihilating the entire fellowship by the way, is one of his least wizardlike moments in the series, when magic is looked at in this way. The ancients would have seen that moment as his requesting aid from the gods. The bridge-breaking would have been the doing of a god, not the doing of a wizard.

This was very comprehensive, really enjoyed it as with all your videos when I take time out to appreciate it.

I've always wondered what this "word of command" is that Gandalf used. Whatever it was, it completely exhausted him afterward, but the book gave absolutely no details about it. Makes me extremely curious how words of command work. Given the broad application of "words have power" in Tolkien's lore, my current theory is that "words of command" are simply words from the language that the Valar originally spoke before adopting Quenya upon meeting the Elves, and that lesser Ainur have little to no power to use them as spells, which would explain why Gandalf both considers these "words of command" to be so powerful and nearly beyond his ability.

In the Hobbit while Elrond and Gandalf talks about the moon runes on the Map of Erebor, Elrond tells that the dwarfs wrote the runes with a silver pen, so the pen, the ink/paint or even both had magical quaities as they only can be seen on the same day with the same moon (e.i. a full or half moon) as it was written so even if you were to look at the map during Midsummer's Eve, in only the years that the same phase of moon as they were written while the other years they stay invisible as the rest of the year. The hidden door of Erebor and the Western Gates of Khâzad Dûm/Moria are of similiar magic as both are invisble when closed except while the Hidden Door of Erebor are only seen through the key hole which only appears during Durin's Day when the sun and the moon is up in the sky at the same time (in the movie it was instead the last light which reffered to the light of the moon and not of the sun that Thorin and the dwarves thought), the outlines of the Doors of Moria are seen during the night when the moon (and probably the stars as well) are seen in the sky.

We could also discuss the ability of the elves and Gandalf to communicate without speaking...or Galadriel’s penetrating look into the hearts of the members of the Fellowship...I think you have done a really great job of defining the way Tolkien thought of “magic” . In my mind, artifacts like the Palantiri would qualify as advanced technology...the forging of Narsil/Anduril, Bilbo’s mithril coat...so many of these objects were created within an intentional context of power using, as you emphasize, the specific words that gather and direct that intention. A fascinating subject and you do them so well!

I wish in my life when I sleep dream that Im in middle earth and visit all locations there , I want see sauron in my dream only for once.But it will never happen

I just lurk on videos, but you make really good stuff ... Thank you for sharing it with us!!

This is one of the most excellent explanations I've encountered on Tolkien's work. Wonderfully organized with pertinent examples. I loved it. Thank you!

I always got the impression when i first started read The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, that it was more an accepted and natural part of Tolkien’s world than a special talent inherent in a singular species, or individual. But inherent in all species to some degree. As Valinor withdrew from the world a great portion of magic was withdrawn as well. The passing of the elves to the undying lands brought that knowledge home.

Thank you for the amazing lore videos! This one was especially interesting!

My interpretation is that magic in Lotr is a retelling of The Music. Lots of the spells cast by Gandalf (setting the pinecone alight, wielding lightning) are natural occurances like during thunderstorms or in a wild fire. Which would have been featured in Eru's music that he presented to the Ainur. Being one of the Ainur himself that created to the world i don't think it would be a stretch to say that Gandalf and those with great knowledge of The Music would be able to create by speaking the words or rhythms used by the Ainur. Dark beings like the Balrogs proabably get their magical power in a similar way but instead their source is Melkor's discord.

really nice and interesting video! good job

With your flashlight example, it brought to mind to me a conversation I had once with a friend of mine. It started by us having a discussion about magic in fantasy, and me posing the question: "Do you suppose magic would feel less special if everyone could use it?" As in - How many people who would love to have magical powers imagine that everyone also has them too? Or that only a "few special people" have such powers? Because if everyone has is, then this means it would become as mundane as say: Learning all the various skills you need to construct a simple flashlight from scratch. While impressive, it isn't exactly the biggest source of mind blowing proportions. I would argue that thus Magic by its very nature as imagined in Fantasy has this mystical property to it, and if it was a power everyone could in the world learn to tinker with, it loses its mysticism, and "special nature." If everyone had magic: It would result in it losing it's shine, akin to how we take for granted how many special powers we wield right now, that none before us had ever harnessed. If everyone had magic: It's results would be no different to how an actual rocket scientist would make a schoolkid taking their physics exams feel: "Nothing special, just some boring science class stuff." If everyone had magic: It becomes just a part of your everyday life, and you pay not much heed to it at all. The same way we in our current times don't think much about abilities granted by flashlights, or computers, or smart phones, or passenger jet airplanes: Heck, even putting things in space, off out very own planet. These things would have made people not too long ago completely be struck by awe. But I suppose us humans are never very good at perspective, on account of living quite limited periods of time. The accomplishments of the ages is seldom appreciates, until you try to be without them. How many times a day do you, who reads this from places unknown, feel bored: Just browsing along on your Palantír device, attuned to a strange realm granting you the ability of seeing far into the distant corners of the world though the power of 1's, and 0's, being able to hear, read, and see vast amounts of things? Being able to listen to words of wisdom spoken by others from distant corners of the world, all while doing not but a tiny gesture with your hand, mayhaps just your fingers, and sometimes perhaps a small assortment of properly aligned symbols to attune to the right domain of source? Amazing how what actually is akin to magic, becomes pretty mundane when the ability to do so it is common play, aint it? These days: Everyone is kind of a wizard in their own right. Only with less chance of angry sapient trees trying to break the dam to flood the front yard, all the while harassing your orc force.

One aspect of magic not explored here is the implicit magic of Elves and Dwarves, what I call "Earth magic". Dwarves perform works (e.g. excavating Moria) far beyond anything remotely possible. They must have some "magical" ability to locally reduce the hardness of rock, making it much easier to excavate and shape. Then there is the question of mithril (aluminum?) from which dwarves could make mithril steel, an alloy with remarkable properties. To do this they need to be able to "magically" alter thermodynamic properties in the smelting, casting and forging of metals. Then there are the elves who live in the forest with no obvious means of sustenance. They apparently practice horticulture with extraordinary results, developing varieties with incredible yields, immunity to disease or pests (as they themselves were) so that they could feed themselves using gardens around their dwellings in the wood. They must have had the "magical" ability to move genes from one species to another, but this may not have been explicitly conscious, but simply happened as a result of conventional breeding programs that simply yields much, much better results when elves did it than when men do. The Hobbit shows trade existed between the elves of Mirkwood and the peoples of Dorwinion, on the shores of the Sea of Rhun. The elves prized Dorwinion wine (which was fortified with psychoactive compounds, cannabinoids maybe?). It is quite likely they traded Ag tech (Elvish seeds) in exchange, much like modern day agribusiness companies do.

Although Tolkien's take on magic isn't as spectacular and pervasive as modern fantasy, I can't help but feel that it makes so much sense, at least with regards to the Ainu. Their voices partook in the song of creation, and therefore their words and vocals have power to shape it a bit. Could go as far as saying it makes some sense from our reality too. But that may just be my physicist self forcing emphasis on waves and vibrations.

Another special case with magic is the Hobbits' ability to walk quiet enough to be literally unheard by humans or dwarves (though elves can walk even more silently) even if they're close nearby unless they want to be heard by them, making them ideal for sneaking around.

My other personal favorite use of magic was in 'Camelot'. Merlin describes magic as taking a toll on the user. Not exactly the same but I love when you know a wizard is powerful but he doesn't flex it.

HI ThePhilosopherGames. I really enjoy all your work. The time and efforts you put in each of them is awesome. Great visuals ( I love the BFME2 RotWK imagery !) As a non-native english speaker I must say your pronunciation is perfect, in English and in the many language of Middle Earth. You often say in your videos you try to pronounce them as perfectly as possible, I don't know if you received many messages about it but I find it quite easy to understand. The pace is just right and your attention to consonants and vowels make it easier for me. Is it an Indian/Hindi accent I hear ? Thank you for all the hours of learning and entertainment !

Tolkien thought magic was simply too easy: "Faerie itself may perhaps most nearly be translated by Magic-but it is magic of a peculiar mood and power, at the furthest pole from the vulgar devices of the laborious, scientific, magician" -- from 'On fairy-stories'

it's so satisfying listening to your pronunciations I think it's also worth noting when Sam and Frodo use Galadriel's Phial in Shelob's Lair by "activating" it with elvish phrases.

I hate low fantasy as a story teller but i love these videos

when considering magic in the Lord of the rings, I always remember GALADRIEL‘s comment in the fellowship of the ring. Thank you for this.

You are an inspiration to us all chris, thank you.

I love your channel. Thanks for the great videos!

This is a great video! It has provided insight into something that I have also considered. I divided Tolkeinish magic into two categories, where as you made 4 my two are as follows; the Natural "Magic", and the Power of Will. Natural magic is what you called "knowledge" in this video; one of my favorite examples is the black "Galvorn" chain-mail of Eol, which was jet black and very strong, simply a craft that is very advanced. However, into this category I also included the "magic" originating from what you call the "unseen realm". This is where we have differing perspective. I reckoned, that the magical artifacts simply harnessed natural rules that were unknown to men, because men were not "attuned" completely to the world of Arda unlike elves. (Although, Numenoreans may pose an exception to this, since they were in fact granted gifts and powers by the Valar, such as long life). I hadn't given as much credit into this "Seen vs. Unseen" distinction, since I rarely encountered parts of the whole story directly alluding to it other than Frodo's encounter with the ring-wraiths. Your category defining the "Power of Words" was rather interesting to me, since after seeing this video I looked into the matter a little and spells do seem to have a place in Arda that I had overlooked, especially in Gandalf reference to Men having their own spells at the doors of Durin, and spells being a possibility in the gates of Lothlorian. I probably would have placed these examples in one of those two categories on a case by case basis. An important point I would like to make (from my perspective) that you did not cover in your video; is the "Power of Will" Most of my source for this categorization comes from The Lord of the Rings trilogy (mostly as it pertains to the ring), but the Silmarillion also has many good examples of this kind. In your video you used the battle over door in Moria as an example of the Power of Words, but I saw it as an excersize of Gandalf's will, against that of the Balrog, over the physical world. At the Mirror of Galadriel, the Lady tells Frodo that if he tried to wield the ring and set his "will" upon the other ring bearers, that it would break him. Unless, He first grew stronger in his power of gaining mastery over others. Then later in the book, Frodo seems to wield the ring to command gollum that if he lay hands upon him again he would be cast into the crack of Doom. Most of your example of the "Power of Words" I placed into this category. An interesting side-note is how in the silmarillion, both Melkor and Sauron at first had strong physical forms, but after each was defeated they became less powerful and intricate, as if they parted with some of their power with each iteration. I also find it interesting how this doesn't seem to happen with other Maia and Valar. Then there is where my two categories overlap, I think that the rings of power incorporated great knowledge and craft, as well as wove the power and might of a great Maia into such artifact. For example, at the Mirror of Galadriel, the Lady Galadriel said roughly "for exactly in this moment I speak to you, take I the Dark Lord and know his thoughts, or all those of his thoughts that deal with elves" I am sure this is due to the will of Sauron tied to the ring.

Another great video! I really do like how magic works in Tolkiens Universe. It's not some great heavy-handed force that drives everything but it has enough of a presence to be notable.

If sauron got the one ring could he control balrogs with it despite them being maair due to the power of the ring ? Also are you sure the dwarven and numenorian magic isnt just a result of the 7 and 9 rings or elven trade in the case of stuff distinctively good?

This makes me think of certain mythologies where a sort of "magic" is inherent in names, and how many different names different places, individuals, etc have throughout Tolkien's works. For instance the idea that knowing someone's name, or calling them by a different name, may give/reduce power to either the speaker or the "receiver." An (admittedly poor) example of how this could affect things is Schrödinger's cat. Until observed it can be viewed as being both alive and dead, its existence hinges on whether it is seen or unseen. However to name a thing is to know a thing, and so giving something a name is to give it a finite state of being - however terrible that state might be. In turn changing Melkor's name to Morgoth may have been to limit his power in some way, to make him weaker comparable to the other Valar. Thus the other names given to individuals like Gandalf and so forth may likewise increase/decrease their power in a way, especially with regards to color. At least in the movies Gandalf seems to become more powerful when he goes from Gandalf the Grey to Gandalf the White. I'm still working my way through this playlist, but I feel I could write an essay on potential "what ifs" about what I've seen so far and this potential of "naming" having effects on the greater world. Among these is Gandalf's greatest display of magic (at least before becoming Gandalf the White) being against a creature born from the will of Morgoth/Melkor (a balrog), and not Sauron. "Grey" is often seen as a state of "in between," but there are multiple shades of grey. Perhaps Gandalf viewed himself as sort of the "opposite" of Sauron, both "grey" beings but leaning towards opposite ends. Therefore not just his name, but this perception was what limited his power. After all Gandalf died fighting a balrog, one that was not even the "king" of balrogs. That balrog (arguably Sauron's equal) died fighting an elf, arguably a "lesser" being than a Maiar. All sorts of potential scenarios and how this would affect Gandalf's view are potentially there. He died battling a balrog below Gothmog, putting Sauron's evil (equal to Gothmog's) as greater than his own will to do good. However he saw the "nameless beings," things unknown even to Sauron, putting his existence beyond Sauron's in a sense (he observed them and therefore could give them names, Sauron had not and therefore had no such power). I don't know if any of that made sense, but the basic idea is that by observing a thing and naming a thing it gives it shape and power. This is consistent with other mythologies around the world, it's hard to be afraid of something that has neither name nor form nor ability. The unknown is as frightening as it is tempting, at least for humans who have always desired venturing into it and claiming its spoils.

2:25 that's kind of why I clicked on this video but go on I'm invested in your endeavour

I've listened to most of the uploads of various theories regarding the wonderful works of Sir Tolkien and I've come to the conclusion that your work and opinions are foundered with your deep knowledge of his works. I appreciate your in depth knowledge and understanding of the world Sir Tolkien put forth for our enjoyment. I, unlike you do not appreciate P Jack's films because of his installments of things that are false. Legolas in the Hobbit, Tauriel & Fili's relationship, Azog alive during the Battle of the Five Armies... keep up the good work. Any news on Amazons upcoming series????

I thought that the hobbit was a retelling of the adventure of Bilbo. So the magical things like the river would be embellishments to make the story more interesting and Bilbo more heroic

I often wondered how Frodo had the power of visions. It doesn't seem like the Ring would give him those powers, since he usually saw hopeful things.

Very nice video! BTW I wonder what kind of sorcery might used a Witch-King before obtaining one of the Rings of Power

Thank you - you depth ^ breadth of JRRT lore is impressive - case in point, I did not know that Narsil's (Anduril's) forger was a dwarf - i had always assumed it was an elf of valinor who had giftws it like the palantiri, to the Numenorians

From an imaginative and phycological standpoint, Sort of experiencing something fundamental in, kind of human experience. It is a big idea that captures the imagination, that really taps into something important in the human psyche, connects with people’s souls. That’s why I think it is not just something that was popular at a particular period of time with a particular group of people but continue s to touch generation after generation.

Magic in Middle Earth- Knowing the "secret names" of the thing to be controlled or manipulated and being able to basically command them in the language of the Ainuir/Valar, basically the angelic/divine language that was used to sing reality into being before the world came to be and the knowledge of Illuvatar's Flame Everlasting aka the Secret Fire.

THANK YOUUU MAN!!!!! YOU'RE THE BEST!!!!

all of Galadriel's bag of tricks, too!

Looks interesting, gonna check it

Frodo was able to see the future, telling Sam of his children to come

The Elves certainly possess some 'subcreative powers' as it can be called, they are also quite straightforwardly said to heave "greater power" and this was the reason why Sauron wanted to enslave the Elves, make them his servants. It appears that quite aside their 'magical crafting' which seems to mix knowledge, tech and skill with something more mystical, they have other abilities like making illusions through song: "...the gift of the Elf-minstrels, who can make the things of which they sing appear before the eyes of those that listen." The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, Annals of the Kings and Rulers: The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen "Now men awoke and listened to Felagund as he harped and sang, and each thought that he was in some fair dream, until he saw that his fellows were awake also beside him; but they did not speak or stir while Felagund still played, because of the beauty of the music and the wonder of the song. Wisdom was in the words of the Elven-king, and the hearts grew wiser that hearkened to him; for the things of which he sang, of the making of Arda, and the bliss of Aman beyond the shadows of the Sea, came as clear visions before their eyes, and his Elvish speech was interpreted in each mind according to its measure." The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Ch 17, Of the Coming of Men into the West There are also songs of power, Finrod being able to change appearance as magical disguise, elven enchantments (seen in both The Hobbit by Wood Elves and Silmarillion in case of Eól the Dark Elf) etc. As for Gandalf I wouldn't say that he used very little his powers. In fact since his first appearance in The Hobbit he was doing something magical, in first chapter he gets to use his magical light as well as tricks with smoke rings changing colors and moving them where he wished, later on he most likely used magic to change his voice to trick the trolls (unless he is that good ventriloquist hehe), in The Hobbit it is even implied that Dwarves of Thorin's company may have used some spells as they are mentioned "putting great man spells" over treasure from Troll's lair (Gandalf may have participated, in Fellowship we see the spot again marked with stone bearing runic markings), then we see him using more flashy powers like shooting lightning to instantly kill several goblins in cave in the Misty Mountains, uses his power again in form of pyrotechnics to save the company from Goblin-town, then he uses magical fire against Wargs and prepares to use some blast of magic to kill as many as possible but King of the Eagles intercepts him), then he again makes his little smoke rings tricks in Beorn's house (then disappears from narrative, but later on during Battle of Five Armies there is reference to him preparing for some blast of magic, even though we don't see it in narrative :)), and then it goes on in Lotr books from the start we see him using his powers, sometimes in as flashy ways as you can imagine straight from D&D hehe, making explosive flashes tearing apart solid stone having spell struggle against Balrog etc. As Gandalf the White he even shows his power more openly, manifesting telekinetic ability moving objects out of people's grip with single gesture, shooting stream of white 'energy' out of his hand against Nazgul, he also shows great mental powers telepathically battling with Sauron's will over Frodo's mind. "He heard himself crying out: Never, never! Or was it: Verily I come, I come to you? He could not tell. Then as a flash from some other point of power there came to his mind another thought: Take it off! Take it off! Fool, take it off! Take off the Ring! The two powers strove in him. For a moment, perfectly balanced between their piercing points, he writhed, tormented. Suddenly he was aware of himself again. Frodo, neither the Voice nor the Eye: free to choose, and with one remaining instant in which to do so. He took the Ring off his finger." ... "The Ring now has passed beyond my help, or the help of any of the Company that set out from Rivendell. Very nearly it was revealed to the Enemy, but it escaped. I had some part in that: for I sat in a high place, and I strove with the Dark Tower; and the Shadow passed. Then I was weary, very weary; and I walked long in dark thought.'"

I prefer soft magic like lord of the rings and game of thrones

The best magical Moment (which I really would want to see adapted on-Screen) is Sauron beating Finrod by singing songs. My master is a Maia of many talents.

The reason why certain men had access to magic is because Numenorian kings descends from lineage of half-elves. And only them and maybe some other high-born were high enough (respectively had pure/true blood) to have some access to ,,magic,, (although Tolkien prefered word craft). The lesser people of Middle-earth couldnt use any kind of magic.

It makes sence that song and words would create magic and have power as it is how all things were made

09:02 - wasn't Frodo only given Sting by Bilbo in Rivendell? Which would be after the Weathertop incident. At Weathertop, Frodo had one of the barrow wights' blades didn't he? ( or was it a sword given to him by Aragorn?)

You've missed a key category (or a rephrasing is needed.) It's music. Which could be OVER words. I say this because the song of Eru Iluvatar and the ainur. The song caused the world, and even Luthién defeated Sauron (not bad for a 1/2 Maiar!) By singing over the land he had taken AND put MELKOR A VALAR to sleep long enough for her buu to grab a Sumaril.

How would you classify Saruman's voice? It seems like it's something between magic and spoken spells.

The Druedáin or the Woses, had someway of magic, they had foresight, were able to magically heal to some degree, and were able to manipulate stones and turn them into guardians so they could fight for them, I don't remember the name of the Druedáin that made a lookalike stone men and protect some people while he was going somewhere and orcs attack the people, the stone guardian fought back well enough to bring alot of orcs down but it was eventually destroyed, the Druedáin said that they do share some part of the pain that is inflicted upon the stone guardians.

I think this does an excellent job of making the things we see in the books "reasonable." It seems reasonable to me that men might have some limited access to magic, if they knew how to use the right words and symbols (knowledge) and if they truly believed in their "right" to wield that power (authority). I.e., if they had reason to believe that the actions work for them and they wield the words and symbols with confidence. This idea shows up in a lot of other fiction too (you have to believe that it will work, or it won't). I'd connect it to the Flame Imperishable, of which all living things partake. Different tiers of beings have different "amounts" of the Flame, and with that comes different amounts of power.

beorn sounds like BERSERKERS to me. turns to animal when he needs to fight.

A great video, with great information, very interesting. I can't lie though the pronunciation of "flashlight" sounds like Fleshlight 🤣, and I am cracking up about thinking of Gandalf using a Fleshlight 🤣

The power of words is present in our world too as one's word can have dire consequences if not kept. Tolkien saw Hitler break his word many times in treaties and it resulted in world wars and millions dead. Even with a child: telling them you'll be there at a certain time and place and then ghosting them cracks the foundation of the relationship and instills distrust and confusion. I think Tolkien is trying to impress that words have an immense amount of power in Middle Earth but especially ours including those from the least powerful to the most powerful. Finding someone who is truthful and keeps their word is a true treasure which might've inspired the phrase "my word is gold."

Was Sauron an old man at one time like gandalph or sauroman since they are the same type of being

Even Frodo calls out Elbereth when in danger...

I like the take on magic that the Galadrim spoke of. That it doesn't exist. They call the sorceries of Morgoth "Magic" and seemed offended when Sam asked about Elf Magic. It's not really even "Magic" when it is the result of natural processes with strictly defined histories and rules.

Tolkien's world is high fantasy low magic, it is balanced.

I also think that you should include peoples connection with nature in order to use magic.

Hey man, all the talk of morgal blades in your vid, reminded me to ask about the strange tombs gandalf goes to in the Hobbit movie with radigast, I always got the impression it was the tombs of the nine is this right ? If so why the hell would they have tombs an if they do how on earth do gandalf an hippiegast know where they are an what they are ??

Doesn’t the book describe souruman throwing fire from orthanc? And doesn’t sariman send a storm?

It is a great video and Tolkien deliberately made magic mysterious so he wouldn’t be bound or restricted to rules and he could surprise the reader making suspense a part of the story.

Frodo didnt draw sting on weathertop. He drew the sword he got from the barrows, which i believe was made by the men of the north- and all the hobbits blades glowed thusly- from the wraithworld perspective.

Hey homie, just wanted to say you're stressing the e too much in realm. You're pronouncing it RE-ealm. It's closer to relm ❤ Amazing video by the way, thank you for all your hard work!

you're the man

Maybe other franchise magic is eye catching and directed, however i am real fond of Middle-earth magic

The smartphone is the wand, the apps are the spells.

Tolkien didn't like the term "magic." He said "magic" implies coercion--the use of force to cause something to happen. He preferred the term "enchantment." He differentiated magic from "enchantment," which he say is part of the natural world, and the changes caused by it the result of using that natural force.

This is contradicted by the fact that "magic" is disappearing from the world. This means that magic is a thing that can enter or leave the world, and isn't just "technology we don't understand." I came here to understand why magic was disappearing from the world of Lord of the Rings, and so far no one has been able to answer it.

Tolkiens magic could be used in an industrial way, providing tech progresses over centuries. And a printing press would be at home in the new Gondor.

The greatest fantasy books ever created.. Tolkien Is a god among men

I love all magic of Tolkien legendarium.My favourite is sauron shapeshifting,he can take form of sexy man 😍😘👍I love him.Also I'm pretty sure that Gadalf and Saruman was beautiful men before become two old men by their magic.

Theory. Eowyn was able to break the Witch King's curse by using her own authority to twist his words against him.

The Lord of the Rings is like The Ten Commandments.

elves cant see frodo go invisible thus that idea of seeing the unseen might be a lil flawed

3:15 Show them a flesh light would most likely be a strange thing to do.

I was wondering about female evil characters - there seems to be none, whereas there are a lot of prominent good female character like Galadriel, Eowyn, Arwen, Luthien. Seems like Thuringwethil is the only example of an evil female and that is so sad - evil female characters can be soooo fascinating in my oppinion.

Intresting Russian for being able is "mago"

I always thought magic had its roots in the magi of Persia

why this dude sound like goolge translator whenever he pronounces a name, can someone pls make an edit of that xD

Flaming pinecones

btw you also realize ther eis a complete RPG system that actually explains all of this

If gandalf has knowledge and gunpowder why didn't he make a gun, imagine how powerful an ar15 would be against Orc filfth. Like he could say "I've come here to kick ass and cast spells, and I'm all out of spells" *pumps shotgun