The Creation of Middle-earth | The Beginning of Days : Silmarillion Explained - Part 1 of 4

Welcome to the beginning of all things! In this very first video we'll take a look at the creation of Tolkien's universe, the formation of the planet Arda, and we'll meet the gods, angels, and demons who start the story of Middle Earth. *Stick around to the end of the episode for a weekly Tolkien Fun Fact*
Much love and many thanks to the artists who make the wonderful art. No Tolkien art is created by myself, and all credit goes to the individual artists. If an artist is not credited, it is because I cannot find the source of their image, but if any of your artwork is featured during this video, please drop a message or a comment and I can link your page in the description of my videos!
All content falls under fair use: any copying of copyrighted material done for a limited and “transformative” purpose, such as to comment upon, criticize, parody, or use a copyrighted work for educational purposes. Such uses can be done without permission from the copyright owner.
Rainbow Dave is kindly drawn by Goldswoof. Check out more of her art at www.goldswoof.com
Art credits in order of appearance:
Elves at Cuivienen - Annamare
Eru Ilúvatar - enanoakd
Ainur - Anna Kulisz
Demons - enanoakd
Secret Fire - Noei1984
Melkor - enanoakd
Ainulindalë: The Discord of Melkor - Anna Kulisz
Ainulindalë - Jef Murray
Manwe - Dymond Starr
Ulmo - Ted Nasmith
Aulë - Alice Falto
Melkor (Raiment) - Joel Kilpatrick
Map of Arda - The Encyclopaedia of Arda
Tulkas - Antonio Vinci
The days of the Lamps of the Valar - Bmosig
Valar (Valian Years) - Phobs
Varda - Tania Weil
Yavanna - Sedeptra
Vana - Losse-elda
Oromë - Steamey
Nahar - Alexis Chaudouet
Nessa - Farothiel
Mandos - Elena Kukanova
Halls of Mandos - Rekyrem
Vairë - Adelaiy
Irmo - Elena Kukanova
Estë - Alice Falto
Nienna - Aerankai
Eonwë - Tuuliky
Ilmarë - Meraclitus
Arien & Tilion - Julia 94s
Olorin - Annie Claudine
Osse - Steamey
Uinen - Raquel Martins
Mairon - Maureval
Sauron - Gerwell
Valaraukar - Thomas Rouillard
Balrog - James Bousema
Gothmog - Per Øyvind Haagensen
Years of the Lamps - Ted Nasmith
Extra special thanks to Ted Nasmith and Elena Kukanova. Check out their pages:
Ted Nasmith - www.tednasmith.com
Elena Kukanova - www.deviantart.com/ekukanova
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Music provided by No Copyright Music:
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Music used: Traveler by Alexander Nakarada @ SerpentSound Studios / serpentsoundst. .
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
creativecommons.org/licenses/...
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♩♫ Epic Orchestral Music ♪♬ - Dragon Slayer - Ross Bugden
INSTAGRAM! : / rossbugden (rossbugden)
TWITTER! : / rossbugden (@rossbugden)
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Celtic Fantasy Background Music - "Beautiful Village" - Medieval emotional Instrumental nordic soundtrack
Epic Music - Dark Orchestral Fantasy Background Instrumental Soundtrack
Download here:
fesliyanstudios.com/d?id=210
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"Dungeons and Dragons" - Royalty Free Music For Commercial Use - Epic/Celtic Fantasy
Royalty Free Music - Alexander Nakarada
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Much love, stay groovy, and navaer mellyn nin!

Пікірлер: 376

  • @redjirachi1
    @redjirachi12 жыл бұрын

    The Valar: So what's with Tom Bombadill Eru: I don't know, he was there when I got here

  • @samueldavenport7233

    @samueldavenport7233

    3 ай бұрын

    Honestly this is pretty much how I feel about it.

  • @randolph84brown

    @randolph84brown

    2 ай бұрын

    hahahaha

  • @hewaadamini8388

    @hewaadamini8388

    20 күн бұрын

    @@samueldavenport7233Ungoliant and Tom are products of the music.

  • @Gorlim_the_Unhappy
    @Gorlim_the_Unhappy5 ай бұрын

    This channel has aged like the finest cask of Dorwinion wine ever to grace all of Arda. Thank you so much for all you've shared with us, much love!!!

  • @christopherbaby3842

    @christopherbaby3842

    3 ай бұрын

    We need Daves 2nd Age script to happen.

  • @shoeonhead
    @shoeonhead Жыл бұрын

    I like how the prince of Egypt was playing in the background. Specifically the score where Moses meets God.

  • @ghouling1111
    @ghouling11112 жыл бұрын

    I want to pay you to read everything, ever.. Your voice is so calming and yet mesmerising.. I've been binge watching your videos. Thank you for all your work in these videos.

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    2 жыл бұрын

    Haha thanks! I'm really glad you enjoy the videos.

  • @aevenova9780
    @aevenova97802 жыл бұрын

    When the prince of egypt music began..... omg. Goosebumps.

  • @christopherhicks8656
    @christopherhicks86562 жыл бұрын

    Also, when Gandalf confronts the Balrog, he refers to him as "flame of Udun". This is a reference to the Balrog being a corrupted Maia, and servant of Melkor. His first fortress in Middle Earth was Udun. He's basically saying, "Your power is nothing compared to the power of the One, whom I serve."

  • @cystech1446

    @cystech1446

    Жыл бұрын

    I see this comment 10 minutes after spending 15 minutes trying to figure all that out lol

  • @christopherhicks8656

    @christopherhicks8656

    Жыл бұрын

    @@cystech1446 lol Well, glad to... almost... help. :P lol

  • @bearbear3793

    @bearbear3793

    11 ай бұрын

    You're not wrong, although it's more commonly known as Utumno.

  • @1shogunate696

    @1shogunate696

    7 күн бұрын

    Based

  • @tessaparis6223
    @tessaparis6223 Жыл бұрын

    Love the Prince of Egypt music in the background! Works so perfect for this subject! Thanks for this channel!

  • @striderman-
    @striderman- Жыл бұрын

    Hold up. You think the Creation of the ainur through thought and melkors rebellion through song is weird? I think it absolutely beautiful. To have an outside look of this would be the most incredible thing to ever.

  • @stephen_lilcheezyschwity_s7254

    @stephen_lilcheezyschwity_s7254

    Жыл бұрын

    I second this notion. To simply be present at the creation of ALL things, the ainudale(which I understand is the work of Tolkien detailing the creation event, not the name of the event itself), if you would, would be a pretty dang beautiful experience, to say the least. The sheer divinity and wonder of it would be enough for any mortal such you or myself, to sing about for YEARS to come. And that is part of the great intrigue and mystery in Tolkien's work. There was this splendid and beautiful thing, this entire world, that was created by illuvitar and the song of the ainur, and just the simple fact that melkor, who did not sing in harmony, but rather in pure dissidence and defiance, goes to show how terrible and cruel he was, to deface the WHOLE of creation with HIS being, and to shurk the other ainur in their duties, very much like a devil, a demon, or maybe, Satan and his fall from grace? Spot on dude. Love it. Just, the biggest blithering bothersome fan over here dismally drooling decadently at the awe of Tolkien's works, alongside such fans as yourself. 😊😅😅😂

  • @beorbeorian150
    @beorbeorian150 Жыл бұрын

    I found the creation story for middle earth to be incredibly beautiful.

  • @Mamothrept
    @Mamothrept Жыл бұрын

    The first chapter about the song of creation may be the most beautiful chapter in all of Tolkien! My understanding of it: The song of creation was in fact the literal playing out of the entire history of Ea. The end of the song was the end of time and end of the world. Melkor's discord, and that of those who sang with him, was the all the evil that played out in history. When they finished the song, Eru showed them their song given physical form. The insights they had came from the parts of the music they could grasp. Some mystical fathers of Christian thought describe angels in God's right hand, and angels in God's left hand. The ones in his right hand serve God's plan directly, while the ones in his left hand are the demons, who believe they are opposing God, but their doings are all used to bring about God's plan with greater glory in the end. In a similar way, I love how Eru rebukes Melkor when the music ceased: Then Ilúvatar spoke, and he said: 'Mighty are the Ainur, and mightiest among them is Melkor; but that he may know, and all the Ainur, that I am Ilúvatar, those things that ye have sung, I will show them forth, that ye may see what ye have done. And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.'

  • @SwordlordRoy
    @SwordlordRoy2 жыл бұрын

    It always fascinated me that, while most of those fantasy writers who have come since tend to either have a Polytheistic Pantheon or a Monotheistic Religion, Tolkien managed to create a mythology that is both Monotheistic and Polytheistic in such a way that is not at odds with each other.

  • @kevinjanghj

    @kevinjanghj

    2 жыл бұрын

    Tolkien effectively synthesized the Christian faith he has with the Norse and Greco-Roman pantheons he knew of via studies as a medievalist.

  • @Mamothrept

    @Mamothrept

    Жыл бұрын

    For the record, christianity envelopes and contains the polytheistic pantheons within it. Modern protestant Christians don't usually understand this because they have the same materialistic way of interpreting the world, so it might surprise most people to try thinking this way. But while the christian God is the highest pattern of all reality, containing all existence and non-existence, the polytheism gods still exist as patterns of reality below him. For example there is clearly a god(s) of war at work in the world, by whatever name you want to give him/them. And for another example, are the angels of cities. Everyone recognizes that cities have a spirit that is both shaped by, and shapes, the inhabitants and architecure etc held within it. That spirit is what an angel actually is btw (not an invisible "creature" with wings.) Poorly explained, my apologies.

  • @SwordlordRoy

    @SwordlordRoy

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Mamothrept No problem, I understand what you said well enough. I may be a protestant, but I consider myself something of an amateur religious scholar as a hobby and have come to much the same conclusion in my own beliefs.

  • @Mamothrept

    @Mamothrept

    Жыл бұрын

    @@SwordlordRoy Very cool to hear, brother!

  • @Robert-tl2vg

    @Robert-tl2vg

    Жыл бұрын

    By the very definition of the words you can’t be Polytheist and also Monotheistic. Your comment is nonsense.

  • @williamcraig96
    @williamcraig962 жыл бұрын

    I love how the music from the burning bush scene from Prince of Egypt is playing in the background ❤️❤️❤️

  • @ysgramornorris2452
    @ysgramornorris24522 жыл бұрын

    My favorite part of the legendarium is how Gandalf's foresight is explained. During the Ainulindalë, the Song of the Holy Ones, the Ainur sing about a world that doesn't exist yet, then Eru gives them a vision of it. A partial vision of the things that will appear in that world, the beings that will inhabit it, the events that will transpire in it. And that's how Gandalf knows so much and can arrange plans so masterfully. It's not just that he has the intelligence and wisdom of an angelic being; he has seen a large part of the world's history before it was even created.

  • @CarlSanford76
    @CarlSanford762 жыл бұрын

    The detail with which Tolkien wrote is absolutely amazing.

  • @PaulCecchettiMusic1
    @PaulCecchettiMusic1 Жыл бұрын

    I subscribed immediately after hearing your voice. What a captivating and engaging way of telling stories you have.

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @InfinityX2
    @InfinityX22 жыл бұрын

    The creation of Arda: Eru’s toddlers throwing around each others toys and one stamping on the sandcastles. (Btw: I love the Silmarillion, there is so much in it). Great video’s!! Keep them coming

  • @kirbymarchbarcena
    @kirbymarchbarcena Жыл бұрын

    To think that a high elf was able to fight Melkor for days and wounded the Dark Lord is so astounding. Btw, love the fun fact at the end.

  • @TheEyez187
    @TheEyez1872 жыл бұрын

    Eru and Melkor. The Brightest light casts the Darkest shadow! I love the Ainulindale. The music is an amazing concept. If you apply it to physics/astrophysics. everything is just waves and frequencies interacting with each other. Eru's final note got *Bass!!* . So deep it causes gravity, thus starting time. Tolkien didn't really like analogy, but it can sync up well; not that such knowledge/thinking was present when he wrote it anyway. Sauron is the Vader to Melkor's Emperor!

  • @joannecrecco
    @joannecrecco2 жыл бұрын

    I thought you might like to know that Tolkien got a lot of his stuff about the Valar, The One, and a lot about the beginning of Arda from Gnostic creation literature. Saw those things the other day while I was looking over Gnostic literature. It was incredible to read. God was called “The One” and creation was music of His Thought. Look into it!

  • @m4est38
    @m4est38 Жыл бұрын

    You can really see Tolkien's faith throughout how he illustrates the creation of his universe. Much like ours, it began with a voice (or in his case voices) with his most highly regarded "servant" craving to be greater than his Creator.

  • @mariacvale
    @mariacvale Жыл бұрын

    Listening for the second time now that I've gone thru all the Silmarillion videos. 👍 Awesome work. Thanks!

  • @ho8464
    @ho84643 жыл бұрын

    I love how Tolkien imbued the powers of the Valar throughout his works. The Valar are ever-present in our favorite stories

  • @Agreus93
    @Agreus93 Жыл бұрын

    Hilarious and amazing fun fact! Since I was a child that I'm very fond of Trees and Stars, that's make me a Varda's and Yavanna's worshiper, I didn't realize it until I read the Silmarillion and they are my Goddesses since then.

  • @Measuredbystatusofficial
    @Measuredbystatusofficial Жыл бұрын

    I've officially just hit the 24 hour binge watching streak on these videos! 😅 atleast I know what to put on when the insomnia is playing up or if I'm obsessing over work and need to take some time off! What a fab way to spend a free day thank you for these :)

  • @32kirby32
    @32kirby322 жыл бұрын

    After watching a ton of your videos I thot I would just start at the begining lol. Thanks to you I’m about to buy the silmarillion. My Grandpa bought me a copy in middle school after I read the hobbit in elementary school, but I had already grew out of it. Thanks for bringing bacc the wonder in a way the movie can never

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    2 жыл бұрын

    It's so great that you're going to read the Silmarillion. I'm very glad you enjoy the videos!

  • @Lennis01

    @Lennis01

    Жыл бұрын

    The Silmarillion is a very challenging book for someone of middle-school age, and told in a very different way from The Hobbit, or even Lord of the Rings. I couldn't have hoped to grasp it as a kid. Probably most of us couldn't. As an adult, I consider The Silmarillion one of the most rewarding books I have ever read.

  • @BlackHeartsHope
    @BlackHeartsHope Жыл бұрын

    It's absolutely incredible that this all came from the mind of one man.

  • @joeybox0rox649
    @joeybox0rox6492 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely wonderful telling of Tolkiens' legendarium!!! So glad I found this channel! 👍👍

  • @judithnewell815

    @judithnewell815

    2 жыл бұрын

    And me too 💯♥️

  • @rafaelbarbosa6654

    @rafaelbarbosa6654

    2 жыл бұрын

    The Best Channel of Tolkien ever!!!

  • @joeybox0rox649

    @joeybox0rox649

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@rafaelbarbosa6654 Matt from "Nerd of The Rings" and Robert from "In Deep Geek," are riveting in their telling of Tolkiens Legendarium. Check them out and decide for yourself.

  • @ljsummerz7119
    @ljsummerz7119 Жыл бұрын

    After watching LOTR and The Hobbit I have always been fascinated by how it all started and the way you explain the events have taught me alot about the broad variety of Tolkien's world, so glad you created this channel!

  • @ketugrahagraha3673
    @ketugrahagraha36732 жыл бұрын

    Do you think you could make a video about Irmo? I find it very ingriguing that he has that garden where we can all go in our dreams, and this is the only way we can "visit" the Undying land.

  • @LordDragon1965
    @LordDragon19652 жыл бұрын

    When I was in High School, taking Latin, I wanted to translate the Ainulindale into Latin and then rewrite it in Elven characters on a parchment scroll.

  • @MsErdnussbutter

    @MsErdnussbutter

    2 жыл бұрын

    What stoped you?

  • @afuaioane1644
    @afuaioane16443 жыл бұрын

    I love the background music from the Prince of Egypt, I remember when Moses conversed with THE BURNING BUSH and when he split the sea and the music ooooohhhh it gives me the chills, my eyes are teary.

  • @jimmychen5445

    @jimmychen5445

    3 жыл бұрын

    Listening for tge 4th time now 😂 I've forgotten my previous account password

  • @davidthetraveler1466
    @davidthetraveler1466 Жыл бұрын

    So, I've spent most of the past month or so slowly working my way through all your videos, and now that I've caught up I can truly say that this is a fantastic channel and you are an exceptional creator. I have immensely enjoyed learning and relearning all of this lore of Arda and its inhabitants, and am truly grateful to have found your content. And so now, having fully caught up with you, I'm going back through the videos again, leaving my likes and comments as I go to share my own thoughts about the history of Ea as we work our way through the Legendarium. Starting with: the Music. This has always been one of my favorite parts of the Legendarium. The story of a world born out of music and harmony. And one thing I especially loved that didn't get mentioned in the video is that despite Melkor's attempts to take control of the music his and his followers' most triumphant notes are actually assimilated by the rest into the greater music of Iluvatar. And as frustrated as Iluvatar and the faithful Ainur might have become with Melkor, he was probably even more frustrated with them taking what he thought would overpower their music and making it part of the greater beauty of Iluvatar's theme. Probably why during the third theme his attempt to take control is mostly through sheer volume, which still fails. Also, there is at least one version that I've seen of the Ainulindale and the Vision of Iluvatar that shows Ulmo remarking afterward that Melkor's attempt to corrupt water in the themes fails because instead it just creates new forms of it, freezing it into the beauty of ice and snow, and evaporating it into clouds to bring him closer to Manwe.

  • @billbaxter3800
    @billbaxter38002 жыл бұрын

    Im just here to justify the length of your first video - EXCELLENT! THANK YOU!

  • @DEATH-THE-GOAT
    @DEATH-THE-GOAT Жыл бұрын

    And now I have come here. I dunno if you can see my journey through your story of the lore but I am deeply grateful for your work. Thank you!

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    Жыл бұрын

    I'm glad you're enjoying it!

  • @docsavage8640
    @docsavage86402 жыл бұрын

    Great video. Makes it easier to keep track of who's who when reading The Silmarillion.

  • @MiniMexii
    @MiniMexii3 жыл бұрын

    I’ve officially made it through all of your videos! You make everything easy to understand and I can’t wait for the next video!

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much! I really hope you enjoyed them. New videos will be coming fairly soon I hope.

  • @SunburnAndDragon
    @SunburnAndDragon Жыл бұрын

    Man, everyone has probably already told you the same thing by now, but I for one could listen to your videos even if they lasted one whole day. Don't ever apologize, I'll never get enough of this channel.

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks very much! Lovely of you to say.

  • @jandunn169
    @jandunn1692 жыл бұрын

    OMG I always wondered what those Took comments under the breath were about....Fantastic video as always!!

  • @magiv4205
    @magiv42052 жыл бұрын

    Is that a little bit of Prince of Egypt music I hear when you start talking about Illuvatar? Is that perhaps specifically the scene of the burning bush? Well played.

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes it is.

  • @evelynrosewindsor
    @evelynrosewindsor2 жыл бұрын

    Excellent content, as usual. I especially love that bit where you called Pippin’s sister an assassin. 😂 I always imagined her to nonchalantly say “Oops!” and walk away unbothered after she committed the deed. 13:47 The elves don’t consider Varda as a deity to be worshipped for they consider the worship of any being other than Eru Ilúvatar to be an abomination. This is a reflection of Professor Tolkien’s faith as a Catholic. In the Catholic belief, there is a distinction between a deity and a saint. A deity is to be worshipped and a saint is to be revered. They may call upon saints to mediate on their behalf with God. Similarly, the elves hold Varda in reverence and they may call upon her to intercede on their behalf as a Catholic might on a saint for Eru Ilúvatar remain remote and only accessible via the Valar. “It is about God, and His sole right to divine honour. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐝𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐧𝐞, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.” - Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien. Letter #183. Notes on W. H. Auden’ a review of The Return of the King - “There is, of course, a mythological structure behind this story. It was actually written first, and may now perhaps be in part published. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬, 𝐈 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐲, 𝐚 ‘𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐛𝐮𝐭 “𝐬𝐮𝐛-𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥” 𝐦𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲’. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐧𝐞, 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞, 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬.” - Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien. Letter #153. To Michael Straight (draft). Not dated but probably January or February 1956 - “As for ‘whose authority decides these things?’ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 ‘𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬’ 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐫 (𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬): 𝐭𝐡𝐞 ‘𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐬’. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐬 - of high angelic order we should say, with their attendant lesser angels - 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐟𝐮𝐥 ᶠⁿ³³;” … “ᶠⁿ³³ There are thus no temples or ‘churches’ or fanes in this ‘world’ among ‘good’ peoples. They had little or no ‘religion’ in the sense of worship. 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐚 (𝐚𝐬 𝐄𝐥𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡), 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭, though no doubt knowing in theory as well as he that the power of the Vala was limited and derivative.” - Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien. Letter #153. To Peter Hastings (draft). September 1954 - “The Other Power then took over: the Writer of the Story (by which I do not mean myself), ‘that one ever-present Person who is never absent and never named’ ᶠⁿ⁶⁰ (as one critic has said).” … “ᶠⁿ⁶⁰ Actually referred to as ‘the One’ in App. A III p. 317 1. 20. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐍ú𝐦𝐞𝐧ó𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 (𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬) 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬.” - Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien. Letter #192. From a letter to Amy Ronald. 27 July 1956 -

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! You're right of course about the difference between worship and reverence. This was the first video I ever uploaded to KZread, and I feel like I've learned a lot since then.

  • @evelynrosewindsor

    @evelynrosewindsor

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@tolkienuntangled Don’t mind my nitpicking, please. Your content is absolutely excellent, well made, well produced, and well presented. I’m just too analytical and too obsessed with the facts. It’s a struggle for me. 😳 😬

  • @SR-di7ox
    @SR-di7ox Жыл бұрын

    I like to imagine Tulkas as more like David in the tale of David vs Goliath. He may be small of stature but his spirit is so great that he could defeat any foe

  • @danmaier2824
    @danmaier2824 Жыл бұрын

    Stumbled onto one of your top 10 videos, went straight to your playlists and am just starting the chronology. Looking forward to watching all the way through!

  • @ronsilk6212
    @ronsilk62122 жыл бұрын

    I know that later in Tolkien's life he changed his mind about Balrogs and said there were only between 3 and 7 Balrogs ever. He realized they were way over powered.

  • @samrooney2958

    @samrooney2958

    2 жыл бұрын

    Im Pretty sure they were actually way less powerful, then he either made them fallen valar, or fully absorbed it and then they were way to OP

  • @MichaelDG2023
    @MichaelDG20232 жыл бұрын

    Oh Dave that was wicked fun! If there were ever any question as to whether The Professor had a grand sense of humor one only need point to the Death of Lalia Took. I can already see it as a hobbit version of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane. “You wouldn’t treat me like this if I weren’t in this wheelchair!” “But ya are Lalia! Ya ARE in that wheelchair!” 🤣

  • @fingerfeller
    @fingerfeller Жыл бұрын

    great lesson on the beginning of the book the silmarilion , thank you , i am a lotr and hobbitt movies fan and read the books beforehand years before, but never picked up the silmarillion, toooooo many names, too much chaos and confusing, but you explained the beginning very well, i expect to learn more from subscribing and staying up to date on any tolkien news

  • @anthonyintexas
    @anthonyintexas2 жыл бұрын

    I just discovered your channel today, and I've watched 3 hours! Yours is the most eloquent and enjoyable of all the Tolkien essays. Greetings from Driftwood, Texas. My own Shire in this world.🧚🦋🌈💜

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! I'm really glad you've enjoyed watching the videos 😊

  • @jcabbage9683
    @jcabbage9683Ай бұрын

    Not me watching through your stuff and going back to the beginning. You are just a blessing. You have helped me undertand and apprecoate Tolkein more than i can believe anyone else could. Please know that even if youre not the largest channel around, you are loved and appreciated.

  • @victors.3633
    @victors.36332 жыл бұрын

    Your videos inspire me to read the Silmarillion again! 😁🙏

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    2 жыл бұрын

    That makes me very happy! Enjoy your re-read 😀

  • @lopirobinson1991
    @lopirobinson19912 жыл бұрын

    Haha Melkor is that one little kid that goes around breaking all the other kids toys while laughing 🤣

  • @rayrodriguez7367
    @rayrodriguez73672 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for your efforts, I am enjoying this journey so much with you and figured I'd comment on the first of so many great videos.

  • @cweb9169
    @cweb91692 жыл бұрын

    Ah hearing the Burning Bush ost from Prince of Egypt...nice touch. 👍

  • @ShehnaiGuy
    @ShehnaiGuy Жыл бұрын

    I just discovered your channel and subscribed! I'm really excited to go through your videos. This first one was awesome! Great work!!

  • @ellengoodman1297
    @ellengoodman12972 жыл бұрын

    Watching this series again because it is SO GOOD and I keep learning from it (and actually all your videos). You’re the best on KZread at teaching about the legendarium, in my opinion. Thank you, David of Many Colors, for all your good work!!! It is helping a lot of us rediscover our love of JRR 🥰

  • @asluccarelli3
    @asluccarelli32 жыл бұрын

    The more I learn about Tolkien's legendarium. The more im sad that everyone on planet earth doesn't know the best story ever told, all they know is lord of the rings....

  • @JohnSmith-is4uu

    @JohnSmith-is4uu

    Жыл бұрын

    Silmarillion has no narrative and reads like the Bible. LOTR and CoH are much better.

  • @stephenjohn2131

    @stephenjohn2131

    Жыл бұрын

    @@JohnSmith-is4uu It boils down to preferences, it's okay to have yours. Just don't write your opinion in the context of fact when it isn't.

  • @jameshoffa7085

    @jameshoffa7085

    Жыл бұрын

    @@stephenjohn2131 You mean like the original comment did? Dumbass

  • @StaceRath
    @StaceRath Жыл бұрын

    I would love to hear about Billy’s process on the writing of his song and how Peter came about giving him that opportunity!

  • @deadlierthanthemale8068
    @deadlierthanthemale80684 жыл бұрын

    So pleased I’ve found you , really enjoyed this & will be watching everything you do......

  • @lori10155
    @lori10155 Жыл бұрын

    I really enjoyed this! And I loved the fun fact at the end 😊

  • @dominoplay3712
    @dominoplay37122 жыл бұрын

    I’m so grateful for this, thank you very much, finally some clearance🙏🙏🤗

  • @Metalmonkey80
    @Metalmonkey802 жыл бұрын

    Every story has an inspiration. I can see a lot of the stories about Lucifer the fallen angel in this one. The beloved, the most talented becoming the fallen one.

  • @anthonylnca8737
    @anthonylnca87372 жыл бұрын

    "When he laughs, Melkor is gone" Ya, thats Tulkas for you

  • @AK.__
    @AK.__2 жыл бұрын

    Great video. Absolutely must for Lord of the Rings fans, who never heard of Silmarillion, or haven't read it due to some reasons.

  • @josephburgess3972
    @josephburgess39722 жыл бұрын

    Love your channel! I am not completely finished with the video, but I wanted to bring this up before I forget to. I was always under the impression that the music was created to represent everything happening in the history of the Tolkien universe instead of happening before creation. Or in other words, the song is made in Heaven and it is played out physically in the universe at the same time. Which is why the Valar were taken by surprise of Eru's reply of greater music and seductions of Melkor's music and yet they all ultimately weaved together in harmony. I though that each song represented each of the ages up until the fall of Sauron and the end of days. I may be wrong.

  • @christinam6505
    @christinam65054 жыл бұрын

    I saw your stuff on Reddit and I like your videos! I’ve been trying to find videos about the entire legendarium besides Lord of the Rings. I like your pace and that you spell out certain names; other videos don’t do that and go too fast, so I get lost sometimes 😅 Thank you for creating these videos. I’ll be watching whatever you create!

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much for your feedback! I'm really glad you enjoyed the video 😀

  • @calico27

    @calico27

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yess, this ^^ I am.too lazy to actually read the books so over the last few years I have watched many many videos about legendarium, the second age and the third age. But I am so grateful for your narrative style and artwork and all the effort you put in! I now not only know exactly all the plot lines, but easily remember the names of characters. Thank you.

  • @jargalmaamh915
    @jargalmaamh9154 жыл бұрын

    so glad that found this channel, thank you

  • @Zannydude
    @Zannydude4 жыл бұрын

    Great job. Looking forward to the next one

  • @OwenNewton-vi3su

    @OwenNewton-vi3su

    4 жыл бұрын

    Same

  • @SomeGuy-ty7kr
    @SomeGuy-ty7kr3 жыл бұрын

    Just a small nitpick, but I think the orcs are supposed to have free will (maybe), though they are also supposed to be corruptions of elves/men. Of course, tolkein never really made up his mind on the orcs, so I suppose it doesn't matter.

  • @SS-yo9bk
    @SS-yo9bk Жыл бұрын

    Love the Prince of Egypt soundtrack in the background 😂 You understand quality, sir

  • @ag3nt_green
    @ag3nt_green10 ай бұрын

    Appreciate the work and effort youve put into this channel. Always loved the LoTR movies and the universe Tolkien created but never got the chance to really dive into it. I applaud what youve done here Rainbow Dave and just wanted to say thank you for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment of these wonderful literary works and the expansive universe Tolkien created. You are a saint good sir.

  • @KonanByAkatsuki
    @KonanByAkatsuki Жыл бұрын

    It's worth noting that Eru brought the songs into existence (the universe) to show Melkor the fruit of his thoughts of discord, and prove that the song cannot be used in spite or against Eru. In the end it will always be beautiful and in accord with Eru's will and theme alone.

  • @DJTiezMusic
    @DJTiezMusic2 жыл бұрын

    You, sir, are a gentleman and a scholar for making these videos. I do have a quick question about the fun fact at the end. Please note I am a noob in Tolkien lore so please forgive me if this is a dumb question. So Lalia was pushed off a flight of stairs by Pearl, but I was to understand that stairs are foreign to hobbits as the four hobbits arrive at bree. I’m sure there is a perfectly good explanation for this but I was wondering what that was.

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! I'm really glad you enjoy the videos. That's not a dumb question at all - it's actually a very good question. You're right that Hobbit holes do not have stairs or upper storeys in them, but I believe Pearl pushed Lalia down garden steps, as she was taking a breath of fresh air.

  • @kaworunagisa4009
    @kaworunagisa40092 жыл бұрын

    Me watching this video while my furry purry Estë is getting on her mom's nerves by snuggling against her belly (and getting kicked in the snout, not that it's deterring her in the least), Nessa giving a yoga masterclass while grooming, Yavanna loudly and mournfully complaining that she's bored while zooming across the room, and Varda tolerantly watching this whole madness from her scratcher/bed 😂

  • @axessx
    @axessx2 жыл бұрын

    Good summary of "The Beginning". Looking forward to catching up with the rest of your channel and the extra easter eggs im sure you will cover.

  • @johnt.inscrutable1545
    @johnt.inscrutable15452 жыл бұрын

    Go on as long as you like! Great videos. And I like your humor. Peace, JTI

  • @ryanratchford2530
    @ryanratchford25302 жыл бұрын

    Yes this is another rewatch in preparation for your next lire videos

  • @adamcoston4339
    @adamcoston43392 ай бұрын

    Did you totally revamp this video? Great job Rainbow Dave! Anybody else watch this series multiple times through over the years? 😂

  • @camma12
    @camma123 жыл бұрын

    Just read your post on reddit about middle earth from Sauron's perspective and loved it. so here i am starting from your first vid planning on making my way through all of them, keep up the awesome work!

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! I really hope you enjoy watching them.

  • @neilf6782
    @neilf67824 жыл бұрын

    mairon means the "admirable". tbh that's just nerd nitpicking and I'm just a sad bastard but what is incredible important is that Tolkien absolutely intended for his secondary world to be monotheistic so the valar are "archangels" as oppose to gods of any sort despite their patronages akin to pagan traditions. Love your work and this will def grow..

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    4 жыл бұрын

    Nice thanks for the correction on Mairon :) Gods is one of those tricky words, because its hard to pin down exactly what it means. It's true that the Valar were never worshiped as gods, but Tolkien did use the word a few times to describe the Valar. In his earliest works the word gods is used very liberally while referring to the Valar, although its use did become less common as Tolkien got older. But even in the published Silmarillion the Valar are referred to as gods five times. They're introduced as gods in the first line of the Valaquenta.

  • @billbaxter3800
    @billbaxter3800 Жыл бұрын

    Ive learned more on Tolkein Untangled than any other KZread channel with Tolkien content.

  • @richardleflare
    @richardleflare Жыл бұрын

    I’m new here Dave and ive found you while looking up the origin of balrogs. I’d just like to say I’m addicted to your videos and the way you explain things. Also your visual and audio choices are outstanding and they are noticed! For example when you started talking about Eru-Iluvitar and “gods theme” from P.O.E played. It gave the exact effect it was supposed to and made me feel the need to write this comment lol. Thank you for everything friend.

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks! I'm really glad you're enjoying the videos.

  • @thehighguarduk4820
    @thehighguarduk48202 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic video, really well explained and discussed.

  • @rorygillmore6555
    @rorygillmore65554 ай бұрын

    There's something about reading the Silmarillion that is like no other book. I enjoy the stories so much that I can't wait to start the next. Yet as I leave the older stories behind, I feel melancholy at the fact that those stories are over and effectively become just another brick in the wall of the legend.

  • @wyrmofvt
    @wyrmofvt2 жыл бұрын

    18:00 Classical Greek Hades was not framed as an evil character either, just the god with domain over the dead but otherwise quite mellow. Hades has really only one myth where he does anything modern sensibilities would call "evil," (the kidnap of Persephone) but a more nuanced reading reveals that it was less a kidnapping and more an arranged marriage, and furthermore, Hades only takes Persephone as his lover and queen, while the other Greek gods leave a trail of lovers who end up dead with embarrassing regularity. Overly Sarcastic Productions does a thorough breakdown of the whole mess here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/c5dpzdWThNnAfps.html

  • @jkhristian9603

    @jkhristian9603

    Жыл бұрын

    And their are some old versions of the myth where they eloped with Zeus' permission. But its funny how Hades got made into a bad guy. I mean he's almost the only Olympian who doesn't cheat on his wife. Most of the other male gods slept with anything that moved. Hades also didn't particularly enjoy his job, he would have rather been doing something else. But he did believe in duty. So he honored that and did his job. I would also say that Hades and Mandos are very similar. Neither are evil. Though both can seem serious, glum, and stern.

  • @victoriaskellington
    @victoriaskellington Жыл бұрын

    Fun fact: this is the best Tolkien channel ever

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @kennedyumeh8671
    @kennedyumeh86712 жыл бұрын

    Great piece! Thanks for the insight.

  • @justinah7400
    @justinah7400 Жыл бұрын

    Amazon is basically Melkor, Tolkien represents Eru and faithful Tolkien fans like Dave here represent the Valar. Tolkien creates the beautiful legendarium, Amazon corrupts and twists Tolkien's creations into abominations, Dave defends and shares Tolkien's creations as well as expland on them by creating great content, just like the Valar creates lots of great things in Arda for the people to enjoy

  • @ryanratchford2530
    @ryanratchford25302 жыл бұрын

    Interesting that Tolkien had his God create the world in a co-operative way & prioritised the free will of the Inur. So natural evil in Arda actually is a consequence of (Melkor & his followers’) free will

  • @Ear4

    @Ear4

    2 жыл бұрын

    That was because Tolkien was Christian.

  • @Ear4

    @Ear4

    2 жыл бұрын

    @علي ياسر That may be but Tolkien was a Christian regardless.

  • @Ear4

    @Ear4

    2 жыл бұрын

    @علي ياسر Demons, according to my religion, Christianity, are fallen angels and there is no repentance for them. There is repentance for humans though.

  • @yerviniansamvel
    @yerviniansamvel2 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful,finally I can understand all

  • @nahnahb7753
    @nahnahb77532 жыл бұрын

    Bill the pony is a direct descendant of Nahar, you can’t change my mind

  • @sokay2laugh512
    @sokay2laugh512 Жыл бұрын

    Whoa! Thanks for breaking it all down for us. I’m nerding our big time.

  • @A-Range17
    @A-Range1710 ай бұрын

    Wanted to drop a quick thank you for all the videos you've post on Tolkien's work so far. While waiting for your next video to drop I often go looking on youtube for similar content of other series. Most often that just leads me back to your page and end up rewatching one of your previous videos. Your passion, knowledge, care, and story telling is not only the best of the Tolkien Universe, its also unparalleled across these types of KZread channels. So again thank you.

  • @chingizzhylkybayev8575
    @chingizzhylkybayev85752 жыл бұрын

    It's a bit inconsistent to say "Mandos and his brother Irmo". It should either be "Namo and Irmo" (both brothers' given names) or "Mandos and Lorien" (both brothers' more well known names).

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yeah I did think about that, but Tolkien only ever uses the name Namo once in the Silmarillion, but he uses Irmo quite a bit. More often than Lorien.

  • @Feuermiss1405
    @Feuermiss14053 жыл бұрын

    This was a joy to listen to, even as parts of me were nitpicking your pronunciation of names and terms. Your way of explaining things makes them easy to understand

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, I'm really glad you enjoyed it. If you don't mind telling me, what words did I mispronounce? I work quite hard to get the pronunciations correct, although I'm sure there are a few discrepancies in the first video. I know I mispronounced Mearas, which annoys me, but it was too late to go back and change it by the time I realised :)

  • @conniestone6251

    @conniestone6251

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@tolkienuntangled Uinen… you added an extra syllable, something like oo-I-ne-nen

  • @albussr1589
    @albussr15892 жыл бұрын

    I just realized that Shadowfax will meet Nahar. That´s gonna be a exciting family renunion

  • @katherinramos3817
    @katherinramos38174 ай бұрын

    my 6 year old asked for a bedtime story and i ended up telling her the creation of middle earth. i had to stop early on because there's so much story and now she demands more. i needed this video to brush up.

  • @arezdracul8650
    @arezdracul86503 жыл бұрын

    Awesome job dude, you made it all clear and more understandable than any other video of Tolkens works that I have seen. Well, the names of the Elf’s of the First Age are still a bit confusing, but I understand who is who a bit better than before watching your videos. Keep up the good work brah and the videos. Thx

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for your lovely words dude! I'm really glad you enjoyed it. Eventually I want to make videos like this for all of the First Age.

  • @ThunderhawkVeronicaLazerwolf
    @ThunderhawkVeronicaLazerwolf Жыл бұрын

    Thanks Rainbow Dave!!

  • @stetsonstarkey
    @stetsonstarkey3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for doing this.

  • @maverickstarkey1165

    @maverickstarkey1165

    3 жыл бұрын

    Quality work.

  • @jovanvalentine2452
    @jovanvalentine2452 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks a lot man. I’m actually half way through the Silmarillion. I just needed to see how they all connected with my eyes to really understand how they all were connected.!!

  • @GenuinelyCurious120
    @GenuinelyCurious120Ай бұрын

    Dude, You got me to buy The Silmarillion! I'm really liking it so far. Thankyou for reigniting my love of Tolkien.

  • @tolkienuntangled

    @tolkienuntangled

    Ай бұрын

    That’s so great! Enjoy!

  • @dbrazell4
    @dbrazell410 ай бұрын

    Awesome video man!! Loving this series!