Speaking of quantum physics, I suspect that string theory would allow a whole new reading of the musical metaphors in the Ainulindalë... (or so it looks to me, but then, I don't know much about either)!
This was a great overview of the archetypical roots that have fed into the Ainulindalë. I have to admit that I love picking at the bones (and the greens and even the bay leaf ;)) of the soup, even if Tolkien didn't like the idea. So what! The individual elements of primary world myths and legends that made it into the Legendarium do help in understanding it - especially in comparing the bits that were chosen vs. the bits that were discarded, but also in the way in which they were combined. It reveals a lot about the author, too! Maybe that's what he was afraid of! (For instance, I do suspect that the Pythagorean concept of the musica universalis, the Music of the Spheres, appealed to Tolkien very much...)
There's really so much in here and it's very useful to have it spelled out clearly for a change! The deus faber motif in specific, as well as the link between water and music and the elevation of the singer/story-teller. And the idea of the Music of the Ainur as a self-fulfilling prophecy (and other such prophecies) would deserve its own essay! But for now, I'll just express my gratitude to you for this handy overview.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2018-03-04 04:14 pm (UTC)This was a great overview of the archetypical roots that have fed into the Ainulindalë. I have to admit that I love picking at the bones (and the greens and even the bay leaf ;)) of the soup, even if Tolkien didn't like the idea. So what! The individual elements of primary world myths and legends that made it into the Legendarium do help in understanding it - especially in comparing the bits that were chosen vs. the bits that were discarded, but also in the way in which they were combined. It reveals a lot about the author, too! Maybe that's what he was afraid of! (For instance, I do suspect that the Pythagorean concept of the musica universalis, the Music of the Spheres, appealed to Tolkien very much...)
There's really so much in here and it's very useful to have it spelled out clearly for a change! The deus faber motif in specific, as well as the link between water and music and the elevation of the singer/story-teller. And the idea of the Music of the Ainur as a self-fulfilling prophecy (and other such prophecies) would deserve its own essay! But for now, I'll just express my gratitude to you for this handy overview.