The Lay of the Fall of Gondolin: Difference between revisions

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'''The Lay of the Fall of Gondolin''' is a poem written by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], partially included in the chapter "[[Poems Early Abandoned]]" in ''[[The Lays of Beleriand]]''. It was written and left unfinished during his time at the [[University of Leeds]], and [[Christopher Tolkien]] suspects that it was the first attempt of versification of the matter from the ''[[Lost Tales]]'', before he turned to the alliterative verse, so it was problably started arround [[1920]]. The poem doesn't add anything to the [[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|Tale of the Fall of Gondolin]], so Christopher only gives a few verses, keeping the whole poem unpublished.<ref name=LB>{{LB|2c}}</ref>{{rp|145}}
'''The Lay of the Fall of Gondolin''' is a poem written by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], partially included in the chapter "[[Poems Early Abandoned]]" in ''[[The Lays of Beleriand]]''. It was written and left unfinished during his time at the [[University of Leeds]], and [[Christopher Tolkien]] suspects that it was the first attempt of versification of the matter from the ''[[Lost Tales]]'', before he turned to the alliterative verse, so it was probably started around [[1920]]. The poem doesn't add anything to the [[The Fall of Gondolin (chapter)|Tale of the Fall of Gondolin]], so Christopher only gives a few verses, keeping the whole poem unpublished.<ref name=LB>{{LB|2c}}</ref>{{rp|145}}
==Analysis==
==Analysis==
Seems that this poem was not conceived on a large scale, as the enemy appears already within 130 lines.<ref name=LB>{{LB|2c}}</ref>{{rp|144-145}} Here [[Tuor]]'s father is called Fengel, while in the Lost Tale was [[Peleg]]. Like in other alliterated poems (cf. ''[[The Lay of the Children of Húrin]]''), [[Fingolfin]] has become the father of [[Turgon]] and [[Aredhel|Isfin]] (Aredhel), but here [[Finwë]] is excepcionally called [[Gelmir]].<ref name=LB>{{LB|2c}}</ref>{{rp|146-147}}
Seems that this poem was not conceived on a large scale, as the enemy appears already within 130 lines.<ref name=LB>{{LB|2c}}</ref>{{rp|144-145}} Here [[Tuor]]'s father is called Fengel, while in the Lost Tale was [[Peleg]]. Like in other alliterated poems (cf. ''[[The Lay of the Children of Húrin]]''), [[Fingolfin]] has become the father of [[Turgon]] and [[Aredhel|Isfin]] (Aredhel), but here [[Finwë]] is excepcionally called [[Gelmir]].<ref name=LB>{{LB|2c}}</ref>{{rp|146-147}}

Revision as of 05:34, 21 July 2019

The Lay of the Fall of Gondolin is a poem written by J.R.R. Tolkien, partially included in the chapter "Poems Early Abandoned" in The Lays of Beleriand. It was written and left unfinished during his time at the University of Leeds, and Christopher Tolkien suspects that it was the first attempt of versification of the matter from the Lost Tales, before he turned to the alliterative verse, so it was probably started around 1920. The poem doesn't add anything to the Tale of the Fall of Gondolin, so Christopher only gives a few verses, keeping the whole poem unpublished.[1]:145

Analysis

Seems that this poem was not conceived on a large scale, as the enemy appears already within 130 lines.[1]:144-145 Here Tuor's father is called Fengel, while in the Lost Tale was Peleg. Like in other alliterated poems (cf. The Lay of the Children of Húrin), Fingolfin has become the father of Turgon and Isfin (Aredhel), but here Finwë is excepcionally called Gelmir.[1]:146-147

Comparative example

"Rejoice that ye have found it, for behold before you the City of Seven Names where all who war with Melko may find hope.' Then said Tuor: 'What be those names?' And the chief of the Guard made answer: 'Tis said and 'tis sung: "Gondobar am I called and Gondothlimbar, City of Stone and City of the Dwellers in Stone (...)"
The Book of Lost Tales 2, "The Fall of Gondolin", p. 158

Rejoice that ye have found it and rest from endless war,
for the seven-named city 'tis that stands upon the hill,
where all who strive with Morgoth find hope and valour still.'
'What be those names,' said Tuor, 'for I come from long afar?'
This said and 'tis sung,' one answered, '"My name is Gondobar
and Gondothlimbar also, the City hewn of Stone,
the fortress of the Gnome-folk who dwell in Halls of Stone (...)


—The Lay of the Fall of Gondolin

See also

References