Radagast: Difference between revisions
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'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':''' | '''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':''' | ||
:Radagast can be found encamped in the [[Lone-lands]], north along the Great Road. He is friendly to the local people, the Eglain, and helps the to combat the rise of evil in the swamps of Agamaur.<ref>[http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/NPC:Radagast_the_Brown NPC: Radagast the Brown] at [http://my.lotro.com/home/ My.Lotro.com] (accessed 8 October 2011)</ref> | :Radagast can be found encamped in the [[Lone-lands]], north along the Great Road. He is friendly to the local people, the [[Eglain]], and helps the to combat the rise of evil in the swamps of Agamaur.<ref>[http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/NPC:Radagast_the_Brown NPC: Radagast the Brown] at [http://my.lotro.com/home/ My.Lotro.com] (accessed 8 October 2011)</ref> | ||
'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':''' | '''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':''' | ||
Revision as of 21:16, 29 June 2012
| Radagast | |
|---|---|
| Maia | |
 | |
| Biographical Information | |
| Other names | Aiwendil[1] Radagast the Brown[2] Radagast the Bird-tamer[note 1][2] Radagast the Simple[note 1][2] Radagast the Fool[note 1][2] |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender | Male |
| Gallery | Images of Radagast |
Radagast the Brown, also known as Aiwendil, was one of the wizards sent to Middle-earth to contest the will of Sauron. Originally a Maiar of Yavanna, he had a strong affinity for animals. He dwelt, for a time, at Rhosgobel on the western eaves of Mirkwood, near the Gladden Fields on the Great River.[1][2]
History
Valinor
Radagast, like the other Wizards, came from Valinor around the year 1000 of the Third Age and was one of the Maiar of the Valië Yavanna. His original name was Aiwendil (pron. [aɪˈwendil]). Yavanna forced Curumo to accept Radagast as a companion, which may have been one of the reasons Saruman was contemptuous of him.
Middle-earth
The wizard's home was in Rhosgobel on the western borders of Mirkwood. Considering the location of Rhosgobel (Being uncomfortably close to Dol Guldur) it is likely that Radagast had something to do with The White Council's attack on the fortress in T.A. 2941. He was a friend of Beorn as well as a friend to the forest's many creatures, especially birds whom he communicated with. He spent most of his time with the wildlife instead of Men and Elves, whom he found more difficult to deal with. Despite this, Gandalf was actually more knowlegable about the birds and beasts, and was more respected by them than Radagast. Radagast grew neglectful and easygoing, and he lacked courage, however he remained of good will.
In the summer of 3018 Radagast was unwittingly used by Saruman to lure Gandalf to Orthanc, sending him to Bree with a message for Gandalf. In this message Saruman asked Gandalf to come to Orthanc, where Saruman trapped and captured him. Luckily, Radagast didn't mean any harm to Gandalf, and wasn't aware of Saruman's plan. So Radagast also helped rescue the grey wizard by alerting the Eagles of Gandalf's journey there.
Radagast is without a doubt a mysterious character. While there is little doubt that his heart was in the right place, he did not possess that same selflessness that allowed Gandalf to fulfil the task set to him by the Valar, to aid the free people. Deigning to leave his wooded home, Radagast remained in Northern Mirkwood with the birds and the beasts and the trees.
When Elven scouts were sent to find Radagast after the Council of Elrond, he was not at his home in Rhosgobel: he plays no further role in events and is not mentioned again by Tolkien. There are several theories to his disappearance. He may have gone to spend time among the wildlife, or his friends among the Beornings, or he may have visited Thranduil's folk in Mirkwood. He may have also been forced to abandon his home, and it is quite possible that he was removed by the nearby fortress of Dol Guldur. However, Tolkien once stated that Radagast's failure was not as great as Saruman's, and that he may have eventually been able to return to Valinor, implying that he survived The War of the Ring.
The assumption that Radagast failed in his task may not be entirely accurate, as he was sent specifically by Yavanna, and he may have been charged with the protection of the flora and fauna of Middle-Earth, a task that would not end with the defeat of Sauron. However, what is certain is that he did not achieve the primary task set for him by the Valar, and he did not (for whatever reason) return to Valinor, according to the poem that Tolkien wrote about the Istari.
Etymology
Radagast
In a manuscript written by Tolkien in 1954, the name Radagast is said to mean "tender of beasts" in Adûnaic, the language of Númenor.[3] However, in a later note Tolkien said that the name is in the language of the Men of the Vales of Anduin, and that its meaning is not interpretable.[4]
As stated by Hammond and Scull, several theories have appeared concerning the inspiration of the name Radagast.[5] One such theory has been proposed by Douglas A. Anderson, who notes the name Redigast in Slavic mythology.[6]
Aiwendil
The name Aiwendil is Quenya for "lover of birds".[7] It is perhaps derived from aiwe ("(small) bird") and ndil ("devoted to").[5][8]
Names
It appears that in Valinor Radagast was known as "Aiwendil".[1]
As one of the wizards sent to Middle-earth, he was known as "Radagast the Brown". Saruman, when talking to Gandalf, mocked Radagast by calling him "Radagast the Bird-tamer", "Radagast the Simple", and "Radagast the Fool".[2]
Other versions of the Legendarium
Early in the process of writing The Lord of the Rings, it is clear that Tolkien envisaged some role for Radagast in the tale.[9] He eventually decided that he would use Radagast as the means of getting Gandalf to Isengard.[10]
Initially Gandalf describes Radagast as his 'cousin',[11] as he did in The Hobbit,[12] but in a subsequent draft he becomes his 'kinsman'.[13] In the final version Gandalf merely says that Radagast is 'one of my order'.[2]
Tolkien initially called him "Radagast the Grey", but in pencil he changed this to "Brown" and subsequently Saruman refers to him as "Radagast the Brown".[10]
When Tolkien finished writing the story up till Moria, he made notes on the future story development; therein he considered handing over Isengard to Radagast.[14]
Portrayal in adaptations
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Films
2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:
- The character Radagast and virtually all references to him were removed. He was originally to appear in a background scene, but this was removed because it was thought it would only confuse people.[source?]
2012-13: The Hobbit films:
- Radagast will be played by Sylvester McCoy.[15] Although the character is only alluded to in The Hobbit, he may have been involved with The White Council's confrontation with the Necromancer around this time period..[source?] Sylvester McCoy has stated that Radagast will have more than just a brief cameo, and Sir Christopher Lee (who plays Saruman) stated that Radagast "has a considerably important part" in the upcoming films..[source?]
Radio series
1981: BBC Radio's The Lord of the Ring:
- Donald Gee provided the voice of Radagast. He is, however, not the person who sends the Eagle to save Gandalf from Orthanc.
Games
1987-: Mithril Miniatures:
- Radagast has been issued in a couple of different versions: figure LR3 "Radagast the Brown" is seen with a cat and an owl;[16] an older version of the figure portrays Radagast without beard and with a different bird.[17] There is also a "Radagast Mounted" (MS539), where Radagast (again without beard) is portrayed mounted on a horse.[18]
1988: J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth:
- Radagast is a non-playable character in this game.
2001-: The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game:
- The hero figure Radagast the Brown, is a user of subtle magics,in contrast to the more overt kinds used by Gandalf and Saruman. However, he has some unique powers nonetheless.[19]
2011-2010: The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game:
2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:
- Radagast can be found encamped in the Lone-lands, north along the Great Road. He is friendly to the local people, the Eglain, and helps the to combat the rise of evil in the swamps of Agamaur.[20]
2011: The Lord of the Rings: War in the North:
- The characters Eradan, Farin and Andriel travel to Mirkwood in search of Radagast and arrive just in time to rescue him from a giant spider. He thanks them for the rescue and provides them with information about the Dragon Urgost.[21]
See also
Notes
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Istari"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Council of Elrond"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Istari"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Istari", note 4
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, pp. 240-1
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Douglas A. Anderson, (ed.), (2002) The Annotated Hobbit: Revised and Expanded Edition, p. 167
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, Index
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", pp. 348, 378 (entries AIWĒ- and NIL-, NDIL-)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Return of the Shadow, "The Third Phase: XXII. New Uncertainties and New Projections", p. 379; J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Return of the Shadow, "The Story Continued: XXIII. In the House of Elrond", p. 397
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Treason of Isengard, "VI. The Council of Elrond (1)", pp. 130-140
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Treason of Isengard, "VI. The Council of Elrond (1)", p. 131
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Queer Lodgings"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Treason of Isengard, "VII. The Council of Elrond (2)", p. 149
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Treason of Isengard, "XI. The Story Foreseen from Moria", p. 212
- ↑ Ian McKellen, "2 Elves and another Wizard" dated 10 May 2011, Ian McKellen's website (accessed 23 December 2011)
- ↑ Mithril Wizards Miniatures at Mithril.ie (accessed 8 October 2011)
- ↑ Lord of the Rings (Mithril) at TwilightTangents.com (accessed 8 October 2011; cf. Radgast (image))
- ↑ 32mm Fellowship Figures - MS539 Radagast Mounted at Mithril.ie (accessed 8 October 2011)
- ↑ Radagast the Brown at Games-Workshop-com (accessed 8 October 2011)
- ↑ NPC: Radagast the Brown at My.Lotro.com (accessed 8 October 2011)
- ↑ Allies at WarintheNorth.com (accessed 8 October 2011)
| Ainur | ||
|---|---|---|
| Valar | Lords | Manwë · Ulmo · Aulë · Oromë · Mandos · Irmo · Tulkas · |
| Valier | Varda · Yavanna · Nienna · Estë · Vairë · Vána · Nessa | |
| Maiar | Arien · Blue Wizards · Eönwë · Gandalf · Ilmarë · Melian · Ossë · Radagast · Salmar · Saruman · Tilion · Uinen | |
| Úmaiar | Sauron · Balrogs (Gothmog · Durin's Bane) · Boldogs | |
| Concepts and locations | Almaren · Aratar (indicated in italics) · Creation of the Ainur · Fana · Máhanaxar · Ainulindalë · Order of Wizards (indicated in bold) · Second Music of the Ainur · Timeless Halls · Valarin · Valinor · Valimar | |
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