Alkanoonion 
Thain
Posts: 283
(1/21/04 9:25 pm)
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what's so attractive about Middle Earth?
Nevtalathiel
Midnight's Mistress
Keeper of the pipe-weed
posted January 06, 2003 08:34 AM
What is it that people find so attractive about Middle Earth, and why do you think to appeals to so many different people?
For me there are many things which draw me to Middle Earth again and again. There's the sheer beauty of the landscapes and the way they are portrayed, and the impression of the people on the feel of the places where they live - the homely comfort of the Shire, the timelessness of Rivendell and Lothlorien, the crumbling splendour of Minas Tirith. And of course, the beauty of the people - the sadness and loss felt by the elves, and yet their happiness, and their joy in nature, the hobbits' simplicity and the loyalty of men. Middle Earth is a very varied place!
We are also given the history of Middle Earth and the people and actions which have shaped it. We can read about love, battles, loss, great adventures - something for everyone it would seem, but for me none of this is what draws me back to it again and again. For me, the attraction of Middle Earth is the same thing which makes fairy stories so comfortng - its simplicity. Sauron is clearly a "baddie", so people must fight against him, Elrond is a wise and trusted advisor, so people should listen to what he says. In a world which is becoming increasingly complicted, I think the appeal of Middle Earth is that, morally at least, it seems a very easy place in which to live.
"By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes." - Macbeth Act IV Scene i
Posts: 461 | From: The Hithershore | Registered: December 18, 2002
Cimmerian
The Sentinel!
Chief Magistrate
posted January 06, 2003 10:12 PM
Good Topic, Nev.
For me, Middle Earth provides a great escape in to a world of ethereal mystery and high-adventure, into Medieval England, one of my favourite eras in history. Just like the world of the Arthur and Camelot, ME is a great place for letting the imagination run wild, especially for budding writers and RPG enthusiasts, like me.
I find a world such as of ME as well as the Hyborian Age of 10,000BC, The great Nordic Sagas of the 10th century, The Era of the Arabian Nights fables, The African Explorative Adventures of the 18th Century, a fantastic place where the mind can experience life of a carefree, more robust and adventurous nature. It is always refreshing.
Another route of escape I take is into the future; the wonderful world of Science Fiction, but this isn't the palce to ramble on about Quantum Drives, Phaser and Light Sabres.
IN STEEL I TRUST, BY CROM!
Posts: 1265 | From: Grim Grey Mountains, The Frozen North | Registered: December 12, 2002
Gayalondiel
Tavern Hostess
Inn Keeper
posted January 07, 2003 08:36 AM
I have always said that I was born into the wrong century, and maybe that's why I find LotR so alluring. I would love to have lived in an age of chivalry, valour, honour, and that is essentially what LotR. While the emotional tapestry is exceedingly rich, so that joys and gains are balanced by sorrows and loss (thus giving a sense of deeper reality to the place), Middle-earth is essentially an idyllic place where enough people understand what is right and wrong for the world, and enough of the people in power are those who understand the concepts of valour, honour, and duty to others. While in the history of the earth (particularly looking at the British Emire because that's what I know) the people who are honourable are countermanded by superiors demanding 'progress', in Middle-earth honour and valour win the day.
And on a much shallower level, personal valour and honour are much harder to discern in this day and age, and something in me personally yearns for the times when employment, life situation and duty were simpler, clearer things, and where buckles could be swashed
________________________
Not another ****ing Elf!
~C.S.Lewis
Posts: 258 | From: My own wierd, wierd world | Registered: December 23, 2002
elenna
Keen Eyed Wanderer
Shirriff
posted January 12, 2003 12:59 PM
I agree, Gaya, and would like to add one thing.
I am infected with a very romantic imagination. Not love romance, necessarily. More of the adventure type. In our day and age, our culture has made it very clear we don't like adventures. We consider roller coasters adventure, but they are tested to make sure they are completely safe. I lust for the unknown. I love walking into a situation where safety isn't a sure thing, whether it be a party where I don't know anyone or a fight. And I do occasionally get into fights. It'd be nice if instead of having to fight my fellow humans, I could go out and whip some orcs.
-----------------------------
The dark clouds closing around me,
but I am not scared.
Thunder booms,
Lightening strikes,
Sending their warning,
Yet I am not afraid.
I am the Wanderer.
Posts: 654 | Registered: December 12, 2002
Chicaboriel
posted April 23, 2003 02:34 PM
For me I guess I like it so much is because it is an 'unspoiled' land. Humans have not yet destroyed it with pollution and our 'technology'.(Seeing as it is suppossed to be England centuries ago.)
Also, it is not like other fantasy worlds. It has a huge history that just like ours can be boring, though exciting at the same time. It has its own languages, species[ though that is not much different from other fantasy novels, the creatures of Middle-Earth all have their own back-rounds and histories, and are so much more realistic]!
Posts: 7 | From: Brampton, Canada | Registered: April 23, 2003
Sister Bigfoot
The Artist
Shirriff
posted April 28, 2003 05:42 PM
I like it because it is so familiar yet it contains the hope of anything being possible in the realm of fantasy.
------------------------
Yes I am a Hobbit, and a fat one at that!
[This message was edited by Sister Bigfoot on 26 May 2003 at 03:52 PM.]
Posts: 669 | From: Adelaide Australia | Registered: December 12, 2002
Thain
Master of Bree
Chief Shirriff
posted May 25, 2003 07:50 PM
For me the most appealing aspect of Middle earth is that it is far removed from our everyday dramas, that we have an escape from this reality; we can go to a place that still has causes (good vs. evil) and be the hero.
Here we have no romance, no chivalry all we have is a society that is full of hate, greed and contempt for others. Our society as a whole is a selfish one with few exceptions, which is one reason why I started the Bree forum to provide others with the chance to escape if just for a moment from the every day stresses of life, and to show that some of us still believe in the old Values.
The Thain of Bree Under Bree-hill
"Tolkien is hobbit-forming"
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