Influences The Silmarillion

the silmarillion complex work exhibiting influence of many sources. major influence finnish epic kalevala, tale of kullervo. influence greek mythology apparent. island of númenor, example, recalls atlantis. this, however, tolkien later described in letter christopher bretherton merely curious chance .

greek mythology colours valar, borrow many attributes olympian gods. valar, olympians, live in world, on high mountain, separated mortals; correspondences approximate; valar contain elements of norse mythology. several of valar have characteristics resembling various Æsir, gods of asgard. thor, example, physically strongest of gods, can seen both in oromë, fights monsters of melkor, , in tulkas, physically strongest of valar. manwë, head of valar, exhibits similarities odin, allfather . tolkien said saw maia olórin (gandalf) odinic wanderer .

influence of bible , traditional christian narrative seen in silmarillion in conflict between melkor , eru ilúvatar, parallel of polarity of lucifer , god. further, silmarillion tells of creation , fall of elves, genesis tells of creation , fall of man. of tolkien s works, silmarillion allows room later christian history, , 1 draft has finrod, character in silmarillion, speculating on necessity of eru s (god s) eventual incarnation save mankind.

medieval christian cosmology shows influence in account of creation of universe manifestation of sort of song sung god angels harmonize until fallen angel introduces discord. st. augustine s writings on music, extensive medieval tradition of divine harmony—more familiar today in notion of music of spheres —served bases telling of creation.

celtic mythology show influence in exile of noldorin elves, example, borrow elements story of irish legends of tuatha dé danann. welsh influence seen in elvish language sindarin, tolkien gave linguistic character (though not identical with) british-welsh ... because seems fit rather celtic type of legends , stories told of speakers .