HAPPILY EVER AFTER!

 I’m attempting to put a study guide together of sample passages from each of our readings on the exam; it’s a work in process. Reading over all of the past things, it just has me thinking about how much my thought of magic has changed from the beginning of class to the end. At first I really didn’t think of the in-depth thought of actual magic throughout the ages. Of course Harry Potter and Gandalf were the first two people I thought of when I heard magic, but they’re only characters in a more modern version of magic. Just from reading from Khors and Peters or of the four mystics, my perception has changed. Could magic just be a science that we don’t understand yet? If that is the case I definitely think we have already started to understand it more and more. The technology and medicine that we have in today’s world is seriously magical. It may not seem like to us, but if you honestly think about it there is something there. Just imagine going back to the time of the massacre in Trier Germany and bringing one of our IPads with us. There is no doubt we would have been burnt at the stake instantly with such witchcraft. What if we told them we had a cure for numerous diseases that usually kill off thousands? They wouldn’t believe our “satanic” lies.

We have so much magic in our daily lives from technology, science, or even the power of a higher being. I never really acknowledged it until this class. Whenever I get the chance I brag about this class because it is honestly the coolest one I’ve ever heard of. Most people are so jealous to hear that I got to read Harry Potter for a college level class, which of course was COMPLETELY awesome. However, the thing the people won’t understand is the absolute thought that went into this class. We did indeed read some tough pieces, but I think we mastered it. I’m sad that the class is over because fantasy is something that is one of my top interests when it comes to books and movies. But you better believe I will be using this class as a hot topic for my next job interview.

“All we can do is decide what to do with the time that is given to us.”

–Gandalf, Lord of the Rings

This was my quote in my senior yearbook. It is by far my favorite quote ever.

Dumbledore or Gandalf Ultimate showdown?

Hello everyone, so the other night at dinner I am sitting in the dining hall discussing this class with my friends. We were totally nerding out and began to debate the ultimate topic:

Who would win in a fight Gandalf or Dumbledore?

We were completely divided down the middle between the two wizards. Does anyone wish to express their side? Our main arguments were (*based solely on the movies*) :

                Pro Dumbledore

                1. He is knowledgeable on most things magic, whereas Gandalf had to go and do research.

                2. He had the power to do the death spell the ultimate curse.

                3. Dumbledore was in possession of the elder wand the most powerful of the wands.

                4. Dumbledore was able to touch his evil ring (the horcrux) granted it was slowly killing him…..Gandalf could not touch the ring.

                Pro Gandalf

1.       He was always in the midst of battle. He fought orcs, and goblins.

2.       (as my brother likes to quote) He fell through fire and water and fought the Balrog on the highest peak of the lowest dungeon and won.

3.       What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. On the other hand, in Gandalf’s case, what kills you makes you stronger and you come back with a mission and are more powerful than ever.

Personally I am for Dumbledore, because I am not convinced that if Gandalf got hit with that forbidden curse he would come back again….Any opinions?

…..or should we just toss them both aside and crown the winner doe-y eyed Merlin?

Blog 4 of 5

The Greatness of Gandolf

 

http://i1189.photobucket.com/albums/z429/crimsonpunk/gandalf.gif

           I grew up with Gandalf. I grew up watching the old animated Rankin and Bass Hobbit movie, the Rankin and Bass The Return of the King (they did not do any of the others, and it was really confusing because they just kind of dumped you in with Sam trying to rescue Frodo from imprisonment deep in Mordor without much context). I read The Hobbit for the first time in Middle-School and enjoyed every moment of it. I have seen all of the movies so far and I have played many of the video games.

I have no idea how Pippin became the second most powerful character I got in "The Return of the King" game, but he killed everything.

http://arwen-undomiel.com/images/pippin/Pippin_armor.jpg

           While I am not incredibly knowledgeable in Middle-Earth lore, I really do enjoy the stories. They have also played a major role in shaping how I view fantasy and wizards. Maybe this sets me apart, but when I hear wizard I don't think of Merlin, or Dumbledore, or Harry Potter. I picture this guy.

"Balrog! You made me loose my hat. I will sword you to death!!!!" 

http://www.mckellen.com/images/0422.jpg

          Gandalf is the quintessential good wizard for me. He is incredibly intelligent, learned, wise, magical, and willing to use his talents to advise others and to aid the greater good. Also the beard.

          Furthermore, despite all of his achievements Gandalf still goes out into the world and with his boots on the ground to resolve problems. He helped guild the Fellowship in person, he fought the Balrog, and he killed what scientists have officially declared to be "a metric-hoard" of goblins/orcs. Gandalf was with the fight almost the whole time. When Gandalf did disappear from the story it was usually because he was going out to study so everyone could know what was going on, he was finding reinforcements, or he was confronting darkness somewhere else. And, if he was not doing any of those things then he was coming back to life!

Death, the destroyer of worlds, is but a minor setback for this man.

http://static1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20121003055425/lotr/images/4/4f/Gandalf_the_White_returns.png

          So that is really all I have to say. I think Gandalf is awesome, and I view Gandalf as the poster-wizard for magic. Oh, and in case anyone is wondering who the most powerful character in The Return of the King game was, it was Gandalf... because of course it was!

Gandalf: "I don't even use magic half of the time. It's just more sporting that way."

http://historeviews.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/gandalf.jpg

5 of 5

Who is Gandalf?

At the end of our last class we were asked to think about Gandalf’s powers and where they came from. That question caught me a bit off guard as I had never really questioned the source of Gandalf’s magic. To fully answer this question, we have to go far back into Middle Earth’s past to a time before even The Hobbit.

              

 First and foremost, Gandalf is not human, nor is his name actually Gandalf. He is a Maia (plural Maiar), which were spirits that helped the Valar (More spirits. These were created by Ilúvatar, the supreme deity that created Middle Earth, to help him keep order in creation.) shape the world. The Maiar are immortal, so Gandalf was not only around the first time Sauron (Also a Maia) fell, but for thousands of years before that. Gandalf’s true name is Olórin and he is the wisest of the five Maiar sent to Middle Earth. These five Maiar are the five wizards of Middle Earth and were sent solely to help the people of Middle Earth overcome Sauron. While in Middle Earth, they appear as old Men, but are capable of changing their appearance at will. All five of the wizards have a staff, and their powers are focused through this staff. The exact extent of his powers are uncertain, especially since the Valar instructed him not to use his full power while in Middle Earth, but the abilities he does show include controlling lightning, creating a magic shield, making fire, communicating with animals and destroying the bridge when facing the Balrog.

So long story short, where does Gandalf’s power come from? In a way it comes from himself, but ultimately it comes from Ilúvatar, the creator and supreme god of Middle Earth. And despite how rarely he uses it, I have a feeling Gandalf is more powerful than most people assume.

(P.S. This is the barest of summaries of Gandalf and the Maiar and doesn’t even scratch the surface of most of the backstory to Middle Earth. I would definitely check these links out if you want to know more)

Sources:
http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Gandalf
http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Maiar
http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Wizards