Avalon Mentors

Good Hobbit Morning (with Dr. Cameron Thompson) ep. V, chapter 5 "Riddles in the Dark"

Listen Later

Our heroes delve deep under the earth and confront the Gollum of the second self.

The big question to ask in Tolkien's works is 

WHAT IS THE RING? 

Well, it is like 

  • the Ouroboros
  • the SAMPO in Kalevala (w/Vainamoinen) 
  • the ring imagery in Nibelung
  • the Gyges’ Ring story in Plato’s “Republic”

    • We know that it is

    1. Golden (like a mini sun)
    2. Continuous (like the Ouroboros)
    3. a Treasure that Makes one invisible
    4. fits on the finger (not the neck or chest like a hauberk)
    5. formed by The Dark Lord Sauron (deception is involved & power)

      6. Is it then

      • Related to  Time?
      • A metaphor for Seeing behind the curtain? 
      • An image of the artistic ability?
      • Something that binds together?

        • Perhaps an answer can be approached by asking

        What is The World of Gollum?

        · It is like the world of Grendel’s dam in Beowulf

        · Which itself is based on the mythical world of Midgard and Yggdrasil the World Tree in Norse mythology

        https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1305/nine-realms-of-norse-cosmology/

        https://theheart756621753.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/the-9-worlds-in-mythology.jpg

        What is the Character of Gollum?
        • He is “The Swallower”
        • His name reflects The Kabbalistic “golem” of Prague

          • o https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golem

          • He is a miniature of Sauron


            • What is the nature of the Riddle Game?

            • It is Time honored
            • Rooted in Norse culture

              • o https://medium.com/@erin.nord87/the-influence-of-norse-mythology-in-riddles-in-the-dark-19acb167b47b

              • Strategic
              • An existential test
              • Even the Question mark is a riddle; a dragon


                • What is The escape (the “birthday”) - from danger and from this world?

                • Ring signifies a “seeing differently”
                • “Born again” – “Bless us and splash us”

                  • Great good brought about after but there is the risk of the Shadow self taking over (the dragon; Sauron)

                  ...more
                  View all episodesView all episodes
                  Download on the App Store
                  Avalon MentorsBy William J Lasseter
                  • 5
                  • 5
                  • 5
                  • 5
                  • 5

                  5

                  7 ratings

                  More shows like Avalon Mentors

                  View all
                  Fast Asleep with Gena Marie by Gena Marie

                  Fast Asleep with Gena Marie

                  20 Listeners