The Hall of Seminars - Archive

[Finduilas]

I just want to say that there is nothing to thank me so much about GG. It was a pleasure to help you and after all how can I refuse you!;)

[Lhunithiliel]

.......me too! :D

And GG, a very interesting approach!

Just to let you know, that I have started entering the lecture in the Wiki!

[Elennainie]

Great lecture, Gil-Galad! I found the part about Galadriel especially very interesting, and the whole thing thoughtful. Well done! :)

[Mrs. Maggott]

Originally posted by Elennainie
Great lecture, Gil-Galad! I found the part about Galadriel especially very interesting, and the whole thing thoughtful. Well done! :)
I second the above. When time permits, I may ask some questions, but until then, I enjoyed it greatly and, even more, I enjoyed your return to the Guild! :) :p :D

[Lhunithiliel]

A question to all who have read GG's lecture or at least one part of it.

Do you too, like him, consider the Numenoreans as some ideal image of mankind?
What do you think?

[Mrs. Maggott]

Originally posted by Lhunithiliel
A question to all who have read GG's lecture or at least one part of it.

Do you too, like him, consider the Numenoreans as some ideal image of mankind?
What do you think?
I certainly think that they were "the ideal" of mankind. That can be seen by the fact that they not only were "the best of the best", but also "the worst of the worst". C. S. Lewis once said that truly "great" people (that is, those most gifted in their humanity) either make the most exalted of saints or the most wicked of sinners; they are not subject to mediocrity.

The Numenoreans rose to great heights - but they also sank to great depths as well. This is a sign of a "superior" people. It is rather Biblical in its way for to paraphrase the words of Christ: for those to whom little is given, little is expected but for those to whom much is given, much will also be expected.

[Gil-Galad]

Originally posted by Mrs. Maggott
That can be seen by the fact that they not only were "the best of the best", but also "the worst of the worst".
The Numenoreans rose to great heights - but they also sank to great depths as well. This is a sign of a "superior" people.
That seems just like Feanor's case,isn't it so?

[Melian]

Do you think Tolkien meant to put something Superhuman in Numenorians? Perhaps this idea , I mean Nietzsche and nihilism, is quite a subject and has been exploited so much in literature. And maybe Tolkien gave us his view in a metaphorical way through Numenorians?

It's terribly interesting, but I have to interrupt for a while and tell you that I'm on the verge of finishing my report on mythologies and numbers and so on. Is it ok if i post it after the Easter holidays in bulgaria, i.e. after Apr 29?

[FoolOfATook]

Is it ok if i post it after the Easter holidays in bulgaria, i.e. after Apr 29?

I, for one, have no problem with that.

[Gil-Galad]

We are waiting with great interest,Melian!

[Lhunithiliel]

I am thinking of some better organization of the Lecture-comment activity.

Well, as you can admit, it is not going too actively.

So, I thought....

What if the author of the lecture puts forward a few questions for discussion by the Guild - members and (why not?!) out-of-guild people?
He/She may put forward those items that seem to him/her most essential in his/her lecture.

Opinions?

[Finduilas]

Originally posted by Lhunithiliel
I am thinking of some better organization of the Lecture-comment activity.

Well, as you can admit, it is not going too actively.

So, I thought....

What if the author of the lecture puts forward a few questions for discussion by the Guild - members and (why not?!) out-of-guild people?
He/She may put forward those items that seem to him/her most essential in his/her lecture.

Opinions?

That's a nice idea. Thus we may get to the roots of the Lecture and the authors approach.
However, I have a request: Will this concern the earlier lectures too?

[Gil-Galad]

I agree with your idea Lhun!:)

[Lhunithiliel]

Then we should tell Melian! :p:D

As for the previous lectures... well...why NOT?!!

REALLY!
WHY NOT??????!!!!!!!

[Gil-Galad]

Originally posted by Lhunithiliel
Then we should tell Melian! :p:D

As for the previous lectures... well...why NOT?!!

REALLY!
WHY NOT??????!!!!!!!
I'll meet her these days and I'll tell it.Don't worry.:cool:

[Elennainie]

Since we want to be sure to allow enough time for discussion of the lectures, and since we are behind on our schedule, could one of the council members give me an estimated date of when my lecture, originally due May 11, should be expected? I am in no hurry; it isn't complete. I'd just like to know so I can have it ready on time (i.e. the new time). Thanks! :)

[Lhunithiliel]

The last lecture according to the time-schedule is to bedelivered by FoolOfATook on May 25-th.

Walter has postponed his for some undetermined period :mad: , because he wants to go deeper in the matter.

So I guess, if you wish, you can submit your lecture on June 9-th?
Thus Walter, if he is ready by that time, can submit his even two weeks after yours..... somewhere by the end of June.

In this way, by the end of June this Lecture cycle will be completed.
Then we'll have a summer vacation and if we are still here in autumn, I will open a second Lecture cicle.

What do you say?

[Elennainie]

June 9 sounds great, Lhun. - thanks!

[Melian]

HEllo, everybody and apologies for delaying my lecture. I know I've been lingering for about a week, but I'm totally squeezed these days. You know, I'm gratuating in 10 days and it's such a fuss and stress about prom night and exams...

I've missed quite a lot in the guild, actually (Lhun, G-G, congratulations on your new status! I'm sorry I didn't show my support on time, but you should know I would have gladly do so.).

As for Lhun's idea, I think it's valuable. Shall I think of my questions now or shall we start with lecture #1?

[Lhunithiliel]

Originally posted by Melian
As for Lhun's idea, I think it's valuable. Shall I think of my questions now or shall we start with lecture #1?
Sure, Mel! :D
Go on... It's better throw in the questions NOW, before the proms! ;)

[Melian]

Well, we can all rejoice and sigh...my lecture is done!

I have only 3 questions in mind, you are welcome to ask more.

1).There are basically two opinions about the quality of Tolkien's epics.

Opinion A: Tolkien's art can be successfully labelled as a 'modern mythology' ,because it combines all the necessary elements: cosmogony, eschatology, philosophical and existential problems.

Opinion B: Tolkien's art cannot be called a 'modern mythololgy', for, with the gap of time, he has allowed himself to moralize. he has certainly altered most of the ancient mythology flavours by idealising the gods, lessening the role of female characters, straigh logic and high morale.

Which view do you support? Both? Neither?

2). Which myth impressed you most with its resemblance? Was it a sought effect or a coincidence?

3). Please have a look at the myths about Orpheus/ Luthien and Gilgames & Pandora/Numenor. These are comparisons off the beaten track and reflect my personal view. To what extent do you think the ancient letters and Tolkien's stories relate here? Are these really the same problems?

And one more thing- thank you for the patience and consideration. Feel free for any comments and critics.

[Mrs. Maggott]

Dear me! I shall have to tackle your deep and intricate questions when I can call a few moments my own. It will need a lecture to contemplate your excellent lecture, but I will try to give it the appropriate attention at my earliest possible opportunity.

[Elennainie]

I am sorry, I must apologize to all of you. I will no longer be able to do my lecture or to participate much in the guild. Thank you for everything.

[Gil-Galad]

Elennainie,I'm sorry to hear that.I hope you will return someday.....:) FAREWELL!!!

[Melian]

Nay, I should say GOODBYE instead of farewell, 'cause you are always welcome again!

Btw, I see my lecture must be very boring and noone wants to discuss it. Don't worry I feel the same way. So who's next?

[Mrs. Maggott]

Originally posted by Melian
Nay, I should say GOODBYE instead of farewell, 'cause you are always welcome again!

Btw, I see my lecture must be very boring and noone wants to discuss it. Don't worry I feel the same way. So who's next?
Your lecture is not boring or unworthy of consideration. Unfortunately, it seems to have been posted at a time when everyone is running about like that proverbial "headless chicken" trying to juggle many different things all at the same time! And then there is the "debate" thread (which has rather deteriorated in the "war" thread, alas!)

We need to all take a momentary break and gather our scattered forces and once again return to our tasks as Guild members. Be a bit patient until the fuss dies down and I, for one, will be back to ask questions and make comments.

God bless.

[Gil-Galad]

Mel,the problem is that we are too busy ,just like you,and don't have much time for it.But you know I'm interested in mythologies and your lecture was amazing and very interesting.