Arthurian Influence in the Lord of the Rings

Disenchanting Tolkien's Commentary on Postwar England

Abstract

J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved Lord of the Rings has been considered one of the greatest works of English literature. This work analyzes Tolkien's inspiration and motivation in his writing process by situation middle-earth in the context of postwar England. Evaluation Tolkien's letters reveal his affinity for Arthurian legend, and his desire to reinvent it to create a myth that was distinctly English. A comparison of the two bodies of legend reveals similar Archetypal elements and characterizations that give Tolkien's legendarium credibility and weight. Through Sauron's destruction of middle-earth, Tolkien reveals his concerns for a modern, industrialized England and the consequences of war. In The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien reinvents the legend of Arthur into a synthesis of English national identity and exigency for the future.