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Post by Sparrow on Jul 19, 2004 20:34:57 GMT -6
Personification is a literary device in which an author bestows human qualities upon an inhuman subject. For example, "The wind whispered" attributes the human act of whispering to the non-human wind. Can you find and describe examples of personification in this chapter and in the chapters we have read thus far in The Hobbit?
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Post by Stormrider on Aug 5, 2012 9:49:07 GMT -6
Glamdring burned with a rage that made it gleam if goblins were about; now it was bright as blue flame for delight in the killing of the great lord of the cave.
burned with rage -- this a a very strong emotion delight in the killing -- I can picture Glamdring's grin!
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Post by Andorinha on Aug 6, 2012 2:29:13 GMT -6
An interesting point here, is Tolkien using "personification" with the sword Glamdring, or does he mean us to see this magical blade as possessing a "spirit" of its own? Kullervo's knife in the Kalevala has a personality of its own, and it actually speaks to the hero just before he uses it to take his own life. Turin, patterned upon Kullervo, likewise has a magical blade with a personality, and this sword too speaks to Turin just before he uses that blade for his suicide.
So, maybe Glamdring really does feel glee in killing the Great Goblin?
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Post by Stormrider on Aug 6, 2012 6:35:03 GMT -6
Did Aranruth speak to Turin only before he kills himself or during other battles in their time together? I don't remember much of that tale at all.
I would say that an object that speaks is more likely to have a personality of its own like the troll's purse that squeels when Bilbo attempts to pilfer it.
Glamdring does not speak that I recall, but the burning rage and delight in killing the goblin king are very emotional attributes. The blue light seems to be something worked into the sword(s) by the Elves that made them. The blue light is an early warning and tracking device for goblins/orcs to warn its bearer of trouble before it is too late. But the descriptions above with the increased blue light after killing goblins/orcs does seem like the blade has a personality!
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Post by Andorinha on Aug 6, 2012 18:27:12 GMT -6
RE Stormrider's: "Did Aranruth speak to Turin only before he kills himself or during other battles in their time together? I don't remember much of that tale at all." Aranruth? Who's dat? I think Aranruth = "King's Ire," was Thingol's sword, and after the fall of Doriath it eventually winds up in the hands of Elros, and from him becomes the King's sword in Numenor? I think the sword in the tale of The Silmarillion version I read was a black blade (maybe meteoric iron? from the same source that the Dark Elf Eol used to make his knife...) that Turin got from Beleg. It was a dangerous weapon that, sooner or later, would turn against its bearer. Turin (accidentally) kills Beleg, takes the sword Anglachel, renames it Gurthang, "The Death Iron." After he finds out he has impregnated his sister under the Dragon's spell, in a fit of depression Turin asks the sword to kill him: "And from the blade rang a cold voice in answer,'yea i will drink thy blood, that I may forget the blood of Beleg my master, and the blood of Brandir slain unjustly. I will slay thee swiftly'" ( The Silmarillion, chpt 21 Of Turin Turambar, p.225 hardback edition, 1977) See the old TR discussion on this at: tolkiensring.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=study4&action=display&thread=951Maybe the Children of Hurin changes the original story, have not read it yet.
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Post by Stormrider on Aug 7, 2012 6:25:22 GMT -6
Well, I guess I read the Silmarillion glossary wrong and picked up the wrong sword for the wrong Elf! Geeze. It appears that I am not so good at research! Maybe I need new glasses.
Yikes! Turin's sword is nasty! Don't think I would want a sword with a personality like that one! No wonder that tale is so sad.
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Post by Andorinha on Aug 7, 2012 13:53:51 GMT -6
Yeah, gets confusing, all the different tales, I had to look up "Aranruth," did not recall who/ what it might be, LOL.
Yeah, Turin's "nasty" sword sort of fits in with the Troll's Purse, apparently inanimate objects, but still can talk...
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