http://www.merp.com Michael Martinez is author of "Understanding Middle-earth", "Visualizing Middle-earth", and the eBook "Parma Endorian" (available for free PDF downloads on this site). Recognized around the world as one of the leading authorities on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, Michael Martinez has shared his knowledge and insights on Middle-earth with other fans in the online world for many years. His books and essays have been translated into Polish, Spanish, Italian, Hungarian, Greek, Hebrew, Portuguese, and Finnish. But though he is best known for his research into Tolkien's chief literary creation, this versatile author has garnered respect and acknowledgment in more than one field. weekly 1 2005-09-02T04:29:55Z http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/politicsjustpolitics The conflicts between various Numenorean factions can be portrayed as clashes between conservative and liberal elements. Is there sufficient evidence to deduce what went wrong in Arnor when it was divided into three realms? No publisher admin 2006-10-04T05:58:40Z Page http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/michaelmartinezsuite101essay117 Originally Published on: February 25, 2002. Related Subject(s): Tolkien, J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel), 1892-1973 -- Criticism and interpretation ,  Middle Earth (Imaginary place). The one thing even J.R.R. Tolkien could not provide his readers (or himself) was a large corpus of Middle-earth literature, stories and narratives written by the inhabitants of Middle-earth. We have a few poems and songs, enough to tantalize the more avid hunters of esoteric snippets among us, but there is really no attempt to construct a literary tradition for Middle-earth. The Silmarillion source texts are mostly written as Tolkien's own retellings of the older stories... No publisher admin 2004-12-07T09:49:14Z Page http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/copy_of_hobbitryinarmchairs An armchair investigation of tongue-in-cheek or pen-in-hand Biblical passages which might have, could have, would have, never did, and may still be influencing Tolkien preternaturally, posthumorously, or sincerely. In plain English, "As Coroner I must aver I've thoroughly examined her. And she's not only merely dead, she's truly most sincerely dead." Your mileage may vary. Tax, tags, and title are not included. Real Hobbits don't eat cram. This cliched space for rent. No publisher admin 2005-09-11T05:54:46Z Page http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/flyingaway Authoritative new books about Middle-earth are few and far between. Quite often, when a newly published book provides new information about Middle-earth, our long-cherished ideas are challenged and must be re-evaluated. No publisher admin 2006-02-06T14:07:58Z Page http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/michaelmartinezsuite101essay116 Originally Published on: January 25, 2002. Related Subject(s): Legolas (Fictitious character) ,  Lord of the rings : the fellowship of the ring (Motion picture : 2001) ,  Bloom, Orlando, 1977-. Last month I wrote about the movie starring Orlando Bloom. I forget who else appeared in that flick, but in case you missed it, he played an elf named Legolas. Okay, I know who else appeared in the movie. Orlando had a supporting cast and all, but it was his movie. I know this because starting somewhere around December 20, 2001, my email began to explode with anxious queries from young ladies about that gorgeous elf in the movie. One of the oldest articles for the Suite101 Tolkien and Middle-earth topic is Speaking of Legolas.... I wrote that essay in March 2000. Almost 2 years ago. Since December 19, the most favorable reaction to that essay has been something along the lines of a lot of email saying, "Can you write anything else about Legolas?" The least favorable reaction to that essay has been something along the lines of a lot of email saying, "I LOVE LEGOLAS!"... No publisher admin 2004-12-07T09:49:14Z Page http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/walkingwithents The one element Tolkien brought to Middle-earth which we cannot reconstruct or substitute through our own endeavors is also the one aspect of his mythology which makes it seem real. Why is Middle-earth special? Because not just anyone can create it. In fact, only one man ever had that special ability, and here is why. No publisher admin 2004-11-28T07:45:37Z Page http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/frenchconnection Why did Tolkien use the word 'corsair' for his pirates? He needed special pirates with a storied history as rich and detailed as Middle-earth itself. And, as with so many other details of Middle-earth, the stories don't just concern the pirates. No publisher admin Michael Martinez pirates 2004-04-26T19:57:52Z Page http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/barbarians Why are there no barbarians in Middle-earth? Are they too mundane for a heroic age or too simple for a complex world? No publisher admin 2005-02-03T07:03:22Z Page http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/michaelmartinezsuite101essay115 Originally Published on: December 19, 2001. Related Subject(s): Lord of the rings : the fellowship of the ring (Motion picture : 2001) ,  Jackson, Peter, 1961-. I've now seen The Fellowship of the Ring and it seems to me that people just have to see the movie for themselves in order to make up their minds. Unforgiving Tolkien purists will probably be offended. I think they have pretty much painted themselves into that corner. There is no saving grace in the movie for the hardcore fans who have dreaded the release of this picture, and who wish it had never been produced. There are Tolkien purists, however, who (like me) will do their best to separate their feelings for Tolkien's work from their reactions to Peter Jackson's work. I have to admit that it's not easy to watch this movie without thinking, "Well, that was different from the book."... No publisher admin 2004-12-07T09:49:14Z Page http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/mmartinezwheregildoringlorian An Elf and a Ranger were camping out in Eriador one night. As they lay in their blankets, the Elf nudged the Ranger and said, "Look up, my friend, and tell me what you see."... No publisher admin Michael Martinez Tolkien Essays 2008-10-27T05:12:29Z Page http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/mmartinezreturntothering Six years ago I read an online rumor that someone was working on a "Lord of the Rings" movie. Since then, I've found myself jostling for sanity along with hundreds, even thousands of other writers who have all been swept up in the LoTR craze. And now here I am again, writing the obligatory review. No publisher admin Tolkien Essays, Lord of the Rings Movies Review 2004-11-28T07:45:38Z Page http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/michaelmartinezsuite101essay119 Originally Published on: April 25, 2002. Related Subject(s): Tolkien, J. R. R. (John Ronald Reuel), 1892-1973. Lord of the rings. It could be said that, but for an obscure thirteenth century manuscript, The Lord of the Rings might never have seen publication. Most people who have expressed something more than a passing fancy sooner or later hear that Tolkien actually pulled The Lord of the Rings from consideration by its eventual publisher, George Allen & Unwin, and submitted the work instead to Milton Waldman at Collins. But what may not be such common knowledge is the fact that Tolkien was enticed back into the George Allen & Unwin camp because of a poem he had written years before, which in turn made use of the word sigaldry. And sigaldry, it turns out, was a word Tolkien had gleaned from a 1200's era manuscript. I have no idea of what manuscript it was, nor even what language the word comes from. It is a lost and forgotten word, except for the fact that Tolkien used it in a relatively minor poem which had a profound impact upon modern literature... No publisher admin 2004-12-07T09:49:13Z Page http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/mmartineznumenortour In 1964, J.R.R. Tolkien answered one of the Inevitable Questions (readers liked to ask him) for Christopher Bretherton in what became Letter 257. The question is not provided, although it most likely began with something like, "How did you begin ...." But, begin what? In an early paragraph of the letter, Tolkien wrote, "With regard to your question. Not easy to answer, with anything shorter than an autobiography. I began the construction of languages in early boyhood: I am primarily a scientific philologist...." No publisher admin Michael Martinez Tolkien Essays 2004-11-28T07:45:38Z Page http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/mmartinezwhathobbitwants "In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit." One of the most famous opening lines in English literature lays down the law for our perception of the basic hobbit lifestyle: comfort. Hobbits don't live in "nasty, dirty, wet hole(s), filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell". They live in comfortable tunnels "without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats...." No publisher admin Michael Martinez Tolkien Essays 2004-11-28T07:45:37Z Page http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/michaelmartinezsuite101essay118 Originally Published on: March 25, 2002. Related Subject(s): Tolkien Enterprises (U.S.) ,  Fantasy games ,  Middle Earth (Imaginary place). The (mostly) gaming oriented journal Other Hands recently announced it would shut down its print publication and refrain from publishing new modules and articles based on Iron Crown Enterprise's Middle-earth Role-Playing game. The capitulation of Other Hands before the Tolkien Enterprises juggernaut was the final gasp of pre-movie Tolkien-inspired fan-designed adventure gaming. Now, there are still various MUDs, MUSHes, and underground modules and impromptu gaming systems floating around out there which owe something to Tolkien's Middle-earth. But Other Hands was different... No publisher admin 2004-12-07T09:49:14Z Page