The Tolkien Professor

Episode 151: Silmarillion Seminar 22: Quenta Chapter 19

09 Jun 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The twenty-second session of the Silmarillion Seminar, in which we spend an unprecedented third week on Chapter 19 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Ber...

Episode 150: Riddles in the Dark 10: We finally discuss the "Hobbit!"

02 Jun 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Only four months into the podcast, we finally get around to talking about The Hobbit's titular character, Bilbo Baggins...for two hours!

Episode 149: WC Faerie Course, Session 27

29 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

J.R.R. Tolkien, Smith of Wootton Major, Pages 35-39 Recorded 04/01/11.

Episode 148: Riddles in the Dark 9: Framing the Issue

25 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

We go back to the very beginning...of first Hobbit film, that is. How will The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey open on-screen?

Episode 147: WC Faerie Course, Session 26

20 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

J.R.R. Tolkien, Smith of Wootton Major, Pages 9-34 Recorded 3/30/11.

Episode 146: WC Faerie Course, Session 25

09 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

George MacDonald, The Princess and the Goblin, Chapters 21-32 Recorded 3/28/11.

Episode 145: Riddles in the Dark 8: Cinemacon Emergency Edition

02 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The hosts hop on the Cinemacon debate bandwagon and weigh in on the "Tomb of the Ringwraiths." How will Sauron's most terrible servants factor into th...

Episode 144: Riddles in the Dark 7: The Split, Part 2

27 Apr 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The second in a two-part series on the most hotly debated Hobbit question: where will the two films be split? In this episode, we are joined by specia...

Episode 143: Riddles in the Dark 6: The Split, Part 1

26 Apr 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The first in a two-part series on the most hotly debated Hobbit question: where will the two films be split? In this episode, we address the main Hobb...

Episode 142: WC Faerie Course, Session 24

08 Apr 2012

Contributed by Lukas

George MacDonald, The Princess and the Goblin, Chapters 11-20 Recorded 3/25/11.

Episode 141: Silmarillion Seminar 21: Quenta Chapter 19

29 Mar 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The twenty-first session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing the second part of Chapter 19 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Beren and Luthien"

Episode 140: Riddles in the Dark 5: Troll Dilemmas

23 Mar 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The first RITD episode to address humor in the Hobbit; this week we focus on Bilbo's first "successful adventure" with the trolls.

Episode 139: Riddles in the Dark Digest 1

17 Mar 2012

Contributed by Lukas

Co-host Dave reviews the first two topics, Thrain and Thror, and presents predictions, arguments, and feedback from RITD analysts and listeners. We al...

Episode 138: Silmarillion Seminar 20: Quenta Chapter 19

14 Mar 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The twentieth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 19 of the Quenta Silmarillion, " Of Beren and Luthien"

Episode 137: Riddles in the Dark 4: Thorin Oakenshield

10 Mar 2012

Contributed by Lukas

A discussion of the great dwarf leader, Thorin Oakenshield, one of the main characters of The Hobbit and how he will be portrayed in the upcoming film...

Episode 136: Riddles in the Dark 3: The Battle of Azanulbizar

23 Feb 2012

Contributed by Lukas

A discussion of the great Battle of Azanulbizar, and an analysis of the possiblity of its conflation with the Battle of Five Armies in the films.

Episode 135: Riddles in the Dark 2: The Fall of the House of Durin

12 Feb 2012

Contributed by Lukas

A discussion of the misfortunes of the House of Durin, Thror and predictions based on casting for the character.

Episode 134: WC Faerie Course, Session 23

04 Feb 2012

Contributed by Lukas

George MacDonald, The Princess and the Goblin, Chapters 1-10 Recorded 3/23/11.

Episode 133: Silmarillion Seminar 19: Quenta Chapter 18

30 Jan 2012

Contributed by Lukas

The nineteenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 18 of the Quenta Silmarillion, " Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingo...

Episode 132: Riddles in the Dark 1: Thorin son of Thrain son of Thror

28 Jan 2012

Contributed by Lukas

A discussion of Thror and Thrain, and predictions about Thrain's depiction in the film.

Episode 131: Announcements: January 25 2012

27 Jan 2012

Contributed by Lukas

What's new at The Tolkien Professor, including two new podcasts and an updated website.

Episode 130: Return and Recovery

14 Dec 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The Hobbit Series Lecture 8 in which we discuss the death of Thorin and Bilbo's return to Bag End. Text: Chapters 18 and 19: " The Return Journey" and...

Episode 129: Silmarillion Seminar 18: Quenta Chapter 17

11 Dec 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The eighteenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 17 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Coming of Men into the West"

Episode 128: The Hobbit Grows Up

07 Dec 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The Hobbit Series Lecture 7 in which we discuss the death of Smaug and the Battle of Five Armies. Text: Chapters 14, 15, 16 and 17: "Fire and Water," ...

Episode 127: Mythgard Question and Answer Call-in Session

01 Dec 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Corey Olsen answers questions from people interested in taking courses at the Mythgard Institute (www.mythgard.org).

Episode 126: Bilbo Earns His Reward

30 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The Hobbit Series Lecture 6 in which we consider the foolishness of the dwarves and the final turning point of Bilbo's career. Text: Chapters 11, 12,...

Episode 125: Bilbo Builds His Resume 2

24 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Finally! The return of the hobbit series! The Hobbit Series Lecture 5, Part 2, in which we consider one of the major turning points in Bilbo's life. ...

Episode 124: WC Faerie Course, Session 22

19 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Lord Dunsany, The Book of Wonder, Part 2. Recorded 3/21/11.

Episode 123: Silmarillion Seminar 17: Quenta Chapter 16

10 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The seventeenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 16 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Maeglin"

Episode 122: Tolkien and Horror: A Halloween Special

05 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Corey Olsen, Dave Kale, Laura Berkholtz, and George Naylor discuss themes of horror in Tolkien's writings.

Episode 121: Silmarillion Seminar 16: Quenta Chapter 15

03 Nov 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The sixteenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 15 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Noldor in Beleriand."

Episode 120: The Tolkien Professor Visits Hollywood

28 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Corey Olsen and Dave Kale, program director for Middle-earth Network Radio, discuss the making of the documentary for the video game "The Lord of the ...

Episode 119: Tolkien Chat 10: In the Bar at Mythcon 2011.

25 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The tenth Tolkien Chat, recorded in the bar at the Albuquerque MCM Elegante during the annual Mythopoeic Society Conference

Episode 118: WC Faerie Course, Session 21

18 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Lord Dunsany, The Book of Wonder, Part 1. Recorded 3/11/11.

Episode 117: Silmarillion Seminar 15: Quenta Chapter 14

16 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The fifteenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 14 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Beleriand and Its Realms."

Episode 116: WC Faerie Course, Session 20

10 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Lang Session 5, in which we discuss "Rapunzel," "Snowdrop," and "The Enchanted Ring." Recorded 3/9/11.

Episode 115: Tolkien Chat 9: David Perlmutter

07 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation with Professor David Perlmutter about two of his favorite intellectual hobbies, military history and Tolkien.

Episode 114: Silmarillion Seminar 14: Quenta Chapter 13

04 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The fourteenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 13 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Return of the Noldor."

Episode 113: WC Faerie Course, Session 19

01 Oct 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Lang Session 4, in which we discuss "Jack and the Beanstalk," "The Three Dwarfs," and "The Twelve Brothers." Recorded 3/7/11.

Episode 112: Silmarillion Seminar 13: Quenta Chapter 12

28 Sep 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The thirteenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 12 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Men."

Episode 111: WC Faerie Course, Session 18

23 Sep 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Lang Session 3, in which we discuss "Snow White and Rose Red," "Jack the Giant Killer," and my favorite "The Black Bull of Norroway." Recorded...

Episode 110: Silmarillion Seminar 12: Quenta Chapter 11

20 Sep 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The twelfth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 11 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Sun and the Moon and the Hiding of Valinor....

Episode 109: Silmarillion Seminar 11: Quenta Chapter 10

05 Sep 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The eleventh session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 10 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Sindar."

Episode 108: Silmarillion Seminar 10: Quenta Chapter 9

24 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The tenth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 9 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Flight of the Noldor."

Episode 107: Silmarillion Seminar 09: Quenta Chapter 8

13 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The ninth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 8 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Darkening of Valinor."

Episode 106: Silmarillion Seminar 08: Quenta Chapter 7

01 Aug 2011

Contributed by Lukas

After a brief message to Stephen Colbert, we move on to the eighth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 7 of the Quenta Silmarillio...

Episode 105: Silmarillion Seminar 07: Quenta Chapter 6

25 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The seventh session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 6 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Feanor and the Unchaining of Melkor."

Episode 104: WC Faerie Course, Session 17

24 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Lang Session 2, in which we discuss "Rumpelstiltzkin," "Hansel and Grettel," and "Beauty and the Beast." Recorded 3/2/11.

Episode 103: Mythgard Institute Announcement Show, Part 2

23 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Part Two of the show announcing the grand opening of the Mythgard Institute in the Fall 2011 semester. Both parts were originally broadcast on the Mi...

Episode 102: Mythgard Institute Announcement Show, Part 1

23 Jul 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Announcing the Mythgard Institute, offering courses in Tolkien Studies and related fields, beginning Fall 2011. Part one of two shows originally broa...

Episode 101: Silmarillion Seminar 06: Quenta Chapter 5

23 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The sixth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 5 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalie."

Episode 100: WC Faerie Course, Session 16

13 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Andrew Lang Session 1, in which we discuss "Sleeping Beauty," "Cinderella," and "Aladdin." Recorded 2/28/11.

Episode 99: Silmarillion Seminar 05: Quenta Chapters 3-4

09 Jun 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The fifth session of the Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapters 3 and 4 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Coming of the Elves" and "Of Thingol an...

Episode 98: Special Announcement!

13 May 2011

Contributed by Lukas

A recording of the special live broadcast on the Middle-Earth Network Radio station a few weeks back, in which I unveiled my Big News.

Episode 97: The Gifts of Annwn, by Scott Holbrook-Foust

19 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

An essay exploring the representation of the Celtic Otherworld in Arthurian Literature, with a particular focus on Morgan Le Fay in Sir Gawain and the...

Episode 96: WC Faerie Course, Session 15

18 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part 4, in which we look at the irregularities of the ending of this great poem. Recorded 2/25/11.

Episode 95: WC Faerie Course, Session 14

13 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part 3, in which we learn how to resist seduction with tact and aplomb. Recorded 2/23/11.

Episode 94: WC Faerie Course, Session 13

12 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part 2, in which we look carefully at our protagonist and his values. Recorded 2/21/11.

Episode 93: WC Faerie Course, Session 12

11 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Part 1, in which we discuss happy endings and relatively jolly green giants. Recorded 2/18/11.

Episode 92: WC Faerie Course, Session 11

01 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Chaucer's Wife of Bath's Tale, Part 2, in which we look at some of the remarkable differences between Chaucer's version of this story and Dame Ragnell...

Episode 91: WC Faerie Course, Session 10

30 Mar 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Chaucer's Wife of Bath's Tale, Part 1, in which we look at some of the remarkable differences between Chaucer's version of this story and Dame Ragnell...

Episode 90: WC Faerie Course, Session 9

29 Mar 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle, Part 2, in which we discuss Sir Gawain's big choice. Recorded 2/11/11.

Episode 89: WC Faerie Course, Session 8

28 Mar 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle, Part 1, in which we meet a knight with a funny name and a preternaturally ugly woman. Recorded 2/9/11.

Episode 88: WC Faerie Course, Session 7

23 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Launfal, Part 3, in which we see our protagonist's strange trial and unexpected deliverance. Recorded 2/7/11.

Episode 87: Silmarillion Seminar 04: Quenta Chapter 2

22 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The fourth session of the new Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 2 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of Aule and Yavanna."

Episode 86: WC Faerie Course, Session 6

20 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Launfal, Part 2, in which we examine the relationship between our protagonist and his fairy benefactors. Recorded 2/4/11.

Episode 85: WC Faerie Course, Session 5

19 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Launfal, Part 1, in which we meet our protagonist, his king, and his king's sketchy wife. Recorded 2/2/11.

Episode 84: The Wife of Bath's Tale

16 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

An unabridged recording of The Wife of Bath's Tale.

Episode 83: The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle

16 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

An unabridged recording of Dame Ragnelle.

Episode 82: WC Faerie Course, Session 4

14 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Orfeo, Part 3, in which we enter Faerie and find weird stuff. Recorded 1/31/11.

Episode 81: WC Faerie Course, Session 3

14 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Sir Orfeo Part 2, in which we discuss Sir Orfeo's time of exile in the forest. Recorded 1/28/11.

Episode 80: WC Faerie Course, Session 2

07 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

A discussion of the first 194 lines of Sir Orfeo, in the WC Faerie and Fantasy class. Recorded 1/26/11.

Episode 79: Silmarillion Seminar 03: Quenta, Chapter 1

02 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The third session of the new Silmarillion Seminar, discussing Chapter 1 of the Quenta Silmarillion, "Of the Beginning of Days."

Episode 78: WC Faerie Course, Session 1

02 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The Introductory Ramble for my new class, Faerie and Fantasy. Recorded 1/24/11.

Episode 77: Sir Launfal

02 Feb 2011

Contributed by Lukas

An unabridged recording of Sir Launfal, in Middle English. This is the second text we will be discussing in my Faerie and Fantasy course.

Episode 76: Sir Orfeo

26 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

An unabridged recording of the poem Sir Orfeo, in Middle English. This is the first text we will be discussing in my Faerie and Fantasy course.

Episode 75: An Introduction to Middle English

25 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

In preparation to the Faerie and Fantasy course, I have put together this brief introduction to reading Middle English, since the first few texts we w...

Episode 74: Silmarillion Seminar 02 - Valaquenta

21 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

The second session of the new Silmarillion Seminar, discussing the Valaquenta.

Episode 73: The Minstrel, the Painter, and the Scholar, Part 1

03 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

A roundtable discussion with John DiBartolo, Ted Nasmith, and Corey Olsen. This is the first of a three-part series.

Episode 72: Tolkien Chat 8: Allison Fischbach

02 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation with Allison Fischbach, a Washington College alum, about mortality and immortality in Tolkien, with special attention paid to the case ...

Episode 71: Call-In Office Hours 4

27 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The fourth Tolkien Professor open Skype Session, recorded on October 13, 2010. Topics discussed include the Ring and invisibility, Anglo-Saxon, relig...

Episode 70: Silmarillion Seminar 01 - Ainulindale

25 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The inaugural session of the new Silmarillion Seminar, discussing the Ainulindale.

Episode 69: Tolkien Chat 7: Tara Holste II

24 Nov 2010

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation with Tara Holste, a Washington College alum, about Tolkien's thoughts about and depictions of government.

Episode 68: Q&A Session 3

09 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Discussing the Nazgul's flying mount, the Ring's conferring of invisibility, and the theology of Middle-Earth. Students present: Allison Fischbach, T...

Episode 67: Kalamazoo 2010

19 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

A recording of the two papers on Tolkien I read at the Medieval Congress at Kalamazoo in May 2010: The Poetry of the Hobbit and Tolkien's Typology

Episode 66: Q&A Session 2

13 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Discussing Aragorn's prophecies, Goldberry, and Glorfindel's identity. Students present: Rachel Field, Tessa Fox, and Trevor Williams.

Episode 65: Call-In Office Hours 3

05 Jul 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The third Tolkien Professor open Skype Session, recorded on June 3, 2010. Topics discussed include recording my class, goblins and orcs, Bilbo's luck...

Episode 64: Tolkien Chat 6: Scott Holbrook-Foust and Eric Singletary

24 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation with listeners Scott Holbrook-Foust and Eric Singletary, priamrily on written and oral cultures in Middle-Earth.

Episode 63: Call-In Office Hours 2

10 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The second Tolkien Professor open Skype Session, recorded on May 20, 2010. Topics discussed include Eowyn's career as a healer, the creation of the w...

Episode 62: Q&A Session 1

03 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Discussing orcs v. goblins, the Watcher in the Water's targeting of Frodo, the lands east of Mordor, the possibility of Gandalf's torturing of Gollum,...

Episode 61: Tolkien Chat 5: KMO

25 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

A conversation with KMO, host of the C-Realm Podcast, on the Silmarillion and Tolkien's mythology.

Episode 60: Tolkien Chat 4: Professor Michael Drout

21 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

A chat with Professor Michael Drout, editor of Tolkien Studies, about Tolkien's metafiction and the study of philology.

Episode 59: Tolkien Chat 3: Elizabeth Bateman

14 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

A chat with Liz Bateman, Washington College Class of '09, about the power of tragedy in Tolkien's world.

Episode 58: WC Tolkien Course 40 - Return Part VI

08 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The ROTK: Book VI.9. Recorded 4/28/10.

Episode 57: WC Tolkien Course 39 - Return Part V

03 May 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The ROTK: Book VI.6-8. Recorded 4/26/10.

Episode 56: WC Tolkien Course 38 - Return Part IV

30 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The ROTK: Book VI.2-5. Recorded 4/23/10.

Episode 55: WC Tolkien Course 37 - Return Part III

28 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The ROTK: Book V.8-10, VI.1. Recorded 4/21/10.

Episode 54: WC Tolkien Course 36 - Return Part II

22 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The ROTK: Book V.4-7. Recorded 4/19/10.

Episode 53: WC Tolkien Course 35 - Return Part I

20 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

The ROTK: Book V.1-3. Recorded 4/16/10. Special Guest: Michael Drout!

Episode 52: Michael Drout Lecture: Whole Worlds Out of Single Words, Tolkien and Language

17 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

TP Bonus Content: Michael Drout Lecture: "Whole Worlds Out of Single Words: Tolkien and Language." Recorded 4/15/10