Tolkien's Ring #
Rating: 3.8/5
Author: David Day
David Day does a good job going through Tolkien's Ring and covering many of the various inspirations behind the One Ring of Power in the Lord of the Ring. It is particularly insightful how many comparisons there are to the myths and legends of other parts of the world, though it does seem to have a particular emphasis throughout on the more pagan mythology with several chapters dedicated to Wagner's Ring in Der Ring Des Nibelungen, the Volünga Saga, and Nibelungenlied and just general Norse Mythology such as that of Andvari and the Andvarinaut, and Draupnir Odin's Ring Dripper. It is particularly interesting how much is inherited from these myths.
Being fairly unlearned on Oriental or Greco-Roman myths, there was also the tale told about the Titan Prometheus being jailed for eternity by an adamantium chain to a rock in the Ocean. What's interesting to me is how Zeus made an oath on this, and after a long time came to regret this oath as he became fond of the mortals to whom Prometheus gifted the secret of fire to. Because of this, he sends his son Heracles to go and break the adamantium chains and free him from his bonds, however once this happens, Zeus also makes a second oath that Prometheus may be free. How does he satisfy both oaths? He takes one adamantium chain link and attaches a small bit of the rock into a ring and gives it to Prometheus, so that he may satisfy both oaths. The Oriental myths were also quite interesting too, about a sorcerer whos iron tablet grants them life and binds their army to their fate. When this tablet is destroyed, their army is also destroyed and they are made mortal, again quite similar to how Sauron's Army is destroyed as they are bound to the fate of the One Ring.
Overall, if you're a fan of myths and legends, or even want a brief overview of ring quests, and ring legends throughout time, I can recommend this book to you. Many of the stories it retells are obviously abridged versions to get to the point of comparison with the One Ring and other interesting points of comparison
Email your feedback about "Tolkien's Ring"
Published on 2026/02/27