English is an unruly little beast. Although it boasts borrowed words from over 350 different languages, it has shamefully neglected itself and must often stand trial on charge of its ludicrous inconsistencies. Nouns mascarade as adjectives, verbs change hats with auxiliary verbs, and the amount and variety of nouns that flirt with verbs is distressing. … Continue reading English in the Dock: Have, Have, Have & Will, Will, Will
Old English Poetic Elements in Beowulf
Each line of Old English poetry is divided into two half-lines with a caesura in the middle. A caesura is a break or pause in the syntactical rhythm of a line of poetry. In modern publications of Old English poetry, publishers indicate the position of the caesura by leaving a white space between the two half-lines ...
5 Words You Thought Tolkien Invented
During the fall semester, as I was studying Old English texts, I unearthed several Old English words I vaguely assumed J.R.R. Tolkien had invented himself. I am not referring to words Tolkien borrowed and modified to his own taste. These were words whose form in The Lord of the Rings was identical (or nearly identical) … Continue reading 5 Words You Thought Tolkien Invented
On “Fernweh”
Purpose: To enlighten my readers on the word fernweh, which I have used at least twice without any explanation of its meaning. Fernweh is a German word, and its meaning requires a little explanation as it does not translate very comfortably into English. Fern means “far” and weh means “ache” or “pain.” Fernweh describes the … Continue reading On “Fernweh”
Lux Aeterna (Advent 2021)
Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine, cum sanctis tuis in aeternum, quia pius es. Requiem aeterna dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis, cum sanctis tuis in aeternum, quia pius es ...
Advent Calendar, by Rowan Williams (Advent 2021)
Greetings, friends! Here we are arrived at another Advent and I’d like to share some Advent poetry with you, as I did last year. I will keep the commentary to a minimum, as is my usual habit, and allow you to soak up the verses as they are. Enjoy and ponder. Advent Calendarby Rowan Williams … Continue reading Advent Calendar, by Rowan Williams (Advent 2021)
Tolkien Club Photo
Hello my friends, I know, technically I am not supposed to be posting this week. 😉 But, I wanted to give you all this photo for the Tolkien Club in case you felt inspired to share it on your blogs and social media, if you are in to that kind of thing. Do not forget … Continue reading Tolkien Club Photo
Lament for the Rohirrim, by J.R.R. Tolkien (Remembrance Day 2021)
Where now the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? / Where is the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing? / Where is the hand on the harpstring, and the red fire glowing?
“An ANNOUNCEMENT”
I shall not keep you long, he cried. Cheers from all the assembly. I have called you all together for a Purpose.1 Friends, I have indeed called you all together for a Purpose, and I need not tell you that this Purpose is that “tremendously exciting announcement” which I have been hinting at for the … Continue reading “An ANNOUNCEMENT”
No Post This Week
Friends, This is just a note to say I shan't be posting this week. I am in the throes of writing an essay due on Monday and studying is taking desperate second priority. I shall be back next week sometime, or perhaps the week after---hopefully next week as I have a tremendously exciting announcement to … Continue reading No Post This Week
Remembered Lore 