Episode 161: FREEDOM! | Braveheart, Historical Fiction & Political Philosophy

They may take our lives, but they can never take… our podcast! This week on the Midnight Myth, come with us to a distant land and a distant past, when a cruel pagan ruled England, and a kilt-wearing, face-painted band of untrained rebels beat back those tyrannical invaders. A time when princesses traveled to enemy territory to negotiate with war leaders, only to fall in love with a larger-than-life national hero… Wait a second. That doesn’t sound right. Yes, friends, we’re tackling the 1995 megahit of historical fiction, Braveheart. Spoiler alert: it’s not history. But if it’s not history, what value does it bring? We’ll explore some of the political realities of England and Scotland in the Middle Ages, the epic “source” material of the Mel Gibson flick, and the reflections Braveheart inspires regarding historiography.

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Episode 145B: The End of All Things | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Medieval Literature & Eucatastrophe

We come, at last, to the end of all things. In the final episode of our Lord of the Rings series, we cover the back half of Tolkien’s The Return of the King. From the eucatastrophic destruction of the One Ring in the fires of Mt. Doom to the Scouring of the Shire and Frodo’s departure for the Undying Lands, we do our best to leave no seeing stone unturned. We revisit some of the themes that have connected us throughout the series—humanity & heroism, cultivation & stewardship, styles of leadership, bravery & conformity. We discuss some of the literary and historical antecedents to the end of Tolkien’s story—such as the Lancelot-Grail Cycle and god-emperors of Rome and elsewhere. Finally, we devote special time and thought to the role of Samwise Gamgee, and argue for his unique brand of heroism. Thank you for joining us for this series on one of the great fantasy worlds of all time.

PLUS results of our Lord of the Rings giveaway are announced!

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Episode 145A: Prince of the Halflings | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Norse Mythology & Kingship

In the penultimate episode of our Lord of the Rings podcast series, we’re discussing the first half of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Return of the King (aka Book 5: The War of the Ring). It’s a fast-paced, combat-heavy book that sees the forces of Rohan and Gondor combine and Aragorn prepare to assume the kingship. We discuss the massive character growth of Pippin and Merry, two unassuming hobbits who rise to become heroes of war and politic. We revisit themes of stewardship and monarchy in the portraits of leaders like Denethor, Theoden, Aragorn, and Gandalf. We compare Eowyn to Brunhild of Norse mythology, and follow those mythological threads to new conclusions. We meditate on the weaponization of information, and how even the strongest, most beloved leaders can be led astray. Escape into Middle Earth with us.

We’re doing a Lord of the Rings GIVEAWAY! Follow us on Twitter and check out our pinned tweet to enter for your chance to win two LotR Funko POPs and a set of LotR Trivial Pursuit.

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Episode 141B: Pity and Mercy | The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Mythology & Heroism

In Part Two of our discussion of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, we rejoin the Ringbearers Frodo & Sam on their journey East to Mordor. Through dangerous and barren terrain, our heroes struggle to survive and pursue the near-impossible task of destroying the One Ring. It’s in this part of the series that we finally come face to face with Gollum, arguably the most wretched character in all of literature. We’ll discuss the mythological counterparts of the Waste Land, Gollum as a dark double of Frodo, and the major departures between the book and Peter Jackson’s film in terms of Frodo’s leadership style. We’ll also delve deep into the confrontation with Faramir and the host of Gondor—how is honor preserved and freedom negotiated between characters with opposing yet complementary goals? Through to the depths of Shelob’s lair, The Two Towers asks fundamental questions about the nature of morality, heroism, and legacy. Can evil conquer forever? Let’s discuss.

We’re doing a Lord of the Rings GIVEAWAY! Follow us on Twitter and check out our pinned tweet to enter for your chance to win two LotR Funko POPs and a set of LotR Trivial Pursuit.

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Episode 141A: The Turn of the Tide | The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Medieval Literature & History

Where now the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? This week, we return to you with the next installment of our multi-part discussion of JRR Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, this week covering the first part of The Two Towers, The Treason of Isengard. We follow Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas in their pursuit of the orcs who absconded with Merry and Pippin. We mourn the death of the complicated man Boromir. We meet new cultures—like the Ents and the Rohirrim—and find common ground on an uncertain road. Join us again in Middle Earth for discussions rich with history, mythology, medieval literature, and more.

***GIVEAWAY*** As part of our Lord of the Rings series, we’ll be giving away a LotR gift basket to one lucky listener, including a Trivial Pursuit set, two Funko Pop vinyl figurines, and some Midnight Myth Merch (a $75 value). Follow us on Twitter @themidnightmyth and stay tuned to this series for details on how to enter!

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Episode 139B: Those Who Wander | The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring pt. 2

Part two of a two-parter on J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring.

Hearken now to the conclusion of our conversation on J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Last week, we discussed the start of Frodo’s journey, the strange characters who lurk in old forests, and the shifting boundaries and morals of Middle-Earth. This week, we’ll drill down on some key moments in Fellowship, particularly the Council of Elrond at Rivendell and the meeting with Galadriel in Lothlorien. We’ll explore Frodo Baggins’ character growth through his choices, and discuss Tolkien’s depiction of mankind through Boromir. How did Tolkien’s scholarship in medieval literature influence his writing? How does the War of the Ring apply to the modern international experience? All this and more as we continue our journey through the Third Age of Middle-Earth.

Stay tuned for future episodes on The Two Towers & The Return of the King, as well as details on an upcoming Lord of the Rings Giveaway!

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Episode 139A: One Pod to Rule Them All | The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring pt. 1

Part one of a two-parter on J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring.

One ring to rule them all… The Midnight Myth Podcast returns once more to the land of Middle Earth as we embark on a quest to explore J.R.R. Tolkien’s massively influential book series The Lord of the Rings. In this ongoing series, we’ll reread The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King, discussing each book as a work of art and history. In this first installment, we discuss key moments in The Fellowship of the Ring, from the auspicious meeting with Tom Bombadil in the Old Forest to the crossing of the threshold into Lothlorien. We’ll talk about language and literacy in Middle Earth, the means by which history is communicated, and the significance of cultural difference in a world that’s breaking down. We’ll share some insights from the Peter Jackson film adaptations, but hew closest to Tolkien’s original text.

Keep listening to our Lord of the Rings episodes for more information about our upcoming LORD OF THE RINGS GIVEAWAY!

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