Lord of the Rings was an epic high-fantasy novel that began as a sequel to The Hobbit, Tolkien's earlier fantasy book. The book series was published in three parts: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King.
Tolkien intended it to be one volume comprised in a two-volume set along with The Silmarillion. However, it ended up being published in three volumes from July 1954 to October 1955 for economic reasons.
What is the Lord of the Rings trilogy about?
The Lord of the Rings is the story of a band of sometimes reluctant heroes who set out to save their world from total evil. Tolkien's extensive knowledge of philology and folklore was used to create its many worlds and creatures.
Frodo Baggins receives a magical Ring of Invisibility from his uncle Bilbo when he is 33 years old, the age of adulthood among hobbits. Frodo, a Christ-like figure, discovers that the ring possesses the power to control the entire world as well as corrupt its owner. A band of hobbits, elves, dwarfs, and men band together to destroy the ring by throwing it into the Crack of Doom, a volcano where it was originated. The evil Sauron and his Black Riders oppose them on their perilous mission.
What is the prequel to Lord of the Rings, and when was it written?
The prequel to Lord of the Rings was The Hobbit, written by J.R.R. Tolkien. The book was released on September 21, 1937. The book received wide critical acclaim and is among children’s fiction’s most popular books.
Tolkien attempted to combine two literary passions—the mythology of England and tales for his children—in The Hobbit. He was well-versed in the old northern myths and epics, such as Beowulf and the Icelandic sagas.
What is the inspiration behind Lord of the Rings?
Tolkien's exploration of his interest in philology, religion (especially Roman Catholicism), fairy tales, as well as Norse and Celtic mythology led to the creation of The Lord of the Rings, but his experience in the World War I as a soldier had a significant impact as well.
FAQs
Q. When did Tolkien start writing Lord of the Rings?
A. Tolkien wrote Lord of the Rings in three stages between 1937 and 1949.
Q. Was The Lord of the Rings written before The Hobbit?
A. No, The Hobbit was written prior to The Lord of the Rings. The Hobbit was published in 1937, and its sequel, The Lord of the Rings, was published between 1954 and 1955.
Q. Was LOTR written before Harry Potter?
A. Yes, LOTR was written before Harry Potter because the LOTR book trilogy started in 1954, while Harry Potter wasn't published until 1997.
