“Day shall come again”–but for now, it’s the Battle of Unnumbered Tears. In this episode, we walk through Chapter 2 of The Children of Húrin a breaking down Tolkien’s bloodiest, most tragic battle. We cover the epic (and doomed) alliance of elves, men, and dwarves, the double-cross by the Easterlings, and why Morgoth’s victory still leaves him filled with dread. And we even get the Pope involved!
We also look at:
Why the elves’ greatest host could never stand against Morgoth—and what the battle’s tactics reveal about Tolkien’s “epic history” mindset
The legendary valor (and fate) of Húrin and Huor—plus the prophecy that links Gondolin to Morgoth’s ruin
Tolkien’s use of prophecy, fate, and heroism: why the darkest chapter is full of hope for the future
The difference between Tolkien’s approach to battles and the modern appetite for nonstop action
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