Focusing on the origins of Tolkien's characters, this book explores their roots in ancient mythologies, particularly Old Germanic literature, the Elder and Snorri's Edda, and the Old English epic Beowulf, along with Northern and Celtic tales. It begins by examining popular theories regarding these influences and aims to clarify the context. The second part provides in-depth comparisons of specific characters with their mythological counterparts, highlighting shared traits and drawing insightful conclusions about their evil personas.
