Abstract
The purpose of Mythic Archetypes is to investigate Tolkien’s involvement with Welsh language, mythology, and history. Tolkien’s goal was to write a mythology for the people of England, and devise a “Secondary World” with real world or “Primary World” attributes. The thesis focuses on British Celtic, or native Welsh, language, mythology, and history and examines how these three ingredients reflect Tolkien’s “Primary World” truth. Finally, the overall intention is to contribute to the conversation about Celtic literature and the fantasy genre. The thesis examines Welsh mythology for background information. The criterion for this reviews some of the following literature: The Mabinogion, Trioedd ynes Prydein: the Welsh Triads, The Mabinogi and Other Welsh Tales, The Four Ancient Books of Wales, and Welsh Celtic Myth in Modern Fantasy. Then, the thesis focuses on Tolkien’s involvement with Welsh and the parallel in his “Secondary World,” Middle-earth. The criterion for this portion reviews some of the following literature: The Lord of the Rings, Angles and Britons O’Donnell Lectures, Myth and Middle Earth, The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien, and J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography. Finally, after full examination of all relevant literature, the thesis was written. The principal conclusion found Tolkien involved with Welsh language, mythology and its history. British Celtic language and history merged into the narrative design of his epic, thus, working as spiritual “Primary World” reflections, comprising the heart and soul of Middle-earth. Mythic Archetypes opened broadly, charting Tolkien’s involvement with Welsh language and history, and then each chapter focused on individual and spiritual aspects in The Lord of the Rings. The results revealed that Welsh language and mythic references provided the truthful, spiritual component Tolkien desired in his fantasy epic.