Something that doesn't strike one when reading the text, but is reasonably obvious from the wonderful artwork you have brought together for us, is that in the beginning Arda was *flat* not spherical. This is how the Lamps were able to illuminate everything, and how the Trees *could* have if the Pelóri weren't there.

These videos will blow up once the Amazon show comes out. Thank you!

Hi, Dan. I came over here after seeing you with Robert on "In Deep Geek." Starting my third attempt at reading The Silmarillion and hoping that your assistance might, once and for all, get me through!

Even in these video breakdowns there is so much that I feel like I need to be taking notes to wrap my head around it.

One of the things I love about these vids is that it's not only providing supplemental information ('time') that makes other things click into place, but clarifies some things I was foggy on. Now I still feel quite unintelligent for not picking up on things myself. But I fully admit that it takes me longer to process things such as geography, battle tactics/movements, and lineages meant for skalds to master. Sadly for me, high fantasy is fraught with these things. And none more-so here. So your point about the geography physically changing meaning it wasn't just my slug-brain getting a little shuffled about what was where when XYZ was happening, but that things were /actually/ moving about makes me feel just slightly less dumb. This is going to sound ridiculous...but you pointing out who actually created the trees role makes me think of some 'accidental' poetics in that the keeper of growth and mourning form these things that go through a cycle of rebirth. I can't believe I never stopped to consider that mortality could be an actual 'gift' and not a 'trait'. Even if it is plain on the page, I never took it with sincerity. We spend so much time considering life as precious, but in the perspective of a fear of death. Huh. I know I get wordy--but video essays like this take a lot of effort. Even if you know a topic sideways, making it accessible is a task all in its own. That's before the editing process. You deserve to have your time recognized.

I would have liked to meet Tulkas

Can not say enough how great these are

Hey Dan. I'm here for another fantastic video. 🥰🌻✌

I came because I was struggling with how to interpret Illuvitar’s creation of man and you really helped thank you

I remember purchasing a copy of The Silmarillion a few days after its release in '77 - I still have the copy. Can't remember how many times I've read it (and all of Tolkien's other works) over the years.

Great Video!

And even this soon we see one of the greatest themes in Tolkien's work, that you so aptly described by comparing Melkor to things like plate tectonics creating mountains. Evil and destruction will ultimately only serve the side of good, it may try to mar that which is pure and beautiful, but will ultimately only show new facets of it's beauty none had yet thought of.

Another excellent video 😍🌳 thank you Dan 🤗

An excellent series, I’m attempting to read the silmarillon for the umpteenth time, I’m reading a chapter and following that listening to this series,

Another fantastic video! I'm so glad you're doing this.

Great video!

Mind blowing art in this video.

Its just so beautiful! 💗

Your videos are beautiful. Superb Narration.

Thanks dan

You are my hero

The trees are in the first photo of the Amazon series!

@3:18 'perfectly symmetrical, ovoid shape' while an egg is a fitting symbol for creation, did you mean elliptical? (just realising i suggested a 2d term in place of a 3d term... wasn't arda flat until aman was taken away?)

Are you related to Robert on In Deep Geek? Your voices are so similar.

So are the lamps big sun towers? Which turn to volcano. So what lights the world after the trees get destroyed?Just curious 😅 I love this stuff.

The background music is masking your voice Dan and making it difficult to focus on what you're saying.

Still think Humans got screwed… lol jp