What do YOU think happened to Radagast? Do you think he participated in the War in the North? Did he survive after the War of the Ring? There’s one theory I heard recently that Radagast was the mysterious old man with a cane that the Three Hunters encounter in Fangorn. However, I’m inclined to agree with Gandalf, when he says it must have been Saruman.

The fact that he was sent by Yavanna kind of suggests that caring for nature *was* his mission, or at least was an important part thereof.

Middle Earth didn’t just belong to men. It was also home to birds, beasts and all other living things. Perhaps Radagast was their guardian and the Valar sent him out of compassion to those creatures who had no voice of their own.

Any being that fights for a hedgehog's wellbeing immediately gets my allegiance.

I believe Radagast was supposed to be a cautionary example of what Gandalf couldve been if he let his attachments overcome his duties. Specifically attachment to hobbit life.

I'd like to imagine Yavanna telling Radagast in private: "Know this, my friend, that your mission will present itself in different ways. I will see to your being sent west, along with the Istari. But your task there is to care for those the others care little about, for they are innocent, and yet so vulnerable. If you do well, you will never return to the Undying lands, for you are needed elsewhere. Make your house in a place where you may be of help, and let my creatures come to find you. You will play your role in the struggles that may come, but it is a different one. Now go, and find your place."

I choose to believe that Eru knew that Radagast would count returning to the undying lands as punishment, and so he was left where his heart was happy, with his woods and his friends.

The bit that stuck out to me was that Yavanna personally requested Radaghast be brought along. So maybe he abandoned the official mission he was there for but had another mission to be there from Yavanna which is why she wanted him there. So he was probably busy doing that.

As a longtime wildcamper I can relate to Radagast. Abandoning the madness of humans to spend time in nature which gives peace to the mind. That’s something we can all learn from him.

radagast was always my favourite. from the books i always perceive him not as the comical caricature of the movies, rather a grumpy old man that just wants to be left alone and sometimes helps you because deep down he cares.

Radagast survived the ages, still roaming Middle Earth's wild places.

Fan fiction here: after the War of the Ring, he assists the Ents in finding their Entwives.

Did they really think they could send a guy named “lover of birds” to a land filled with giant magic forests and NOT have him get distracted? And with dark lords in the East or whatnot and men at war, who could blame him! I like to think Rhozgobel is mobile if Radagast wills it, given he doesn’t travel much but would trade his divine mission to tend the beast and forests of middle earth. And as such, I’m sure he would rather fade amongst his beloved beasts of middle earth than return to the Valar. Maybe he, Tom Bombadil, and Gandalf had a jolly old chat before the latter departed! Excellent video, thanks for your work!

Honestly, since he didn’t sail west, I think he spent his days in middle earth most likely dying and fading (spirit) away to the west.

I tend to think Radagast didn't "fail" so much as fulfilling the purpose of Yavanna whom he served. He wasn't sent to Middle Earth to specifically thwart Sauron, but rather to care for the beasts and plants. He still considered Sauron the enemy and helped where he could, and it's entirely possible that he's the wizard that the three hunters saw near Fangorn Forest and who sent the great eagles to save Frodo and Sam (or at least pointed them in the right direction). Even if he'd been given the choice to sail west I don't believe he would've taken it, but I do like to think that there was a standing off for him and possibly the Blue Wizards seeing how Tolkien made some contradictory statements about them. As for being a master of shapes and changes of hue, I think the latter probably refers to the changing of the seasons. Nature changes in hue every season, and shapes could be all things of the natural world.

What an under-rated, mushroom smoking, rabbit rearing oddball of a man!. A great character

When Gandalf says he's a master of shape and hue I think he means Radagast has chameleon-like powers. When Elrond's scouts investigated Rhosgobel the brown wizard was there... he just didn't want to be bothered with the affairs at hand as he had his forest to attend to or as Scott Dixon noted a task set by Yavanna.

I totally agree with comments here that point to Radagast's mission being dedicated more to preserving and protecting the animals and plants of Middle-Earth than Elves, Men, and Dwarves. In a sense, he's the personification of St. Francis of Assisi in LOTR.

It’s a shame that we didn’t get more information about Radagast after the war of the ring. JRR certainly instilled a great sense of his own fondness for the natural world in him. I would think that Yavanna would task him with healing the hurts of the world rather than to destroy anyone, even Sauron. Perhaps Tolkien was a bit harsh on his assessment of our favorite brown wizard.

His house is so cool

Reject humanity, return to Radagast.

In my Headcanon i whould even asume that Radagast not only could shapeshift like Beorn BUT tought the Beornings the magic of Shapeshifting because he saw in them the same love for the nature and creatures of the wild that was in him... and so he gave them a way to become the nature and be with Yavannas creation in unity.

The way you ended this video was so sweet and satisfying. Thinking about Radagast in his humble tree house, helping the innocent animals and sighing contently forever, makes me smile.

Your impression of Sylvster McCoy is spot on.

I've always felt that having faithfully fulfilled the requests of both Gandalf and Saruman, Radagast turned his attention to what he loved most in the world: its animals. I agree that he likely survived -- if Sauron had captured or killed him, he'd have gloated about it. But since Radagast had called upon his animal friends for information, perhaps word came to him of a distant threat, one to the natural world that Gandalf wouldn't have prioritized with the war looming. He may have abandoned the people of Middle Earth in their hour of need to address some creeping darkness encroaching upon wilds unknown that were scarcely of any concern to men or elves. No doubt Sauron's evil was spreading far and wide. Therefore, I think the old man encountered by the Three Hunters was in fact Radagast, in the midst of his new (self-appointed) mission. The question is which way was he going? Was he still wandering slowly back from his meeting with Gandalf, and thus heading into the North? Or after returning to his home, had he turned to go into the South or West, maybe even as far as the Blue Mountains? Was he at Fangorn for some specific task, or was it just a waypoint on a longer journey? Where he'd have gone is uncertain, though as he failed his mission I think we can feel safe in assuming his journey did not contribute to the final victory, but rather was some localized threat, and he was not thinking of aiding in a victory against Sauron when he set out. Wherever he went, it was no small journey. If he'd merely dealt with some darkness threatening the animals in the north of Mirkwood, or in Fangorn, or in the forests of the Enedwaith or the Blue Mountains, he'd have eventually returned or at least been encountered by elves or men. As there is no such footnote, we can presume that his journey took him someplace far away, where he'd never again encounter the people of Middle Earth (at at least, not any people whose tales would reach chroniclers). I presume he ultimately settled in some hidden corner of the world, forgetting entirely about the rest of the world and delighting in the company of nature. He might even have felt some guilt in abandoning his order's mission, and chose not to appear again. I wonder what would have happened if Gandalf the White had encountered Radagast at Fangorn. Would he have convinced his fellow Istari to stand with the people of Middle Earth? And if so, what might he have contributed? They would have retained many spies and messengers, and perhaps even strong creatures to make some places treacherous for Sauron's forces, if only Radagast had stayed true to his mission.

Love this. Radagast is a favourite of mine too. Very St. Francis of Assisi. I very much like his hermit aesthetic. I suppose his 'failure' was that he shut himself away from the world and its dealings, which made him naïve and easily manipulable but still his heart is true and his intentions pure, so in passing a message to the Great Eagles he saved Gandalf. IF they made a Hobbit film and made the Radagast character involved in a comedic chase scene that would be terrible, but luckily no-one ever made a nonsense trilogy of the Hobbit... nope, nobody made it.

I like Radagast. I, too, would prefer any day spent in nature with cute animals over tiring men with big egos. Poor man just wanted to be left alone. He kinda reminds me of Tom Bombadil. He was present but also like not. These travels series are great Thanks.

Radagast's spirit lives on, in every conservationist and protector of flora&fauna.

The seventh doctor playing radagast is so perfect.

I like to think Radagast is still walking our Middle Earth, to us, he is just a simple old man that still tends to nature and shares his wisdom with anyone that is kind enough to ask.

Radagast will never be found for he has shape-shifting abilities that can fool anyone.

Love your voice for Radagast the Brown, it sounds a bit like his actor Sylvester Mccoy combined with your voice!!!

Perhaps Tolkien was wrong about his own character. Radagast was included in the Astari solely at the request of Yavanna, she was the one who sent him to Middle Earth for her own reasons, and Radagast proceeded to serve Yavanna all his days in Middle Earth. He played a small but critical part in stopping Sauron, almost by accident, but that Single-note Solo in the music of the Ainur before returning to the harmony was just part of his main mission given to him by Yavanna, and he never faltered or failed in it.

I find it likely that he survived, being such a small threat to the enemy, despite his Maiar nature. It's likely that he continued much as he had done, largely neglecting the politics and affairs of men, dwarves and elves, and instead tended to the wild, to the animals and beasts within it.

Hate the way they portrayed him in the films. Like some bumbling crazed forest nymph. This guy was one of the Istari! No respect. He may have been lesser amongst their order but Saruman looked down of everyone. Great video though.

He is probably tending the earth and creatures as he has always done. Such deeds often go unnoticed, but they are not done for recognition.

In a word, "WONDERFUL!" Your heart felt ability to tell these tales, simply improves with every telling. Thank You!

In a way Radaghast makes me think of Sam in that he had a love for a quiet, simple life and enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. I do wish he had a more prominent role though as he makes me think of druids who are my favorite kind of wizard in fantasy

Could you do a reading of the famous conversation between Saruman and Gandalf? "I am Saruman of many colors!" is so symbolic.

I like to think that Radagast found his way back to Amon. Even though he loved nature too greatly, he still assisted the free peoples in the war of the ring. Perhaps after a life of comfort in the forest when death finally came to him, hos sporit found the hidden road and made it's way back to Valinor, where he was chided and forgiven for loosing his way.

I just discovered the channel. I do not consider myself a huge fan of Tolkien but can appreciate his outstanding storytelling and genius level writing. There is so much to explore on the channel and I appreciate the quality research you put in and clear speaking you provide. You have renewed my interest.

Do one for the blue wizards

Ahh, yes. More elite content!

Awesome point of view! Perhaps Radagast was the agent for Yavanna. She knew the Forest and Critters would need a Champion. His ability to aid against Sauron was the perfect match to aid all life in Middle Earth.

Not all stories need only heroes and villans. Radagast is such a kind soul. And those are also important.❤

I don't think you get enough praise for your reading and acting! You really bring these wizards to life!

I have always thought it possible that he had something to do with the eagles showing up at the black gate, since their being there is never explained, and he was tight with them.

Radagast... the unsung hero. The hero with a secret mission of greater long-run importance.

Radagast as an archetype pops up in many works of fiction. He represents the incorruptible outlier whose priorities are detached from the main stresses of those within the broader body of work. Brooks from Shawshank Redemption; Platon Karataev from War and Peace; Simon from Lord of the Flies; Boo Radley from To Kill a Mockingbird. Most of them transcend the circumstances that are driving the main story with a sense of detachment or otherworldliness. When they do intervene, it is because they intend only the briefest of interactions, and one that does not deviate from their inner character. Those of us who have seen Slingblade would feel that this might have been the reality of Karl Childers had he never met the little boy. He is a fascinating character because he would have preferred a simple life like Radagast, but he is pushed into the world of men out of necessity to protect the little boy, and makes many efforts to retreat back into solitude and innocence but finds he is unable to. His response to the world outside of the asylum is much like of Brooks from Shawshank. Childers comments that the world, "is too big", whereas Brooks comments that "I don't like it here; I've decided not to stay." One can imagine that this might be the evaluation of Simon from Lord of the Flies or Boo Radley if they had been asked about the events surrounding them, dark events that seemed to prey upon their efforts to retreat back into solitude and innocence.

Since he was sent by Yavanna maybe he helped Treebeard assemble the ents and helped thus take down isengard and Saruman. If i remember correctly, when Pippin and Merry meet Treebeard, the ent council is already approaching a reunion.

Oh wow, I don't know if it was my question or not that motivated this video, but that's awesome. Keep up the great work you are doing.

I love Radagast, my favorite wizard. Want to live like him some day.

I'm amazed at how good your Sylvester McCoy impression is.

Great video nerd of the rings. And I feel like maybe radagast sent messages to the eagles to help with the war of the ring, and maybe yavanna allowed him to return since he did his best to protect nature and helped his fellow wizards to the best of his abilities! Radagast though in my opinion was a good wizard and ally to the free peoples!

Another great video!

Radagast is such an under rated character imo

Radagast is so chill, I think he is incorruptible.

Hey, I just discovered your channel and this is the first video I saw from you. I already subscribed, very well made and good storytelling! Can't never have enough of LotR lore/speculation.

Radagast is the hero in the entire lotr and hobbit trilogy, without radagast gandalf is dead and there is no one to send message to the eagles to help the hobbits and the dwarfs from death encounter and war.

This is my favourite channel to rest and journey to middle earth

This is beautifully done! Thanks for collecting all the images! 🙏🏻❤️

Man I've never been tis early to watch ya vids! Awesome vids mate! :) Keep em going!

Ye when thinking about who Radagast could’ve been serving it wasn’t that hard for me to figure it out it was Yavanna 😬 I mean it was the easiest if we think about it

Such a wonderful telling of the Brown wizard. Thankyou !

I agree with the general sentiment in chat that, while he may have forgotten the quest he was given, in a way he stayed true to what was most important to him and Yavanna. Caring for the plants and animals they both loved, and who were so often forgotten amidst the doings of elves, men and dwarves.

Love this guys vids the way he pronounces all the LOTR words and your knowledge is beyond impressive. My dad and you would get along. I know just the basics but alot od stuff feom the books, lore facts I don't know. My dad was explaining to me when the films came out the stuff they left out and I was just confused with more questions lol. Great job nerd of the rings! RATAGAST is my seco s favorite wizard after Gandalf! My guess ratagast went into some sort of exile with animals somewhere lol

I really like how you include some dialogue from the books and do the voice acting. 👍👍

I love your videos so much! And, I also really love that Tolkien has put in endless mysteries in his Romantic Mythology!

Amazing knowledgeable video keep it up The community and fans need more like this thank you!

Another great video. I loved Radagast from my first hearing of him through the tales my mom told me while growing up. Then reading the four original books, and the Radagast in the Hobbit movies also would have been a great guy to hang out or go camping with. Keep up the good work.

I like to think that when the Entwive's disappeared some went North and found protection by Radagast.

I love the very subtle scorn in your voice when you mention the hobbit trilogy

That was lovely! Thank you for your wisdom in brining out what you can from each of those inhabiting Tolkiens worlds.

Just recently found this channel and i absolutely love these Travels videos, would like see you cover Cirdan on one of these because of his long life, Or Finrod (my fav).

The old Wizard in his own way stayed true to the cause . He wasn’t a warrior . He did what he could to help using his own natural strengths

Wonderful opening art ... THX whoever created it & this ch for using it

That last picture is how I like to think of radagast.

All your travels videos are awesome, definitely subscribing for more! Keen to see a Legolas one :)

Top tier

Can I just say, I've always been a fan of TLOTR but only the movies, I've only recently come across your channel and already have the desire to read the books, your animations, use of artwork and damn near perfect voice narrations inspire and captivate me, not many quality channels like this, Thank you!!

Great work. U really did ur research mate.

I was horrified by what PJ did to Radagast.

Love your narrations, can you read the books to me lol

Very enjoyable, this Nerd of the Rings, and I especially am fond of the voices used when quoting characters 🥰

Thanks for making these, my friend. Good to know that I'm not the only Tolkien nerd. I really hope that amazon makes the series about the second age. That will be amazing to watch!

Thank you for all your videos, they've softened the edges of a harsh pandemic

he lived on to become a mythical being. he's now known as the Green Man.

Loved the music! Keep up the great work!

I have just recently found your channel and adore it! This video made me a true follower of you. Radagast is a pure druid, living simply with nature and not concerned with the people and politics around him. I absolutely hate the movie version showing him as an absent minded mad scientist type. I am older and have read and reread and reread the books since the 70s. I love how you really delve in deep and your youtube shows will make me have new point to ponder when I reread them again. Thank you!

too many mushrooms for Radagast

Id love to know more of the blue wizards

Another great vid. Thanks 👍

Just came across your channel and I have been watching all of your videos. Excellent quality and information! Keep it up!

He became the original Berenstain Bear, obvs.

I stayed up all night until 7am studying and listening to these videos and honestly, I'm here for the voices you do! 🙌 😂

Love your videos, thank you.

I assume Radagast can't shapeshift, because then he'd travel by turning into a bird instead of riding a horse, right?

Okey, let's see. So Radagast comes at Yavanna's request and with a mission to care for the animals and birds. And that's exactly what he does. His mission was not to help the other races, so I'd say it's just a matter of perspective and that he indeed acomplished what he set out to do.

Great video! I'd love to get know more about Beorn the Shapeshifter.

Thank you for your voice acting haha I loved it