Varda (Elbereth), Queen of the Stars - Epic Character History

Рет қаралды 30,520

Жыл бұрын

Varda or Elbereth was the Queen of the Stars and Valar, and her light gave hope to all Free Peoples of Middle-earth. Thank you all so much for watching, let me know your thoughts on Varda in the comments below! As always, a great thanks to the online artists whose visual works made this video possible! If you are one of the artists, please let me know and I will post your name and a link to your work in this description!
#Silmarillion
#LordoftheRings
#Tolkien
Mythologie Candles:
mythologiecandles.com/?ref=kB...
Consider donating to our Patreon for the Westernesse Podcast and Discord Server:
/ menofthewest
Check out our Merch:
www.spreadshirt.com/shop/user...
Check out our music channel:
/ @musicmotw
Join us on Facebook at:
/ yoystan
Join us on Twitter at:
/ yoystan
Related articles:
tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Varda
lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Varda
www.glyphweb.com/arda/v/varda...
www.glyphweb.com/arda/e/elber...
www.glyphweb.com/arda/w/wells...
Manwë Súlimo, Elder King of the Valar - Epic Character History:
• Manwë Súlimo, Elder Ki...
The Valar of Middle-earth:
• The Valar of Middle-earth
The Maiar of Middle-earth:
• The Maiar of Middle-earth
Thank you for your (Valar and Elf tiers) patronage and support!
Alex Grimes
Bryan Garwood
adam petrlik
Anthony Harmon
Arthur
Blair Scouten
Brandon Glidden
Daniel Burns
Dorwin Gray
Merlin
Elizabeth Calvert
John Hume
Jonathan Putnam
Kyle Wetzel
Mark Kralick
Matt Sibbach
Maz Gibs
merten
Molly Sullivan
Peter Sheppard
Rhys Jenkins
Sam mcbee
April Green
Brent Paredes
Chiara Siaset
Corwin Nemeth
Dale Starbuck
Helko
Jpcjr
Matthew Jacoby
Matthew Rivas
Matthew Shrubsole
Memory Troll
Peter DeVault
Psynexus
Susan Henry
Tobias Göldner
Van Hardison, PhD
metalguy87
Miranda Fuller
Daudlegur
Saoirse Rose
NicthevikTv
Marc
Paul Leone
theo
Jake Pedsneuro
(These are active patrons, if you don’t see your name, there may be an issue with your donation)
The new Men of the West thumbnail logo overlay was created by Raffe:
@RaffetheRandom on Twitter
The new Men of the West logo was created by Beau:
beauy.art?...
The new Men of the West intro was created by Tyler Lund:
tylerlund.mystrikingly.com/
The final image “Bag End” was created by Wayne Glassbrook at designly.net
The first song used in this video:
Frozen Star by Kevin MacLeod
Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song...
License: filmmusic.io/standard-license
The last song used in this video is from:
library.techsmith.com/
Many related and/or used art come from these artists and sources:
Ted Nasmith:
www.tednasmith.com/
Jenny Dolfen:
goldseven.wordpress.com/
Alan Lee:
www.iamag.co/the-art-of-alan-...
John Howe:
www.john-howe.com/portfolio/g...
Hildebrant brothers:
www.brothershildebrandt.com/Br...
DonatoArts:
www.deviantart.com/donatoarts
Magali Villeneuve
www.magali-villeneuve.com/
Wolfanita:
www.deviantart.com/wolfanita
Gerwell:
/ gerwell
Mirach Ravaia:
www.deviantart.com/mirachrava...
Kaprriss:
www.deviantart.com/kaprriss/g...
EKukanova:
www.deviantart.com/ekukanova/...
steamey:
www.deviantart.com/steamey
Laurelinartistry:
/ laurelinartistry
SaMo-art:
www.deviantart.com/samo-art/g...
kimberly80:
www.deviantart.com/kimberly80...
Anke Eissmann:
anke.edoras-art.de/anke_illust...
KipRasmussen:
www.deviantart.com/kiprasmuss...
aegeri:
www.deviantart.com/aegeri/art...
Maria Monticelli:
fantasmary.artstation.com/pro...
Sarah Damithri Kumarasiri:
www.artstation.com/artwork/3d...
F3LC4T:
www.artstation.com/artwork/d8...
Annastiina Salonen:
www.artstation.com/artwork/3o...
elaininet.wordpress.com/2019/...
u/aaloei:
/ my_illustration_of_tan...
alystraea:
alystraea.tumblr.com/post/153...
BellaBergolts:
www.deviantart.com/bellabergo...
url-okay:
tolkienillustrations.tumblr.c...
IngvildSchageArt:
www.deviantart.com/ingvildsch...
steamey:
www.deviantart.com/steamey/ar...
Carol Emery Phenix
B Dalton

Пікірлер: 111

@MenoftheWest Жыл бұрын

I forgot to shoutout a Valar tier patron, Alex Grimes! Thanks so much! Thank you all for watching!

@rafaelfarias4359 Жыл бұрын

Her name was chanted by Legolas in his greatest feat, as he shot down Ringwraith from the air with his Longbow of the Galadhrin. As Legolas as a war cry called upon her name, "A Elbereth Gilthoniel!" his arrow shone with the light of the Valar, and flew as a lightning bolt through the dark skies and killed the Fel Beast ridden by the Nazgul.

@selardohr7697 Жыл бұрын

Bruh..

@glennlanham6309 Жыл бұрын

and Frodo and Sam when leaving Cirith Ungol

@skatemetrix Жыл бұрын

Varda, the fairest being in all of Arda, as noble as Manwë and the first to oppose Morgoth.

@rhythmicmusicswap4173 Жыл бұрын

I was always annoyed how manwe was considered the leader of fhe Valar when he was the one who didn't even understand the concept of evil and it was varda the most feared by Morgoth.. because varda before the time already saw his dark soul

@skatemetrix Жыл бұрын

@@rhythmicmusicswap4173 Because Manwe doesn't understand evil and is not prideful, this ensures he doesn't become a dark lord. Thankfully Ulmo and Varda and the Eagles kept a constant eye on Morgoth and his minions.

@sainiharika 9 ай бұрын

@@skatemetrixwow thank you for this explanation.

@melkhiordarkfell4354 Жыл бұрын

Seriousness aside. Thinking about how Varda can hear everything in the world. I imagine Manwe and Varda are just sitting together when Varda perks up, Manwe rolls his eyes and groans "yes I know they wrote another song about you, no need to tell me".

@alanmike6883 Жыл бұрын

Varda is under-rated. Yet the children loved her. To call for her aid when needed. Shining a light in the dark for those who needed hope.

@joshburg09 Жыл бұрын

One of my favorite lines from LOTR (and one of the reasons that Sam Gamgee is one of my all-time favorite characters) is this little moment when Sam and Frodo are crossing Gorgoroth: "There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach."

@glennlanham6309 Жыл бұрын

gives us hope even for today's world

@orrointhewise3913 Жыл бұрын

"All light is sacred to the Eldar. But wood elves love best the light of the stars." The first queen and the original Eve. Love that her power wasn't so much overdone as it was subtly placed here and there but no less mighty. Would also love to see what she did during the war of wrath. Probably not fight directly but her presence alone would have been a sight to behold. Tho maybe she brought down a few stars on the enemy in a great meteor shower✨️

@gmansard641 Жыл бұрын

I love how Sam called on Varda when fighting Shelob, and the light of the Silmaril helped him defeat Ungoliant's descendant.

@seankim1592 Жыл бұрын

Very interesting how Varda took on an implicit role in opposing evil. Even while the Valar like Manwe made mistakes in managing Arda, Varda sought to do her best in keeping light in the world. I wonder what went on in her head as the Valar made decisions changing the fate of Arda. Did she want the Elves to come from Middle Earth to Valinor? Did she rebuke Manwe for pardoning Melkor? What about the Silmarils? But perhaps she was written this way. Like the stars, never engaging with the world but staying as a guide of light to our affairs, giving us hope and a chance of solace in the night.

@emasga6163 Жыл бұрын

I believe Manwë and Varda were so attuned to each other, that she respected and supported the final decisions of her husband, after giving her best counsel to him.

@Count.Saruman Жыл бұрын

It seems unlikely that she would rebuke Manwë. Of all the Valar, they are the two most in-line with each other's thinking, to the point that they 'share' some Maiar (Gandalf is said to serve both Manwë and Varda). Secondly, 'The History of Middle-earth' implies that much of the events of 'Quenta Silmarillion' are 'mannish fables', and that Manwë releasing Melkor had nothing to do with him not being able to perceive his evil. Manwë knew the mind of Ilúvatar best, and Morgoth's evil ultimately had its source in Ilúvatar as well. His release was therefore either Eru's will, so that he was free to expend his power and become diminished and no longer able to contest against the Valar, or perhaps a last chance at redemption which was necessary from a theological perspective.

@seankim1592 Жыл бұрын

@@Count.Saruman Interesting. Never heard that before

@Count.Saruman Жыл бұрын

@@seankim1592 There's all sorts of weird and wonderful notes in HoME. Here are some of the best ones: 1)The Two Lamps never existed, and the Sun and Moon always existed, because it was necessary to heat Middle-earth so that it could be habitable. 2)There was never a flat world. It was always a sphere, and Aman was just stretched into outer space. 3)The Quenta Silmarillion is just the Noldor's version of the history of Arda. A Vanya version presumably exists but Tolkien didn't 'receive' it for 'translation' 4)There were other universes apart from Eä, and other Valar and Maiar apart from the Ainur who sung the music. In fact, an Ainu is just one of the 'order' of the Valar and Maiar. 5)Frodo is actually 'Maura Labingi', Sam is Barzagîl, Pippin is actually Razanûr- Tûk and I've quite forgotten Merry. Their names are just the English translations. Tolkien put an amount of thought into his writing that very few people can truly understand. (If they did, there probably would be more Tolkiens)

@jhallam2011 Жыл бұрын

He feared her more than any other! She saw him as he truly was and knew how to reject him

@archades115 Жыл бұрын

In a manner of speaking, the Light of the stars was the Light of Eru Illuvatar. The Light of God shining down upon the world. Their alignments telling the story of Creation and the End.

@markstott6689 Жыл бұрын

Elbereth Gilthoniel always sends shivers down my spine whenever I re-read LOTR's. I'm due another (61st) read very soon.

@unclejoe7466 Жыл бұрын

The closed captions call her "Albert Giltonio." The corruption of Morgoth persists.

@backwashjoe7864 Жыл бұрын

On the plus side, I have a new alias!

@keyboarddancers7751 Жыл бұрын

That was beautifully told as ever, sir. If TRoP displayed just a tenth of the literary reverence conveyed by *Men of the West* and many of the other KZfaq Tolkienists, it would have been a truly inestimably epic show.

@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115 Жыл бұрын

Praised be Eur-Ilúvatar.

@TheSaneHatter Жыл бұрын

"Look!" he cried; and stooping he lifted from the ground A black cloak that had lain there hidden by the darkness. A foot above the lower hem there was a slash. This was the stroke of Frodo's sword," he said. "The only hurt that it did to his enemy, I fear; for it is unharmed, but all blades perish that pierce that dreadful King. MORE DEADLY TO HIM WAS THE NAME OF ELBERETH." That was all I ever needed to know about Varda.

@robertm2000 Жыл бұрын

Fantastic! I never cease to be amazed at how deep J. R. R. Tolkien's genius for world-building is, and from that the possibility of exposition of details of the story as Yoysten (sp?) is doing.

@darthXreven Жыл бұрын

the best stories and legends have hidden depth but few match the sheer detail Tolkien put in his world, the more the layers we examine the more layers yet remain lol

@Lobomaru02 Жыл бұрын

The stars are a large part of why I prefer the night to the day.

@samwheat2480 Жыл бұрын

The artwork of Varda was mind blowing

@MalekMakhoul Жыл бұрын

So greatful that the Rings of Power had ended and we are back to the lore!!

@xtremeranger30 Жыл бұрын

A Elbereth Gilthoniel. I'll always praise Varda.

@marionbaggins Жыл бұрын

Man, Varda is one of the inspirational Valar, just by calling her name and Looking at Stars...But it isn't a Joke!!! Man, my mum is revisiting the Books, and she read some of Elbereth by Now, she is on Glorfindel!!! Sorry, If I didn't type much, in 6-8 Hours I will have an Exam, and my mind is elsewhere!!! Thanks for Varda's ECH, Until Gondor and Anor Try to get together and Lose Kings in the Process...Marion Baggins Out!!!

@emasga6163 Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for telling her story! It's always so compelling! I wished that Tolkien would have written more about her, since she is the Queen of the Valar who has so many fascinating traits!

@user-dt7qu5ll7i Жыл бұрын

Amazingly beautiful… Love your great channel… “She walks in starlight in another world”… Regards🇶🇦

@christopherluke9658 Жыл бұрын

Forever beyond the reach of evil. Rings of power season two:”Hold my beer!”

@shanenolan8252 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful art .

@selardohr7697 Жыл бұрын

"Men of the west" theme plays: Me: oh, hello serotonin. Have a seat, we're about to hear a story.

@Jayjay-qe6um Жыл бұрын

The Valar, divine beings below the ultimate Creator, Iluvatar, are thought of as being the Middle-earth equivalent of saints and angels; therefore been suggested that Varda, in her role as the most loved and prayed-to Vala, may be an equivalent of the Virgin Mary in Tolkien's own Catholic faith. Another suggestion is the goddess of wisdom, Sophia, also associated with the stars.

@Comicnut64 Жыл бұрын

Awesome character history Yoystan

@elberethreviewer5558 3 ай бұрын

Elbereth Laurelin is my birth name. These KZfaq videos were the first I saw it used in anything. I was born after the books were popular but before the movies came out. I was teased so much for my name back then. Now, people at least have a point of reference, and I can point them to your video for more information. Well done. Do you know why they didn't use the name Elbereth in the movies?

@viking4139 Жыл бұрын

Loved this breakdown! Thank you!

@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564 Жыл бұрын

I've been subscribed to you for awhile and have always enjoyed your videos but this one had a different tone, with its message of hope, in dark times. Thank you.

@poggywoggy4677 Жыл бұрын

the claim LOTR is sexist is greatly refuted by Varda and the rest of the female Valar. They complemented their husbands amplifying eachother's powers. The theme is clearly only together are a people more

@patrickgeorgevitch6804 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful work. Thank you for posting and putting in your energy and love of Tolkien just for the sake of it! Keep up the good work!

@LightingbladeShen Жыл бұрын

another great vid! Keep it up!

@user-sd7ri9fy4i 5 ай бұрын

Nice work dude thanks

@victorminkov5183 Жыл бұрын

I have been waiting for this one

@SciMedia Жыл бұрын

Love your videos!

@marcusdupree3517 Жыл бұрын

Yes!! Another valar video. My favorite next to the 2nd age and year of the trees. She is one of my favorite beings in Tolkien. I love the stars and they give me hope and strength every night. For even our Sun is a beautiful white star.

@ZentColdStoneberserkr Жыл бұрын

You're my very most favorite Tolkienoligest. I think your knowledge of this world is amazing. Great pictures you paint with your tellings.

@Epic_Kingdom Жыл бұрын

Great video!

@RossHolt89 Жыл бұрын

Skal Varda Elbereth Queen of the Stars Queen of the Valar 🍺 Love this channel

@stimpsonjcat67 Жыл бұрын

I did buy some candles...that ad makes more sense on this video Yoystan.

@malenia8098 Жыл бұрын

I've heard this theory that Melkor wanted Varda to be his spouse before she became Manwe's and that's what the Silmarillion refers to by "she rejected him". Not sure if this is true but makes sense considering his obsession with light, from wanting to control light itself to the Silmarils. I doubt that he would have helped Ungoliant in destroying the Two Trees if they were his creation.

@404ServerError Жыл бұрын

It's never stated in any of the books that Melkor saw Varda that way, the rejection thing only comes from Varda, "for Melkor she knew from before the making of the Music and rejected him". She most likely knew some parts of his mind, what his real thoughts were, like she was rejecting that he was a member of the Varda. So no, Melkor wanting Varda makes no sense at all.

@drewwitkoski9001 Жыл бұрын

Just in time for Diwali. Awesome video

@Rosie-Lass 11 ай бұрын

Snow-white! Snow-white! O Lady clear! O Queen beyond the Western Seas! O Light to us that wander here Amid the world of woven trees! 💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠💠

@glennlanham6309 Жыл бұрын

I have been watching these videos for months...finally I find out what "A Elbereth Gilthoniel!" means

@J4R0D Жыл бұрын

Varda. The lady Feanor simped for so hard trying to get her some bling he cursed his sons and eventually led to the destruction of Beleriand.

@whiteknightcat Жыл бұрын

Sheer poetry there. (sniff) Sheer poetry. (eyes wet)

@Makkaru112 Жыл бұрын

You mean Galadriel. He didn’t curse his sons. He cursed Morgoth…~~~😅

@J4R0D Жыл бұрын

@@Makkaru112 He promised Varda he would return the silmarils so she could use their light. Also the oath of Feanor really screwed over his sons.

@Agreus93 Жыл бұрын

My Lady Varda! Thanks my dude. Cheers

@republikadugave420 Жыл бұрын

Ok but wouldnt a warror goddess be better.... She would aid the dark lord not knowing who he was and she would always be right and want to avenge something...

@jetmad79 Жыл бұрын

lol I see what you did there

@istari0 Жыл бұрын

But that would require her to be an idiot who regularly pisses off people around her and gets lectured (possibly by tiny creatures with furry feet) on her lack of manners.

@istari0 Жыл бұрын

😁😁

@shanenolan8252 Жыл бұрын

Thanks guys.

@jmaccsarmiesofmiddleearth Жыл бұрын

Awsome man love Varda.

@istari0 Жыл бұрын

There are few whose name alone strikes fear into the hearts of the servants of evil!

@futuresonex Жыл бұрын

I loved the part in "The Fellowship of the Ring" where Frodo yells, "Elbereth!" while attacking him with a wraith-killing sword and the Witchking is suddenly worried that Frodo might be powerful enough to actually kill him!

@edwardp5748 Жыл бұрын

tolkien is king, but have you all seen house of the dragon? i encourage you to watch it. stunning storytelling/music/acting/effects/television on every level. we all love arda and middle earth, but if you havent seen the show, do it. i apologize for saying the same sentiment again on one of your videos, but i just love the story and the show. its much better than GOT which wasnt all that bad. great video about varda!

@gandalf8216 Жыл бұрын

My favorite Valar.

@annaroselarsen4218 Жыл бұрын

❤❤❤

@laningsmith9163 Жыл бұрын

I wonder if she rejected Melkor because she knew his true colors from the beginning

@LadyHawke78 Жыл бұрын

A beautiful representation of the Divine Feminine - a power that may be passive, but fierce and unyielding nonetheless. Varda does not need to ride into battle to confront evil or be beloved by her children. The presence of her stars is enough to strike fear in the heart of evil-doers.

@stalker-anoniem3515 Жыл бұрын

O,75x speed makes it better to follow. You're welcome.

@liamg2516 Жыл бұрын

'for she rejected him...' the creation of evil, as even Melkor loved before the music...

@dfringlord Жыл бұрын

🔥👁🔥

@Kev376 Жыл бұрын

You should do a "what if bilbo immediately told gandalf about the ring he found" episode!

@johanabigasova6770 Жыл бұрын

A Elbereth Gilthoniel!

@themightypen1530 Жыл бұрын

So Melkor and Sauron hated the Sun, Moon, and Stars and sought to block their Holy Light. What then should we infer about Klaus Schwab?

@collateralgaming6982 Жыл бұрын

Epic Character Profile: Ecthelion of the Fountain

@treyowen9213 6 ай бұрын

Ave Maria. 🙇🏼‍♂️🙏🏻

@TarMody Жыл бұрын

In the Unfinished Tales it is mentioned that Sauron disguised as Annatar because he foresaw the Istari's arrival. In The Silmarillion it is mentioned that Menelmacar pointed to Dagor Dagorath. According to this could Sauron's prediction of the Istari's coming be a result of Varda reading one of the constellations he created? I call this Tolkien astrology.

@pwmiles56 Жыл бұрын

Gilthoniel! O Elbereth! Clear are thy eyes and bright thy breath! --- sing the Elves in the Woody End So, what has this lady got in her make-me-beautiful drawer? There are answers. I believe she is the Greek goddess Athena, conventionally known as "clear-eyed Athena". Athena fostered Erechtheus, legendary first king of Athens, whose daughter Oreithya wedded Boreas the North Wind, also revered by the Athenians. In the initial draft Tolkien wrote "cold thy breath" (HOME 6).

@stmartin17773 Жыл бұрын

And can be continued in reality with the Angelus.

@mojosbigsticks Жыл бұрын

Ah Elbereth, stir-kindly,

@BDawg-hy7pl Жыл бұрын

Have you ever thought about starting a game of thrones lore channel?

@SvenTviking Жыл бұрын

Do you think that if she told Melkor that he had unresolved issues and needed to talk to a therapist, it might have sorted everything out?

@Charles_S09 Жыл бұрын

Is Varda also the vala of light AND fire? I know Melkor is most associated with cold but it also seems he can be connected with fire in a way, It makes me wonder if Varda alone is the vala of light and fire and Melkor just corrupted it and used it to cause chaos.

@voltfields3900 Жыл бұрын

What would happen if the sirmarils was gifted to Varda after its creation? 🤔

@oolooo Жыл бұрын

Top Valar Waifu .Hail the Star Lady .

@paulwagner688 Жыл бұрын

The way the legendarium is conducted, it is truly VARDA who is the Highest of the Valar, surpassing even Manwe. Manwe was Melkor's brother, but Varda was above even them.

@skatemetrix Жыл бұрын

It's actually Manwe as only Manwe can directly speak to Eru Illuvatar. That power is given to no other and is, short of Eru Illuvatar himself, the greatest power in all of Arda. In that way Manwe becomes almost like a prophet of God.