Radagast

From Tolkien Gateway
Revision as of 08:15, 14 June 2008 by Ederchil (talk | contribs) (template, pleased ambartur)

Template:Istari infobox Radagast the Brown was one of the Wizards, a good friend of Gandalf, and had a strong affinity for animals. He lived at Rhosgobel, on the western eaves of Mirkwood, near the Gladden Fields on the Great River.

History

Radagast, like the other Wizards, came from Valinor around the year 1000 of the Third Age and was one of the Maiar. His original name was Aiwendil, meaning Bird Friend in Quenya. The Vala Yavanna forced Saruman to accept Radagast as a companion, which may have been one of the reasons Saruman was contemptuous of him.

The wizard's home was in Rhosgobel on the western borders of Mirkwood. He was a friend of Beorn as well as a friend to the forest's many creatures, especially birds whom he communicated with. Despite this, Gandalf was still more knowledgeable of the animals, and more respected by them than Radagast. Radagast spent most of his time with the wildlife instead of Men and Elves, whom he found more difficult to deal with. Radagast grew neglectful and easygoing, and he lacked courage, however he remained of good will.

In the summer of 3018 Radagast was unwittingly used by Saruman to lure Gandalf to Orthanc, where Gandalf was captured. However, Radagast also unwittingly helped rescue the grey wizard by alerting the Eagles of Gandalf's journey there.

Radagast is without a doubt a mysterious character. While there is little doubt that his heart was in the right place, he did not possess that same selflessness that allowed Gandalf to fulfill the task set to him by the Valar, to aid the free people. Diegning to leave his wooded home, Radagast remained in Northern Mirkwood with the birds and the beasts and the trees.

So in the end, it seems that Radagast was among the four wizards who failed in their tasks to help fight against Sauron. He was not ambitious and cruel like Saruman, but he did not contribute to Sauron's downfall.

What became of Radagast the Brown in the Fourth Age is left to speculation. It is possible that he was allowed to return to Valinor, but this seems unlikely. Radagast may have left to wander Middle-earth, or he may have stayed with his birds and his beasts, content to while away the days in Mirkwood until he himself faded away and became part of the forest, the trees and the plants and the leaves.

Portrayal in adaptations

In the 1981 radio series, Radagast was voiced by Donald Gee.

The character Radagast and virtually all references to him were removed in Peter Jackson's The Fellowship of the Ring. He was originally to appear in a background scene, but this was removed because it would only confuse people.

Other names

Radagast by Angelo Montanini
  • The Brown
  • Aiwendil
  • Bird Friend
  • Tender of Beasts
  • Radagast the Bird-tamer - a name mockingly given to Radagast by Saruman.
  • Radagast the Simple - a name mockingly given to Radagast by Saruman.
  • Radagast the Fool - a name mockingly given to Radagast by Saruman.

Etymology

According to the essay "The Istari" from the Unfinished Tales, the name Radagast means "tender of beasts" in Adûnaic, the language of Númenor. However, in a later note Tolkien said that the name is in the language of the Men of the Vales of Anduin, and that its meaning is not interpretable.

The name Radagast may actually be Anglo-Saxon. The word gast means "ghost, spirit, angel." The element rad could be derived from rudu, meaning "ruddy, reddish." If this is the case, his name could be translated as "Ruddy Angel." Since the Maiar are Tolkien's 'lesser angels', Radagast would mean simply "Ruddy Maia", perhaps in reference to his cloak's color (brown, or perhaps ruddy brown). But this may be too much speculation. See Radagast (god) for meaning of the name in Slavic languages from which Tolkien possibly drew the name.

References

See also

Ainur
Valar Lords Manwë · Ulmo · Aulë · Oromë · Mandos · Irmo · Tulkas · Melkor
Valier Varda · Yavanna · Nienna · Estë · Vairë · Vána · Nessa
Maiar Arien · Blue Wizards · Eönwë · Gandalf · Ilmarë · Melian · Ossë · Radagast · Salmar · Saruman · Tilion · Uinen
Úmaiar Sauron · Balrogs (Gothmog · Durin's Bane) · Boldogs
Concepts and locations Almaren · Aratar (indicated in italics) · Creation of the Ainur · Fana · Máhanaxar · Ainulindalë · Order of Wizards (indicated in bold) · Second Music of the Ainur · Timeless Halls · Valarin · Valinor · Valimar


Ainur
Valar Lords Manwë · Ulmo · Aulë · Oromë · Mandos · Irmo · Tulkas · Melkor
Valier Varda · Yavanna · Nienna · Estë · Vairë · Vána · Nessa
Maiar Arien · Blue Wizards · Eönwë · Gandalf · Ilmarë · Melian · Ossë · Radagast · Salmar · Saruman · Tilion · Uinen
Úmaiar Sauron · Balrogs (Gothmog · Durin's Bane) · Boldogs
Concepts and locations Almaren · Aratar (indicated in italics) · Creation of the Ainur · Fana · Máhanaxar · Ainulindalë · Order of Wizards (indicated in bold) · Second Music of the Ainur · Timeless Halls · Valarin · Valinor · Valimar