Tode: Difference between revisions

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'''Tode''' was a marsh mentioned in the [[The Shire|Shire]]-poem ''[[The Mewlips]]''.<ref>{{AB|Mewlips}}</ref>
'''Tode''' was a marshy location mentioned in the [[The Shire|Shire]]-poem ''[[The Mewlips]]''.<ref>{{AB|Mewlips}}</ref>


It is unknown if Tode refers to an actual marsh in [[Middle-earth]], or if it was just an invention by the poet. [[Robert Foster]], while emphasising that it was likely fictitious, has suggested that Tode "''may have been patterned on the marsh at the eastern end of the [[Old Forest Road]]''".<ref>[[Robert Foster]], ''[[The Complete Guide to Middle-earth]]'' (1978, p. 386)</ref>
It is mentioned to be after a long road "beyond the [[Merlock Mountains]]", and "through the [[spider]]-shadows"; other than that it is unknown if Tode refers to an actual marsh in the [[Westlands]], or if it was just an invention by the poet.  
 
As the poem describes a location similar to [[Mirkwood]],<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, entry "Mewlips, the"</ref> it's possible that Tode refers to the [[Long Marshes]] at the end of the [[Old Forest Road]].<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, entry "Tode", p. 386</ref>
==Etymology==
''[[Wiktionary:tode#Middle English|tode]]'' is the Middle English spelling for a "[[frog|toad]]"; it was also a word with evil connotations, as the toad/frog was considered a demonic creature, according to Wiktionary (cf. abovementioned link). Furthermore, ''[[Wiktionary:Tode#German|Tode]]'' is also the [[Germanic|German]] word for "death". Although the two words are unrelated, and [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] didn't specifically explain his choice for the name, both explanations are fitting for an ominous swamp.
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[[Category:Swamps]]
[[Category:Swamps]]
[[fi:Touden räme]]

Latest revision as of 16:45, 31 December 2021

Tode was a marshy location mentioned in the Shire-poem The Mewlips.[1]

It is mentioned to be after a long road "beyond the Merlock Mountains", and "through the spider-shadows"; other than that it is unknown if Tode refers to an actual marsh in the Westlands, or if it was just an invention by the poet.

As the poem describes a location similar to Mirkwood,[2] it's possible that Tode refers to the Long Marshes at the end of the Old Forest Road.[3]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

tode is the Middle English spelling for a "toad"; it was also a word with evil connotations, as the toad/frog was considered a demonic creature, according to Wiktionary (cf. abovementioned link). Furthermore, Tode is also the German word for "death". Although the two words are unrelated, and J.R.R. Tolkien didn't specifically explain his choice for the name, both explanations are fitting for an ominous swamp.

References

Legendary locations in Arda
Islands:  Isle of Meneltarma
Mountains:  Astulat · Mountains of the Moon · Merlock Mountains
 Regions:  Aerie · Belmarie · Fantasie · Last Desert · Sindanórie · Thellamie · Tode
Rivers:  Derrilyn
Other:  Caves of the Forgotten · Gorbelgod