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This is an updated and (hopefully) improved version of a video first published in 2021.
I was so confused when I saw you post this because I just listened to the old version as I was going to bed last night.
I thought I was going mental - I watched this last night before bed
Radagast is an Istari, thus he is likely superior to any mortal Sorcerer.
Just as Tolkien changed his mind about the impact of the Blue Wizards, I wonder what he might have made in time of the Brown?
I’ve listened to the old one several times, and I sincerely cannot tell what you’ve changed with this one. Lol Nevertheless, thank you for keeping your content up-to-date and polished.
Radagast is like a well run IT department. Nobody knows what they do. The better they do their job, the less you even know they exist. Radagast is doing his job very well.
The best informant is disregarded by the enemy.
Same thing is true of an offensive lineman. They only mention their names when something negative has happened.
I really like this simile, but I hope I never reference it because it will make me seem like I work in the IT department
maybe without him the lands would have been corrupted a long time ago from latent Morgoth corruptions and Sauron trying to accelerate decay his way. We will never know.
You wrote already what I intended....if Radagast could change shape or disappear, his activity would be imperceptible to ALL.
As a kid (and now my personal head canon) I thought Gandalf talking to the moth was him sending a message to Rhadaghast, who then sent the great eagle to him. Nothing in the movie suggests this, but since I knew the book first it made more sense to me this way 😂
That's what I also have always thought. It never occurred to me that a moth could summon an eagle. 🙂
This was the same way I felt about the moth scene. I took the moth as a messenger to Rhadaghast. Who then sent the eagle.
What if the moth WAS Radagast?
I thought it was for Galadriel but your right probably I’m not sure
I always assumed the moth was telling Gandalf that the eagle was there to rescue him, and he needed to jump off the tower so the eagle could catch him.
I believe that Saruman spoke lowly of him because he simply did not appreciate Radagast's mission as defined by Yavanna, and thus likewise did not understand it. Like Sauron (and Morgoth) Saruman saw nature as something to be dominated and subdued, not nurtured and loved. Radagast was not a fighter but a protector, so when the threats came to him, his disappearance surely was defensive but so he could continue on defending nature in subtle ways.
Great point
To Saruman, Radagast's love of birds and beasts probably looked much like Gandalf's love of creating firework shows for Hobbit children: a pathetic, sentimental distraction from the quest for knowledge and power. But there's a reason why Saruman was eventually corrupted and Gandalf and Radagast were not.
❤️👍
A fine point indeed! Aule and Yavanna were spouses, and even then their aspects put them fundamentally at odds. I find it poetic that there would be animosity between their Maia. Especially that the animosity would unilaterally come from the Maia of Aule.
he likely saw him as pathetic and sentimental, of course he looks down on radagast when he doesn't respect the thing that radagast is protecting, doesn't think it worthy of protection
A common theme of Tolkien's, I believe, is the relationship of wisdom and perception of power. The very wise in his stories appreciate all forms of power, such as hobbits. The less wise only understand certain kinds of power, like Saruman's disdain for Radaghast. Boromir is a good man but likes weapons and can only understand the ring in terms of a weapon, while Faramir explicitly says the only thing he likes about weapons is their ability to protect. Most consequential of all, Sauron is so blind to the kind of power Gandalf appreciates he literally cannot fathom someone wanting to destroy the Ring. It's so important Gandalf's entire plan hinges on it. In that sense, Sam Gamgee is more powerful than Sauron.
good point all around, btw, it;s Faramir who says he loves swords for what they protect
Ah thanks, it's been a while since I last read the book. Fixed. @@Admiralmeriweather
Very good point!
"Sam Gamgee is more powerful than Sauron." I love this thought a lot, and thoroughly agree!
I like the implication that Radaghast is still among us today. He did not return to the Valar, but he did not fall to evil. He is immortal. Thus he must still be walking around somewhere, talking to birds and watching over things.
Dude's the friendly-if-odd guy who shows up to local works parties to pull invasive weeds or restore streambanks. Never says much about his personal life, has A LOT of energy for an older guy, will drop all kinds of nature facts if you're willing to listen. Probably wears socks with sandals.
@@katherinegraham3803 I cant explain it, but he is DEFINITELY a socks-with-sandals guy xD
anyone who has ever been deep in an expansive old growth forest where humans rarely tread can probably agree... there is a certain magic-like feeling. Especially if you stop moving long enough for the forest world to resume it's daily business when they decide you are not a threat.
@@masons9541 Absolutely agree, and I wonder if Tolkien would agree, that no matter what age we are in or eventually make it to, there will always be some magic left in the world for those who look for it
Radagast is a Maiar just like Saruman and Gandalf. A demi god, angelic like being. He is technically one of the most powerful beings in middle earth. I bet he would kick the asses of Galadriel, Elrond or Glorfindel
Gandalf regularly spoke about how he felt there was more power for good in the small, daily, acts of kindness that people give to one another than there was in entire armies. I cannot help but think that Radagast was a good person. He may not have been as stalwart in their mission as Gandalf was, but unlike the blue wizards or Saruman, he did not fall to evil. And I can't help but think that his love of nature and its denizens caused him to go about doing good in his own way. I believe in Saruman's eyes that made him weak, but in Gandalfs eyes it could have been one of the many drops of good that helped shape the world. Edit: spelling
in fairness's radagast did his duty as determined by his mistress to look after nature and protect the wild lands so he was stalwart in his main mission but not his secondary one as i imagine he took his mentor's duty's as above or at least more personal then the group's combined goal
Couldn't agree more, it seems to me very clear that Gandalf likes Radagast for much the same reason he's so fond of the Hobbits and the Shire, and is in part less scornful of him focusing on animals and plants because Gandalf too has a deep love for the little guy (in part cos Gandalf is just straight up less obsessed with his own wisdom and powerful than Saruman is)
Blue wizards "did not fall to evil", their real-life inspirations were Cyril and Methody who brought alphabet to the Slavic tribes.
I think its kinda beautiful that Radegast fell so in love with middle earth after having known Valinor. It makes his dedication to the plants and animals there that much sweeter. He played a subtler role than Gandalf perhaps, but perhaps thats why Yvanna chose him, knowing that was his nature
I think Radagast had more of an impact on the War of the Ring than we know. His birds and forest friends were the messengers of the White Council, and collectors of vital intelligence about the enemy. I'd be willing to guess that it was Radagast that sent the eagles to the Battle of the Black Gate, making them available to fly into Mordor to rescue Frodo and Sam. He kept watch over Dol Guldur, and sent word to the White Council when it became clear that the tower was active again. He did assist in the fight against Sauron. His influence was very subtle.
Another example, at the beginning of the Quest, the Fellowship was hounded and spied upon by Crebain. However after a while, that stopped. A master of nature would be capable of turning them away from Saurman, perhaps without Saurman even knowing. If they refused to stop spying for Saurman, well, there lots of birds of prey in Middle Earth, if you get my drift.
Master of shape could also mean, that Radagast is a shapeshifter, which isnt too farfetched, considering shapeshifting is something Maiar generally seem to be capable of (Sauron most certainly was). That would also explain, why he cant be found when he dosent want to be found. He could just turn into a bird and stay hidden.
That was my thought as well - Gandalf's description of Radagast as a "master of shapes" seems somewhat reminiscent of how he described Beorn in The Hobbit. I suspect that Radagast did influence the War of the Ring, just in very subtle ways using his abilities to keep himself unnoticed.
@@Wolfeson28 I had even wondered whether Radagast might have given Beorn the power. It's a reach, but a logical one.
@@joepugh678 I believe that, in The Lord of the Rings Online, the storyline describes a beorning telling your character that it was, indeed, Radagast that imbued Beorn with the power of shapeshifting, and could pass it on to his children.
That Radagast can still transform shows he has great power. Interestingly, the Maiar are supposed to be stuck in their physical forms when they resolve to take the form of old men. Before that they could shift in to anything, a light, a mist, and move unseen.
@@joshjones6072 Yeah I remember very similarly to what you wrote Josh Jones. Iirc, the Silmarillion says that the Valar and the Maiar can change shapes, and that a material body would be like a cloth so that they could change shapes as if changing clothes (or they could use "no clothes" and be invisible). But maybe (and I may be wrong as I don't remember reading this, but I interpret that way) Maiar (and maybe Valar) had limited options of shapes (as if limited options of clothes), some more than others. And maybe Radagast had a lot of different shapes, so even when he became an istari he kept some of those (the Valar nerfed all istari, but they still held some power). So even as istari he was still a master of shapes and hues.
Reminder that someone in the Hobbit films production decided that Radagast should have bird shit caked in his hair, and nobody said "No"
Disgraceful movies
The Hobbit films are unwatchable.
@@ggoannas baski animation is the only watchable lotr production
@@EternamDoov I watched the first one and said, “That movie reminded me vaguely of a book I read once. I wish someone would make a movie about that book.”
And had him look like an aged hippie who was high
It has always bothered me that in videos like this, which was excellent, nobody seems to mention that Radagast had, for years, set up shop on Sauron's (IE the Necromancer's) doorstep... He may not have gotten to Gandalf level, but he certainly made sure that he was at the right place, and got things done in the background. 👍
This. Long before The White Council was even formed, while Gandalf was wondering Middle Earth searching for news and the Elves were on watch, nobody knew where Sauron was or when he would appear again. Radagast went and made his home in Mirkwood right next to and surrounding Dol Guldur, where a mysterious Necromancer was hiding and growing in strength. He may not have gotten himself directly involved in events, and wasn't powerful enough to face Sauron in any form of battle... but he seemed to know exactly where he needed to be when it mattered... and I do like to think that any animals involved along the way were friends of Radagast who were sent to help
I don't know why, but as a kid I immediately liked Radagast in the books. He's just doing his own thing in the woods. Chilling. He's not particularly interested in the grand schemes, he just wants to watch things grow. He gets involved because he has to, and because his friend asked him to. I was mortified by his portrayal in the Hobbit film. My beautiful hedge wizard reduced to an addled shitbeard.
As much as I love the movies, there are things that I totally disliked. The treatment of Radagast was the worst example. The elimination of Bombadil which causes problems down the road. Skipping the truly wonderful narration. Also gives me heartburn.
His portrayal in the movies is what made me like him the most. They gave him time to shine, gave us a glimpse of his power, and most of all showed how much he cared.
He was in the woods just doing his own thing - but he also just happened to pick the forest where a mysterious 'Necromancer' was hiding in shadow and growing in strength. No way this was just random chance. Perhaps Radagast didn't get directly involved in conflict.. but he seemed to know exactly where he needed to be and where is influence would matter the most: the forest where the Sauron himself was hiding and corrupting everything around him.
Did he fail his mission? That depends on which one. True, he didn’t play a grand role against Sauron. But by not returning, he is fulfilling his mission from Yvanna, the one who asked him to go, to look after the land itself. Small side thought. I have never had such a well received comment on any video ever, positive or otherwise. So this actually made my day seeing so much wonderful discussion, thoughts, and general positive interaction with my comment. This meant more to me than y’all could ever know. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you very much. Y’all are an amazing community, opening up each others eyes, and helping each other grow and learn. Much like I’m sure Professor Tolkien would appreciate.
I agree with this thought. Radagast’s mission differed from that of the other Istari. Middle Earth’s flora and fauna following the War of The Ring were certainly in need of healing. It may have been more than the gift of Lothlorien soil Sam received from Galadriel that was responsible for The Shire’s recovery.
@@gerryphilly53 I never thought about that aspect with regards to the recovery of the Shire. Thank you very much. The more minds, the more beautiful things become, much like nature and the world Professor Tolkien left us.
Agreed! Parts of Middle Earth were still pretty torn up after the War of the Ring
@nategraham6946 what a beautiful message! 💛
Indeed. He wasn't sent to fight a war, but as a healer of all living things afterwards. Good thinking.
Now that you mention it, I think I'd like to believe that Radagast was more involved in the War of the Ring than it initially seemed. He sent Gwahir to Gandalf. Perhaps he sent the Eagles to the Battle of the Black Gate. He could have been at Fangorn Forest, and perhaps helped facilitate such a large turnout of Ents for the Entmoot. There is also mention of animal involvement (other than horses) in the defence of Gondor. Perhaps Radagast was there at these instances in the background, disguised and influencing events subtly using his magic. And let's not forget Bill the pony, who traveled from the western gates of Moria, crossing several hundred miles of hostile terrain and territory, to make it back safely to Bree. Perhaps he did this alone, or perhaps Radagast had something to do with this too.
I think Radagast stayed behind to do what he could to protect nature in the coming age of Men after the defeat of Sauron and the fading of the Elves
Its speculation of course but i envisage Radagast as being the maiar who first struck up a relationship with Bjorn and probably the eagles. Without them interjecting in the battle of the five armies the story would have played out very differently. So props to Radagast for being the kooky animal loving hippy uncle wizard that we know and love today!
One of those delightful little bits Tolkien loved to do, where little acts of kindness and friendship shape the world. Something that Gandalf loved to point out. Which is likely why he viewed him as a powerful wizard. His spells might not have matched Saruman, but his small acts of kindness shaped the world more than Saruman's magic ever could.
@@MrCovi2955I love this sentiment so much 💛
Except that he was not "the kooky animal loving hippy". That's Peter Jackson's misinterpretation.
Perhaps Radagast was so powerful that he did not need to appear powerful. His magic being such that, when done correctly, it never appeared that anything had been done.
I'm gonna use this line with my wife when she asks why the lawn isn't mowed yet.
@@beayn😂
Best cope ever
Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.
@@BesthinktwiceThen disagree all you want but it doesn't change what Gandalf believes.
@@stephenjohn2131 *cut to a shit ton of power being used against evil*
There are so many seemingly tiny acts of kindness and mercy which added up to Sauron's great defeat. Both Bilbo and Frodo showing mercy and kindness to Gollum even when all logic seemingly pointed to killing him in self-defence while they had the chance was the only reason the ring, and Sauron were able to be destroyed at all. That was the point, and Gandalf saw the value in these good acts, and how seemingly humble actions of goodness were the only things to truly, definitively topple great evil- power and war could only protect at best, hold it at bay- not defeat it, and Gandalf knew this. And he's right.
Of all the three "Western" Istari, he based closest to Dol Guldur; check where Rhosgobel is, just there at the edge of Mirkwood. That suggests that he wasn't afraid of the Necromancer and his forces and probably helped the people of Rhovanion - the Beornings, the elves of Loothlorien and the Woodland Realm, the men of Dale - deal with the evil that place spawns far more often than Gandalf and Saruman (when he was still on the side of good). And this would be the perfect place for someone with his unique abilities can thrive. Corrupted as Mirkwood was, it's still a forest, one with lots of things under the ambit of the former Aiwendil and his lady, Yavanna. Whatever Maia powers and wisdom were left in the Istari that was Radagast, those would serve him well in a place full of life. In The One Ring tabletop RPG, he was even noted as organizing his own Rangers and actively fought against Dol Guldur. Let's also not forget that Yavanna's "realm" includes lots of powerful weapons. Disease and decay are as much a part of Life, after all. And Saruman scoffs at someone who can easily command raptors? He truly lacked imagination.
I imagine that after Gwaihir rescued Gandalf and learned of Saruman's treachery, that he sent word back to Radagast. Maybe the Brown Wizard didn't go into hiding because he was ashamed that he inadvertently aided a corrupt Saruman, but because he had been advised by the Eagles to conceal himself. In any case, while Radagast doesn't appear again in the scope of the book, we know that Sauron sent his forces against Mirkwood while he was launching his attack on Gondor. I imagine that Radagast did his part to protect the forest and its inhabitants in that conflict. Perhaps it was not in a way that would draw much notice from Thranduil's people or the woodsmen, but I imagine it was an important contribution all the same. I also imagine that if the day ever came that the Great Eagles departed Middle Earth for the West, they would have welcomed Radagast to join them in their journey, just as Yavanna would have welcomed her loyal servant home.
In that "we're often influenced by the first version we see" kind of way, Radagast always looks like the old Mithril Miniatures figure of him to me, complete with bird and cat. I was happy enough to accept Peter Jackson's LOTR aesthetics for the most part (though even at 13 years old I remember wishing more characters had shields, that Rohan and the elves used mail more than plate, and so on, and so on), but as with a lot of the frankly BIZARRE choices in the Hobbit films (Bifur having an AXE stuck in his head?!) him being a doddering old bird-shit covered weirdo with a sledge pulled by rabbits didn't do it for me.
I love that you pointed out that Radagast would, in fact, be more powerful than almost anyone else in Middle-earth. Important to remember that! Thank you for the kind inclusion of my work in this. Excellent video!
"Master of shapes and changes of hue" could potentially be actual shapeshifting into animals (and possibly plants or even the earth itself). It'd kinda explain why Radagast was so beloved by the animals and why he understood nature so well - he might've been able to literally become those things and live as one of them for some time.
I like to interpret the idea that "only Gandalf returned to Valinor" more literally: a) Gandalf is the only one that returns as an Istari; in a human form - which he seems to keep, at least for a while even after returning. However, Aiwendil might have return as a spirit (and be it to the Halls of Mandos) giving up his physical form at some point. b) at the time of writing (so to speak) Radagast just hasn't returned and still is in Middle Earth. The line "others never again" can be simply colloquial, as in: "Oh, yes, we went to school together but I never saw him again after we graduated". As long as that person still lives, I might - however unlikely I think that is - see him again in the future.
The Radagast character always struck me as being very similar to Tom Bombadil, both roaming a forest and communing with nature.
He chuckled often at the fact that no one ever realized they are one and the same lol
I think a video researching the Maia under Aule and their propensity to seek power and become "evil" would be interesting. I feel that Tolkien was building a theme around Aule starting with his rebellious creation of the dwarves, followed by the devious works of Sauron (his Maia) under Melkor, and ending with the machinations of Saruman (also his Maia) during the third age. Perhaps there is an allegory there about the slippery slope of industry and those who are industrious in their crafts. How the desire to reshape the world and the things within it can take us too far down the wrong path.
Well Aule was the craftsman, and we know Tolkien had a deep suspicion and disdain for industry. I imagine he still appreciated the concept of technology, after all a brick hearth and chimney, a simple plow or rake, pots and pans, etc are all technology. Things that were invented and made. But Tolkien also thought technology and industry were things that were very very easy to take too far and use for evil. Aule represents technology and craftsmanship restrained and confined to that which is good, but the propensity for his maia to turn to evil might represent how easy Tolkien thought it was for crafting for crafting's sake, or for the sake of control of the natural world, to tip over to evil.
My daughter and I met Sylvester McCoy, the actor who played Radagast in the Hobbit, at a cosplay event. He was a super nice guy and was definitely the most entertaining character in the movie.
I never realized that the 7th Doctor was also Radagast! No wonder he felt so natural in the role.
It was the stupidest adaptation of the Radagast character one could think of. Mythical Radagast was a Slavic god of harvest, sun, fire and nature.
@@Kamamura2 true but McCoy was not playing the Slavic god was he? He was playing Radagast the Brown.
I really think he's the most memorable and interesting character addition in The Hobbit films, I appreciate how they interpreted him, and he was played brilliantly by Sylvester McCoy.
@@resilientfarmsanddesignstu1702 Yes, but Tolkien's Radegast did not have bird's poo in hair, now did he? That was Jackson childish joke, because he could not help himself, the original material be damned. The Tolkien's Radegast was a nod to the Slavic god (obviously), as Gandalf was not to German Ruhbehrzoul. That's why Tolkien did not want to hear about movies based on his books - because movie industry always produces garbage like this.
I think Radagast was sent to Middle Earth expressly to be a champion of life, and he absolutely succeeded in that through all ages and all challenges.
and he probably chose to stay in the forest with nature forever when the rest of the immortals left Middle Earth
One thing I love about tolkiens works is that encourages people to not seek “greatness” but to seek the good in the world and to enjoy it for it what Eru invented humans to do enjoy the world. It also brings into the forefront in Tolkiens beliefs that the world is inherently good and we should behold and appreciate its magnificence all evil comes fourth because of human intellect and invention, Saruman and Sauron are both craftsmen afterall, inventors and clever. To destroy nature is to say that you have a better vision of “the good” than Eru themselves.
Like his Blue compatriots, an Istari whose fate is unknown. I do wonder what he was doing when he could not be found by the Elves before the Fellowship set out for Mordor. Tolkien did write that only Gandalf of the Istari returned to Valinor, which I conclude means that either somehow he was killed (something I would think was very difficult to do) or simply aided the Free Peoples in his own way and then chose to remain in Middle-Earth after the War of the Ring. I hope it was the latter. P.S. I don't know what Jackson and Co. were thinking when they decided to have him have bird poop on his head in the Hobbit movies. Rather disgusting.
Play the fool, complete the mission.
Do we know if Radagast never returned to Valinor? Or simply that he didn't take the ships from the Gray Havens? I imagine that just like the Elves and Dwarves, that the time of the Eagles eventually came to an end. I can't imagine Gwaihir would not return West without inviting Radagast to come with them.
I've always imagined that Radagast decided to remain in Middle Earth after the War of the Ring. And the war itself was a vast front. For instance, we only hear in general terms what happened when the Lonely Mountain was besieged by the Easterlings. Radagast could have been helping the forces of good elsewhere, but there just wasn't enough room in the chronicle to cover all of his deeds.
The bird droppings constantly appearing in his hair makes him seem absolutely insane; presenting him that way was an unforgivable sin committed by the Hobbit films.
Both Radagast and Denethor were misrepresented in the movies. Radagast for comic effect which is a common yet sad Hollywood misdeed.
I was talking to a fellow LOTR fan (he’s seen the movies only) and when I brought up Radagast in a positive way in our discussion, he immediately laughed and went “yeah, I’m sure some crazy wizard with bird sh*t in his hair was on par with Gandalf and Saruman.” It broke my heart a little bit that he doesn’t know any other representation for this character. My friend is a huge fan of mythology and pantheons, so this would be something he’d love but alas :/
Peter Jackson said something that really helps me. He said that his films aren't really The Lord of the Rings. Only the writings of JRR Tolkien are the true thing. The films are just adaptations. My advice to everyone is this: do not let the films prevent you from experiencing the books. I am so very glad that I read the books many years before watching the films. @@BradsGonnaPlay
@@Wyrmwould I like your follow-up comment. Honestly I enjoyed seeing Radagast on screen for what it was, and I still have the books.
People get so hung up on that visual detail, but I think it says a great deal of interesting things about his character at just a glance- that he's so on another level and tuned into nature so deeply, and by extension so unbothered about the social conventions of civilisation that he doesn't care about something as trivial as that- it's just the world he lives in. It bugs me that people reduce that detail to "ew gross bird poop haha". That's so missing the point. These movies are of course interpretations and adaptations of the original stories, and it's unfortunate that we have to remind people of that- they are their own creatures. It would anyway be impossible to translate them 100% accurately from the original books- even Tolkien himself changed his mind on his own writings from time to time.
I enjoyed the scene where he revives Simon the hedge hog in the Hobbit but could really have done without the bunny sled.
Oh I dunno: "These are Rhosgobel Rabbits" made me laugh
Could have done without bird shit all down his head too
The rabbit sled is his best part! Showed us a touch of his power!
I like to think that when he disappeared, he went off to spend time with the eagles. It would make a lot of sense. Perhaps he even had an eagle form. Bu even without, living with the eagles would have given him the opportunity to keep an eye on things while keeping a low profile. Interesting too is the suggestion that he had kinship with the eagles, since eagles are characterized often as having great foresight and perception from afar, rushing in when the moment is right. Entirely possible that outside of a few select areas, he may have been one of the main coordinators of observing the actions of Sauron and Saruman, watching but not interfering, only stepping in at specific critical moments.
Something that recently came to me was that you could easily take any description of Radagast and apply it to Tom Bombadil, and vice versa. I’m fairly certain that Old Tom was a first draft, if you want, of what Tolkien intended for Radagast the Brown, but I find it pleasing that, in my head canon, they are the same individual.
They´re very similar, but I´ve always seen Radagast as a fellow Central European, while Tom Bombadil seemed pretty exotic. Radegast was a Slavic god from Central and North-Central Europe, and I learned recently that Tolkien was inspired by a German picture of a forest hill spirit for the wizards, but not for Tom Bombadil. That would explain it. Might also be the fact that Radagast is frank and brief, while Tom Bombadil speaks playfully and nonsensically about mysterious things and is married to a "river daughter", which in itself is a mysterious title.
It's surprising that Treebeard seems never to mention Radagast. It would make sense if those two were friends.
Radagast's realm was far away from the Fangorn Forest, and Gandalf mentions Radagast was never a traveller. That would explain it.
Delightful news! In Deep Geek has posted!
Great video! I can't believe, the video was posted one hour ago, and already has 581 likes! A testament to a great narrator!
Radagast simply moved to a shed deeper in the woods and authored such famous works as: "Magical Society and its Future", "Anti-Melkor Revolution", and "Can Nature Prevail".
Radagast does not control nature, but he has a great understanding of it. How the plants grow together and nourish each other. The special properties of each one for healing or destruction. He would be first choice to undo the damage of Souron in Mordor. Very powerful indeed. That he chose Murkwood is very interesting. Was he quietly keeping Sauron captive all those many years? He didn't leave with the elves when Gandalf did. Maybe his job was not over?
I suppose the Ents and Forests readiness for battle may have been due to care from Radiigast.
Robert, you're an absolute artist with these videos. You have a circumspect viewpoint and approach the characters with such attention to the evidence and generosity of spirit. You pack your wonderful analyses in concise packages that are equally rewarding to watch or just listen to. Thank you for what you do!
What I wanna know is how powerful the shrooms he ate were.
"They seek him here, they seek him there, they seek him everywhere" Props for putting forward a theory that Radagast was not simply unavailable, but positively undiscernible, and by choice. What might he have seen and influenced in the background as a camouflaged presence?
Is he in heaven or is he in hell? That damned illusive.... Radagast! Lol
Radagast's disappearance just when he would have been most helpful has always bothered me. Despite Saruman's disarming words his activities at Isengard and wholesale clearing of Fangorn's Forest should have alarmed and distressed him, but there is no sign that this happened. I'm surprised that no one ever asked Tolkien about that.
Hey, I’m finding the videos really entertaining, I had all the paper backs as a child but my brother tore up the silmarilion after he read it so I couldn’t. Over the past few nights these have helped me understand so much! Question though, for you next topic maybe. Would the one ring only truly work for Sauron or would the other Maiar be able to use it. I know it would corrupt the good ones if they try to use it against Sauron, but what if say, a Balrog got his grubby mitts on the ring. What could Gothmog have feasibly done with a ring of his own? Or just a “regular” balrog with Saurons ring 😬
Radagast potentially helped in ways that only Tolkein knew about and never divulged to the reader. The Brown Wizard might have made key adjustments without ever getting noticed or credit - or perhaps what he did was only known about (and even them maybe only sometimes) by Gandalf. Thank you so much for these videos!
Great stuff. I’ve been going through your entire catalog. Read the Trilogy several times, first when I was young and again in middle age. I was always drawn back. Thanks to your explanation, I now know why.
This is so much work and knowledge put into these videos. It doesn't go unnoticed. Very impressive and interesting!
The artwork in this video is some of the best in all the IDG videos and I would like to see full prints of some of it.
Your love of this lore is so evident in the tone and temper of your voice, I think you could cause me to pause in my disdain for Sauron if you chose to present it that way.
I want a t-shirt that says "Bombadil is always the exception."
I think of him lingering in middle earth not as a failure but in much the same way Melian did in the 1st age.
With so many personages in a story, it is sometimes difficult to give all of them tasks and things to say. Tolkien might have originally intended to tell specifically how Radagast contributed to the victory, but there just wasn't time or space available. In any case I am sure the Brown Wizard did something of great value before it was all finished.
Happy New Year Robert
I've said this before, I'll do it again, Radagast's power is almost certainly situational. In Minas Tirith, weak as a kitten. In the heart of Fangorn he's probably nigh omnipotent, though intensely uninterested in using that power for anything beyond his mission of protecting nature.
Perhaps Radagast was responsible for the Eagles timely appearance at the battle at the Black Gate.
I LOVE the art work you share in your videos! So inspiring for me to paint again! :D I just wish I had the desire to paint anymore...
Excellent analysis as always
I feel like Radagast might be the ultimate embodiment of something that seems to crop up a lot in Tolkien's work. The idea of a subtle, un-showy power that quietly tries to nudge things in the right direction and hopes by doing so that others will notice the positive effects of what has been done and pick up the same mantle or make the same decision. A "tiny bonfire in the dark" if you like. Influencing the "everyday deeds of ordinary folk" quietly in the shadows. I like to think as well that maybe he had some influence over nature that he used to keep people's hope alive, albeit in tiny ways. Who doesn't feel happier, and maybe a little braver, when in a beautiful place? Radagast, the ultimate spirit lifter
I love that! That's also an attitude I try to take in life- finding and creating little encouragements of goodness in whatever form, big or small they can take and letting them make positive ripple effects in the world.
Beautifully worded.
hello Robert, thank you for your work
I searched for this video on your channel two weeks ago... Watching again ❤
I've watched so many of your LotR related videos and just realised I'm not subbed. I've subbed finally. Superbly well thoughout content!
Radagast reminds of Tom Bombadil, unaffected by bad influences and maintaining harmony around him even projecting safety and peace.
Thanks for the work in these videos. I appreciate the presentation and script. As well as less I think and this is what Tolkien put in the book, and his notes and such.
Excellent point Robert! Like gravity which influences everything the greatest power is that which remains unseen.⚜⚔
I always thought of the wizards as ambassadors. Saruman as the leader and ambassador to the powerful, Gandalf the grey to the common people, Radagast to nature and the animals, and the blue wizards to the two great oceans and the inhabitants there in.
Love the videos! Keep up the great work. Any chance we can get a Tom Bombadil video?
I suspect the LOTR sequel was to include Radagast's squirrel army pitched against the corrupted Blue Wizards in an epic battle.
*How many times have I told you, don't fuck with the squirrels!* (Vaguely something Rick said to Morty before having to abandon an entire universe as already dead)
@@samuelvine You read my mind :)
😆😆😆@@Highlyskeptical
Excellent. I really enjoyed it. I quite agree with your theories. It could be when rumour reached Radagast that Gandalf had died in Moria, he may have gone into deep hiding. Perhaps in one of the darker areas of Fangorn. The Hurons would have likely welcomed him as he was such a good-natured soul.
Wonderful video once again. But i feel that i’ve heared it before. Is this a re-upload?
He was just a chill dude ❤
Loved Radagast in the film. And he did wonders in the story in the background.
As someone who re reads every year, an excellent summary, I've also drawn this conclusion 👍🏼
yeah but Gandalf rates everyone highly. in common with the Doctor: "I've never met anyeone who wasn't important." Gandalf has always given off that same vibe.
I am intrigued!
Thank you.
You always improve ❤
Beautifully done video, thanks. Your comments about Saruman's inability to corrupt Radagast create a striking parallel with Sauron and Denethor. Forget the movie. In the book, Denethor was steadfast in his opposition to Sauron and retained rational command of the military until Faramir's wound. As regards Sauron's contests with Denethor via the palantiri, Tolkien said "Saruman fell under the domination of Sauron...[while] Denethor remained steadfast in his opposition." and "Denethor was a man of great strength of will...Sauron failed to dominate him and could only influence him by deceits." Likewise, Saruman failed to corrupt Radagast and could only influence him by deceits." Perhaps that fact, more than his lack of finesse, caused Saruman to scorn him.
I love this channel so much
Always excellent. Maybe a bit miserable of me. But my reading of TLoTR is Sauron 'killed' Radagast, or just maybe Saruman. He 'couldn't be found', is not mentioned again, and lived uncomfortably close to Dol Guldur. Having returned to Valinor I can imagine his not going back, especially if the wizard he was sent to keep an eye on did the deed. Radagast wasn't as such hard to find. If you went looking for him it would seen Radagast would soon find out about it through his 'friends' and come looking for you. There's no other mention of him being hard to contact, both Gandalf and Saruman reported doing so without mention of difficulty. Also he seems to have had no issues finding others. All this suggests to me 'something happened', his reported nature and no further mention do not suggest he was turned.
As far as the opening statement, I would argue that Gandalf doesn't just rate people highly because they're powerful :D All of the art in this video is stunning
Super video - I wonder if there's anything in the text of LOTR that might suggest Radagast observing proceedings discretely, from a camouflaged perspective or via some bird or animal. Maybe some apparently throwaway mention might hint at his presence. Would be fun to re-read with that in mind, I might have to try it
I appreciate this analysis! Radagast seemed to be pure of heart, loving to all creatures & a worthy companion of Gandalf. I think more than anything he manifested the spirit of innocence, unconditional love & loyalty. At his heart, Gandalf understood Radagast intrinsic worth both as a being and as a purpose. In some ways Gandalf seemed to truly "see" Radagast & knew that his power did not lay in destructiveness, but gentleness & dedication. I wonder in some ways if Tolkien created him to represent those people in the population of readers that would immediately understand and identify with Radagast. We humans are corrupt, treacherous, power hungry, disloyal, and self-centered. I'll freely admit that the "power" as we always seemed to be enamored with is seductive in ways I cannot express. But Radagast turned his back on all of it and instead chose to nurture, protect and heal the animals all around him. We are so patriarchally corrupted to think that destructive power is always desired over the foundational power of love, nurturing and service. I imagine Radagast as being more worthy of Godhood than all the rest of the beings both in Middle Earth and beyond, except for Radagasts feminine deity that he served. As you live life and age you begin to see the fleetingness & chaos of destructive power and begin to understand and embrace it's opposite power. It is the still, small voice of the creator, not booming, not dominating, not destructive but gentle, guiding and utterly unstoppable in it's unconditional being.
Radagast embodies freedom if you think about it. He is wise enough to understand not to show his powers and he affects the world in subtle ways knowing those who lust after power, go after those with power. Radagast might be equal or even more powerful than any of the others simply because he is a wildcard. You can't win against an enemy if you don't understand what you're up against.
I believe Radagast has become nature. The elves failed to understand that Radagast did not actually disappear, but truly was around them. Maybe that's what Tolkien was trying to tell us. His love had made nature, a truly wise and powerful being and his name is Radagast. Radagast is now with and around us all.
Love your videos
He is probably wiser and more powerful than we think, acting, as you suggest, in subtler ways that don’t draw enough attention to be recorded. But, the picture you paint also suggests he’s the hobbit of the group. He is strong and wise, but not in the ways we usually think of or value strength and wisdom, and that is our folly, not his.
One of Radagast's strengths, as evidenced by Tolkien's similar character Samwise, was his humility. The most humble of the wizards, even surpassing Gandalf, and that's saying a lot.
"The druids... No one knew who they were... Or what they were doing. But their legacy remains..."
I stumbled on this and thought a comment from an outside view might be of interest. I read the Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Book of Lost Tales, and the Silmarillion back in the 1970's, so my memory may be a bit off so I will focus on what you posted. Tolkien focused on "Soft" magic so none of his characters used flashy "spells" for the most part. That said, I have always viewed Radagast with passive abilities that none the less served him well. Based on what was said about Radagast a picture does emerge that gives insight. You mentioned that he is a Maia. He is aligned with nature (and importantly Yavanna) in the sense/context in our terms of Druidic (Herbal & Animal Husbandry Lore) and probably Shamanic abilities (Herb and beast lore). It is unclear from memory if he had shape-shifting ability (probably forest animals only as would fit shamanic (Animist) sympathetic magic) but it would not be out of the rage of his potential skill set as an Istari. We should remember that Beorn is a shapeshifter in the neighboring area. We should also not forget that the forest people were still present but not in the stories to any extent and it could have been his primary job of protecting them. As "The Necromancer" exerted an area influence of "darkness" over the forest, Yavanna would have wanted Radagast to counter such dark influences as best he could still knowing that it was a task that would be beyond even his abilities so he would have to focus on key (Human) locations to apply his skills. What we/I know of Melkor: He corrupted the energy of middle earth on a planetary level as "constantly invasive" from the start of "The Song", and with Sauron being a primary lieutenant, it is not a stretch for him to have this ability on a more limited scale, which evidence in the books point to. So it is probably with his nature lore Radagast was a powerful healer. Note that an area influence has its own level of difficulty, especially if it is for an extended period of time as is mentioned in the books. With Radagast's innate knowledge of nature, he had the ability to grow anything he set his mind to and provide animal husbandry to any animal of the forest or river that he had access to. I suspect that he may have been limited in where he could apply his skills, like Tom Bombadil. There is also the probability that he had a telepathic connection to plants of all kinds (Ents) and animals. His skills are not a martial focus, but it is a focus of power in a very supportive sense. As for his disappearance, it is probable that he had "Gone to ground (Camouflaged)" while still serving Yavanna and Gandalf, who he trusts.
Radagast is not the kind of guy to care about raw power. But i think he has other qualities that might be considered even more important. Also considering the line "master of shapes and hues" its possible that radagast wasnt some camouflage master but instead a shapeshifter. It makes more sense to me that he just turned into a bird and flew away.
He was a necromancer of sorts himself in the movie, re-animating the the dead squirrel with his powers
Very interesting 🙏
For all we know he was still home when the Elves came looking for him he just disguised himself so they didn't see him.
What a great video
There's a slight chance though not stated that Radagast may've been responsible for Saruman's former friendship with the Ents in order to protect them, which in turn led to them aiding in the battle of Two Towers as Saruman not only knew their power, but felt enough familiarity with them to not seek battle with them. IE: Radagast may be responsible for Saruman's defeat.
How interesting it would have been to have a story where The Blue Wizards return as Sauron echos, with Radagast becomes the hidden Wizards ally of the protagonists.
Saruman hating Radagast is (in part) based on their character contrast creation versus serving nature: Saruman was a pupil of Aulë (craft) and Radagast was a pupil of Yavanna (growth). Aulë and Yavanna were spouses implying that the ideal crafter/wizard also values nature and growth. Saruman making more and more demeaning comments about Radagast is a premonition that Saruman turned away from crafts that respect nature. (So in Tolkien's view: Industrial Saruman means bad Saruman)