Midkota High School - LOTR 101

Review Questions

1)What are three reasons that the setting of the Middle Ages appeals to many fantasy writers?

2. Under the feudal heroic code, what were the two major motives for doing heroic deeds?

3. What war do all the three great ancient epics share in common?

4. What are the five characteristics of an epic hero?

5. From the lesson above, give an example of a flat character in The Lord of the Rings?

Critical Thinking Questions

6. What elements of the art of warfare in the Middle Ages differ from modern warfare and why does the warfare of the Middle Ages have greater appeal to many fantasy writers and game developers?

7. What gift did Lord Sauron give to his nine mortal thanes, the kings of Men, as a reward for their service and loyalty? What happened as a result of this gift?

8. An epic hero embodies the values of his age. What characteristics did the ancient epic heroes possess? If you were to create an epic hero today, what character qualities would he or she need to have in order to embody the values of our age?

9. How does Tolkien use The Lord of the Rings to deal with the issue of ecology?

10. How does the idea of a story inspire Frodo?