Gegaderung
Gegaderung => Old English Language => Topic started by: Linden on November 23, 2010, 02:45:25 PM
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I came across these today and thought that perhaps other people too might not have seen these two OE riddles written by Tolkien. Enjoy!
http://faculty.jbu.edu/jhimes/tolkienriddles.html
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---thanks for this. I go to a U3A group on Tolkien whose leader took A-S at university many years ago, so I've passed them on. And, yes, I have told him about the English Companions but I think he has so much to do already (like all us retired lot) that at the moment he has no more time available.
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---thanks for this. I go to a U3A group on Tolkien whose leader took A-S at university many years ago, so I've passed them on. And, yes, I have told him about the English Companions but I think he has so much to do already (like all us retired lot) that at the moment he has no more time available.
tell him he doesnt have to do anything, just join :)
Peter
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---I'll tell him, Peter! Meanwhile, I got the following reply from Brian Buckle, the Leader of the Group:
Dear Sonya
Many thanks for this. I'm baffled at present; it's lucky I haven't got a hungry Gollum breathing down my neck. I'll let the riddles rest in the back of my mind - something may emerge. With you perrmission i'll print out copies for the Group; something to keep their minds churning over Christmas.
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---I went to the December session on Tolkien and the leader, Brian, handed out copies of the riddle to everyone and it evoked great interest. I think the members will be working hard at the riddles over Christmas and yhou never know, we might get some more members.
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Thanks Sonya. It's good to know that Tolkien's riddles are being appreciated - they are excellent bits of work. It seems an awful shame that they are not published somewhere - perhaps they have been by now?
At least they are clearer and much easier to solve than those in the Exeter Book!
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Well, is the first a water fountain, a sink or a bath?
Is the second a red and white spotted mushroom?
I have a feeling I might as well be asking if the first is a bicycle and the second a water buffalo...
..but perhaps it will encourage some other folks to have a stab, too.
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Well, is the first a water fountain, a sink or a bath?
Is the second a red and white spotted mushroom?
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Not even close. Although perhaps the red and white spotted mushroom would help ;D.
For the first riddle, try reading "wæter/water" as "liquid" and "hrægl" as "cloth" or "fabric" rather than "garment".
For the second riddle, the name "Hunecan" is significant.
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For the first riddle, try reading "wæter/water" as "liquid" and "hrægl" as "cloth" or "fabric" rather than "garment".
For the second riddle, the name "Hunecan" is significant.
Well, one gesiþ at the last East Seaxe meeting solved the second riddle with a little more help and then said words to the effect that it is obvious in retrospect. The extra bit of help provided was the advice to separate into two 'halves' the name "Hunecan".
As for the first riddle, it might help to know that Tolkien wrote another riddle with the same solution in Modern English. The clues are not that similar but do have some things in common.
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I thought I'd replied to this.
I think the first one is an egg.
Walls = shell, silk = that skin thing, water = albumen, apple = yolk, thieves = crows / seagulls / oviraptors.
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Steeleye Span sang a simplified version of the first one on the "Rocket Cottage" album. That's showing my age!
Paul
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Steeleye Span sang a simplified version of the first one on the "Rocket Cottage" album. That's showing my age!
Paul
So I was right then, fantastic!
On to the second one.