What nightmare was the key to Tolkien's mythology?Can Gandalf really die?What does Tolkien like best about Frodo?Which monster from The Lord of the Rings attacked Tolkien in real life?Why are Tolkien's elves tall?J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasies The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit have enthralled readers for more than half a century. The realm of Middle-Earth is one of the most fully realized worlds in literature, yet the remarkable mythology upon which Tolkien founded it is still a mystery to most readers.The Magical Worlds of The Lord of the Rings reveals the ancient folklore and legends that inspired Tolkien's masterpiece. From the Finnish saga Kalevala and the events in Beowulf to Arthurian mythology, Shakespeare and even World War II, this indispensable guide provides insights not only into literature's most beloved fantasy but also into the man who brought it to life.