Painterly open atlas with a brass compass, wooden spoon and shell on warm cream.

Original artwork, not a still

The Two Towers · 1954

Gandalf

"Many are my names in many countries: Mithrandir among the Elves, Tharkûn to the Dwarves; Olórin I was in my youth in the West that is forgotten, in the South Incánus, in the North Gandalf; to the East I go not."

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The speaker lists names used by different peoples and in different places, including a name from their youth. The catalogue presents one identity through many relationships and memories. The closing statement that they do not go east adds a boundary to this otherwise wide-ranging account of where they are known.

Context reviewed

Share this quote