Review: Tales from the Perilous Realm – “Errantry”
Introduction
J.R.R. Tolkien, best known for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, was also a master poet who infused his fantasy world with rich linguistic play and deeply rooted mythology. Among his lesser-known works is Errantry, a whimsical yet intricate poem that was first published in The Oxford Magazine in 1933 and later included in The Adventures of Tom Bombadil, which was later compiled into Tales from the Perilous Realm.
This poem stands apart from Tolkien’s high fantasy epics, as it showcases his playful use of language, rhythm, and imaginative storytelling. While Errantry does not directly tie into the legendarium of Middle-earth, it reflects many of Tolkien’s recurring themes, such as adventure, the passage of time, and the tension between duty and whimsy.
In this review, we will explore the poem’s narrative, themes, structure, and its significance within Tolkien’s broader body of work.
Summary of “Errantry”
At its core, Errantry is a fantastical and somewhat humorous narrative poem that follows the journey of an unnamed knight. Unlike traditional heroic ballads, this knight is not on a grand quest to slay dragons or rescue maidens; rather, his adventures are absurdly over-the-top, blending elements of chivalry with whimsical exaggerations.
The protagonist embarks on an errand, sailing across enchanted lands and encountering strange creatures. Along the way, he woos a fairy maiden but ultimately loses her to another suitor. His journey is endless, taking him through bizarre and surreal landscapes, where he battles fantastical foes and engages in peculiar exploits.
The poem’s title, Errantry, is a play on words. It refers to the medieval concept of knight errantry—wandering knights who undertake quests—while also suggesting the notion of error, wandering without true purpose. This duality captures the essence of the poem’s lighthearted yet thought-provoking nature.
Themes and Interpretation
The Absurdity of Endless Quests
Unlike the heroes of The Lord of the Rings, who embark on meaningful and world-altering journeys, the knight in Errantry seems trapped in an endless cycle of action without resolution. His adventures are extravagant but ultimately futile, as his efforts to win love and accomplish heroic deeds result in little success.
This theme can be seen as a playful critique of traditional chivalric romance, where knights are often depicted as undertaking impossible tasks for the sake of honor. Tolkien, a scholar of medieval literature, was undoubtedly familiar with such tropes and appears to be satirizing the notion of ceaseless wandering without a clear purpose.
The Transience of Love and Beauty
The knight’s loss of his fairy maiden suggests an underlying commentary on the fleeting nature of beauty and love. In many fairy tales, heroes win the love of their chosen maidens after undergoing trials, but in Errantry, the protagonist’s romance is ephemeral. This could be interpreted as a reflection on the unattainability of perfection—whether in love, adventure, or artistic creation.
Language as Playful Experimentation
One of the most striking aspects of Errantry is its linguistic complexity. The poem is written in an intricate meter and rhyme scheme, creating a rapid, musical rhythm that enhances its whimsical tone. Tolkien was deeply interested in philology, and Errantry serves as a testament to his love for wordplay and alliteration.
The poem’s elaborate word choices and invented creatures further demonstrate Tolkien’s ability to craft fantastical settings purely through the power of language. In this way, Errantry is as much an experiment in poetry as it is a fantastical narrative.
A Proto-Version of “Eärendil”
Interestingly, Errantry laid the groundwork for one of Tolkien’s most significant mythological figures: Eärendil the Mariner. In later years, Tolkien adapted the structure and meter of Errantry to compose The Lay of Eärendil, which appears in The Lord of the Rings. While Errantry is a lighthearted and comedic poem, its rhythmic and linguistic patterns were later used to narrate the far more serious and mythic tale of Eärendil’s voyage.
This connection demonstrates Tolkien’s evolving approach to storytelling, as he repurposed poetic experiments from his earlier years into the deep lore of Middle-earth.
Structure and Style
Complex Rhyme and Meter
One of the most distinctive features of Errantry is its elaborate rhyme scheme: it follows a trisyllabic structure, where each line contains three main stressed syllables. The effect is a galloping, almost hypnotic rhythm that enhances the fantastical nature of the poem.
For example, the opening lines establish the tone immediately:
"There was a merry passenger, a messenger, a mariner"
"He built a gilded gondola to wander in and had in her"
The repetition of sounds and internal rhymes make the poem feel both whimsical and musically structured. This level of phonetic playfulness is uncommon in modern poetry and showcases Tolkien’s deep knowledge of linguistic aesthetics.
Invented Creatures and Mythical Beings
As with many of Tolkien’s writings, Errantry introduces a host of imaginative beings that exist outside traditional mythology. Instead of familiar elves and dragons, we encounter whimsical and unknown creatures, reinforcing the poem’s unique and dreamlike quality.
This ties into Tolkien’s broader worldbuilding techniques—his ability to create entire universes through the power of language alone. Even though Errantry is not explicitly set in Middle-earth, it exhibits the same creative impulse that led to the formation of Tolkien’s vast legendarium.
Significance in Tolkien’s Works
Although Errantry is not as well-known as Tolkien’s more serious narratives, it remains an important piece within his literary output. It provides insight into his poetic talents, his love of medieval and mythological themes, and his ability to balance whimsy with deeper philosophical musings.
Moreover, Errantry serves as an early prototype for later works. Its poetic style influenced The Lay of Eärendil, and its themes of wandering and unattainable goals resonate throughout Tolkien’s legendarium. The idea of a lone traveler, searching for something beyond his reach, would later manifest in characters like Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, and Eärendil.
Conclusion
Errantry is a delightful yet deceptively complex poem that showcases Tolkien’s literary brilliance. While it may initially appear as a lighthearted and nonsensical adventure, a closer reading reveals layers of thematic depth, from the absurdity of endless quests to the fleeting nature of beauty and love.
For fans of Tolkien, Errantry is a fascinating glimpse into his poetic experiments and his evolving storytelling techniques. Though it does not play a central role in Middle-earth’s mythology, it remains a testament to his love of language, rhythm, and fantastical invention. Whether read for its sheer musicality or for its deeper literary connections, Errantry is a hidden gem within Tales from the Perilous Realm—one that deserves appreciation for its wit, charm, and poetic mastery.
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