Either way my answer is likely no, but if I would be the same genetic person, HELL no. I have shitty eyesight, my teeth were terribly crooked before I got braces, and I am clumsy as all hell. I don’t think I’d do well as me.
Moreover, I am far too comfortable with modern conveniences such as vaccinations, medications (especially for allergies), shampoo, contact lenses and Riesen chocolate chews.
I’d be intrested in being there for a month, but that’s about it.
But the real problem is - would I have to speak that horrible Tolkienian stilted prose all day long? You know what I mean - for instance, it seems you can’t even refer to someone by name half the time without telling you in the same breath whose son they are. I can’t imagine any real person saying things like “Never before has anyone dared to utter the words of that tongue in Imladris, Gandalf the Grey”. But LOTR characters do this all the time. I’d go completely barmy in a matter of weeks.
(Disclaimer - I think LOTR is a brilliant book. But real life it ain’t.)
Well, you’ll note the Shire and the Bree folk converse in what I assume is roughly an English country dialect, which is fairly informal and unadorned. Those who interact with them appear to adjust their manner of speech accordingly, as Strider’s ability to floridly out-stilt Prince Valiant doesn’t surface until he’s well on his way to assuming the title of King Elessar.
As myself:
That really depend on a different question, do I have any useful knowledge in medieval society, which Im sure has been discussed here before. I think maybe I could make gunpowder, or something.
As an elf or a wizard:
Obviously, yes
As a dwarf:
Living underground, working all day, having sex with women that look like men. Heck no.
As a hobbit:
hmm, no. Those that are well off seem to be living a relaxing life. But it would be annoying to be so short and useless compared to the other races.
As one of the Dunedain:
Now, we are talking. Skilled men, who live really long.
As a dragon:
That would be kond of cool, if I had my own giant treasure. Especially if I had enough to dive in it like a porpoise.
I grew up working on a farm. Which, while paradise on Earth compared to the life of a medieval peasant, is closer to the reality than anything a scholar of Old English would know.
Sure Tolkein wrote about peasants. They were the unnamed masses who were getting massacred in the mud so the noble heroes would have something to feel tragic about. Unless they were the unnamed masses on the other side who were getting massacred in the mud so the noble heroes would have something to feel triumphant about.
A good point. Life’s always better when you’re at the top of the heap. But even with that proviso, I’d prefer to be Darth Vader rather than Sauron - power over the worms plus indoor plumbing.
You make good points, but I imagine there’s a downside.
If I could live in Rivendell, Lorien, or the Shire, I would.
If I could be Aragorn, I would. ‘Cause not only would I be doing Arwen, but I’d probably be gettin’ some Eowyn on the side. And damn near any fair maid that caught my fancy.
Because THAT wouldn’t cause a rebellion. No, Aragorn’s too noble too cheat on his wife (and too blind to see that Eowyn is the best woman in Middle-earth). If you want inside that shield-maiden’s bloomers, you’d better be Eomer.
Yep! Here again, though, I’ve RPed an elf (Grey Havens) and a human (Rohan) on Elendor MUSH, and a human (Dorthonian) on the first age Beleriand MUSH. I liked the hobbits, but never rped as one.
I think if I could live in/on Middle Earth, I’d like to be an elf, probably of Lothlorien. Living in the trees, and as much lembas as I wanted? Oh yeah. I did like my time rping in Rohan, with all the horses, but they were so on the edge of danger nearly all the time. Loved the first age too, though, but that was probably the most dangerous time of all. Tolkien wasn’t afraid to portray that either–things definitely weren’t “hearts and flowers” in his universe. Still, though, I think Lothlorien elf would fit me.
I thought that statement was odd too, but after thinking over it a while I think it’s implied by the fact that people in Tolkien’s only marry once (in general), remain chaste until married (given Tolkien’s sexual morality), and Aragorn was in his late 80s, despite apparances, when he wed Arwen…
Here again, though, I’ve RPed an elf (Grey Havens) and a human (Rohan) on Elendor MUSH, and a human (Dorthonian) on the first age Beleriand MUSH. I liked the hobbits, but never rped as one.
Loved the first age too, though, but that was probably the most dangerous time of all. Tolkien wasn’t afraid to portray that either–things definitely weren’t “hearts and flowers” in his universe. Still, though, I think Lothlorien elf would fit me.