Interpretations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Moria: A Competent Reader or Overinterpretation?

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    Abstract

    In this article I explore interpretations of Moria, including my own with help of the Model of the Cooperative Reader developed by Umberto Eco (1932-2016). Moria is interpreted as a reference to the Biblical Moria in the Abraham cycle, it is interpreted in light of the Latin verb morior (to die), and the Greek word μωρία (folly). These interpretative moves are scrutinized in view of Eco's model of the cooperative reader. It shows how the reader's competence (encyclopaedia) influence interpretations.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)225-234
    JournalLembas
    Volume38
    Issue number187
    Publication statusPublished - Jun 2019

    Keywords

    • interpretation
    • moria
    • Umberto Eco
    • competence of the reader

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