Exploring the Origins of the Witch King in Tolkien's Middle-earth

The Rise of the Witch King is a pivotal event in the fictional world of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth. This key character, also known as the Witch-king of Angmar, played a significant role in the broader narrative of The Lord of the Rings. **His rise symbolizes the emergence of evil and the growing threat posed by the forces of darkness.

This is one of those books that I knew I would love from the second I picked it up, and it didn’t disappoint. With intriguing characters, witty dialogue, and a world so magical you wish you could transport into it, The Night Circus is a fantastical work of art.

Follow Quentin Coldwater as he is accepted to Brakebills University for Magical Pedagogy and gets sucked into a vibrant and mysterious world of magic. Kell was raised in Arnes Red London and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.

**His rise symbolizes the emergence of evil and the growing threat posed by the forces of darkness.** The Witch-king was originally one of the nine human kings who were given Rings of Power by the Dark Lord Sauron. These rings corrupted their bearers and transformed them into the terrifying Ringwraiths, also known as the Nazgûl.

Sign up to save your library

With an OverDrive account, you can save your favorite libraries for at-a-glance information about availability. Find out more about OverDrive accounts.

Format

ISBN

Series

Author

Publisher

Release

Share

Subjects

Search for a digital library with this title

Title found at these libraries:

A Darker Shade of Magic, from #1 New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab
Kell is one of the last Antari—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black.
Kell was raised in Arnes—Red London—and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.
Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they'll never see. It's a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.
After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.
Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they'll first need to stay alive.
"A Darker Shade of Magic has all the hallmarks of a classic work of fantasy. Schwab has given us a gem of a tale. This is a book to treasure."—Deborah Harkeness, New York Times bestselling author of the All Souls trilogy
Shades of Magic series
1. A Darker Shade of Magic
2. A Gathering of Shadows
3. A Conjuring of Light
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

(I have not finished this book yet, but check out Goodreads for reviews.)

A Darker Shade of Magic, from #1 New York Times bestselling author V.E. Schwab
Kell is one of the last Antari—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black.
Kell was raised in Arnes—Red London—and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.
Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they'll never see. It's a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.
After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.
Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they'll first need to stay alive.
"A Darker Shade of Magic has all the hallmarks of a classic work of fantasy. Schwab has given us a gem of a tale. This is a book to treasure."—Deborah Harkeness, New York Times bestselling author of the All Souls trilogy
Shades of Magic series
1. A Darker Shade of Magic
2. A Gathering of Shadows
3. A Conjuring of Light
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

As the leader of the Nazgûl, the Witch-king played an instrumental part in Sauron's plan to conquer Middle-earth. However, the Witch-king's rise to power was not immediate. After the downfall of Númenor, the king of Men, he and the other Ringwraiths went into hiding and began to slowly rebuild their strength. They eventually resurfaced in the form of the Nazgûl, becoming Sauron's most fearsome servants and instruments of terror. The Witch-king's dominance primarily manifests in his leadership of the realm of Angmar, a dark kingdom in the north. From this stronghold, he launched various attacks against the free peoples of Middle-earth, particularly focusing on the rule of Arnor. His aim was to destroy the line of Isildur, thereby weakening the forces of good and ensuring Sauron's victory. Although the Witch-king faced resistance from the remaining heirs of Arnor, his power seemed unstoppable. He led an army of darkness that ravaged the lands, spreading fear and despair. The Witch-king's most notable act of ruthlessness was the destruction of the once-great city of Fornost, which symbolized the fall of Arnor and the diminishing hope of the free peoples. However, the Witch-king's reign of terror faced a formidable challenge in the form of the Fellowship of the Ring, a group of brave individuals determined to destroy the One Ring and defeat Sauron. Led by Frodo Baggins and his loyal companion Samwise Gamgee, the Fellowship embarked on a perilous journey to Mount Doom in Mordor. In the final climactic battle of the War of the Ring, the Witch-king confronted the combined forces of Gondor and Rohan. **But it was in his confrontation with the female warrior Éowyn that his downfall came.** With her fierce determination and the aid of the hobbit Merry, Éowyn managed to strike a mortal blow against the Witch-king, causing his ultimate demise. Thus, the rise of the Witch-king exemplifies the relentless pursuit of power and the destructive forces of evil. His reign of terror tested the resolve of the free peoples, but ultimately his downfall demonstrated the enduring power of courage, heroism, and unity in the face of darkness..

Reviews for "The Witch King: An Archetypal Villain in Fantasy Literature"

1. Steven - 2/5 stars: I was really excited for "Rise of the Witch King" as a fan of the "Lord of the Rings" series, but I found it to be a major disappointment. The storyline felt forced and lacked the depth and complexity of the original trilogy. Additionally, the graphics and gameplay were not up to par with the standards set by previous games in the series. Overall, it just didn't live up to my expectations and I was left feeling unsatisfied.

2. Jennifer - 3/5 stars: While "Rise of the Witch King" had some redeeming qualities, I couldn't help but feel underwhelmed by the overall experience. The game had a lot of potential, but the execution fell short. The campaign felt rushed and the characters lacked depth. The gameplay mechanics were also a bit clunky and the AI seemed inconsistent. It's not a terrible game, but it definitely didn't leave a lasting impression on me.

3. Mark - 2/5 stars: I found "Rise of the Witch King" to be a tedious and repetitive experience. The gameplay became monotonous quickly and I struggled to stay engaged. The lack of variety in missions and objectives made it feel like a chore rather than a fun gaming experience. Additionally, the graphics were outdated and the overall production value felt low. It's unfortunate because I had high hopes for this game, but it just didn't deliver.

The Witch King: A Fearful Lord in the Land of Mordor