Fellowship or Company? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Nazgûl-king · 12-12-2007, 05:16 PM

In the book Fellowship of the Ring, the fellowship is almost always referred to as the Company of the Ring, why? Also which one do you like better, Fellowship of the Ring, or Company of the Ring? I personally like Fellowship of the Ring better.

Groin Redbeard · 12-12-2007, 05:20 PM

Hey Nazgul, interesting question. My theory is that they were called the Fellowship of the Ring is because they were representing the races of Middle Earth.

William Cloud Hicklin · 12-12-2007, 05:21 PM

Probably because "Fellowship of the Ring" was a title Tolkien came up with in haste long after the book was written, because his publishers wanted to split his unitary novel into three volumes.

Estelyn Telcontar · 12-13-2007, 08:50 AM

If one was to be gender-persnickety, one could of course point out the "fellow" in "Fellowship", meaning that Tolkien emphasized the fact that his company of questers was exclusively male!

(That was rectified in the "Entish Bow" RPGs, where the group of adventurers was referred to as the "Fellow/Galship" - among many other names...

)

Bêthberry · 12-13-2007, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

(That was rectified in the "Entish Bow" RPGs, where the group of adventurers was referred to as the "Fellow/Galship" - among many other names...

)

Certainly never The Gallowsship!

Sauron the White · 12-13-2007, 10:17 AM

Company sounds too corporate for my tastes. Fellowship sounds nice and friendly.

William Cloud Hicklin · 12-13-2007, 11:42 AM

"Group of companions" isn't friendly?

Mithalwen · 12-13-2007, 01:01 PM

Fellowship reminds me too much of earnest voluntary organisations (spent too much of my youth expected to help at Rotary functions and avoiding joining hte youth wing). Or alternatively of an academic office which seems to cerebral for a quest. Company with its military and busines connotations is far more dynamic -ctive not passive. And I think I would rather have good company rather than good fellowship.

But it doesn't make as good a title. So I guess JRRT got it right using Fellowship on the cover and Company in the text.

Bêthberry · 12-13-2007, 01:49 PM

If Tolkien had used the League of Extraordinary Journeymen we might have been spared some latterday adventurers of similar nomenclature. But alas no . . .

Company, on the other hand, has military connotations as well as business uses, so that could be one reason why Tolkien referred to da guys so often as Company of the Ring. Bravo Company doesn't suit Frodo although possibly Boromir would have fancied it.

Boromir88 · 12-13-2007, 11:52 PM

"Fellowship of the Ring" has a better flow to it than "Company of the Ring," but "Company" sounds more friendly actually.

When I have family and/or friends at my house I usually say "I'm having company over." That's just me though.

MatthewM · 12-15-2007, 12:28 PM

Fellowship of the Ring is SO better.

MatthewM · 01-16-2008, 11:22 PM

I actually recant my last statement - I like Company just as much as Fellowship if not more now, hearing it over and over again while re-reading the book.

zxcvbn · 01-17-2008, 03:14 AM

When I read your first post what came into my head was "I am Celebrimbor, CEO of the Company of the Ring. We manufacture Rings of all kinds for all races. How many would you like to order?"

So no thanks. I'd prefer 'Fellowship'.

Meriadoc1961 · 01-17-2008, 11:10 AM

I prefer fellowship myself. Fellowship is stronger than company, for I may be in company with an individual, meaning close physical proximity, and yet not be in fellowship with him or her, as was the case when Frodo and Sam were in the company or Orc soldiers. Fellowship is extended across all racial and cultural divides, which is exactly what happens throughout the Quest, and also goes towards showing the wisdom Elrond had in selecting the Fellowship as he did, with a little help from Gandalf.

Merry

12-12-2007, 05:16 PM	#1
Nazgûl-king Wight Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 104	Fellowship or Company? In the book Fellowship of the Ring, the fellowship is almost always referred to as the Company of the Ring, why? Also which one do you like better, Fellowship of the Ring, or Company of the Ring? I personally like Fellowship of the Ring better.

12-12-2007, 05:20 PM	#2
Groin Redbeard Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Facing the world's troubles with Christ's hope! Posts: 1,635	Hey Nazgul, interesting question. My theory is that they were called the Fellowship of the Ring is because they were representing the races of Middle Earth. __________________ I heard the bells on Christmas Day. Their old, familiar carols play. And wild and sweet the words repeatof peace on earth, good-will to men! ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

12-12-2007, 05:21 PM	#3
William Cloud Hicklin Loremaster of Annúminas Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,321	Probably because "Fellowship of the Ring" was a title Tolkien came up with in haste long after the book was written, because his publishers wanted to split his unitary novel into three volumes. __________________ The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it.

12-13-2007, 08:50 AM	#4
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	If one was to be gender-persnickety, one could of course point out the "fellow" in "Fellowship", meaning that Tolkien emphasized the fact that his company of questers was exclusively male! (That was rectified in the "Entish Bow" RPGs, where the group of adventurers was referred to as the "Fellow/Galship" - among many other names... ) __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

12-13-2007, 11:42 AM	#7
William Cloud Hicklin Loremaster of Annúminas Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,321	"Group of companions" isn't friendly? __________________ The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it.

12-13-2007, 10:17 AM	#6
Sauron the White Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 903	Company sounds too corporate for my tastes. Fellowship sounds nice and friendly.

12-13-2007, 01:01 PM	#8
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,458	Fellowship reminds me too much of earnest voluntary organisations (spent too much of my youth expected to help at Rotary functions and avoiding joining hte youth wing). Or alternatively of an academic office which seems to cerebral for a quest. Company with its military and busines connotations is far more dynamic -ctive not passive. And I think I would rather have good company rather than good fellowship. But it doesn't make as good a title. So I guess JRRT got it right using Fellowship on the cover and Company in the text. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

12-13-2007, 01:49 PM	#9
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 5,996	If Tolkien had used the League of Extraordinary Journeymen we might have been spared some latterday adventurers of similar nomenclature. But alas no . . . Company, on the other hand, has military connotations as well as business uses, so that could be one reason why Tolkien referred to da guys so often as Company of the Ring. Bravo Company doesn't suit Frodo although possibly Boromir would have fancied it. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

12-13-2007, 11:52 PM	#10
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,518	"Fellowship of the Ring" has a better flow to it than "Company of the Ring," but "Company" sounds more friendly actually. When I have family and/or friends at my house I usually say "I'm having company over." That's just me though. __________________ Fenris Penguin

12-15-2007, 12:28 PM	#11
MatthewM Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 628	Fellowship of the Ring is SO better. __________________ "Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills...and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!" -Boromir, The Fellowship of the Ring

01-16-2008, 11:22 PM	#12
MatthewM Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 628	I actually recant my last statement - I like Company just as much as Fellowship if not more now, hearing it over and over again while re-reading the book. __________________ "Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills...and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!" -Boromir, The Fellowship of the Ring

01-17-2008, 03:14 AM	#13
zxcvbn Wight Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: In front of my PC Posts: 164	When I read your first post what came into my head was "I am Celebrimbor, CEO of the Company of the Ring. We manufacture Rings of all kinds for all races. How many would you like to order?" So no thanks. I'd prefer 'Fellowship'.

01-17-2008, 11:10 AM	#14
Meriadoc1961 Wight Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 101	I prefer fellowship myself. Fellowship is stronger than company, for I may be in company with an individual, meaning close physical proximity, and yet not be in fellowship with him or her, as was the case when Frodo and Sam were in the company or Orc soldiers. Fellowship is extended across all racial and cultural divides, which is exactly what happens throughout the Quest, and also goes towards showing the wisdom Elrond had in selecting the Fellowship as he did, with a little help from Gandalf. Merry __________________ "If I yawn again, I shall split at the ears!"