Magical Rings in English Literature. From Anglo-Saxon Charms to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2016 in the subject English - Literature, Works, grade: 1,3, University of Bonn (Department of English, American, and Celtic Studies), language: English, abstract: The thesis elaborates on magical rings’ powers, functions and symbolism in selected texts of the Anglo-Saxon times, e.g. Beowulf, Exeter Riddles; the Middle English period, e.g. Romance of King Horn, Hind Horn Ballad; and Tolkien’s works on Middle-earth, covering the creation of the Rings of Power until the destruction of the One Ring. The introductory part offers brief information on the origin of the ring, material culture on rings and stone lore, and associations with ancient sources/traditions on ring magic, which show that magic in rings derives mainly from properties of the gemstone(s) set on them.