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There is a big difference between fantasy and myth, at least as I define it.

Myths are based more on the familiar, such as heroic exploits given a real historical basis and time in spite of the symbolic trappings (i.e., a ring, amulet, magic rod, what have you). In a fantasy, the world and those who populate it tend to be based much more upon imagination, with unfamiliar settings and events. Tolkien established a fantasy realm, Middle Earth, which was populated by many imaginative creatures, human beings only being one of many species. It's unfortunate that Tolkien's trilogy has bored you, your's being the greater loss in all liklihood, but regardless of your take on Tolkien's works you should NEVER directly correlate the written word with the filmed interpretation. They're apples and oranges, or Hobbits and Orcs if you prefer. No offense, but prejudging one by the other only makes the judge appear foolish, IMHO.

As for Mr. Ross's opinion, I'm inclined toward discounting it completely based on the fact that similarities abound in heroic literature and he failed to also address dissimilar aspects of both works. A praiseworthy critic would ask and answer relevent questions that discount his theories as well; he did none of this. For example: Do cultures and species exist in one author's story that aren't present in the other's? Is the journey taken by the hero or heroes similar or dissimilar? Are the resolutions to crisis similar or different? Are the heroic character(s) successes rewarded with life and happiness or death and sacrifice?

See what I mean? For the Grey Poupon New Yorker's critic to accuse Tolkien of "stealing" Wagner's Ring just doesn't quite *ahem* ring true. If Tolkien weren't already rotating at escape velocity in his grave from such bogus charges he'd probably be amused at his detractors lamenting the fact that the statute of limitations ran out long ago! Short of casting his casket into Mount Doom they'd never be satisfied anyway. :o)

While we're on the subject of Wagner's Ring myth, have you taken the time to view the filmed version (i.e., Fritz Lang's epic two part German film interpretation from 1924, Die Nibelungen)?

AuPh

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