Forces of winged retribution'

Overview and Issue

• The author explores the echos of Tolkien in the Lymond Chronicles and The House of Niccolò.
• WG164

Abstract

• The author explores The Lymond Chronicles and House of Niccolò to discover how Dunnett differs in her uses of epic machinery, and this refers to beings who intervene in the action to affect the fates of the individual characters. Tolkien gave the epic machinery role to eagles, the message being that human affairs are controlled by the will of a grater power. In contrast, Dunnett's heroes prefer to believe they are in control of their destiny, but epic machinery similar to Tolkien's can be found in the use of divining and parrots. The article considers examples in both series.

Author

• Lisa Hopkins

Dunnett Book Citations

• SOG 20, UH 2.27, UH 1.22, UH 4.40, C&R 2.23, GOK 1.7.1, GOK OG, GOK 1.4.2, GOK 3.4.1, CM 5.6, QP 4.4, DK 3.11, PIF 10, PIF 13, CM 2.7, NR 7, SOTR 38, ROS 5, UH 2.1, UH 2.24, UH 2.27, SOG 16, UH 1.22, TLWL 1.2, TLWL 1.5, C&R 1.10, CR 3.33, C&R 4.38, PIF 2, GOK 1.72, CM 5.10, PIF 2, GEM 1.11, PIF 10, PIF 15, DK 2.3, GEM 2.18, C&R 1.7, C&R 1.8, PIF 10, PIF 11, PIF 27, PIF 28, RC 2.1, RC 3.1, SOG 34, UH 1.5, UH 2.33, TLWL 2.17, TLWL 5.46, C&R 1.2, C&R 2.27

Historical People

• Fra Ludovico de Severi da Bologna

Fictional Characters

• Lymond
• Nicholas de Fleury
• Julius
• Gelis
• The Dame de Doubtance
• Evangelista Donati
• Sheemy Wurmit
• Austin Grey
• Gabriel

Bibliography

• Geoffrey Munn, 'The Fettercairn jewel: an interpretation' in Decoding the Jewels: Renaissance Jewellery in Scotland, edited by Anna Groundwater (Leiden: Sidestone Press, 20240, pp. 47-59, pp.53-4

Literature

• Lord of the Rings J.R.R. Tolkien
• The Rape of the Lock Alexander Pope
• Waverley Walter Scott
• Iliad and Odyssey Homer

Illustrations and Photos

• Study of a parrot and a monkey, Frans Snijders/workshop of Peter Paul Rubens, 17th century. National Gallery of Denmark/SMK
• Detail from Les travaux d'Ulysse, after Primaticcio and Niccolò dell'Abbate c 1633. Image copyright Trustees of the British Museum.