Abstract
This paper explores the concept of the belliphonic—a term denoting the acoustic dimensions of warfare—within the context of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, focusing on the Battle of the Five Armies. While modern war studies have mainly centered on the mechanized soundscapes of twentieth-century conflict, this study engages with recent scholarly efforts to recover the sonic textures of medieval battle. Drawing on theories of wartime acoustics and examples from medieval literature, the paper examines how Tolkien, informed by his expertise in Old and Middle English texts and his lived experience in World War I, crafts a dynamic and psychologically rich auditory battlefield. Through an analysis of trumpet calls, war cries, strategic silences, and sonic intrusions—from thunderous arrivals to commanding speeches—the paper argues that sound in Tolkien’s battle scenes is a potent force of organization, disorientation, memory, and moral ambiguity. The study reveals how the belliphonic enriches the dramatic structure of the battle and deepens our understanding of character agency, emotional states, and ethical tensions. Ultimately, the paper calls for broader engagement with sonic warfare in Tolkien’s legendarium and related works, positioning the belliphonic as a critical yet underexplored element of his world-building and literary craft.
Recommended Citation
Mirzabayati, Ali
(2025)
"Sounds of Battle and Battle of Sounds: Belliphonic in Tolkien,"
Journal of Tolkien Research: Vol. 21:
Iss.
1, Article 5.
Available at:
https://scholar.valpo.edu/journaloftolkienresearch/vol21/iss1/5
Included in
Classics Commons, English Language and Literature Commons, History Commons, Medieval Studies Commons, Music Commons
Comments
Presented at the 21st Annual Tolkien Conference at the University of Vermont on April 5th, 2025.