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Dates
A reference to time on a cosmic scale
Meaning
An archaic form of the phrase 'depths of time'1

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 12 April 2019
  • This entry is complete

Deeps of Time

The long ages of the universe

"And thus was the habitation of the Children of Ilúvatar established at the last in the Deeps of Time and amidst the innumerable stars."
The Silmarillion
Ainulindalë

A term used to describe the vast age of Eä, the universe. It is used particularly in reference to the foundation of Arda, which is described as being within the Deeps of Time and the great empty spaces of the cosmos. This use of the term shows not only the vastness of the universe, but also the precision and detail of Ilúvatar's creation in focussing on a realm that, though an entire world to its inhabitants, was a tiny point in comparison to the age and extent of Eä as a whole.


Notes

1

In Old English, the word 'deep' (actually dēp or dēop) could be used as a noun for a deep or profound thing. In modern English the usual noun form would be 'depth', so in the phrase 'Deeps of Time' Tolkien is modernising the older usage from Anglo-Saxon English. He uses a similar approach elsewhere, as for example in 'Helm's Deep', or in the use of the word 'Deep' for the levels of Khazad-dûm that descended below ground level.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 12 April 2019
  • This entry is complete

For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.

Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 2012, 2019. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.

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Deeps of Time

The long ages of the universe

Dates
A reference to time on a cosmic scale
Meaning
An archaic form of the phrase 'depths of time'1

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 12 April 2019
  • This entry is complete

Deeps of Time

The long ages of the universe

"And thus was the habitation of the Children of Ilúvatar established at the last in the Deeps of Time and amidst the innumerable stars."
The Silmarillion
Ainulindalë

A term used to describe the vast age of Eä, the universe. It is used particularly in reference to the foundation of Arda, which is described as being within the Deeps of Time and the great empty spaces of the cosmos. This use of the term shows not only the vastness of the universe, but also the precision and detail of Ilúvatar's creation in focussing on a realm that, though an entire world to its inhabitants, was a tiny point in comparison to the age and extent of Eä as a whole.


Notes

1

In Old English, the word 'deep' (actually dēp or dēop) could be used as a noun for a deep or profound thing. In modern English the usual noun form would be 'depth', so in the phrase 'Deeps of Time' Tolkien is modernising the older usage from Anglo-Saxon English. He uses a similar approach elsewhere, as for example in 'Helm's Deep', or in the use of the word 'Deep' for the levels of Khazad-dûm that descended below ground level.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 12 April 2019
  • This entry is complete

For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.

Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 2012, 2019. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.

Website services kindly sponsored by Discus from Axiom Software Ltd.
Discus is the complete personality profile package, with modules for job matching, relationships, teams and more.