Wagner and Tolkien: Mythmakers by Renée Vink,published in 2012

Wagner and Tolkien: Mythmakers by Renée Vink is a book published in 2012 that explores the connections between J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and Richard Wagner’s opera cycle The Ring of the Nibelung. While Tolkien famously stated that the resemblance between the two rings was merely their round shape, Vink delves deeper into the shared themes, influences, and mythological foundations that link the two works.

The book examines nature, nation, the North, death and immortality, language, and myth, highlighting how both Wagner and Tolkien were mythmakers of their time. It also addresses the controversial status of Wagner, particularly his association with Nazi Germany, and how this has influenced discussions about his impact on Tolkien’s work.