182 - The Two Towers, Part 2: Helm's Deep and the Palantir

182 - The Two Towers, Part 2: Helm's Deep and the Palantir

From Mythic Mind by Andrew Snyder

July 16, 2026 · 35 min

About this episode

This episode continues the analysis of 'The Two Towers' focusing on specific chapters and themes.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/_XTGWHb0iDY Tolkien once wondered whether a film could cut Helm's Deep. In the book it still teaches how hope arrives at dawn, and how a seeing-stone can undo the unwary. In this Mythic Mind Lord of the Rings study, Dr. Andrew Snyder (professor of philosophy and theology) walks Book III, chapters 7–11: the Hornburg and the men of Rohan, Gandalf's dawn, and the Palantir's dangerous gift of sight after Orthanc. Topics include battle as more than spectacle, hope against despair, and why true seeing is moral before it is magical. Related: • The Two Towers, Part 1 (Mythic Mind, ep. 178): https://youtu.be/ueNTOpwZInI • The Two Towers as Film and Adaptation (Mythic Mind Movies, ep. 26): https://youtu.be/cQQy1BkKGt0 • The Fellowship of the Ring as Film and Adaptation (Mythic Mind Movies, ep. 25): https://youtu.be/ZpZY3u_eyuw • J.R.R. Tolkien and the Long Defeat (Mythic Mind, ep. 181): https://youtu.be/R-1Yp1Z8dv4 Get the book: The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien https://bookshop.org/a/129785/9780547928203 Join the Mythic Mind Fellowship: https://mythicmindfellowship.com Listen to/watch the Mythic Mind podcasts: - Mythic Mind - Mythic Mind Games - Mythic…

People in this episode

Host: Andrew Snyder

Topics covered

  • literature
  • fantasy
  • Tolkien
  • analysis
  • Helm's Deep
  • Palantir

Keywords

  • The Two Towers
  • Lord of the Rings
  • Helm's Deep
  • Palantir
  • Tolkien
  • literary analysis
  • fantasy literature

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mythic Mind, YouTube, patreon.com, spreaker.com

Books & works: The Two Towers, Lord of the Rings

More episodes of Mythic Mind

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Mythic Mind podcast page.