What's in a name?

'Tis but thy name that is my enemy.

Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.

What’s Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot,

Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part

Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other word would smell as sweet.

So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called,

Retain that dear perfection which he owes

Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name,

And for that name, which is no part of thee

Take all myself. (1)

 
A person's given name is one of the most important parts of their identity as well as one of the most difficult to change. Our names are usually given to us by our parents shortly after birth and they stay with us for the rest of our lives. Some of us acquire nicknames, sometimes ones that have nothing to do with our given names, but officially each of us is known by their first name, unless they decide to change it. Throughout life people are able to acquire all kinds of different skills, to learn various languages, move to other countries and find new friends. So many components of our identities are fluid that it sometimes seems strange to me that a person's given name is practically forced on them. After all, people often make judgements on others on the basis of their names. A name particular to a certain nation can give away your origins which most often immediately affects a person's judgement of you as almost all of us have certain preconceptions of other nations and countries.

That is why I thought very carefully about the name of this blog. I have admired J. R. R. Tolkien's works ever since I first read The Lord of the Rings as an adolescent and there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to name my blog after one of the places that he invented. I chose the domain name Eldamar, which means Elvenhome, because I am fascinated by Tolkien's conception of the Elves who live in the Land of the Blessed alongside the Valar and the Maiar, the equivalent of greater and lesser angels in Tolkien's world. I have always been a strongly idealistic person and to me these Elves represent an impossible ideal that humanity should strive to achieve. I am well aware of the dominance of realpolitik in today's world, of the hypocrisy that exists both in politics and in everyday interactions between people, but I remain convinced that although the path to right and good may be difficult like Sisyphus's struggle up the hill, we must always persevere. As Batman says in the episode "Hereafter" of the animated TV series Justice League - "What did you always call it. Clark? The never ending battle." (2)

I intend to use this blog to express my thoughts on various issues, to publish reviews of books and films, and to share music and interesting thoughts. I hope that you will find it interesting and intellectually stimulating. I leave you with one of my favourite poems from Tolkien's works, which expresses very well my attitude to life.

The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began,
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say. (3)

References
(1) William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act 2, Scene 2, Page 2, 1597
(2) Justice League, Hereafter, 2003
(3) J. R. R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, Book I, Chapter 1, 1954