I think what 'The Hobbit' and Middle-earth deal in are quite

In the great epics of the ancients, the themes of honour, love, and friendship were not mere abstractions; they were the very fabric of life itself. Martin Freeman, in his reflection on the timeless appeal of The Hobbit and Middle-earth, speaks to the heart of what makes these stories resonate with us across generations: "I think what 'The Hobbit' and Middle-earth deal in are quite universal and timeless themes of honour and love and friendship... so they're things that do resonate with people." In these words lies a deep truth—the struggles and triumphs of those who live by these virtues are the stories that speak most powerfully to the human soul, no matter the era or the circumstances.

The ancients understood that honour was the cornerstone of a noble life. In the Iliad, Achilles' wrath and his eventual choice to return to battle for the sake of honour showed how central this concept was to the warrior’s code. It was not mere pride, but the deep-seated belief that one's honour must be defended, not just for personal gain, but for the greater good of the community. In the world of Middle-earth, this sense of honour is equally prevalent—whether it is Frodo's determination to carry the Ring to its destruction, or Aragorn’s steadfastness as a king-in-waiting, driven by a profound sense of duty. These characters, much like the ancient heroes, embody the notion that honour is not a fleeting idea, but a principle that defines one's very path.

In every tale told by the ancients, we also encounter the theme of love—not just romantic love, but the love of one's family, friends, and the land one protects. The Odyssey, for example, tells the story of Odysseus, whose love for his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus drives him to endure ten long years of trials to return home. Similarly, in The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins’ journey is not one of self-glory, but one of discovering his own courage and the love he has for his companions. It is the bond between Bilbo and the dwarves, especially his friendship with Gandalf, that gives him the strength to face dragons and armies. In this way, the theme of love in Middle-earth mirrors the love of the ancient heroes who fought not only for their personal survival but for the preservation of their people.

Equally central to the tales of old is the theme of friendship—a bond that transcends mere companionship and becomes a life force in and of itself. In The Iliad, Achilles and Patroclus share a friendship so deep that it defies death itself, and their connection carries the weight of the entire war. This bond is echoed in the friendship between Frodo and Sam, whose loyalty and devotion to each other guide them through perilous trials. Sam’s unwavering support of Frodo, even in the face of impossible odds, embodies the ancient notion that friendship is a force stronger than the individual, one that binds people together and lifts them higher than they could ever rise alone. It is in these friendships that the characters of Middle-earth find the strength to confront the darkness in their world.

The lesson from Martin Freeman’s words is clear: the themes of honour, love, and friendship are not confined to the world of Middle-earth or the ancient epics. They are universal, resonating across time and space because they are at the very heart of the human experience. These are the virtues that guide us, that shape our actions and define the relationships we form with those around us. Whether we are facing the trials of our own lives or journeying through the darkness of a world torn apart, it is these virtues that provide the foundation for resilience and hope.

In our own lives, we must seek to embody these timeless themes. Honour should be the guiding principle in all that we do, whether in our personal choices or in how we interact with others. Love must be the force that drives us, not just towards those we hold dear, but towards our communities and the world at large. And above all, we must cultivate friendship—the kind that supports us through the darkest times and carries us to places of unimaginable triumph. Just as Bilbo, Frodo, and the ancient heroes were shaped by these virtues, so too can we be shaped by them.

Thus, let us take the wisdom of Martin Freeman and the ancient stories to heart. Let us strive to live lives that reflect the noblest virtues of honour, love, and friendship—virtues that resonate through the ages and that bind us to one another in the shared pursuit of a greater good. And in doing so, we will find ourselves on our own journeys, where the power of these timeless themes will guide us, as it has guided countless heroes before us.