It is one of the most debated moments in the film version of The Return of the King. Minas Tirith is burning. The armies of Mordor have broken into the city. Gandalf rides through the ruin, trying to hold together the last defence of Gondor. Then the Witch-king appears above him on a fell beast. … Read more
Mordor looks like a land that should not exist by accident. On the map, it seems almost too perfect. A dark country sealed behind enormous mountain walls. To the north rise the Ered Lithui, the Ash Mountains. To the west and south stand the Ephel Dúath, the Mountains of Shadow. In the northwestern corner, where … Read more
Samwise Gamgee may be the most rooted character in The Lord of the Rings. He belongs to the Shire almost as naturally as grass belongs to a field. He knows gardens, potatoes, beer, rope, paths, weather, cooking, and the small habits of ordinary Hobbit life. He does not begin as a prince, exile, warrior, scholar, or … Read more
Most people remember the Bree attack as a movie invention. The four hobbits arrive at the Prancing Pony. They are frightened, uncertain, and far from the safety of the Shire. Strider moves them away from their assigned room. Later that night, the Black Riders enter the inn, raise their blades, and stab down into the … Read more
At first, the contrast sounds almost unfair. Frodo Baggins is associated with wisdom. Samwise Gamgee, one of the most beloved figures in Middle-earth, carries a name that can be understood as “half-wise” — or, in older wording, something close to “half-wit.” That seems strange. Sam is not merely comic relief. He is not a fool. … Read more
When Aragorn first stands before Boromir at the Council of Elrond, the scene can seem strange. Boromir has come from Gondor after a long and dangerous journey. He has ridden north because of a mysterious dream, one that spoke of the Sword that was broken, Imladris, Isildur’s Bane, and a Halfling. Then, in Rivendell, he … Read more
Most people think Sauron wanted to destroy Middle-earth. But that is not quite right. Destruction followed him. Ruin spread wherever his power reached. Mordor became a land of ash, fear, slavery, and smoke. His servants burned, hunted, tortured, and enslaved. His victory would have been catastrophic for every free people in Middle-earth. Yet destruction was … Read more
Near the end of The Lord of the Rings, after the great battles are over and the Shadow has fallen, there is a quiet scene that many readers pass over too quickly. The company is on the long road home. The hobbits sleep. The world has been saved, but the older powers of Middle-earth have not … Read more
At first, it seems like one of the great unanswered questions of the War of the Ring. Saruman knew about the Ring. He knew Hobbits were involved. He knew the name Baggins. He had spies watching the Shire. He had searched for information. He had sent his own servants into the wider game. And most … Read more
Most readers remember Arwen as the woman Aragorn loves. That is not wrong. Their story matters deeply. It reaches back into the ancient pattern of Beren and Lúthien, and it gives Aragorn’s kingship a personal cost that is easy to miss if the story is viewed only as a war against Sauron. But Arwen is … Read more