Добавил:
Upload Опубликованный материал нарушает ваши авторские права? Сообщите нам.
Вуз: Предмет: Файл:
2SEMINARS Lord of the Rings.doc
Скачиваний:
5
Добавлен:
08.12.2018
Размер:
309.25 Кб
Скачать

Implied meanings

In his preface to the trilogy, Tolkien distinguishes between allegory and applicability in literature. While he denies having imposed any allegorical significance on his story, he asserts the right of readers to apply the story as they see fit. Readers in all generations can apply to their own age some of the overall principles embodied in the trilogy.

It’s widely agreed now and it is true that Tolkien’s tales of Middle-earth present more than just an escapist fantasy about a magic, faraway world. Rather, they give us a view of the world as it was changing in the middle of the twentieth century, forcing us to consider the values that dominated the emerging era. Characters in the novel frequently comment on how the times are “dark,” as Éomer puts it in The Two Towers—echoing what many commentators said about World War II. The novel is a battle between the forces of good and evil, and the good side is represented by an alliance of various races with diverse customs and interests. The collaboration of Elves, Dwarves, Men, and Hobbits in pursuit of the common goal of saving the world—a sort of primordial version of the United Nations—presents an early vision of the global thinking that characterized postwar society. Cultural differences are present—we hear much about how different Dwarves are from Elves, for example—but they are put aside when collaboration is required. The pursuit of goodness and fellowship across races is part of what makes The Lord of the Rings so enduring in difficult historical times.

The evil of totalitarianistic power is one of the central themes in The Lord of the Rings. As Tolkien himself explained, The Lord of the Rings is a story “cast in terms of a good side, and a bad side, beauty against ruthless ugliness, tyranny against kingship, moderated freedom with consent against compulsion that has long lost any object save mere power, and so on.” The basic plot of The Lord of the Rings involves the epic quest to destroy the One Ring, in which is contained the power to rule all of Middle-earth. While the characters and events of The Lord of the Rings generally defy precise allegorical parallels, the One Ring easily symbolizes the corruption and tyranny that result from having unchecked political power. The One Ring confers on its wearer the power to rule Middle-earth, but also imposes an inescapable slavery to maintain this power at any cost. At one level, The Lord of the Rings allegorizes the progression of a tyrant. Beginning as a ruler, even a well-intentioned one, he or she becomes ruled by the spasmodic hunger to acquire yet more power and the insatiable desire to squelch all freedom. The tyrant then becomes as enslaved as his or her subjects, all of whom exist in a state of commonplace bondage repugnant to any expression of virtue.

Analysis of major characters

http://www.sparknotes.com

SparkNotes Editors. “SparkNote on The Lord of the Rings.” SparkNotes.com. SparkNotes LLC. 2004. Web. 7 Dec. 2009.

Aragorn

The descendent of Isildur, Aragorn is the heir to the throne of Gondor, but at the beginning of the trilogy, he hides this identity and pretends to be a ranger named Strider. That Aragorn does not claim his throne, and that the steward Denethor rules Gondor, show the disunity and weakness of man at the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring. However, Aragorn is not king because he is not yet ready. As much as the trilogy tells of Frodo’s inner steadfastness before constant temptation, it also tells of Aragorn’s transformation from ranger to king. He must grow into his position as king, and his own journey proves vital not only for his rightful coronation but for the very survival and growth of the kingdoms of man. He gains confidence and self-awareness through his courageous support of Frodo and the rest of the fellowship, as well as from his love of Arwen.

Four main points mark Aragorn’s path to becoming king. When he publicly pronounces his identity during the initial meeting of the fellowship, he rouses the jealousy of Boromir, who is heir to the steward of Gondor. Aragorn’s pronouncement and its effects show that the human race does not yet accept Aragorn as king. Aragorn demonstrates his increasingly strong leadership role when he shows conviction and strength before the leaders of Rohan, a second human kingdom he will someday rule. Elrond’s gift to Aragorn of the sword Anduril shows that the elves recognize that Aragorn is king and is ready to lead the battle against Sauron. Finally, and most important, Aragon fully embraces his role as king when he demands the fealty of the men of the mountain, who will obey only the king of Gondor. With this act, Aragorn commits himself to the role of king and gains his first followers. When Aragorn is finally officially crowned, the ceremony is only symbolic—Aragorn has already proven himself to be the true and rightful king.

Frodo

Frodo is an extremely brave, inspirational, and interesting character in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Though in many ways Frodo is an ordinary hobbit, happy to live among his friends and family in the Shire, his pure, incorruptible (вечный) heart sets him apart not only from other hobbits but also from the other races of Middle-earth. He becomes the ideal candidate to deliver the ring of power to Mordor. Frodo’s mission to destroy the ring involves a treacherous (hazardous) journey and countless dangers, such as orcs, volcanoes, and ghosts, and in facing these obstacles he is no different from the other eight members of the fellowship. However, his task involves much more than this dangerous journey to Mordor. His real challenge is to bear the ring without giving in to its temptations. This resistance is Frodo’s inner journey, in which his pure heart is constantly under assault (приступ) by his darker desires for power. The ring tempts others in the fellowship, however good and pure they are. Gandalf, Aragorn, Sam, and Bilbo all have their eyes widen when the ring is before them, and their own weaknesses, despite their often remarkable physical strength, prove how difficult a task for Frodo carrying the ring really is. The difficulty makes his success all the more impressive.

Though the ring is eventually destroyed at Mount Doom, Frodo does not let the ring go on his own, and the destruction (уничтожение) of the ring is more an act of chance than an act of will. At the last minute, Frodo is overcome (овладевать) by the ring and gives in to its power, and only in a final struggle with Gollum is the ring torn away from him. In this sense, Frodo fails in his task. However, since no one in Middle-earth was better equipped to carry out the mission than Frodo was, perhaps Frodo’s final struggle suggests that the task would have been impossible for any individual to accomplish without the intervention (вмешательство) of luck or providence (расчётливость). Frodo is a hero, certainly, but in many ways the entire fellowship is as responsible for the victory as Frodo himself is.

Frodo carries himself throughout the trilogy with composure (уравновешенность) and calm, hardly ever flagging (слабеющий) in his optimism and dedication (назначение) to the task at hand, and only when he returns to the Shire and fails to readjust (приспосабливаться) to life there does he reveal how traumatized he has been by the journey. Frodo’s journey took him beyond the point of no return, and though the memory of the Shire was what kept him going in the darkest moments, he cannot actually go back. Like Bilbo, Frodo feels compelled to write down his adventures, but even this does not put him at ease. Ultimately, he departs Middle-earth with the elves, a final gesture that suggests that although Frodo did not actually die during his efforts, he did pay for his journey with his life in the Shire.

The One Ring

There is a unique, mysterious, and very dangerous object known as the One Ring or The Ring of Power. This ring was created long ago by an evil warlord named Sauron. Forged from the fires of Mount Doom, this ring was unlike any other artifact in Middle Earth. The wielder of The Ring becomes extremely powerful. However, the great power that the One Ring obtains drives whoever wields it into an obsession. The One Ring is too much for the inhabitants of Middle Earth to handle. The Ring eventually finds itself in The Shire, and in the hands of Frodo. Gandalf, a fellow Wizard, instructs Frodo that this One Ring must be destroyed. If the Ring finds its way into the enemies hands, there will be no hope for the survival of Middle Earth. It is Frodo's destiny to destroy the Ring. However, the only way to destroy the One Ring is by casting it into Mount Doom, which is controlled by the Minions of Sauron. Aided by a small group of companions, Frodo sets off to complete his destiny.

Throughout the series, Frodo shows that you can find an immensely brave spirit in even the smallest creatures. He is very inspirational in each part of the trilogy. He is weighed down by an overwhelming weight. The evil minions are always on his tail, trying to capture the One Ring for their master. The Ring is beckoning him to put on the Ring and obtain power. It is excessively interesting to watch Frodo transform from a laid-back hobbit to a brave, strong soul. He is one of the most inspirational characters in the series, and is a great creation from J.R.R. Tolkein. If it weren't for Frodo, there would be a void spot in the trilogy.

Legolas

Legolas is an interesting, brave, and trustworthy character in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Legolas is a skilled archer and is an elf. The elves are generally very graceful, tall, and slender. They are extremely gifted with the ability to see very far and are light-footed. Legolas is no exception. He is very skilled with the bow and is very efficient in taking down enemies.

Legolas is first introduced in The Fellowship of the Ring at the meeting to decide the fate of the One Ring in Rivendell. He is present as the representative of his father Thranduil, King of the Elves of Mirkwood. As one of the wood elves, Legolas differs from Elrond's kind in that he and his people never lived in the land of the Valar to the West. In fact, the wood elves never left Middle Earth at all. Like all of Tolkien's elves, however, Legolas is immortal and ancient, and as the son of a king he is of high rank, just as Boromir and Aragorn are. He is wood-wise, impervious to the elements and farsighted. Legolas is one of a small fellowship of the Ring, who is determined to get Frodo to Mount Doom safely. Legolas functions as the scout of the Fellowship, with his abilities to walk on snow, move without making a sound, and see further than the eyes of any other in the party.

The Elves are widely known for not getting along with Dwarves. There is a Dwarf in the fellowship, named Gimli, and at first, there is tension between them. However, as they begin to know each other, they develop a bond with each other. It is very interesting to view this bond, as they are both very different from each other. In large battles, Legolas and Gimli have a game between each other; they count how many kills they have, and whoever has the most is the winner. Legolas is a very entertaining character in the trilogy, and if he weren't in the trilogy, there would be a void spot.

Legolas is not without a sense of humor or camaraderie. Legolas fights for his companions bravely and willingly aids in the defense of both Helm's Deep and the White City of Gondor. Though his people are far away from the conflict, he never abandons the fight against Sauron and even participates in the suicide diversion at the Gates of Mordor

Legolas is a relatively quiet character in the text, and it would be easy to disregard him as a flighty elf tagging along with the warriors.

Fair elf though he is, Legolas is a noble and wise warrior, a leader, and loyal friend.

Gandalf

Gandalf is a trustworthy, powerful, and mature character in The Lord of the Rings. He acts as a mentor towards the main character, Frodo Baggins, and is always there to help him when he is in need. Gandalf is a very inspirational and brave character. He is one of the most mature characters in the entire trilogy, and there is always a sense that you can trust him. If Gandalf wouldn't be on the quest with Frodo, the fellowship would have been in deep trouble. Since Gandalf is a Wizard, he is able to cast spells, which is to his advantage. He was also great friends with the wizard Sarumon. However, Sarumon joined forces with Sauron, and a hatred formed between the two Wizards. If Gandals wouldn't have been in the trilogy, there would be a great void in the plot . Overall, Gandalf is a very inspirational, likable, and mature character in The Lord of the Rings.

Gollum/Sméagol

While most of the main characters in The Lord of the Rings are either good or evil, the wretched creature Gollum constantly struggles between the two. Gollum was once a good hobbit named Sméagol, and this past identity comes to represent Gollum’s good side, the part of him that loves and wants to help his “master,” Frodo. However, Sméagol the hobbit had a glaring weakness. During a fishing trip, his companion found the ring in the water, and Sméagol wanted it so much that he killed the other hobbit to get it. This evil act eventually transformed Sméagol into the slimy, hunched Gollum who follows Frodo. Gollum, the dark side of Sméagol, covets the ring, which he calls “my precious,” so much that he is willing to kill for it again. Gollum and Sméagol struggle with each other, often arguing about what course of action to take and how far to go to gain possession of the ring. The evil Gollum side usually wins, and in the trilogy, Gollum serves as a symbol of how the ring can transform a basically decent person into a dirty, smelly, swamp creature. Gollum is a complex combination of good and evil, and this ambiguity sets him apart from other characters in the trilogy, who are usually completely good or wholly evil. Gollum’s history provides a window into his psyche, and, with him more than with any other character, we can see what motivates both his actions and his anxiety. Gollum’s utter helplessness in the presence of the ring renders him, to some extent, an object of sympathy.

Gollum serves as a foil to Frodo, his physical presence implicitly emphasizing the younger hobbit’s strength and purity. However, Gollum is not pure evil—that distinction goes to Sauron. Instead, Gollum is pure servility, and this characteristic unites both his good and dark sides and allows him to function as a guide for Frodo. The opposite of servility—strength of character and individual will—become those qualities that a good ring-bearer must have, qualities that Frodo clearly has in abundance.

Sam

Sam views Frodo much as Frodo views the ring, as something to be protected and guided to a final destination, and Sam’s dedication makes him one of the most important members of the fellowship. While Aragorn is the star fighter of the group, it is Sam who proves the most indispensable to Frodo, and the two are so isolated in their journey that they usually don’t know what the other members of the fellowship are doing or facing. Though the other members make it possible for Frodo and Sam to continue on their journey, Sam himself makes it possible for Frodo to carry on. Sam takes his responsibilities as Frodo’s companion very seriously, and he upholds his vow never to leave Frodo even when circumstances are at their most dangerous. When an exhausted Frodo falters near the end of The Return of the King, Sam literally carries his friend the rest of the distance to Mount Doom. Sam is loyal as well as pure, and this purity helps him resist the power of the ring. Sam has countless opportunities to steal the ring from Frodo, but he takes it only when he believes Frodo is dead. He returns the ring with little hesitation, a selfless act that suggests that had Frodo actually died, Sam would have had the strength to carry out the destruction of it on his own.

Frodo’s strength at times seems almost otherworldly, but Sam’s is very much of the world, and this distinction becomes clear at the end of The Return of the King. While Frodo struggles to readjust to normal life in the Shire, Sam thrives. He bravely approaches the woman he has always loved, marries her, and soon is a father of two. The journey to Mordor gave Sam new confidence and maturity, and our final glimpse of him shows him to be on his way to a long, happy life. Frodo, however, has been changed by the journey in a way the Shire can no longer accommodate, and his only option is to leave.

Merry

Merry is a likable, brave, and humorous character in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Merry is one of the members of the fellowship dedicated to protecting Frodo, and guiding him on his way to destroying the One Ring. Throughout the book, Merry develops as a very entertaining character. He has a dedication to Frodo's quest, and he proves that you can find an immensely brave soul in even the smallest characters. He shares a deep bond with another member of the fellowship, Pippin. They are rarely seen away from each other, and they are great friends. During the trilogy, many things happen to Merry. He fights off enemies, defends Frodo, and travels across Middle Earth. Overall, Merry is a valiant, entertaining, and thoroughly likable character in The Lord of the Rings.

Соседние файлы в предмете [НЕСОРТИРОВАННОЕ]