Lord of the Rings IV

Lord of the Rings

Selection of additional comments
compiled from various sources

Relationships

The Lord of the Rings may deal with uncommon elements, like Hobbits and Elves and Magic Rings, but the Themes that lie beneath the surface are Universal. For Teens especially, one of the most Significant Themes is that of Friendships forged in Dark Times. The popularity of the Harry Potter Series reflects this same Truth.

Key to the Story is the Friendship of Frodo and Sam. It is Frodo's Quest to take the One Ring to Mount Doom, but Sam refuses to let him go alone. As Frodo admits at the end of The Two Towers Movie, he “wouldn’t have got far without Sam”. Sam stays by his side to the Very End, a Friend and almost a Guardian Angel to Frodo's Weakening Mind and Body.

Less obvious, however, are the other Relationships formed along the way. In The Fellowship of the Ring, moviegoers can see the almost Paternal air Boromir takes toward Merry and Pippin; that Bond proves to be his Redemption.

Legolas and Gimli’s Friendship begins to evolve—surprising since Elves and Dwarves do not usually get along. In fact, at the Council of Elrond in The Fellowship of the Ring Movie, the Two (2) Races nearly come to blows over their differences. Yet by the time Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn meet-up with Éomer in The Two Towers, Legolas is ready to defend Gimli with his Life.

Also evident is the Theme of Duty, of Finding and Attaining one’s Place in Life. Aragorn must accept his Destiny as King of Gondor, whether he feels worthy or not. Although he finally decides he is ready to Ascend the Throne, some are not ready to accept him as their King. Students, especially those graduating from High School or College, feel a keen sympathy for Aragorn: They, too, are seeking their Rightful Place in the World, and they Fear the possibilities of Opposition and Failure.

Fans of the books will know that Love, too, can come out of Strife. The story of Aragorn and Arwen is greatly emphasized in the Movies, whereas in the Books it occurs largely in the Background. Aragorn Loves her so much that he is willing to send her across the sea, where they can never be Re-united, if it will Save her the Pain of Mortality. Such Self-Effacing Devotion again illustrates his Kingly Qualities.

Layered atop these Themes is a Majestic, Sweeping Tale of Loyalty, Redemption and Courage. The Nine (9) Members of the Fellowship of the Ring have little in common at the start of their Quest, but they Band together, like the Communion of Saints, for the Good of Middle Earth. In the End it is because of those Bonds that they are Saved.

Prayers for the Dead

King of the Dead: Release us. . . . Aragorn: I hold your Oath fulfilled. Go . . . be at Peace.

After the Feast of All Saints (1 Nov) comes All Souls (2 Nov), when the Church invites us to Pray for the Faithful Departed, that, released from Purgatory and fully Purified, they may be admitted to the Eternal Bliss of Heaven. The existence of Purgatory and the Prayers for the Dead are Rejected by Protestants. The Protestant Doctrine of Justification leaves no room for Purgatory. Man is Justified by Faith alone; therefore it is useless to Pray for the Dead.

The Catholic Belief in Prayer for the Dead is very Ancient. It goes back to Judaism, and is mentioned in the Second Book of Maccabees (2Maccabees 12:43-46). The Author tells how a number of Jews, who had Fallen in Battle, were found with Idolatrous Amulets, forbidden by the Law, and how Judas Maccabeus took up a collection and sent the money to Jerusalem to have a Sacrifice offered for their Sin.

The Writer praises his Faith in the Resurrection and his Action;

"If he had not expected the Fallen to Rise Again it would have been Superfluous and Foolish to Pray for the Dead, whereas if he had in view the Splendid Recompense reserved for those who make a Pious End, the thought was Holy and Devout. This was why he had this Atonement Sacrifice offered for the Dead, so that they might be Released from their Sin".

In the Lord of the Rings we find the following examples of Prayer for the Dead:

<The three Hunters ride towards the burning carcasses. Gimli starts to shift through the smoldering pile, and pulls out a charred belt and dagger sheath.>

Gimli: It’s one of their wee belts.

Legolas: <with his head bowed and eyes closed> Hiro hyn hîdh… ab 'wanath... (May they find Peace in death)

In the Two Towers, Gandalf says a Prayer for King Theoden's Dead son Théodred, who was Killed by Orcs.

<A white flower comes into view, held up by a hand. It is released and spirals down to land among similar flowers, in front of a Tomb.>

Théoden: Simbelmynë. Ever has it grown on the tombs of my forebearers. <Looks at Gandalf> Now it shall cover the grave of my son. Alas, that these evil days should be mine. The young perish and the old linger. That I should live to see the last days of my house.

Gandalf: Théodred’s death was not of your making.

Théoden: No parent should have to bury their child.

<Théoden starts to weep>

Gandalf: He was strong in life. His spirit will find its way to the halls of your fathers. Westu hál. Ferðu, Théodred, Ferðu. (Be-thou Well. Go-thou, Théodred, go-thou.)

And finally, in the Return of the King, King Theoden remembers those who were Slain in the Battle of Helm's Deep.

God's Blessings as Flowing Water
(Ezekiel 47)

<Arwen reaches the river, and splashes across the ford. She pauses and looks back. The Nazgûl have stopped at the edge of the water. Their mounts rear up, screaming, seemingly terrified of entering the river.>

<<Nazgûl: Give up the halfling, she-Elf!>>

<<Arwen: <draws her sword in challenge> If you want him, come and claim him!>>

<The Nazgûl draw their swords and urge their reluctant horses across the ford. Arwen begins to chant to the river.>

<<Arwen:

Nin o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer,
Rimmo nin Bruinen, dan in Ulair!
Nin o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer,
Rimmo nin Bruinen, dan in Ulair!

(Waters of the Misty Mountains
listen to the Great Word;
flow waters of Loudwater
against the Ringwraiths!)>>

<Gradually, the water level rises. A great flood comes around the bend, with peaks like white horses. The Nazgûl are cast from their mounts and washed away down the river as Arwen watches.>

In Arwen's Prayer, the Great Word represents the Word of God, Jesus Christ from Whom all Blessings Flow. Water signifies Great Blessings, just as Dryness signifies a Curse. In Ezekiel 47 the Prophet sees water pouring from beneath the Temple. Initially it reached his ankles, then his knees and waist, welling up into a river that could not be crossed. The river flowed into the sea and made its waters wholesome. Wherever the river flows, all Living Creatures teeming in it will Live.

Treebeard reflects this Truth after the Death of Saruman, when he says "The filth of Saruman is washing away. Trees will come back to live here. Young trees. Wild trees".

The Nazgûl and His Prey

Do not come between a Nazgûl and his Prey

<The Dragon moves in for the kill, Théoden is helpless. But, Éowyn rises defiantly before the Dragon.>

Éowyn: I will kill you if you touch him.

Witchking: Do not come between the Nazgûl and his prey.

<The Dragon moves to kill Éowyn, but Éowyn turns her sword and swiftly removes the head of the Dragon.

As Members of Christ's Mystical Body and the Communion of Saints, we are called by God to "Come between a Nazgûl and his Prey".

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