Queenly Dignity, Honor, Strength & Beauty // Galadriel, Éowyn & Arwen in Lord of the Rings

J.R.R. Tolkien was not fond of allegory. To put it mildly. He went on record on the subject multiple times, but this is a pretty clear quote from his introduction to the second edition of LOTR: “As for any inner meaning or ‘message,’ it has in the intention of the author none. It is neither allegorical nor topical. ...I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done so since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence." 

At the same time, his Christian faith was the core of his being and he said: “(The Lord of the Rings) is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision. That is why I have not put in, or have cut out practically all references to anything like 'religion,' to cults or practices, in the imaginary world. For the religious element is absorbed into the story and symbolism.” 

God made the world a certain way, His fingerprints are all over it. He’s weaving the magnificent tapestry of redemption and if an author is being honest and writing what is true -- writing the way things are -- certain themes and patterns are also going to emerge (cue my fascination with Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, but that’s a discussion for another day). And this is all especially true when we get down to deep myth. Which, of course, is Tolkien’s specialty.

Ok, with that understanding, the Christological imagery in LOTR of Prophet, Priest, and King (which generally pair most prominently with Gandalf, Frodo, and Aragorn respectively) is well established. And Tolkien’s devotion to the Roman Catholic Mariology doctrines and how it might relate to the lady figures of LOTR (with, apparently, some debate as to how exactly it would all parcel out) is fairly well known in certain circles. But when I was looking into this (while finding lots of quotes from Tolkien on Mary and lots of writing from other people linking it with LOTR), I couldn’t find anything (online anyway) from Tolkien himself directly tying the two together. (Which, y’know, we wouldn’t expect anyway given what he said above.) 

A lot of people have also put forth a lot of details on character pairing. If you look it up at all, there are differing levels of far-fetchedness, illumination, and/or simplicity to them (i.e. Galadriel v. Shelob etc., which I ran across while researching this). Part of the trouble (or rather the wonder of it) is that Tolkien did such a masterful job embodying the themes in each and every character -- exploring different facets and angles (and EVERYTHING ties back, without being redundant, but adding further depth and complexity) -- so that you can contrast pretty much any character with another character.

Thinking about the prophet, priest, and king roles, though, I’ve been pondering a lot about the possible pairing reflections of Gandalf / Galadriel, Aragorn / Arwen, and Frodo / Éowyn.

It has also been posited that Tolkien tied in the Greek (and indeed widespread ancient) understanding of the elements (fire, earth, air/wind, and water, and which were often closely tied with various gods) in the personas of (from what I can piece together) Arwen (fire), Galadriel (earth), Éowyn (air/wind), and Goldberry (water). Deep myth and imagery-wise + with Tolkien’s background in ancient and medieval history, there might be something to this, but here I’ll be focusing more on the first theory (or rather, because I’m Protestant, tendering my own thoughts on it). 

Ok, so here’s where we get into a little choppy water, but it seems necessary. As a Protestant, I deeply respect and look up to Mary as a faithful saint who was the recipient of great and incredible blessing and honor, but I do take serious issue with Tolkien in this regard. That said... I'm actually not going there today. We'll stay in Middle Earth. (I only mention it at all in hopes of showing I've been carefully studying what Tolkien himself says on the subject in order the better to respect his thought process and avoid jumping to conclusions willy nilly.)

For the sake of this post and brevity, I'll just say we would put the emphasis on Mother Kirk, the church, who -- saved and washed down through the ages by the blood of Christ -- will one day stand beside Him, crowned in all glory and honor, and in dazzling white for all the world to see.

Following all of which, if we believe certain Biblical themes and truths run through creation and if the Bible has much to say (also in types and shadows by times) on the labor and rejoicing of queenly women, then there’s a vast depth here to think about. (Clarification: I've included a few verses in the following, but I'm *not* expounding them, merely including them to highlight the deep alliteration of ideas and imagery.)

Which brings us AT LAST, to the grace, strength, and beauty of Galadriel, Arwen, and Éowyn. <3

“She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. … her lamp does not go out by night. She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come.” Proverbs 31

~ Galadriel ~ 

“…Sam was now standing beside him, looking round with a puzzled expression, and rubbing his eyes as if he was not sure that he was awake. 'It’s sunlight and bright day, right enough,’ he said. 'I thought that Elves were all for moon and stars: but this is more elvish than anything I ever heard tell of. I feel as if I was inside a song, if you take my meaning.’ Haldir looked at them, and he seemed indeed to take the meaning of both thought and word. He smiled. ‘You feel the power of the Lady of the Galadhrim,’ he said.” The Fellowship of the Ring

Galadriel // striving against the Enemy and holding back the darkness // dispensing good and precious gifts for the road ahead

A glorious golden light beyond the ken of mere mortals. Fierce and mysterious yet a refuge, a city set on a hill. A lofty lady of long ages. 

On her tongue wise words, dripping like aged wine. 

“Who is she who looks forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, awesome as an army with banners?” The Song of Solomon

“Do not be afraid! But do not think that only by singing amid the trees, nor even by the slender arrows of elven-bows, is this land of Lothlórien maintained and defended against its Enemy. …even as I speak to you, I perceive the Dark Lord and know his mind… And he gropes ever to see me and my thought. But still the door is closed!” She lifted up her white arms, and spread out her hands towards the East in a gesture of rejection and denial.”

“…from the ring that she wore there issued a great light that illumined her alone and left all else dark. She stood before Frodo seeming now tall beyond measurement, and beautiful beyond enduring, terrible and worshipful. Then she let her hand fall, and the light faded, and suddenly she laughed again, and lo! she was shrunken: a slender elf-woman, clad in simple white, whose gentle voice was soft and sad.” The Fellowship of the Ring

~ Arwen ~ 

“Young she was and yet not so. The braids of her dark hair were touched by no frost… and the light of stars was in her bright eyes, grey as a cloudless night; yet queenly she looked, and thought and knowledge were in her glance, as of one who has known many things that the years bring. Above her brow her head was covered with a cap of silver lace netted with small gems, glittering white; but her soft grey raiment had no ornament save a girdle of leaves wrought in silver. So it was that Frodo saw her whom few mortals had yet seen; Arwen, daughter of Elrond, in whom it was said that the likeness of Lúthien had come on earth again; and she was called Undómiel, for she was the Evenstar of her people.” The Fellowship of the Ring

Arwen // Evenstar 

// lady of white gems and starlight 

// the reward to be won

Patient and enduring, looking for things not yet seen. 

Regal and gracious, standing finally beside her triumphant Lord and King.

Crowned Queen and following him through sacrifice, and the still enduring death that is in the mortal world. 

And trusting through long years in the promised one to whom she has pledged herself, while fashioning the standard which will be a banner to the peoples. 

“…lo! even as he laughed at despair he looked out again on the black ships, and he lifted up his sword to defy them. And then wonder took him, and a great joy; and he cast his sword up in the sunlight and sang as he caught it. And all eyes followed his gaze, and behold! upon the foremost ship a great standard broke …There flowered a White Tree, and that was for Gondor; but Seven Stars were about it, and a high crown above it, the signs of Elendil that no lord had borne for years beyond count. And the stars flamed in the sunlight, for they were wrought of gems by Arwen daughter of Elrond; and the crown was bright in the morning, for it was wrought of mithril and gold.” The Return of the King

~ Éowyn ~ 

“Grave and thoughtful was her glance, as she looked on the king with cool pity in her eyes. Very fair was her face, and her long hair was like a river of gold. Slender and tall she was in her white robe girt with silver; but strong she seemed and stern as steel, a daughter of kings. Thus Aragorn for the first time in the full light of day beheld Éowyn, lady of Rohan, and thought her fair, fair and cold, like a morning of pale spring that is not yet come to womanhood.” The Two Towers

Éowyn // the White Lady 

// loyal, valorous, and true hearted 

// crushing the head of the serpent 

“Most blessed among women is Jael… She stretched her hand to the tent peg, her right hand to the workmen’s hammer; she pounded Sisera, she pierced his head… At her feet he sank, he fell; where he sank, there he fell dead.” Judges

Like Frodo, dearly loving her guardian figure, willing to dare all and die in his stead; battling the King’s enemies even when the darkness seems greatest and the gates of hell bar the way; going through the deep shadows, bearing much pain and sorrow and growing despair, yet -- healed by the hand of the King -- emerging at last, triumphant, into the light.

“For you are a lady high and valiant and have your­self won renown that shall not be for­got­ten; and you are a lady beau­ti­ful, I deem, be­yond even the words of the El­ven-tongue to tell.”

“Then the heart of Éowyn changed, or else at last she un­der­stood it. And sud­denly her win­ter passed, and the sun shone on her. 

‘I stand in Minas Anor, the Tower of the Sun,’ she said; ‘and be­hold the Shadow has de­parted! I will be a shield­maiden no longer, nor vie with the great Rid­ers, nor take joy only in the songs of slay­ing. I will be a healer, and love all things that grow and are not bar­ren.” The Return of the King

~ 

Galadriel, Éowyn, and Arwen each fighting the serpent in their particular corner of the battlefield, laboring in travail, fighting even when hope is dim, and coming out in the end to great victory. 

To hearken back to the beginning, we don’t view any of Tolkien’s characters as cardboard figures (each with a tidy allegorical lesson and homework for us to apply). No, for deep truth and beauty is far deeper -- wilder -- uncontained. Dangerous. For in deep story -- true myth -- as we catch flashes and glimpses and reflections of deep truth and beauty -- that beauty itself can help shape and point us to our one and only Savior, the Fountainhead of all breathtaking glory and goodness and beauty and heart-stopping joy. 

This was written for Hamlette's Tolkien Week. I hope you enjoyed and I'd love to hear your thoughts! <3

Tolkien Blog Party 2019 // Tag Answers

These're frightfully difficult, terribly fun, and I couldn't be more pleased with how everything turned out. Can't wait to hear what y'all think! ;)

Would You Rather...

1. ...join Thorin's Company or the Fellowship?

The Fellowship because of... well, just every last bit of it. The Hobbit is a fun adventure, peopled with dear characters, but LotR is just epic. The point springing to mind is all the brothers-in-arms stuff -- likely and unlikely, like Gimli and Legolas. (And, depending who you were with when the fellowship breaks up, you might get to go through either Ithilien or Anorien. <3 And there's Aragorn. And all the other people you'd get to meet, like Faramir. Still, that's not all necessarily key to the question.)

Short answer: for personality variety in the band of adventurers, character development, and adventure-wise, I'd choose the Fellowship.

Except I do hate the Nazgul. Rrrrrr. 

2. ...ride Shadowfax or an eagle?

First off, the eagles always make me Very Happy. But still, gripping the feathers of a huge, fierce, lordly bird -- desperately trying not to pinch as the earth drops away -- v. a mighty, glistening horse, powerful and smooth running as the wind? Shadowfax all the way. <333

(Also must mention lately I'm sliiiiightly peeved at no one in particular, wondering why the eagles couldn't just've dropped Sam and Frodo off at Mount Doom in the first place and spared all the pain and suffering for poor dear everyone. But no story. I understand. Unless there's something I'm forgetting, it's probably just a little loophole Tolkien hoped we wouldn't think about. So let's forget I mentioned it. ;-))

3. ...travel through Moria or Mirkwood?

I dislike them pretty equally, both seem so dark and claustrophobic and endless. If I was a hobbit though I'd pick Moria, cause of all the Big Folk along. Even with all the heartbreak in the loss of Gandalf, Aragorn and Boromir heading and bringing up the rear of the band in the face of that terror, then carrying Frodo and Sam later makes me warm and teary.

4. ...learn to make elvish rope or mithril chainmail?

Both would be interesting, but mithril sounds like ripply silver beauty. Wikipedia says the name mithril comes from two words in Tolkien's Sindarin language -- mith meaning 'grey' and ril meaning 'glitter'. So yes please.

5. ...try to outwit Smaug or Saruman?

Tough one. Ok, bear with me here, but all in all I think I'd actually pick Saruman. Smaug would just be downright terrifying. Saruman would too, but I think of him as kinda the embodiment of modern philosophy -- with smooth beckoning words, twisting, subtly bending meaning and arguing in circles till you're more than half persuaded/feel a fool for holding out any longer. But yet, it's all wound through with pride, i.e. that was his downfall and (not that I've got everything pat in that department) but a humble man who approaches the debate with a little trembling quiver, but still sticks to his guns and keeps repeating what he knows is right -- I think he could make it through.

6. ...spend an hour with Grima Wormtongue or Denethor?

Denethor. Hands down. If he was going on about Faramir I'd be pretty inevitably tempted to give him a gargantuan piece of my mind, but he's still a gentleman and man of honor (albeit ultimately a fallen one). Grima is just... ick. And yuck.

7. ...attend Faramir's wedding or Samwise's wedding?

***First, how can you do this to me, Hamlette?!?!?!?!?***

Well... it depends. If I was in the mood for something epic, the happiness beyond tears, end of a fairy tale sort of occasion, I'd pick the former. If I'm in the mood for hearty food and hilarity and maybe riotous dancing, I'd pick the latter. (Ha, see how neatly I avoided choosing there?)

But I'll play fair and say Eowyn and Faramir. Especially as I intend to be in their retinue and go back to Ithilien and make everything loved and altogether lovely again.

8. ...have to care for the One Ring or the Arkenstone for a day?

The Arkenstone. Gold fever is a very real thing, but I'm not going near the Ring with a ten foot pole. Nuh uh.

9. ...have tea with Bilbo or Frodo?

Ummm... Usually I'd always pick Frodo, but I'm not sure how good of a cook he is, so maybe Bilbo? I do always want to try his seed cakes. For some reason I always picture them as poppy seed.

10. ...fight alongside Boromir or Eomer?

Ok, this one's near impossible. I've literally been thinking about it for a couple days. My initial immediate response was Boromir, but sometimes I feel like Eomer doesn't get as much credit or talking-about as he should and he really is splendid and valiant and loves his sister, and his manly desire to protect is just as strong as the others. So, though I'm not sure how much use I'd be fighting on horseback, at the moment I'm picking Eomer and the Rohirrim.

Thank you for the wonderful party and all the fantastic questions, Hamlette! Again, make sure to check out all the other entries HERE.

And be sure and let me know if you agree/disagree with any of the above! 

Frodo // A Character Sketch

(I wrote this as a guest post for the great LOTR read-along a few years ago. Thanks for letting me repost, Hamlette! :))

When first we hear of Frodo son of Drogo, he is an orphan. Brought up among the ‘queer Bucklanders’ and considered by many to be more than half a Brandybuck, he is being adopted by Bilbo as his future heir. Observant and clear-sighted, he is a lover of beauty, and also of maps and of elves, a ‘perky chap with a bright eye’ whom both Bilbo and Gandalf think the ‘best hobbit in the Shire.’

(Note, I still haven’t watched the movies, so I’ll be discussing all this as it appears in the books.)

With his rich inheritance comes the great and dreadful Ring. Gandalf had said of the Ring, in his first long discussion with Frodo near the beginning, ‘It is far more powerful than I ever dared to think at first, so powerful that in the end it would utterly overcome anyone of mortal race who possessed it. It would possess him.’ Of hobbits he said, ‘Among the Wise I am the only one that goes in for hobbit-lore: an obscure branch of knowledge, but full of surprises. Soft as butter they can be, and yet sometimes as tough as old tree-roots. I think it likely that some would resist the Rings far longer than most of the wise would believe.’

A bit farther on, Gollum’s name enters the conversation. At this point, if we’re picturing the Frodo we know from later, his first reaction may be a bit startling. ‘Gollum!’ cried Frodo. ‘Gollum? Do you mean that this is the very Gollum-creature that Bilbo met? How loathsome!’ ‘I think it is a sad story,’ said the wizard, ‘and it might have happened to others, even to some hobbits that I have known.’ ‘I can’t believe that Gollum was connected with hobbits, however distantly,’ said Frodo with some heat. ‘What an abominable notion!’ And farther still, ‘What am I to do? What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that vile creature, when he had a chance!’ ‘Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need.’ …‘I am sorry,’ said Frodo, ‘But I am frightened; and I do not feel any pity for Gollum.’ ‘You have not seen him,’ Gandalf broke in. ‘No, and I don’t want to,’ said Frodo, ‘I can’t understand you. Do you mean to say that you, and the Elves, have let him live on after all those horrible deeds? Now at any rate he is as bad as an Orc, and just an enemy. He deserves death.’

When he realizes what must be done about the Ring he says, ‘I do really wish to destroy it! …Or, well, to have it destroyed. I am not made for perilous quests. I wish I had never seen the Ring! Why did it come to me? Why was I chosen?’ Nevertheless, he sets out -- going through hard adventure and dread fear and frightful pain to Rivendell, and once there, voluntarily takes on the further horrific task.

He is called to a mission, a mission stressing with horrible intensity the very places where he most needs change, and -- shaped by grief and pain and the weight of his burden -- he does change. The Frodo who meets Gollum above the Dead Marshes is a very different Frodo from the Frodo at the beginning. Grown in wisdom, he has learned the place of mercy, and knows also that the dealing out of final judgment -- final doom -- is not his.

He has grown in wisdom and mercy, but at the same time, he is desperately fighting the growing power of the Ring. We see a lot of this through the eyes of dear, faithful Sam. As, in torment and travail, they near Mount Doom, Sam ‘guessed that among all their pains he (Frodo) bore the worst, the growing weight of the Ring, a burden on the body and a torment to his mind.’ Twice, he tries to fight Sam off. The second time, ‘A wild light came into Frodo’s eyes. ‘Stand away! Don’t touch me!’ he cried. ‘It is mine, I say. Be off!’ His hand strayed to his sword-hilt. But then quickly his voice changed. ‘No, no, Sam,’ he said sadly. ‘But you must understand. It is my burden, and no one else can bear it. It is too late now, Sam dear. You can’t help me in that way again. I am almost in its power now. I could not give it up, and if you tried to take it I should go mad.’

So we come to Mount Doom -- and to his claiming of the Ring and the final reappearance of Gollum. Frankly, this part always bothered me until recently. But lately, I’ve begun to see just how exciting it is. First off, if Frodo had somehow managed to drop the Ring into the fire himself (as well as trivializing the danger) we would have much more of a straight-forward allegorical tale with him as the central Christological figure. Instead, we have (at least) two other major Christ-type figures, with all of them together contributing to a much fuller, richer glimpse and a tale of marvelous depth and complexity.

Second: initially, Frodo was sent on an almost hopeless errand, not knowing (if he even reached the mountain) how he would ever gain the strength and will-power to destroy the Ring. Yet the conflict isn’t resolved by deux ex machina, either. Gollum was shown mercy over and over again -- by Bilbo, Aragorn, Gandalf, Frodo, Sam, and even Faramir -- all with the idea that he had yet a purpose to fulfill and offering further opportunity for repentance. He was under oath to both Frodo and Faramir against treachery. ‘Then I say to you,’ said Faramir, turning to Gollum, ‘you are under doom of death; but while you walk with Frodo you are safe for our part. Yet if ever you be found by any man of Gondor astray without him, the doom shall fall. And may death find you swiftly, within Gondor or without, if you do not well serve him.’ Frodo had earlier warned him that a similar oath on the Ring would twist him to destruction.

So the mission incredibly succeeds -- succeeds as themes of wisdom and mercy flash brilliantly into focus, and a divine, overarching doom falls. From Sam again, ‘Well, this is the end, Sam Gamgee,’ said a voice by his side. And there was Frodo, pale and worn, and yet himself again, and in his eyes there was a peace now, neither strain of will, nor madness, nor any fear. His burden was taken away. There was the dear master of the sweet days in the Shire. ‘Master!’ cried Sam, and fell upon his knees. In all that ruin of the world for the moment he felt only joy, great joy. The burden was gone. His master had been saved; he was himself again, he was free.’

Here we come to a really interesting point. Frodo had to be saved. Now again in some ways (his burden-bearing for others, the royal temptations he faces, the pain and the anguish, the knife-wound, and the chilling, torturing, death-like experiences, etc.), Frodo can definitely be seen as a Christ-type figure. But -- while all that is absolutely true -- I think it equally true that he could just as well be a picture of us. I’ve also come to the conclusion that, of any of the characters within the story, he might actually best be compared to Boromir. Both are strong and honorable yet stumble at the same temptation, both are saved by grace and repentance (also seeing their actions clearly), and both are treated afterwards as being no less worthy of all honor and respect. And both see something through all the way to the end of their road, though death (in metaphor or reality) lies at the end of it.

Finally, on the slopes of Orodruin, surrounded by spewing flames and shattering earth, Frodo (and Sam) lie prostrate, starving and thirsting. And against all hope they are saved. The eagles come, bearing Gandalf, and they are brought out of fire and death and the tumult of destruction. Awaking in a place of dappled sunlight and cool green shade, they find themselves in the garden of Gondor and in the keeping of the King -- of the King who has tended and saved them -- of the King whose crown Frodo later bears.

Frodo, a richly adopted heir is, in the fullness of time, given and called to a task. A humble being, fighting and winning and losing against temptation (and yet succeeding because of the wisdom and mercy he has learned), he is led by his calling on a path of sufferings and death and darkness. And he is brought out again to glory -- to light and to joy, to a place of fresh raiment and song. Brought with a multitude of others to a place of piercing joy, to ‘regions where pain and delight flow together and tears are the very wine of blessedness.’ And to a place where -- crowned with circlets of silver -- he and Sam are led with high praise to seats of honor at the King’s table.

~     ~     ~

Thanks for reading -- I'd love to hear your thoughts. :) And again, be sure to check out all the other lovely posts at The Edge of the Precipice!