As I have said many times before, I believe the reason that Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series is so popular because no matter who you are, where your from or what manner of temperment you are, you can find at least one character to attach to or relate to. That being said, I myself, being as concieted as I am, can see parts of myself in several of the characters and many of them are polar opposites of one another.
For instance, Eowyn, a warrior princess, trapped in the smothering routine of day to day responsibility, waiting on her Uncle King who is incapabe of taking care of himself let alone his kingdom, while her brother rides about the country side finding adventure and glory in battle. She feels the weight of age and uselessness like a noose about her neck that would cut off her life with acceptance of meaningless chores and servitude. She, desperate, sneaks off to battle and ends up nearly losing her life but changing the fate of all Middle Earth with the stroke of her sword. Only to be left behind again while those who were willing and able rode off to the last stand while she was left in the House of Healing. Eventually she accepts her fate and becomes the wife of a good man.
Ioreth, a simple housewife, but learned of herb lore and healing, has no intention of leaving the safety of the walls of Minas Tirith. She looks for no excitement and would have flat refused being forced into adventure if the request had been made by anyone less than the king and Gandalf. So off she rides to find the only herb the king can use to heal his friends of the dark breath that had fallen on them because of their heroism in battle that they attended against orders. Not much is said of her ride to find the Athelas but I can only imagine how happy Ioreth was to be back inside the walls and safety of her own city.
I can sometimes feel the walls of society and propriety closing about me. I can hear the call of the wild woods and the swiftly running river. I can smell the fear of the animal I would hunt while shut inside my comfy home or while I tote, dutifully, my food orders to the tables of hungry people. I want to fling plates of burgers and fries into their laps and run laughing into the open air. Make my own way with nothing but the mother Earth to provide for me or bring me down.
Sometimes I look at my children when they are doing homework or some other mundane task and think of how blessed I am to have the security of a good home and a reliable job. I am so proud of providing safety and peace for my family. I sleep well at night knowing my family is warm and cozy in the softness of our beds.
Does anyone else have a set of characters that are so much different from one another but that they relate to each?
lomoduin, I can see your connection to both of these characters ... in many ways they are psychological archetypes ... the shieldmaiden /warrior and the healer. While Tolkien creates both he also diminishes both ... Eowyn flawed by her suicidal desire for glory ... Ioreth as comic relief as a motor mouth who annoys Aragorn ...
While I don't see you as suicidal or a comic motor mouth you definitely have the warrior and healer manifestations.
As far as being opposites I see your point ... they may not be polar opposites as the both are good in alignment and gender ... I do see a huge gap as far as nobility, a masculine archetype centered in Eowyn. and a conversion parable from a shieldmaiden archetype to a queen/lover archetype.
I like your topic and your challenge.
In many ways I too can see parts of myself in Tolkien's work ... and I too feel a little embarrassed at my inflation ... There are parts of me that are both Gandalf and Saruman. As a psychologist I struggle hard to help people overcome their pain and triumph over forces that oppress them. When Gandalf frees Theoden King from the spells and treachery of Wormtongue and Saruman it is like a fantasy come true for every therapist that draws a breath. Yet the Saruman in me drives me to technology and industry that may not be appropriate for my time. I am impatient with the slowness of Ents and perhaps inconsiderate or blind to the beauty and life of the trees that surround me ... I think I would like to be more like Galadriel and Sam ... wise, loving, and loyal.
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Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit Called or uncalled, God is present
When I read this earlier this morning I thought this was one topic I would leave alone. But, (isn't there always a "but" hanging around) when I woke up a few hours later it seems I might actually have something to contribute after all.
My opposites are Glorfindel and Wormtongue. For years I was overshadowed by two personalities that threatened to destory my own sense of being. I was often told that I was a falure. That I would never succeed at anything on my own. I was weak willed and worse, weak minded. In trying to appease, I was always trying to please. I was meek, mousie, shy and backwards. That is behind me now but I know that there will always be people out there that will assert that they are better, smarter, wiser, and superior to me. Unlike poor Grima I survived and grew beyond this kind of abuse.
Like Glorfindel, I have learned that death holds no horrors. Unlike the Elf-lord I did not have to fight a Balrog and die to learn that death holds no fears. But I stood on the brink, knowing full well what was about to happen and felt no fear. Even though I was not allowed to walk off that beach I came away changed. I have no fear of what is to come when this body breathes it's last. I take a special delight in the stars at night. Going on a high ridge just to watch the sun go to rest in a blaze of glory. Every season holds it's own wonder and beauty. I delight in trying something new. I have traveled half way around the world, litterally rubbing elbows with people of different faiths (Christian, Jewish, and Muslim) and cultures finding humaneness, kindness, and concern for my well being. I do feel an inner youth and exuberance and when this present time passes away, I will continue to feel and know it.
-- Edited by Anorlas on Wednesday 27th of October 2010 06:38:53 PM
-- Edited by Anorlas on Thursday 28th of October 2010 05:01:40 AM
After reading Bear's and Anorlas' posts I'm begining to think I may have laid things on a bit thick. lol The main thread that I wanted to get at was if there were to very different characters that any one of you may be able to relate to for whatever reason. Like the Bear, maybe you can see the masculine, femanine offset or the warrior, healer. Or like most of us, I'm sure, maybe you've battled obstacles in your life that were infered in the texts or your opinion of any given character. Sometimes I can totally relate to Gollum. I want to ring their filthy, little necks but we needs them precious and sometimes they are kind........ lol
-- Edited by lomoduin on Wednesday 27th of October 2010 11:08:21 PM
Ooooookay! I think I have this figured out (fingers crossed) Samwise and Wormtongue. Both were followers, servants to their perspective "betters". Sam to Mr. Frodo, Grima to Saruman. But Saruman was not a good and kind master being dominering, cruel. Wormtongue lossing all backbone and sense of self to a being who treated those around him no better then animals.
Samwise was a gardeners son and thought of himself no better then a servant never calling Frodo anything other then Mr. But Sam was more then a lacky, he was also a friend, sometimes even councilor. Frodo may be sharp with poor Sam at times, but on the firey slopes of Mount Doom Frodo will say how glad he is that Sam is there with him. Even the Elves give honor to Sam at the end of the Quest by calling him something like "Fire of Hope Unquenceable" or simular to.
Grima was reduced to squalor and even accused of canibleism. Here then are two true opposites.
-- Edited by Anorlas on Thursday 28th of October 2010 06:32:43 PM
A very intriguing question. I can't say I consider myself close to any character/s in particular. I have favourites of course, which have been covered many times in various threads but I can't seem to find an answer to this particular question. A brain teaser!
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Utúlie'n aurë! Aiya Eldalië ar Atanatári, utúlie'n aurë! Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva!
I identify most readily with Eowyn and Eomer but I can definitly see some of Gollum and Sam in myself as well. Greedy wish for self furtherance and the hope that those I love not only suceed but do so with little to no discomfort to them.
Legolas an Elven Prince with no responsibilities and lots of time for his grooming and appearance, as the son of a King of some standing a wealth, and Aragorn, fatherless, a roving Rangers of the North with lots of responsibilities and no time to care for his outward appearance.
I was sort of a free spirit like Legolas when I was a growing child, I always managed to shirk responsibilities and now I am bound with responsibilities and no money to do anything exciting and the things I rally like to do. Although, there is no crown waiting for me, unless I win the lottery.
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Hey dol! merry dol! ring a dong dillo! Ring a dong! hop along! fal lal the willow! Tom Bom, Jolly Tom, Tom Bombadillo!
Eh... let's see. I haven't really considered it. I've identified with Tolkien himself more than any of his characters. However, since I can hack them to bits and put them back together...
I'm academically involved with ancient languages, history, and mythology. In This regard, I guess I'm a 'lore-master' of sorts. I can read Hebrew, Greek, Akkadian, Hittite and Aramaic documents, and all with their original writing systems, so I guess that, at least, ought to count for something.
On the other hand, I'm still in training in these areas, not a 'master' by any stretch, being still young-ish (26? is that still young? Young by Arda's standards, in any case). Personally, I manage my time very poorly, though I am generally dependable if someone else needs me.
Finally, I have a cynical streak, and I love black humor and sarcastic abuse. I like the normal kinds of humor too, and that will disqualify most of Tolkien's characters right off the bat.
Maybe some bizarre mix of Grima and Pippen, though in matters of the ancient world and its languages, I might be closer to a Gandalf-or-Elrond-in-training than a Grima. I have a lot to learn, but I'm good at what I do. (as you can see, I am also not afflicted by false humility ).
-- Edited by ninjaaron on Saturday 8th of January 2011 05:44:11 PM
-- Edited by ninjaaron on Saturday 8th of January 2011 05:44:48 PM
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