[The Squatter of Amon Rûdh]

I don't doubt that Tolkien's views on war and warfare were coloured by his experiences in France and the loss of several close friends during the Somme offensive; but they were also shaped by his interest in the legends of the North. In his academic writing on the subject, I find an admiration for a way of thinking that he terms the 'northern heroic spirit': this is necessarily warlike, but manifests itself in heroic actions performed of necessity and in unavoidable circumstances. He was not a pacifist, as has been mentioned above; but I think that his writing betrays a very common twentieth-century concern: the desire for a just cause in which to fight. Tolkien disapproved of the tendency to demonise the enemy that was prevalent in Britain during the forties (and still is wherever two countries are fighting a war), and he was horrified by the destruction of Germany, which he called "one of the most appalling world-catastrophes". I think that he was deeply saddened by the entire process, but at the same time inspired by heroism on any side. Throughout his works it is heroism that is really idolised: he disparages chivalry in his essay Ofermod, and he was clearly no jingoist, but he could admire the simple courage and nobility of those who actually fight. Since it is necessary to have a war in order to show certain types of bravery, it is not surprising that war features strongly in his writing; but I think it significant that in Tolkien's wars the enemy is not only clearly evil but also the aggressor and the instigator of hostilities.

I think it very significant Tolkien's central characters are not naturally warlike. Although able to show courage at a pinch, his hobbits do not even practice the arts of war, and fight only when there is a pressing need to do so. Even Aragorn, described in the appendices to The Lord of the Rings as "the most hardy of living Men", fights entirely in the defence of others: in his guarding of Eriador; in his wars for Gondor and Rohan, and at Helm's Deep and Minas Tirith, he is fighting against encroaching armies. Even in his last great march on Mordor, he attacks as a diversion with the intent of aiding another mission, and against people who have first besieged his capital. Often the more warlike characters are seen in an ambiguous light: Fëanor, for example, leads the Noldor in what appears a just cause, but his very eagerness to engage the enemy leads to horrific consequences. Túrin is also quick to fight and too eager for battle, thus speeding the fall of Nargothrond and helping to seal his own doom; and the tragic case of Boromir again involves a great captain and soldier, who cannot see a way to victory except through force of arms.

I suspect that this theme is an indication of what Tolkien thought war ought to be: fought only in defence and with compassion and honour. Clearly he knew that this is not how things work in the real world: if they did, I doubt that his writings would have been the same. I think that he would say that one does not have to like war to admire heroism, but that heroism in itself does not of necessity require a war. All of Bilbo's heroic acts in The Hobbit are performed off the battlefield, often alone or with few witnesses; and of course Frodo and Sam, probably the most closely drawn heroes in Tolkien's writing, take no part in any major battle, performing their greatest feats of bravery out of sight of the world.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 9:51 AM January 31, 2004: Message edited by: The Squatter of Amon Rûdh ]