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Old 03-07-2007, 02:31 AM   #377
Raynor
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Quote:
Originally Posted by obloquy
Don't forget the nature of the letter. You mention readers who might misinterpret it, but it was originally a letter to an individual
I agree; however, I was reffering to the books having this possible believability problem, I apologise if I wasn't specific enough.
Quote:
Originally Posted by obloquy
You ask why Tolkien would create this impression if it was not representative of the reality. I believe that it was congruent with the reality, but that the reality was merely that the Witch-King now commanded an army in open daylight. That narrative revelation conveys "an added demonic power."
Well, it wasn't technically daylight, since they were fighting under Sauron's Shadow. As I see it, the witch-king is consistently described as leader of armies and a high-ranking (if not highest) in Sauron's army/subjects - starting from the Prologue, to Aragorn's, Tom's, Gandalf's mentionings, and finishing with the appendices and tale of years. If Tolkien intended to present him in increase stature only as a military comander at the Pelennor Fields, he spoiled that "surprise" by other (past and not only) refferences.
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