LotR -- Book 1 - Chapter 10 - Strider

[Encaitare]

Hey everyone, this is my first time posting in this section so I'm just trying to get into the swing of things...

Originally Posted by Fordim Hedgethistle
Iambic verse is the more usual in poetry as it more clearly mimics the natural cadence of spoken English; it is the least poetic sounding form of poetry. Anapestic verse is the precise opposite; it is the most poetic sounding. This is fascinating to me – Sauron’s verse is one that hides its artifice in a way; it sounds like simple prose, when really it’s poetry. Aragorn’s verse, on the other hand (written, I realise, by Bilbo) is openly artificial and poetic.

Well, after looking up "anapestic" I must say I agree. And as rutslegolas said earlier, it is a very inspirational poem. "Not all those who wander are lost" is the kind of line that can definitely cheer you up.

As for Sauron's verse being the "least poetic," perhaps this ties in to the corruption of all good things in an attempt to create, as demonstrated by Sauron and Morgoth in the past? Perhaps this method of verse on the Ring was done deliberately by Tolkien to show that even Sauron's poetry, something that is generally regarded as beautiful and pleasing to hear, is rather uncouth.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

davem, you quite movingly wrote:

I could have died for Aragorn

Allow me to second this. Aragorn is, without doubt, one of my two favourite characters in all literature (the other being, naturally, Hamlet). He is, as Aiwendil points out, a remarkably simple character to understand: he is a hero.

No, that's not right, is it? He's not a hero, he's a King. It's not just that people -- including myself -- admire him: we love him. And I do love him, with a deep and abiding emotion like that I feel for only a few people. That for me has always been the great strenght of Aragorn. His greatness does not depend upon his soldiery (which is unsurpassed) or his wisdom (which is second only to Elrond's and Gandalf's) or his compassion and pity; his greatness depends instead upon the fact that he is able to inspire, even command, the most profoundly personal love of those who are ready to accept him.

The manner of his introduction in this chapter is entirely appropriate. Aragorn presents everyone he meets with a challenge: it's the challenge of his own presence -- are you worthy of him? Are you wise enough to recognise who and what he is, strong enough to pledge yourself to him, and faithful enough to follow him? The fact that he comes upon the hobbits in such a threatening manner is appropriate, for they are going to have to face up to this challenge. I really don't see it as an overstatement when I say that the whole purpose of Frodo's quest is to prove that he is worthy of Aragorn's love.

The fact that at the end of this journey (to get well ahead of myself) it is Aragorn who bows to Frodo makes me weep.

And now for something that will make Saucy go nuts when he returns to the Downs. . .

This is an aspect of the story that I think the movie might actually have been able to do more powerfully than the book. At the death of Boromir, in the film, when he pledges his love to Aragorn "my brother, my captain, my King" -- I wept like a babe quite openly for quite a long time, and not just because Boromir is dying, but because I too would gladly lay down my life for Aragorn so deeply do I love that man.

But that is enough of such silliness. End of swoon. Return to more sensible posts.

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Fordim Hedgethistle

He's not a hero, he's a King. It's not just that people -- including myself -- admire him: we love him. And I do love him, with a deep and abiding emotion like that I feel for only a few people. That for me has always been the great strenght of Aragorn. His greatness does not depend upon his soldiery (which is unsurpassed) or his wisdom (which is second only to Elrond's and Gandalf's) or his compassion and pity; his greatness depends instead upon the fact that he is able to inspire, even command, the most profoundly personal love of those who are ready to accept him.

Hhu? I find Aragorn a pompous prig at times. Faramir is No 1 man... and he ends up with No 1 woman...lol

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

*Fordim slaps Mithalwen across the face with his gauntlet, then tosses it at Mith's amazed feet*

Sir, I must ask you to accept this gauntlet in earnest of a more serious confrontation that I suggest we undertake early tomorrow upon the heath, where I shall answer your slanders in the most vigorous and peremptory manner.

Do you prefer pistols or swords? I shall await you in the appointed place at the appointed hour where, if you shall fail to appear so that I might pay you as you deserve for your words, I shall consider you the most arrant and cowardly knave.

[Mithalwen]

Pistols.... a bullet may go anywhere but a blade is bound to go somewhere!!!!!

And since your eyesight is so poor that you haven't observed the definitely female contours of my figure... I reckon I stand a good chance ......

And could I have teh other gauntlet? So useful for gardening...

[mark12_30]

"Well, Fordim sir, it's a bit of a detour and no mistake. But I've got your sabre" (rattles scabbard reassuringly) " and your set of pistols " (gestures at Bilbo the Pony, who snorts and tosses head ) "and I wouldn't miss this bit of excitement for all the beer in the southfarthing. Well, sir, has Mithalwen answered you yet?"

[mark12_30]

(Scratching head) "I don't see your opponent, Fordim sir. But your gauntlet is right over there."

[Encaitare]

Well, in defense of Mithalwen, (although I don't wish to be challenged to any duels -- or slapped with a gauntlet, for that matter!), I can see where she's coming from. Aragorn can be a bit high and mighty at times, but I suppose he has the right to... he is king, after all!

In this particular chapter I can only find one example of Aragorn acting in this manner:

"Well, you know your own business, maybe," said Mr. Butterbur, looking suspiciously at Strider. "But if I was in your plight, I wouldn't take up with a Ranger."

"Then who would you take up with?" asked Strider. "A fat inkeeper who only remembers his own name because people shout it at him all day? They cannot stay in The Pony for ever, and they cannot go home. They have a long road before them. Will you go with them and keep the black men off?"

This seems a bit extreme to say to poor Butterbur, but then again he was always rather less than friendly to Aragorn. And Fordim's comment:

The manner of his introduction in this chapter is entirely appropriate. Aragorn presents everyone he meets with a challenge: it's the challenge of his own presence -- are you worthy of him? Are you wise enough to recognise who and what he is, strong enough to pledge yourself to him, and faithful enough to follow him?

bolsters the evidence that Aragorn is confident enough in his own strengths that he has no hesitation in doing what he must. Plus, who would be the leader if not Aragorn? It is better for a king to show the ability to lead justly and with wisdom even before ascending to the throne, and Aragorn certainly does that.

[mark12_30]

Although I understand Mithalwen's preference for Faramir over Aragorn, command implies decisiveness, and both Faramir and Aragorn employ this (seemingly rude) trait at need. Aragorn goes further still-- he seems brash, nearly foolhardy. But not quite.

It is precisely this attitude of Aragorn's that enables him to win Eomer: "Will you aid me or thwart me? Choose swiftly!" An odd thing for one man to say to an entire Eored.

Aragorn can be very patient, but he knows when it is the right time to let his patience run out. He knows Frodo cannot make it to Rivendell without him. He cannot let Barliman talk Frodo out of trusting him as a guide. I do not see Aragorn's jarring response primarily as rude (although it is that); it is realistic.

Frodo's only hope is Strider, and Strider knows it. And for the sake of Middle-Earth, he decisively puts Barliman out of the argument.

[Mithalwen]

I never really quite "forgave" him for not preferring the brave and spirited Eowyn to the merely beautiful Arwen .... but then I realised that Faramir was just about the perfect man ......

And *jumps and waves I AM HERE...*

"Tell them I came, and no one answered, that I kept my word"