LotR -- Book 3 - Chapter 06 - The King of the Golden Hall

[Boromir88]

I love this one part in the story, the exchange between Hama and Aragorn. Only, because we can see that Aragorn isn't a perfect character. In the previous chapter, he steps down and declares Gandalf as the "guide." In this chapter he tries to assert himself over Theoden (with power that Aragorn doesn't even have yet). Luckily, Gandalf is there to give Aragorn a slap on the wrist. I also love this part due to Hama. Here Hama follows orders, later we see that Hama can think on his own, disobeying orders. As I'll later point out, it's interesting who Hama takes orders from, and who he doesn't.

Hama tells Aragorn to hand over precious Anduril...

"It is the will of Theoden," said Hama.
"It is not clear to me that the will of Theoden son of Thengel, even though he be lord of the Mark, should prevail over the will of Aragorn son of Arathorn, Elendil's heir of Gondor."
"This is the house of Theoden, not of Aragorn, even were he King of Gondor in the seat of Denethor," said Hama, stepping swiftly before the doors and barring the way. His sword was now in his hand and the point towards the strangers.
"This is idle talk," said Gandalf. "Needless is Theoden's demand, but it is useless to refuse. A king will have his way in his own hall, be it folly or wisdom."

Aragorn eventually steps down, after Gandalf advises him, but we see a faint glimmer of Aragorn maybe becoming a Sauron. Taking power, and power that he doesn't even have. Hama listens, and follows the "will of Theoden," however, if what's interesting is, he doesn't follow Grima's orders, for it was Grima who ordered that Gandalf should hand over his staff.

I wonder what Gandalf told Theoden. Since, Tolkien doesn't say (atleast to what I'm aware of), but we can guess what he said...

"There is no time to tell all that you should hear," said Gandalf. "Yet if my hope is not cheated, a time will come ere long when I can speak more fully. Behold! you are come into a peril greater even than the wit of Wormtongue could weave into your dreams. But see! you dream no longer. You live. Gondor and Rohan do not stand alone. The enemy is strong beyond our reckoning, yet we have a hope at which he has not guessed."
Quickly now Gandalf spoke. His voice was low and secret, and none save the king heard what he said. But ever as he spoke the light shown brighter in Theoden's eye, and at the last he rose from his seat to his full height, and Gandalf beside him, and together they looked out from the high place towards the east.

I wonder if Gandalf informed Theoden a bit about the ring, and the "plan" they were trying? Whatever Gandalf told him, we can tell that Theoden bought into it, as "the light shown brighter in Theoden's eye."

[Tuor of Gondolin]

While it's quite possible Gandalf was telling Theoden about the Ringbearer's quest, it's also possible he was filling him in about Aragorn and Aragorn's return with Anduril. I don't think Hama had told Theoden of Aragorn's comment (cited above) and Aragorn hadn't yet revealed himself as Isildir's Heir to Sauron so it's at least possible that that was the surprise Gandalf was alluding to.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Ok, wow, a lot to say about this chapter. Strap in, grab a snack…or just skip it entirely and go do something more productive with your time!

Boromir88 raises the interesting scene in which Aragorn not only refuses to remove Anduril but even puts himself forward over Theoden. B88 read this in a relatively negative light, but I see it as altogether justified. Yes, in his own hall Theoden gets his way, but Aragorn is the heir of Elendil. It’s a remarkable demonstration of his acceptance of his role and identity that he is willing to accept and even promote that claim so forcefully, but I do not think that we need see this as arrogance. B88 goes so far as to compare Aragorn with Sauron but in a bad way: I would maintain this comparison but in a different manner. Just as Gandalf has returned as the “new” Saruman, or Saruman as he was supposed to be, so too is Aragorn, in a loose sense, Sauron as he was supposed to be. What I mean by this is: Sauron wants to rule the West of Middle-earth and Aragorn is the true ruler of the West. Sauron wants Theoden and everyone else to acknowledge his rule when there is no justification for this claim for Aragorn is the rightful ruler. Just as Gandalf has taken on the new identity of ‘the White’ so too is Aragorn claiming as his own the identity as King of the West.

But on to that other far more interesting topic: Éowyn. I am sure that I am not alone in having been waiting for this!! What other character generates more interest and opinion than the Lady of Rohan, except perhaps Gollum…or Boromir…?

From the outset Meduseld is presented as a place in which women are not only important, but almost the primary referent. More specifically, the action of the chapter is grouped and organised around Éowyn. When Aragorn et al enter the Hall one of the first things they notice are the tapestries that depict the history and ‘lore’ of Rohan. Well, who wove these tapestries? It had to have been the women of the Hall, which places them in the interesting position as lore masters, and as the repositories of memory and history. The centrality of women in Meduseld is then made even more concretely visible in our first glimpse of Theoden. Standing behind the throne is Éowyn while Gríma is crouched before it. The situation of the King is manifestly one in which he is ‘trapped’ between these two people: Gríma the lying man and tool of Saruman, and Éowyn the faithful Lady of Rohan. It’s almost a mythic moment in which we see the King as poised between femininity (tradition? Memory? Duty?) and masculinity.

Gríma immediately establishes himself as a man who is against feminine power. One of the first things he ‘accuses’ Gandalf of is of being:

‘in league with the Sorceress of the Golden Wood… It is not to be wondered at: webs of deceit were ever woven in Dwimordene.’

It’s interesting that Gríma is not just against the Lady/femininity but that he expresses this dislike but associating Galadriel with weaving. So we have this scene in which he is surrounded by tapestries woven by women, telling of the past and the tradition that Theoden is in danger of forgetting utterly, and he is accusing women of being creatures who deceive through their weaving (he, in effect, claims that Galadriel is like Shelob: an evil weaver). Ironically, he does this in order to displace onto women and their creative art (which is properly used as preserving and transmitting the past) his own deceptive nature. He’s the one who is lying, but he wants to make it look like it’s Galadriel who is deceptive. Even as he sets himself up as the opponent of women/femininity, he desires to possess the feminine in the same way that Saruman and Sauron want to possess the world: just like his master wants to rule Rohan, so too does Gríma want to ‘take’ Éoywn as his prize. He regards women as objects/treasures.

But what I find most striking in this chapter is that the return of Theoden to power and kingship is marked by the ‘revelation’ of Éowyn:

The woman turned and went slowly into the house. As she passed the doors she turned and looked back. 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. And she now was suddenly aware of him: tall heir of kings, wise with many winters, greycloaked, hiding a power that yet she felt. For a moment still as stone she stood, then turning swiftly she was gone.

This is an extremely interesting passage in terms of how it presents Éowyn: or, rather, how it presents her relationships with these powerful men and how they respond/react to her. At the beginning of the passage, Éowyn is presented more as a knight in relation to Theoden than as a lady: she is “strong…and stern as steel, a daughter of kings.” Intriguingly, she is also wearing a silver belt – back in the discussion of the chapter “Farewell to Lorien” davem provided the fascinating nugget of information that silver belts are signs of knighthood. Éowyn doesn’t really ‘become’ a ‘lady’ until Aragorn notices her: “[he] thought her fair, fair and cold, like a morning of pale spring that is not yet come to womanhood”. The even more interesting thing about this is that Aragorn notices Éowyn before she sees him. And when Éowyn does see Aragorn she responds to him in very much the same was as she did to Theoden: as a warrior or knight responding to the King.

So there’s a particular pattern here: Éowyn is presented as a knight to her king Theoden, Aragorn sees her not as a knight but as a lady, and then she looks at Aragorn as a knight looking at a King. Seems to me that the only people responding to Éowyn as a lady – that is, as a feminine, pretty thing that is “fair and cold” – are the men! And despite this (mis)perception she is still very much a knight in her own right. This is recognised at the end of the chapter when she receives a sword and corslet from Theoden who leaves her to rule in his stead, and the last view we have of her is standing guard over Meduseld as the men depart for war.

[Boromir88]

Wonderful post Fordhim, and I only got a tid-bit to add...

The only reason, I think, that portrays the quote I provided as a negative side to Aragorn, is he doesn't even have that power yet. He's not king yet, and he's still trying to override Theoden's orders. It shows his willingness to become King, but he doesn't have that power, yet he tries to cast away Theoden's orders.

Theoden's orders are foolish, but Aragorn atleast here, is trying to use power that he doesn't have. (Eventually he does get this power, and is entitled to that power, but right now he doesn't have it). Hama even points out, it doesn't matter even if you were in Denethor's place, this is Theoden's hall, and his orders will be obeyed. Which brings up two interesting questions. Gandalf says "A king will have his own way, in his own hall?" I wonder if this has any connections with the Gandalf and Denethor encounters in the chapters to come? Also, if Aragorn was King at this time, I wonder what would have happened? If he was King and his will would be able to cancel Theoden's, what would have Hama done? What would have happened?

The nobility of Aragorn is shown, in which he differs from Sauron, is when he doesn't take power that he's entitled to. He lets Faramir remain as Steward, and he lets Eomer remain King of Rohan.

Then lastly to Eowyn. I find it slightly funny, or maybe it's just that Theoden still hasn't totally recovered, but he doesn't even think of Eowyn...

"In the House of Eorl." answered Hama.
"But Eomer I can not spare, nor would he stay," said the king; "and he is the last of that House."
"I said not Eomer," answered Hama. "And he is not the last. There is Eowyn, daughter of Eomund, his sister. She is fearless and high-hearted. All love her. Let her be as lord to the Eorlingas, while we are gone."

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Originally Posted by Boromir88

The only reason, I think, that portrays the quote I provided as a negative side to Aragorn, is he doesn't even have that power yet. He's not king yet, and he's still trying to override Theoden's orders. It shows his willingness to become King, but he doesn't have that power, yet he tries to cast away Theoden's orders.

Well, I suppose that this is where we disagree, as I believe that Aragorn already is the King, he is just not acknowleged yet. It goes to the basis of Kingship in Middle-earth, I suppose. This is not a democratic system in which there's a person (Aragorn) who can be or should be King but who is waiting to be 'made' King through and by the acceptance or nomination of his people. Aragorn has always been the King of Gondor, by right of birth, he has just never chosen to exercise that right -- or, perhaps, he has been afraid that his claim would not be acknowleged. . .?

What this scene with Hama dramatises is that what's changed for Aragorn is his attitude to his kingship: he is finally willing to assert his right, and to demand that people recognise him as king. He has the full power and authority that he is claiming here -- he is Elendil's heir, the rightful and returned King, and of that there can be no question. In his confrontation with Eomer, remember, he commanded that Eomer choose between right and wrong by choosing whether to "help [Aragorn] or hinder" him.

Again, this point is made clear by Eowyn who, apparently alone among the Rohirrim, is able instantly to recognise Aragorn for the King that he is. Eomer and Theoden both require a certain amount of convincing, but Eowyn is able to see the real and rightful power and authority that Aragorn bears. Good on her!

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Fordim

Well, I suppose that this is where we disagree, as I believe that Aragorn already is the King, he is just not acknowleged yet. It goes to the basis of Kingship in Middle-earth, I suppose. This is not a democratic system in which there's a person (Aragorn) who can be or should be King but who is waiting to be 'made' King through and by the acceptance or nomination of his people. Aragorn has always been the King of Gondor, by right of birth, he has just never chosen to exercise that right -- or, perhaps, he has been afraid that his claim would not be acknowleged. . .?

The way I see this scene is that Aragorn is not the King of Rohan, nor will he be the King of Rohan. He will be King of a neighbouring and more powerful state, and one with which Rohan is allied, indeed, one which Rohan was once a territory of. But Aragorn has no right to retain his weapons within Meduseld if Theoden wishes him to give them up. I'm thinking of the saying "An Englishman's home is his castle" - this can be applied when we think of Aragorn literally trying to enter Theoden's House, but it can also be applied symbolically, as Meduseld is an 'emblem' of Theoden's own Kingship and authority.

As Gandalf says, it is "idle talk", but he can see that it will be better to acquiesce with grace and dignity than to challenge those who were and will be allies of Gondor. Gandalf is the diplomat ever at the side of Aragorn, his personal adviser (a Sir Humphrey to Aragorn's Jim Hacker?); he dissuades Aragorn from taking the firm hand where it is not needed. I say it takes a better King to acknowledge his less powerful neighbours' right to independence; this is not only more dignified but in the long term, more strategic view (I really do sound like the bureaucrat I am now...) it makes sound political sense, as alliances are stronger where there is a real consensus between parties.

I don't think that these words of Aragorn indicate anything sinister about him or his intentions, in fact, I also think they show his strength, but they also demonstrate some vestige of his inexperience, and possibly, his sense of frustration at the lack of real progress.

[Aiwendil]

I tend to agree with Boromir88 regarding Aragorn. To me, he has always come across as just slightly arrogant here. He is, after all, in Theoden's land and indeed about to enter Theoden's hall; whether or not he is the king of another land, he ought to do as he is bidden. Though it's a bit beside the point, I must quibble slightly with Fordim's:

Well, I suppose that this is where we disagree, as I believe that Aragorn already is the King, he is just not acknowleged yet. It goes to the basis of Kingship in Middle-earth, I suppose. This is not a democratic system in which there's a person (Aragorn) who can be or should be King but who is waiting to be 'made' King through and by the acceptance or nomination of his people. Aragorn has always been the King of Gondor, by right of birth, he has just never chosen to exercise that right

This is true, of course. But it is significant that Aragorn has not yet been crowned. His eventual coronation, with the crown brought by Frodo (who fulfilled the unfinished work of Aragorn's ancestor Isildur) and set on his head by Gandalf (a Maia and representative of the Valar) does legitimize his kingship in a way that the mere fact of his ancestry does not. But I don't think that that is of much importance in relation to this episode in particular.

It bears noting, of course, that this scene in LotR mirrors quite closely a scene in "Beowulf" - Beowulf and his companions are confronted by a door-warden upon reaching Heorot, the hall of king Hrothgar, and are told to leave their weapons behind. The two obvious things to say about this are, first, that it may have no special significance but merely reflect Tolkien's liking of "Beowulf" and, second, that since the Rohirrim have so many obviously Anglo-saxon traits, Meduseld may have been associated in Tolkien's mind with Heorot (although Heorot is in Denmark, the poem is Anglo-saxon). An interesting point to me, however, is the parallel here between Aragorn and Beowulf. Like Aragorn, Beowulf makes a point of declaring his lineage to the door-warden. Is there some connection between Aragorn and Beowulf or is it a mere accident? We would perhaps expect Beowulf, the archetypal Anglo-saxon hero, to be associated with one of the Rohirrim. But perhaps this suggests that the northern heroic ideal should be seen as playing as large or almost as large a role in Tolkien's portrayal of the Numenoreans as in that of the Rohirrim, if a less overt one.