Differences and Similarities - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Selmo · 04-09-2003, 08:21 AM

Despite their similarities, both having a wife who died young, both worn down by war, both losing a son in battle and both under subtle evil influence from Wormtongue and the Palantir, Denethor and Theoden were very different characters.

The culture of Gondor was sophisticated, literate and very aware of its long history. Rohan was a relatively new small nation, keeping no account of its history except in song. Its people saw only immediate need and its pride was in its horses and its skill in arms, not in the achievement of past generations of scholars and builders.
In war, the King of Rohan was expected to lead his army; in Gondor the Steward was expected to direct and control his armies through others, as Denethor did, employing the young Aragorn (under another name).

Denethor was raised to be a man of thought and study, Theoden a man of action. To Theoden, war ment a cavalry charge and swift death or victory. To Denathor, it ment long-term planning of strategy and carefully thought-out tactics.
Once free of Wormtongue, Theoden could, with Gandalf's support, respond to changing circumstances but Denethor, prideful and burdened by the weight of thousands of years of cultural history, was much less addaptable, much more set in his view of the world and much more resistant to taking the advice of others, especially Gandalf.

[ April 09, 2003: Message edited by: Selmo ]

04-09-2003, 08:21 AM	#8
Selmo Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: The Shire (Staffordshire), United Kingdom Posts: 273	Despite their similarities, both having a wife who died young, both worn down by war, both losing a son in battle and both under subtle evil influence from Wormtongue and the Palantir, Denethor and Theoden were very different characters. The culture of Gondor was sophisticated, literate and very aware of its long history. Rohan was a relatively new small nation, keeping no account of its history except in song. Its people saw only immediate need and its pride was in its horses and its skill in arms, not in the achievement of past generations of scholars and builders. In war, the King of Rohan was expected to lead his army; in Gondor the Steward was expected to direct and control his armies through others, as Denethor did, employing the young Aragorn (under another name). Denethor was raised to be a man of thought and study, Theoden a man of action. To Theoden, war ment a cavalry charge and swift death or victory. To Denathor, it ment long-term planning of strategy and carefully thought-out tactics. Once free of Wormtongue, Theoden could, with Gandalf's support, respond to changing circumstances but Denethor, prideful and burdened by the weight of thousands of years of cultural history, was much less addaptable, much more set in his view of the world and much more resistant to taking the advice of others, especially Gandalf. [ April 09, 2003: Message edited by: Selmo ]