Faith and Choices

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by Rikae

I mean, I wouldn't say that the professor implied any disapproval of Eowyn's shift of affections from Aragorn to Faramir; the implication being that she was not "fated" to be with Aragorn, so her ultimate choice was in accordance with her destiny, and therefore honorable

Well... what does honor have to do with it? Anyway, I agree that the shift of affection is not disaproved. She actually needed it, it melted the frost in her heart.

Originally Posted by Rikae

I don't see any disapproval in his portrayal of her interest in Aragorn

Aragorn put it otherwise...

Originally Posted by The houses of healing, RotK

...in me she loves only a shadow and a thought: a hope of glory and great deeds, and lands far from the fields of Rohan

[Lalwendë]

What do you think of my idea that Eowyn's love for Aragorn is almost that of the very young, very naive soldier for his/her Captain? For the inspirational hero who suddenly breezes into their life? I wrote more about this on another thread but I can't remember which one and a search is not proving fruitful.

As this is love from a woman towards a man, it obviously (or should that be obviously?) comes across in terms of romance, but in the words expressed by Eowyn it can easily be read as love from the young man to the hero. And Eowyn does remind me of some of the tragic young men who were too young for enlistment but who lied in order to be signed up to go and fight in the fields of France and Belgium in WWI.

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

What do you think of my idea that Eowyn's love for Aragorn is almost that of the very young, very naive soldier for his/her Captain?

Hm, I wouldn't say I agree. If it were so, then Aragorn's sorrow and pitty that followed him ever since he left Dunharrow would have been unfounded, based on a wrong perception on his behalf, which I doubt was the case, considering also that Gandalf does not contradict him or the foundation of his feelings.

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Raynor

Hm, I wouldn't say I agree. If it were so, then Aragorn's sorrow and pitty that followed him ever since he left Dunharrow would have been unfounded, based on a wrong perception on his behalf, which I doubt was the case, considering also that Gandalf does not contradict him or the foundation of his feelings.

Note I'm not saying that is what she is or that is what she represents, but you can see that in her character and portrayal, especially if reading the work set against the basis of war and what it does to people. And even if Tolkien did feed that idea in (and how would we know, that's just something I can see in her - and he doesn't deconstruct everything! ) it doesn't preclude him feeling regret - either as a Captain might regret having to be harsh on the keen young hero or a taken man might regret having somehow attracted the love of a woman he could not/would not reciprocate.

[Raynor]

it doesn't preclude him feeling regret - either as a Captain might regret having to be harsh on the keen young hero

Well, being harsh was not the cause of his regret, as he stated. That a soldier would develop positive feelings for his commander, is a cause for contentedness, especially since reciprocating would not interfere with anything else Aragorn might be personally involved in. It would be something he would want to cultivate. While Eowyn could indeed love Aragorn both as man and as a captain, the more the latter is prevalent, the more it would deduct from the substance of their drama, in which they interact as man and woman, not captain and soldier. While the inner workings of her love, her projections, are closer to your idea, she still relates to him as a desired lover.

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Note I'm not saying that is what she is or that is what she represents, but you can see that in her character and portrayal, especially if reading the work set against the basis of war and what it does to people. And even if Tolkien did feed that idea in (and how would we know, that's just something I can see in her - and he doesn't deconstruct everything! ) it doesn't preclude him feeling regret - either as a Captain might regret having to be harsh on the keen young hero or a taken man might regret having somehow attracted the love of a woman he could not/would not reciprocate.

I would think Eowyn was indeed starstruck (a device used more in the movie than the book, but still evident). I think your analogy of the hero-worship a naive young soldier has for a great captain is apt. A moth drawn to the flame perhaps. The undeniable aura of so formidable a Dunedain warrior must have been very attractive to Eowyn, from both a feminine perspective, and, moreso in Eowyn's case, of a caged shield-maiden who so desparately wished to emulate such a renowned soldier.

[Bêthberry]

Perhaps a close look at the particular passage where Aragorn first sees Eowyn would be helpful.

Originally Posted by The King of the Golden Hall

'Go, Eowyn, sister-daughter!' said the old king. 'The time for fear is past.'

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 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 Eowyn, 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 she yet felt. For a moment still as stone she stood, then turning swfitly she was gone.

The passage is interesting for it implies both sex and power. Aragorn notes her beauty and her virginal aspect--"not yet come to womanhood." Her awareness of him is described as a sudden coming to recognition and all the words connote power and authority--heir of kings, wisdom and age, but especially that mystery of his power and fate. Does she feel he is the king, "hiding a power she yet felt". Or do these puissant words imply sexual attraction?

It is clear what what Eowyn finds attractive is his authority and power. That might be sexualised, but it is very much an important aspect of the relationship. A daughter of kings, bred and raised in a culture that prioritises power and might, sees in Aragorn, his potential power. What is all the more intriguing about the passage is its emphasis on coldness. There is a distinct lack of any warmth or hotness.

What is also very interesting is that many details in her description could apply equally to Galadriel, save for the maidenly aspect. The height, the white gown, the gold hair, the sternness. Nothing here yet speaks of her gilded cage.

[Rikae]

Originally Posted by Raynor

Originally Posted by Rikae
I don't see any disapproval in his portrayal of her interest in Aragorn
Aragorn put it otherwise...

Quote:
Originally Posted by The houses of healing, RotK
...in me she loves only a shadow and a thought: a hope of glory and great deeds, and lands far from the fields of Rohan

I think maybe I wasn't clear what I meant by "disapproval". Of course her feelings for Aragorn are going to be, in this sense, a mistake; but the writing does not imply that it is somehow immoral or shameful on her part. At least, it always seemed to me that it was written in such a way that it appears Eowyn's feelings, though unfortunate, are quite understandable, considering who she is and who Aragorn is.