Episode 136 Summary

[Tony Meade]

SESSION 136

Comment on Elrond’s diplomacy toward Boromir:

• Elrond seems to be carefully choosing his words in his introduction of Aragorn to ease Boromir into the idea of Aragorn coming to Minas Tirith, and even to open him up to Aragorn as king.
• Using the name Minas Ithil recalls the former glory of Gondor, but also calls to mind a brighter future or the possibility of a future restoration of that glory, such as Minas Morgul to Minas Ithil.
• Elrond’s counsels being “stronger than morgul spells” might lead to that kind of restoration.
• The emphasis is on fewness of the Dúnedain in the North, and that would mean that Aragorn’s intentions could only be to assist Gondor, not just claim the throne or invade with a large army.
• As it has been a thousand years since anyone has claimed the right to the throne of Gondor, Boromir would be forgiven for wondering why they would take any claim seriously now.
• Gondor has become a remarkable kingdom in that while clinging to its ancient roots as a kingdom, no one has occupied the throne and has become more like a mythological concept.
• Note: This plays into the Arthurian idea of the “once and future king”, and that an ancient line of kings would restore the old glory of the country in a time of trouble.

Casting the sword upon the table:

• The verb “casting” seems significant, as he seems to have thrown or tossed the sword upon the table rather than laying it down gently. This implies a cavalier attitude towards the sword.
• There’s a sense in which one can hear the sound of the landing of the sword on the table.
• Note: In contrast, the film version has Aragorn being very reverent when handling the sword. This shows a complicated relationship with the past, where he reveres it, but it is more remote.
• Aragorn has carried the sword around with him for a long time as a symbol for just such an occasion, and it a similar part of his heritage that he wears like the Ring of Barahir.
• It’s certain that all of the heirs of Isildur have worn the Ring of Barahir, but it’s not clear if all of them carried the sword like Aragorn, as he understands that the war will happen in his time.
• Aragorn may be testing Boromir’s reaction to the cavalier revelation of the sword. He doesn’t declare anything about himself further than the sword, or what the meaning of it is.
• There is a sense in which Aragorn could claim the throne at this time but chooses not to do so. He does put the sword in between him and Boromir, to passively see what he will do.
• He is not renouncing the crown in any way, but he may be expecting a challenge from Boromir.
• Aragorn has had an opportunity to observe Boromir during the Council and has seen his pride. He had probably not met Boromir prior to this, but he does know Denethor’s personality.
• There is also a kind of sympathy between Aragorn and Boromir, as they share many similarities.
• Anyone familiar with the politics of power, like Elrond, would expect conflict over the throne.

The remainder of his riddle:

• By asking Frodo to bring out the Ring, Gandalf is fulfilling the last lines of the poem, just as Aragorn has shown the Sword that was Broken spoken of at the beginning of the poem.
• Gandalf speaks as if Frodo’s act should be self-explanatory for Boromir and the others.
• Frodo’s internal reaction once asked to reveal the Ring has the hallmarks of the influence of the Ring, unlike before when he thought that it might be claimed by Aragorn.
• The reluctance to reveal the Ring and the loathing of its touch point to Ring-induced thoughts. These kinds of thoughts are always about the Ring and about the person’s relationship with it.
• We could infer these kinds of thoughts in Bilbo in his words and actions in Bag End, but we are privy to Frodo’s thoughts when these thoughts are inspired, and we can see these directly.
• While he had thoughts of its beauty and preciousness when asked to put the Ring in the fire, here he is inspired with opposing thoughts in order to keep the Ring hidden from the others.
• In all of these instances, there is a suddenness to those feelings and is an emotional reaction that leads to a rationalization. The actual thoughts may be contradictory, but to a similar end.
• There is always a sense that the feelings are out of place and therefore an external influence. The rationalizations may be a result of trying to make sense of these incongruent feelings.
• While the Ring may or may not be sentient, it is clearly not an inert or passive object. The fact that it inspires people in different ways given the situation means that this is not automatic.
• The Ring had wanted to reveal itself on many occasions, but there are times when it wants to remain hidden, depending on the presence and actions of others at the time,
• Is the Ring getting stronger now? It will certainly do so later as Frodo nears Mordor.

A sudden shame and fear:

• There may be an element of stage fright in Frodo’s response, though the impulse to escape and leave the other people behind is similar to previous occasions.
• Any sense of inadequacy around these great folk could be used as a rationalization for leaving.
• What is Frodo ashamed of and what does he fear? Any shame at his previous outbursts would be late in coming. The fear he feels is about giving up the Ring, and shame that he might refuse.
• The loathing of the touch of the Ring has to come from the Ring, as this is not normal for Frodo.
• Bilbo’s consciousness of negative effects of the Ring doesn’t mean that he knew it was the Ring.
• The shame and fear are part of the overall stimulus coming from the Ring in this instance, as both of those feelings are very important in emotional manipulation.
• One of the simpler aspects of the Ring’s responses is that it has nearly automatic reactions to great goodness in that it wants to be concealed, and to great evil in that it wants to be revealed.
• Note: The Barrow is a complicated example, as the idea of escape may be a lie to reveal itself.
• The presence of many potential Ring-lords at the Council does not inspire a cunning response.
• In what way is the Ring an extension of Sauron? Does it contain only his power or also his will?

(continued)

 

[Tony Meade]

(continued)

Behold Isildur’s Bane:

• The gleaming and flickering of the Ring does not imply that it is emitting its own light. It seems to be reflecting the light sources in the room, though this recalls Frodo’s perceptions in Bag End.
• These effects add to the visual appeal of the Ring, and Boromir’s eyes glint when he looks at it.
• The alliteration of “glinted”, “gazed”, and “golden” are connected to “gleamed”, and draws attention to all those words and how they work together.
• Since the Ring is a plain gold band, but never shows any sign of wear, it would be very shiny.
• The word “flickered” is associated with flame, which anticipates wheel of fire imagery later.
• Gandalf and Elrond have clearly collaborated on the agenda of the meeting, as he prompts Frodo to reveal the Ring, and not Elrond. He has otherwise not spoken up yet in the Council.
• Gandalf seems to be put in the place to prompt Frodo as a kindness and guide, because they are friends and he knows how difficult it will be for Frodo to give up the Ring if asked to do so.
• Having helped Bilbo with a similar process, Gandalf is able to anticipate the kind of thoughts and difficulties may beset Frodo at this moment, and how to use his power to help him.
• Gandalf also provides Frodo with a counter-rationalization, in that he is not being asked to give up the Ring right now, but only to show it to answer Boromir’s questions.
• The use of “thing” objectifies the Ring with Boromir’s desire for it, as he is not thinking of it in terms of its power or history, but also diminishes it for Boromir into merely an object of desire.
• Note: Boromir will later use the words “little thing” to diminish his feelings about the Ring. We know that Sam notices Boromir’s desire by what he says later, and possibly Aragorn or Gandalf.

After the halfling stands forth:

• Boromir seems to fail in understanding his riddle after Frodo reveals the Ring, despite Gandalf’s words. His first reaction is to acknowledge the halfling as part of the prophecy of Doom.
• He may be speaking his inner thoughts aloud, possibly unaware that he is doing so. He may only be muttering his reaction to Frodo, and then asking his last two questions to the room.
• The intended audience for the question about the broken sword is Aragorn, who answers him.
• Note: Later in Moria, Boromir will also speak his inner thoughts aloud, so this is a pattern.
• Despite Boromir’s speech regarding the strength of Gondor, his first reaction isn’t skepticism about the signs, but saying “at last” means he already anticipates the doom of Minas Tirith.
• Boromir is clearly taking the word “doom” to mean “fall”, but his provincialism means that he only applies this to Minas Tirith, which is his deepest fear, but not the rest of the world.
• Fear of, or belief in, the final fall of Minas Tirith is the motivation for his journey to the Council. There is a sense of desperation in this action, and he needs to know if his belief is true.
• Even if the sudden emotions regarding the doom on Minas Tirith were sudden and external, his rationalizations would be supported by the evidence he has personally seen.
• This reveals that underneath his brave words and reassurances and clear arguments, Boromir does not have any hope for the future of Minas Tirith, though he may have sought it here.
• The question about the broken sword seems like a direct challenge to Aragorn’s strength.
• He seems to be using the metaphor of the sword, instead of not understanding it, though he doesn’t understand the use of the command in his doubt in light of the doom coming at last.
• If the command implies that there are actions that can be taken to avert the fall of Gondor, he doesn’t understand how the metaphorical sword, Aragorn, can possibly help in that.
• Boromir may be contrasting the idea of Elendil with the reality of Aragorn in front of him, as well as Elrond’s position as standing in for Gil-galad contrasted with Aragorn’s standing in for Elendil.
• Boromir’s reaction is opposite of Frodo’s reaction to Elrond and Aragorn earlier in the Council.
• He’s also having this reaction after of having experienced the Ring’s influence for the first time.
• If Boromir feels that Aragorn is an uninspiring figure and end of his quest, that would both result from his feelings from the Ring, as will rationalize his desire to take the Ring and save Gondor.
• This is one of the first occasions in which we see someone other than the bearer is directly emotionally influenced by the Ring, but this certainly happens many times in its presence.
• However, the desire for power or the idea of the rewards of the Ring can also influence people.

END OF SESSION