Episode 218 Summary

Tony Meade

Active Member
SESSION 218

Like Andúril but of less lineage:
  • The significance of Aragorn not carrying any other weapon besides Andúril is that his reliance upon the sword of Elendil shows his intention to likewise sacrifice himself to defeat Sauron.
  • Elendil did not go forth to seek glory but left his throne behind to face his own death in Mordor.
  • Aragorn is also not setting out on Frodo’s quest to destroy the Ring, but to go to Minas Tirith.
  • Those two quests are not completely separate but was never intended to be all one quest.
  • There is also no backup weapon for Aragorn, which means that if the sword fails, so does he.
  • The fact that Boromir is described immediately after Aragorn seems to mean that the two are being compared and contrasted with each other, rather that going in order of precedence.
  • Boromir’s sword being “in fashion like Andúril” might simply refer to the style of the decoration, or functional elements like the blade length or construction, but it might be a cultural reference.
  • It’s “less lineage” may simply refer to relative age, but also that it does have a lineage of its own.
  • While no one would assume that any other sword would compare with Andúril in lineage, it does seem to refer to both its visual description and symbolically in reference to their owners.
  • There may also be a difference in the level of craftsmanship or the amount of runic inscription.
  • While Narsil was made by dwarves, its highly likely that it was made as a gift rather than made for use by dwarves; otherwise, it would be unlikely to have ended up with the Numenoreans.
  • Boromir’s sword would have been made in Gondor, even if it had been handed down to him.
  • There may be a deliberate effort to make high status swords in the style of Narsil in Gondor.
  • Note: Would people recognize the sword by sight? Aragorn does verbally announce it twice.
  • How much does Andúril look like Narsil did originally? We don’t know, but the blade is new, using the older metal to reforge it. This is emphasized by the new runes that have been added.
  • The older hilt would have been preserved, and this is all that would be see by most people.
  • The skill of the Elves of Rivendell is critical in reforging the sword, as this is the last refuge of the Noldor in Middle-earth, who are noted for their skills in craftmanship, especially in metal.
  • Note: Narsil was already a famous sword in Numenorean times, though it was not the sword of the Numenorean kings, who carried the sword formerly owned by Thingol, Aranrúth, and this sword was presumably lost with Ar-Pharazôn in the assault on Valinor in the Second Age. It seems likely that the Gondorians would give higher honor to Narsil as it belonged to the leaders of the Faithful, and Elendil himself would become a figure of myth and legend over the years.
A shield and war-horn:
  • As usual, there is a distinct lack of physical descriptions of people, but the focus is on the important aspects that show their character and role in the Company, not physical features.
  • While Aragorn goes forth in humility, Boromir goes forth with pride, just as he had been armed when setting out on his journey to Rivendell, including the shield, which also marks identity.
  • Note: Gimli shows the importance of the device on a shield by marking the honor he feels at being gifted a shield by Éomer with the marks of Rohan, showing his acceptance and alliance.
  • Unlike Aragorn, who’s line has survived by keeping a low profile, Boromir’s line is far from incognito, which shows both their personal differences and the contrast of the two lineages.
  • Boromir would be identifiable as a high status Gondorian through his dress and arms, but the heraldry on his shield, and especially the presence of the horn, would identify him personally.
  • Note: Before Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli ride to Helm’s Deep later on, the occasion is marked by their armoring themselves in Edoras, which shows that Aragorn understands the change in role.
  • While Boromir is not wearing any armor, carrying the shield is also a bit impractical, which means that he is not carrying it for practical purposes, primarily. It is about status and identity.
  • Note: The carrying of a shield is more practical on horseback than on foot, but any expectations that all warriors on horseback would carry a shield is from medieval stories of knights-errant.
  • It’s important that the shield in a way represents how Boromir thinks of himself and Gondor, in that he and the forces of Gondor act as a shield for the people of Middle-earth against Mordor.
Loud and clear it sounds:
  • Boromir was likely prompted to speak about the horn, instead of simply making a non sequitur.
  • It’s important that he is praising the horn itself and not himself as its bearer, and then connects it with the valor of Gondor. This is because it is intended to be used to command troops in war.
  • Ultimately, this is all about his identity as Captain-general, who does not go into battle alone.
  • It’s possible that the words he speaks go with the horn and were said to him when he received it from his father, so that he would understand its significance and the role it conveyed on him.
  • In this moment, Boromir may see this as an opportunity to raise the spirits of the Company. Given the environment and their mood, Boromir is acting in defiance of this oppressive spirit.
  • A similar thing was seen before with the horns of Buckland, which helped drive the Nazgûl away.
  • Note: The blowing of horns is a positive act throughout The Lord of the Rings, including later.
  • Why did everyone in Rivendell stand up when the horn blew? There may be an implied call to arms, though it might also be breach of both protocol and the secrecy of the Company’s quest.
Slow to wind the horn again:
  • Elrond is reminding Boromir of importance of stealth in their mission, which they have been working to ensure since the Council, regardless of Boromir’s intentions in blowing the horn.
  • While Sauron knows that the Ring is in Rivendell and vaguely where it is located, they had wished to keep the time of their setting forth secret for as long as possible up until now.
  • Elrond also wants to remind Boromir that this is not a going forth into battle, and also that he is neither on the quest of the Ring nor the leader of the Company, and that this is inappropriate.
  • It’s possible that Elrond might foresee a dissention in the Company, and a leadership struggle.
  • Elrond doesn’t rebuke the sentiment behind blowing the horn, but only the lack of forethought.
  • Boromir is relating this to his settling forth on military campaigns or other journeys in his own lands, but in those instances, it would be not only appropriate but also an act of inspiration.
  • This may show that Boromir is in some way resistant to the idea of secrecy as the primary driver.
  • It’s important that Boromir does not think that the Ring should go to Mordor, and should instead be brought to Minas Tirith, so he may be undermining the idea of the Council’s plan.
  • Boromir’s intentions are good, but he’s gone along with this plan reluctantly, and this sense of going under protest seems to manifest in his resistance to Elrond’s advice now.
  • If Elrond is ambivalent about sending Boromir with the Company, it is too late to change plans.
END OF SESSION
 

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