Episode 225 Summary

[Tony Meade]

SESSION 225

Elrond comes out with Gandalf:

• It’s not clear what Elrond and Gandalf were doing in the house while everyone was waiting.
• What is clear is that Gandalf, as the leader of the Company, is responsible for deciding when the time to depart has come, and Elrond acknowledges this distinction among the Fellowship.
• There is no question that Gandalf and Elrond, as the Wise, are making decisions for the others.
• Note: The fact that Gandalf is the leader of the Company, and that the Quest is mainly his task, will become really important as the story goes along, especially once he is gone and the others must decide what to do without him. This is even truer for Aragorn and Frodo than the rest.
• Why is Elrond speaking in a low voice? While this is a solemn moment, in which they will attempt to save the world through an unlikely quest, it seems a strange time for discretion.
• It may be a rhetorical trick to get the Company to pay attention to these words by being quiet.
• There may also be a desire to promote intimacy by having everyone come closer together.

Setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom:

• Elrond’s low voice might also be to highlight the need for secrecy on this quest going forward.
• This is in contrast with Boromir’s earlier brashness, and sets the tone needed for the Company.
• The pronouncement of the quest is done in the style of an official pronouncement, using an elevated and formal mode for it, and not naming Frodo directly, but with his title of Ring-bearer.
• This also allows for others to become Ring-bearer, if necessary, which hints at Sam’s role, meaning that the charge of the Ring-bearer not only falls on Frodo, but to any other bearer.
• Note: Sam will feel this charge laid upon him in Cirith Ungol when he becomes Ring-bearer.
• Why is it the Quest “of” Mount Doom, and not “to”? This is because it is not naming Mount Doom as the destination, because simply reaching the mountain would not fulfill the quest.
• It’s also important this is not the Quest of the Ring, since the Ring operates on its wielders through a series of rationalizations which might be triggered by making the Ring the focus.
• Note: Elrond’s words are pointing toward the Breaking of the Fellowship at Amon Hen, especially Boromir’s words about why the Ring should go to Minas Tirith, which would violate the terms of the quest to take the Ring to the Fire. That is also why they are not on a quest to defeat Sauron, which might also justify the Ring not being destroyed and used against him.
• The word “for” is also not used, since the mountain is the means for destroying the Ring, not the end itself, in contrast with the Quest for Erebor, in which liberating the mountain was the goal.
• This also emphasizes the name “Mount Doom” itself, which could mean either their impending destruction, or the intervention of final judgement to deliver defeat or victory to Sauron.
• While in Gondor they may take the “Doom” to be negative, Elrond is leaning toward destiny.

The Ring-bearer’s charge:

• Note: There is a similarity between the content and style used here and the quest of the Sangreal in Arthurian legends. It’s possible that Tolkien was using that as a model for this quote.
• The laying of a charge is both a formal and momentous act to perform, but while this has the connotation of a command being given, Elrond is not in the royal position to do so in this case.
• A charge is also more specific than a duty, in that it is not a general obligation but one great act.
• Note: Aragorn had also previously spoken about feeling a charge being laid on him to go to Minas Tirth, though this will change later after the loss of Gandalf, and his duty to lead instead.
• The source of this charge is ambiguous, but the charge itself is clear, and Elrond spells it out.
• While not casting away the Ring seems obvious, in this case Elrond feels it needs to be spoken in order to acknowledge the fear that the Ring-bearer may encounter and desire to get rid of it.
• Likewise, a servant of the Enemy may use the idea of the relieving of the burden of the Ring in order to tempt the bearer into handing it over, even beyond their desire for self-preservation.
• Elrond is also acknowledging that servants of the Enemy may become harder to recognize later.
• It’s clear that Elrond is being very thorough in his instructions to prevent any rationalizations.
• Note: This also not only for the Ring-bearer’s benefit, as Frodo will remind of Boromir of it later, and Boromir would understand that asking Frodo to break his charge is a significant request. The way the Ring is working on Boromir is shown not only in his willingness to make that request, but that his rationalization of telling everyone that he took it by force shows he is actually considering it. Sam will also remember it when he finds himself Ring-bearer to know what to do.
• Elrond’s voice carries power and authority, so speaking it aloud makes it more real for them.

The Company and the Council:

• There is an allowance made for circumstances in which allowing the Company take on the Ring.
• It’s possible that some of the other members of the Company might be willing to take over carrying the Ring in order to relieve the burden on Frodo, but Elrond closes this door to them.
• This not only gives Frodo clear instructions but gives him protection from the same thing happening to him as what happened to Déagol when he first found the Ring with Sméagol.
• They would understand that sending Frodo with companions is both a strength and a risk.
• Which Council is being invoked here? Is this the Council of Elrond or the White Council? It seems that it must be the Council of Elrond since it is they who made the decision to take this Quest.
• The White Council being involved might seem to be the obvious group to be involved in this mission, but in the case of the Ring, they are the ones at most at risk to the Ring’s corruption.
• Also, the Council of Elrond would be the foremost in the minds of the members of the Company.
• Only the members of the Council of Elrond would know all the facts of the Ring and the Quest.
• Note: Elrond does update Galadriel on the decisions of the Council of Elrond and the Quest.
• While not every member of the Council of Elrond would not be a good choice whom to hand over the Ring, they would be the only ones who would understand it’s significance in the plan.
• Note: Boromir proves himself to be the worst member of the Company to let handle the Ring, but Gandalf and Aragorn would also be in great danger from it if given the chance to take it. Legolas and Gimli would better choices, but the hobbits would be in the least danger from its temptations and power, with Sam showing himself later to be the best choice of an alternative. Gollum would be one of the worst ideas to allow to take the Ring in spite of his ultimate fate. It’s also important that in offering the Ring to Galadriel, Frodo is breaking his charge, and it’s likely that Elrond knows Galadriel well enough to not include her among those who can take the Ring.
• The fact that only the Ring-bearer is laid with any charge shows that Elrond is emphasizing the others’ free will, since he foresees how both weakness and obligations may be used by the Ring.

END OF SESSION