Episode 94 Summary

Tony Meade

Active Member
SESSION 94

Comment on the Black Breath and the Gaffer:
  • Why doesn’t the Gaffer (among others) feel the effects of the Black Breath in their Nazgûl encounters? This isn’t an unconscious power of the wraiths; they have to choose to use it.
  • It may be that they choose not to employ the Black Breath in order to keep a low profile.
  • The Black Breath seems to be used when they wish to dominate or daunt their targets.
  • The hobbits are very resilient to the Ringwraiths in general, but they would not be immune to the effects of the Black Breath when they choose to use it, like on Merry in Bree.
Comment on a lack of lookouts at the Ford:
  • Though the text doesn’t mention that the Ringwraiths are using human allies, but there is no evidence that they aren’t. Either way, there is no explanation for how the party was spotted.
  • The simplest explanation is that they can clearly see Frodo now because of his current state.
  • The five that first appear are the same that attacked at Weathertop, and the other four had pursued Gandalf, and are now returning to defend the Ford.
  • The Witch-king cries out, and this seems to be a signal to the other four to reveal themselves.
  • How would Gollum appear to the Nazgûl since he’s been so marked by the Ring? Would he be visible because of the lingering effects? Gollum has met the Nazgûl before, in Mordor.
Comment on the Witch-king’s options in his pursuit:
  • The crossing of the river seems to be more of a physical barrier to the Ringwraiths than the boundary, and there is still twenty miles to go before one can hopefully find Rivendell.
  • The power of Elrond does seem to extend to that point, and this seems to clarify what is said in The Hobbit about evil things being unable to enter the valley.
  • The river is not an absolute barrier, but the magical defenses seem to make it so.
  • The arrival of the Ring at Rivendell is not an absolute disaster, as they now know where it is. Sauron and the Witch-king can wait forever, and they have forces nearby if necessary.
  • Elrond will say that if Sauron came himself to Rivendell, they couldn’t keep him out forever.
  • However, most of those in Middle-earth who could wield the Ring against him are currently in Imladris, with the exception of Galadriel and Saruman, and possibly some others.
  • Sauron does not want another Ring-lord to arise, even though he would take that as a sign of strife among his enemies. He would have to change tactics, but all would not be lost.
  • Gandalf does explain that Sauron would only assume that someone will take up the Ring, as he could not comprehend anyone rejecting its power, and that this is an advantage.
  • Sauron’s assumption that someone in Rivendell will take up the Ring causes him to speed up his plans for war, and this assumption is confirmed when Aragorn reveals himself in the palantir.
  • Sauron is only aware that they’re trying to destroy it when Frodo claims it in Mount Doom.
  • He might look for a period of strife, but it would be some time before he would learn of it, so he uses that time to move against all the allies, and he also empowers the Nazgûl.
  • There are military assets near Rivendell, such as in the Misty Mountains, but this is why the discomfiture of the Ringwraiths is so important, as it robs them of leadership.
  • He would seek to besiege Rivendell if he can defeat Gondor quickly; he has done this before in the Second Age. Once he learns that the Ring has left Rivendell, this plan would be abandoned.
  • The distances involved between Rivendell and Mordor give the allies time to scout the lands.
  • Sauron would not see any lack of strife as a sign of their cooperation, but as a sign of the domination of the new Ring-lord.
Frodo wakes after sleeping late:
  • Gandalf immediately resumes his Shire-like tone of hobbitry when bantering with Frodo here.
  • This is ironic given Gandalf’s long disappearance and all the danger they have both faced.
  • The emphasis of the description of the ceiling begins with the familiar, as Frodo thinks he’s back in Bag End, and everything had been a dream, which is a very Baggins frame, as in The Hobbit.
  • The next emphasis is on the strangeness of the room, especially due to the flat ceiling, which tells him that he is not in a hobbit structure, though he can tell that it is a rich, pleasant place.
  • Frodo isn’t startled by this revelation, but simply accepts it and takes in the scene around him.
  • Frodo’s talking to himself out loud means that he seems to assume that he’s alone in the room.
  • It’s important to remember that this type of place would be totally unfamiliar to a Shire-hobbit.
  • Frodo’s comfort seems to signal to him that he is safe, as opposed to waking up in the barrow.
  • Why does Frodo ask for the time when speaking to himself? This seems to be a hobbit thing, as we see this with hobbits repeatedly. This is probably meal-related, and they do have clocks.
The edge of memory:
  • The idea of borders is very important, and Frodo’s returning memory is one of those borders.
  • Frodo had only just crossed the spiritual border after crossing the river, but now he is returning back across that border, and his memory is returning with it.
  • Some of the lack of memories are simply due to his unconsciousness, but not all of it.
Gandalf’s news:
  • Gandalf answers according to the Shire clock and the Shire calendar, and in Shire fashion.
  • He also uses the phrase “the house of Elrond”, rather than Rivendell, which had been their goal. This seems to emphasize that he is under the protection and care and authority of Elrond.
  • Frodo is very quick to think about Sam once his initial questions are answered.
  • Gandalf emphasizes that he is safe, and gives him a comforting, familiar style of information.
  • The description of Gandalf as “the old wizard”, which recalls his belief that Gandalf looked older when he came to Bag End the last time. The word “old” may also be an expression of familiarity.
  • Note: Gandalf is described as an old man in The Hobbit, but this is a different style of story and Gandalf’s character has greatly expanded in importance in The Lord of the Rings.
  • Note: There is a motif here of “waking up in Heaven”, with the atmosphere and the feared dead present, though he doesn’t ask this. This will be repeated at the Fields of Cormallen with Sam.
  • Hobbits are largely drawn to the domestic, and Gandalf’s hobbitry adds to the domesticity.
Frodo’s review of events:
  • All of Frodo’s recollections are of events prior to his being stabbed on Weathertop and are about things that he did and choices he made.
  • Frodo feels responsibility for those choices and their consequences, especially about the Ring.
  • The quote marks around the first two incidents emphasize that these were absurd mistakes, though the trip into the Old Forest turned out to be good fortune in meeting Tom Bombadil.
  • Note: Frodo will imply that some of this was because of Gandalf’s unexpected absence.
  • The familiar image of Gandalf blowing smoke rings is both a reminder of comfort and home at Bag End but are also associated with wonder when Gandalf does them in a magical way.
  • What is Gandalf thinking about while smoking? Probably how much to tell Frodo and when.
  • Since Frodo’s wound was primarily spiritual, he must wonder what Frodo’s spiritual state is now.
  • Gandalf doesn’t inquire about Frodo’s health, physical and spiritual, now, but just observes him.
  • Note: Gandalf does not touch or comfort Frodo physically here, but this is typical in The Lord of the Rings. There is very little physical affection shown among the characters. It is not unknown, such as when Aragorn and Halbarad embrace when reunited, but it’s uncommon. There are some formal types of embracing as a ritual, but also spontaneous ones, though rare. There are also many more incidents of kissing, which is aligned with medieval traditions.
END OF SESSION
 

Attachments

  • Session 94.pdf
    122.7 KB · Views: 7
Back
Top