Return of the King

Aragorn is another protagonist of The Return of the King, and this book shows the culmination of his destiny to reclaim the throne of Gondor. Tolkien draws attention to how Aragorn no longer seeks to conceal his royal heritage. He is portrayed as an ideal hero, the best and most noble leader. Aragorn’s leadership inspires his followers to achieve deeds thought impossible, such as passing through The Paths of the Dead. Tolkien records that “Aragorn led the way, and such was the strength of his will in that hour that all of the Dúnedain and their horses followed him” (769). Similarly, Aragorn has a will strong enough that he is able to confront Sauron using the Palantír and not succumb to his corruption.

However, Aragorn is not an arrogant or prideful leader. Although his followers are lesser men, he is understanding of why they are sometimes weak or fail to resist Sauron’s influence:

Aragorn looked at them, and there was pity in his eyes rather than wrath for these were young men from Rohan, from Westfold far away, or husbandmen from Lossarnach, and to them Mordor had been from childhood a name of evil, and yet unreal, a legend that had no part in their simple life; and now they walked like men in a hideous dream made true, and they understood not this war nor why fate should lead them to such a pass (868).

Similarly, Aragorn shows Sam and Frodo due honor when they return from Mount Doom, rather than claiming all of the glory for himself. When he meets with them again at Cormallen, Aragorn “bowed his knee before them and taking them by the hand, Frodo upon his right and Sam upon his left, he led them to the throne” (933). Aragorn recognizes the great courage and nobility shown by the hobbits and understands that their role was more important than even his own, and because of this, Tolkien suggests that he will be a just and wise king. Barliman Butterbur the innkeeper worries a new king will do nothing for him and will stay “sitting in his big chair up in his great castle, hundreds of miles away. And drinking wine out of a golden cup, I shouldn’t wonder. What’s The Pony to him, or mugs o’ beer?” (972) Aragorn’s respect for the common and often forgotten people of his realm is portrayed as exceptional.

Aragorn’s marriage to Arwen indicates that his greatness will not end with his own mortal life. While he worries that Gondor will begin to decline again after his death, Gandalf reassures him that his line will continue his legacy. This is assured through his wedding to an Elven woman, mingling his mortal lineage with the lineage of the Elves: “Aragorn the King Elessar wedded Arwen Undómiel in the City of the Kings upon the day of Midsummer, and the tale of their long waiting and labours was come to fulfilment” (951). Tolkien affiliates their marriage with fruitfulness and the fulfillment of long patience, suggesting that Aragorn will be a king who can preserve the greatness and glory of the past but also provide new life for the future of men.

Éowyn is a dynamic character and a love interest for Faramir. She is described as a beautiful woman with golden hair. She begins The Return of the King resentful that she cannot obtain glory in battle and upset that Aragorn does not return her romantic affection. She wishes to accompany him on his journey through the Paths of the Dead, but he refuses to allow her to do so. Éowyn demonstrates the difficult position for women in her society, asking “shall I always be left behind when the Riders depart, to mind the house while they win renown, and find food and beds when they return?” (767). She wishes to be a military hero as men are typically in her culture, telling Aragorn that “I do not fear either pain or death” (767) but she instead fears “a cage […] to stay behind bars, until use and old age accept them, and all chance of doing great deeds is gone beyond recall or desire” (767). Éowyn’s desire for glory motivates her to join Théoden’s army secretly and to kill the leader of the Nazgûl in battle.

While Éowyn’s bravery is a positive characteristic at times, Tolkien also indicates that it can be a negative trait as well. Killing the Nazgûl is an act of great good, but when Éowyn is confined to rest in the Houses of Healing, her bravery hinders her recovery. She wishes to join the army marching toward Mordor, even though it might kill her, showing how little regard she has for her own survival. Gandalf worries that this is due to deep-seated bitterness with her station in life, wondering “who knows what she spoke to the darkness alone, in the bitter watches of the night, when all her life seemed shrinking, and the walls of her bower closing in about her, a hutch to trammel some wild thing in?” (849). However, Éowyn’s relationship with Faramir eventually helps her to overcome her sadness and anger. When Faramir proclaims that he loves her, she decides to find joy in something other than violence, saying: “I will be a shieldmaiden no longer, nor vie with the great Riders, nor take joy only in the songs of slaying. I will be a healer, and love all things that grow and are not barren […] no longer do I desire to be a queen” (943). While Éowyn’s disregard for traditional gender roles at times empowers her, Tolkien also suggests that her desire to adopt the traditionally masculine role of warrior is also harmful to her because it promotes a reckless disregard for the value of peace and simple life.