Category: Lord of the Rings

The scene where a moth flies over Isengard armories and Saruman`s breeding experiments is a very telling one. It is the first scene where there is an evil brewing and a single string of hope comes in counterbalance. As Goblin Men mix with Orcs, a single moth flies overhead towards Gandalf sitting atop of the Orthanc Tower. He is weak and spent. He catches the moth and whispers instructions of help.

Merry and Pippin, the two rascals of the trilogy. They have daily adventures fooling around with Gandalf’s fireworks, stealing fruit and vegetables from farmer Maggot. Not because they really need it, but for some bit of fun. Their own little adventures.

Gandalf rides to Isengard to seek Saruman`s council. Saruman explains how Sauron has regained his former strength but cannot yet take physical form. Moreover, he stares at Gandalf with a look that tells much more than his words. His eyes exude excitement and eagerness over the finding of the One Ring.

The Elvish Lament

There is always a point in life where you bare yourself, bare your soul, exposing it to everyone. This point comes always when the mind is troubled, overburdened, and seeking to save itself from exploding.

People tend to accumulate and hide emotions so as not to become vulnerable in front of others. This is seen as a flaw, a weakness. What if your emotional world spun out of control and every emotion you`ve hidden ran free? What would that be like?

The Fellowship begins to break apart. Lothlórien could have been a turning point. It could have strengthened their bond through their mutual loss and bring their musings to a more peaceful place, but instead, it divided them even further.

As the Fellowship is leaving this blessed realm, the Elves present them with gifts of which they could make good use on their journey. Gimli`s gift, however, cannot match even the sharpest blade of the Elves. His interaction with Lady Galadriel is a special one.

How do you cope with loss? Do you let your emotions run free and uninhibited or do you shield yourself from feeling any pain by remaining in control of yourself? Both ways are on display as the Fellowship exit Moria.

Although out of danger, for the time being, the emotional toll takes center stage. Tears stream down Hobbits` faces, Gimli expresses anger trying to break out of Boromir`s arms, while Boromir`s own grief leads him to comfort not only Gimli but the Hobbits as well.

Legolas` eyes unravel deep sadness and Aragorn presses the Fellowship to move on before nightfall. Aragorn`s own pain presents itself as his look lingers after Gandalf has fallen. His is the expression of disbelief.

A rugged Ranger he seems to be, unknown to most inhabitants of Bree. Everyone appears to be respectful around him, letting him be, sitting there in the corner of the Prancing Pony. Right away we get a sense of uncertainty about this particular character, leaning perhaps towards him being after the Ring, given the way he stares at Frodo.

However, after the first fright, he becomes the little company`s guide through the Wild. He takes upon himself to help them along on their journey.  

In the Council scene, there is one other threat that starts to loom. Boromir is the only one who sees the Ring as something positive, something that could be used against the enemy. He is clearly unaware of the power the Ring possesses and the only Master it answers to. Like a moth to a flame, the Ring draws him in.

A light, brighter than the Sun, pure, almost godlike with only a musical female voice introducing it with elegance and enlightenment – Arwen. This beautiful white light is seen through Frodo’s eyes, the same ones that are passing into shadow. As his surroundings grow dark, his eyes perceive her as a beacon of much-needed brightness. Through Arwen, her being, her manner, and her beauty, we are introduced to the Elves of Rivendell.