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"May this be the hour we draw swords together."
-Théoden King
Most noble and ever beloved of lords, redeemed and redeeming his people.
-Théoden King
Most noble and ever beloved of lords, redeemed and redeeming his people.
Rewatching the movie, I realize there are subtle implications to Théoden and his actions that are not explicitly stated.
Many have criticized movie Théoden for being much more fearful than the book Théoden.
However, I think they are more alike. The movie actually argues that
Many have criticized movie Théoden for being much more fearful than the book Théoden.
However, I think they are more alike. The movie actually argues that
Aragorn must learn from Théoden.
Aragorn urges Théoden to go to war, but Théoden says he will not risk the slaughter of his people. In the scene with Gríma Wormtongue and Saruman, we hear that Théoden is right. Edoras is undefended. Vulnerable.
Especially with a lack of men,
Aragorn urges Théoden to go to war, but Théoden says he will not risk the slaughter of his people. In the scene with Gríma Wormtongue and Saruman, we hear that Théoden is right. Edoras is undefended. Vulnerable.
Especially with a lack of men,
Théoden's decision is a smart one.
Aragorn is brave, but his counsel is foolish. Théoden cannot win by that road. A casual watcher might conclude that Aragorn is right, considering Théoden's irritation with him--but that's missing the more important subtext.
Before the Battle
Aragorn is brave, but his counsel is foolish. Théoden cannot win by that road. A casual watcher might conclude that Aragorn is right, considering Théoden's irritation with him--but that's missing the more important subtext.
Before the Battle
Of Helm's Deep, Théoden tells his men this battle will be like many others before it. "No army has breached these walls" he says, and adds that while Saruman's forces pillage and burn, Rohan will replant and resow.
Aragorn objects that Saruman wants to kill all of Rohan.
Aragorn objects that Saruman wants to kill all of Rohan.
"What would you have me say," Théoden retorts, "Their courage hangs by a thread."
Théoden we know here, has resigned himself to fate, but his love for his people overwhelms his despair. He would rather give hope.
It is not a cynical stand against the darkness, but a loving one.
Théoden we know here, has resigned himself to fate, but his love for his people overwhelms his despair. He would rather give hope.
It is not a cynical stand against the darkness, but a loving one.
Théoden, in several scenes, is shown to bear the weight of his responsibility heavily.
Even his last charge against the Uruk-hai is self-sacrificial. In the movies, he does not know Gandalf is arriving.
Even his last charge against the Uruk-hai is self-sacrificial. In the movies, he does not know Gandalf is arriving.
"May this be the hour we draw sword together," he says to Aragorn.
Aragorn, by now (as we can also see with his interaction with Legolas), has come to see Théoden's view. He would rather give as much hope as he can for the coming battle, and when that fails, he will die with
Aragorn, by now (as we can also see with his interaction with Legolas), has come to see Théoden's view. He would rather give as much hope as he can for the coming battle, and when that fails, he will die with
Théoden.
The videography implied Aragorn had forgotten of Gandalf's words until then. (Gandalf's line is repeated, just in case the audience forgot).
Théoden's bravery and steadfast watch have preserved his people until dawn.
The videography implied Aragorn had forgotten of Gandalf's words until then. (Gandalf's line is repeated, just in case the audience forgot).
Théoden's bravery and steadfast watch have preserved his people until dawn.
