📖👀 Chapter 1 (📔Book III): The Departure of Boromir

[Rivendell_librarian]

A short chapter to set the scene for The Two Towers. Aragorn has to choose between following Merry and Pippin who have been captured by orcs from Isengard, or to follow Frodo and Sam into Mordor. The one priority of the Company is the destruction of the Ring in Mount Doom yet the difference is that Merry and Pippin have been captured and face possible torture in Isengard, whereas Frodo and Sam are thought to be free to pursue their path Not an easy choice! Tolkien has also made a choice since in this and the last part of the trilogy he moved from a mostly single thread narrative to one which is an interlacing of multiple strands.

Hammond and Scull note in The Reader's Companion that the death of Boromir recalls the death of Roland in the Song of Roland and his boat funeral is similar to that of Scyld in Beowulf. Having been on Boromir's case before this chapter, Aragorn shows some admirable tact in not passing on Boromir's confession of trying to take the Ring to Gimli and Legolas. Aragorn seems remarkably fit for a man of his age, leaping about like a young deer: the hard life of a Ranger has benefits.

I wonder what is the significance of Aragorn not being able to see as much as Frodo from the seat of Amon Hen: the effect of being the ringbearer or some other reason?

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

In myth, and in literature with strong mythic thematic interest like romance, there's a kind of double vision, of an unchanging apocalyptic world above, and a cyclical world below. At some point in the story, the apocalyptic world and the cyclical world come into alignment; the critic Northrop Frye calls this the "point of epiphany". It usually takes place on a high point: a mountain, tower, lighthouse, island, or the top of a staircase or ladder. One example in LOTR is Sam's sight of the star above the Morgai.

Aragorn wants this kind of epiphany , but it's denied to him at this moment; he's needed for other things. His true epiphany will come later. It's one of his "errors" on the Day of Breaking.

Frodo's case is different: his is a demonic reversal of an epiphany -- a parody epiphany, in which he sees only the endless churning images of a demonic cyclical world, and the only unchanging "apocalyptic" element is the all-seeing Eye of Sauron, seeking to pin him in place, which is itself the demonic parody of Eru's omniscience.

Whether this is due to the Ring, or some other reason, Tolkien leaves ambiguous.

 

[Rivendell_librarian]

In myth, and in literature with strong mythic thematic interest like romance, there's a kind of double vision, of an unchanging apocalyptic world above, and a cyclical world below. At some point in the story, the apocalyptic world and the cyclical world come into alignment; the critic Northrop Frye calls this the "point of epiphany". It usually takes place on a high point: a mountain, tower, lighthouse, island, or the top of a staircase or ladder. One example in LOTR is Sam's sight of the star above the Morgai.

Aragorn wants this kind of epiphany , but it's denied to him at this moment; he's needed for other things. His true epiphany will come later. It's one of his "errors" on the Day of Breaking.

Frodo's case is different: his is a demonic reversal of an epiphany -- a parody epiphany, in which he sees only the endless churning images of a demonic cyclical world, and the only unchanging "apocalyptic" element is the all-seeing Eye of Sauron, seeking to pin him in place, which is itself the demonic parody of Eru's omniscience.

Whether this is due to the Ring, or some other reason, Tolkien leaves ambiguous.

I always find your comments enlightening.

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

And I look forward to your commentary on The Two Towers.

 

[Muskrat]

Not many vignettes. The Lament for Boromir and the start of the Chase. Action is the keynote.

 

[Starbrow]

I am puzzled by Aragorn's decision for the 3 of them to try to rescue Merry and Pippin from the orcs. Why couldn't they have split up? Wouldn't it have been wiser for Legolas to take the canoe and catch up with Frodo and Sam? He could give them protection in the wild with his archery and fighting skills, be able to stand watch at night, and help them find their way.
That would leave Aragorn and Gimli to go after the orcs. The odds of 2 people against an orc army wouldn't be much worse than 3 against an army. Once they rescued Merry and Pippen, Aragorn would be able to go to Minas Tirith and lead the fighting from there.

 

[Rivendell_librarian]

It's a good point Starbrow and there are no definite answers to such questions. And yes you are right that of the three Legolas would be the logical choice. One problem is that, although they know the intended destination of Frodo and Sam they don't know the exact route - whereas following the large band of orcs was simpler. Maybe it's a case of "all for one and one for all"?

 

[Eljorahir]

I am puzzled by Aragorn's decision for the 3 of them to try to rescue Merry and Pippin from the orcs. Why couldn't they have split up? Wouldn't it have been wiser for Legolas to take the canoe and catch up with Frodo and Sam?

I think Aragorn's words in the previous chapter (just before Boromir returns in his state of disgrace) can also explain his thinking regarding "Why couldn't they have split up?". Aragorn is respecting Frodo's decision to go alone (with Sam); at this stage it would be a violation (of sorts) to impose someone on Frodo.

Sam: "...he'll want to go alone."
Aragorn: "And what shall we do if you prove right?"
Pippin: "Stop him! Don't let him go!"
Aragorn: "He is the Bearer, and the fate of the Burden is on him. I do not think that it is our part to drive him one way or the other. Nor do I think that we should succeed if we tried. There are other powers at work far stronger."