📖👀 The Stairs of Cirith Ungol

[m4r35n357]

This is an obscure one, and you need the Plan of Shelob's Lair (pay attention to the directions on the compass!) in the author-illustrated edition to see this . . . (although it might be mentioned in one of the HoME books 6-9 that I don't have).

There is some barely legible scrawl alongside the central pit which seems to say "Ungoliant's lair" if you want it to

Also, Sam reminds us that the Phial of Galadriel contains trapped light from the Silmaril of Earendil.

[EDIT] overlooked a mention of Beren at Thangorodrim, and also of Earendil.

 

[Rivendell_librarian]

This could be thought of as another topographical chapter, or rather a geological one as we are now in the mountains of Mordor: the Ephel Duath. However, there are some significant incidents in this chapter. We see Minas Morgul, a decayed version of its former self and a diabolical mirror of Minas Tirith. A remarkable red light signal is sent from Gorgoroth and is replied to by a blue signal from Minas Morgul. Let's not ask too closely about how these are generated given this is a fantasy novel.

Immediately a host of orcs led by cavalry sallies forth from the evil city led by the Witch King. Frodo senses him but the Witch King seems to sense Frodo and/or the Ring. This time, with the help of Galadriel's phial, Frodo resists the pull to put on the Ring and the moment passes. Remarkably Frodo thinks about Faramir and his Rangers - will they be cut off or will they make it to Osgiliath in time?

Having passed through the hole in the wall, the three trekkers make their way up the Stairs of Cirith Ungol. During a break for a brief meal Sam comes out with the following memorable speech:

we shouldn’t be here at all, if we’d known more about it before we started. But I suppose it’s often that way. The brave things in the old tales and songs, Mr. Frodo: adventures, as I used to call them. I used to think that they were things the wonderful folk of the stories went out and looked for, because they wanted them, because they were exciting and life was a bit dull, a kind of a sport, as you might say. But that’s not the way of it with the tales that really mattered, or the ones that stay in the mind. Folk seem to have been just landed in them, usually – their paths were laid that way, as you put it. But I expect they had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didn’t. And if they had, we shouldn’t know, because they’d have been forgotten. We hear about those as just went on – and not all to a good end, mind you; at least not to what folk inside a story and not outside it call a good end. You know, coming home, and finding things all right, though not quite the same – like old Mr Bilbo. But those aren’t always the best tales to hear, though they may be the best tales to get landed in! I wonder what sort of a tale we’ve fallen into?”

Sam also knows about Beren, the Silmarils and the Iron Crown in Thangorodrim - time spent listening to Bilbo maybe? Sam and Frodo exchange compliments as to which of them people would want to hear about in songs and tales. Gollum has disappeared again and Sam encourages Frodo to sleep with his head on his lap. Gollum returns and seeing them cautiously touches Frodo's knee, almost a caress. Gollum would have appeared as an old weary hobbit but Sam wakes up and accuses Gollum of sneaking off and the moment passes. Gollum then throws the word "sneak" back at Sam despite Sam's apologies. Frodo offers to let Smeagol go his way now they see the pass and the way in to Mordor but Smeagol of course demurs.

This remarkable statement about Frodo poses a big question:
He knew that the Ring would only betray him, and that he had not, even if he put it on, the power to face the Morgul-king-not yet.

 

[TrackerOrc]

'He saw it, even as Gollum had said that he would: the city of the Ringwraiths. He cowered against the stony bank'. It's as if just the sight of the place is physically affecting Frodo, a point which is reinforced later:
'Frodo felt his sense reeling and his mind darkening.Then suddenly, as if some force were at work other than his own will, he began to hurry, tottering forward, his groping hands held out, his head lolling from side to side.' It's only with a real effort (and the help of his companions) that Frodo manages to drag himself away here.

'Not that way! No, not that way!' whispered Gollum, but the breath between his teeth seemed to tear the heavy stillness like a whistle, and he cowered to the ground in terror.' Beautifully put. I wonder what memories poor old Gollum has to react like this?

'Gollum's fear and agitation became so great that he spoke again, hissing behind his hand, as if to keep the sound from unseen listeners in the air.' What a marvellous visual detail!

'The haggard king', another title for The Witch King to add to his collection here.

 

[TrackerOrc]

This remarkable statement about Frodo poses a big question:
He knew that the Ring would only betray him, and that he had not, even if he put it on, the power to face the Morgul-king-not yet.

Has the ring affected him so much that he has already decided not to destroy it? Is this what we are meant to be thinking here?

 

[Ent]

Has the ring affected him so much that he has already decided not to destroy it? Is this what we are meant to be thinking here?

a very interesting catch. pondering in progress..!!

 

[Rivendell_librarian]

Has the ring affected him so much that he has already decided not to destroy it? Is this what we are meant to be thinking here?

I think it may well be the case though I haven't checked with the letters of JRRT

 

[TrackerOrc]

I think it may well be the case though I haven't checked with the letters of JRRT

The phrase is quite exact isn't it. Why else would he be thinking of facing the Witch King at all if he didn't at least have an inkling that he couldn't destroy the ring at the end?

 

[Ent]

Or perhaps two other possibilities:

1. Tolkien intends merely to convey the concept of the ring's 'working on Frodo' - its influence even on his thought processes, rather than it being he himself as master of his own thoughts in the moment, realizing he wasn't going to be able to let it go.

OR:

2. He is master of his own thoughts, and given all his conversation with Big G, and growing understanding as things play out, he's aware people's power grows over time, and he's just acknowledging the time MAY come when he'd have that strength, whether but that time is not now, whether he knew he wasn't going to be able to destroy the ring in the end or not. The passage reinforces several other places where Tolkien writes of people's strength growing, and the rings giving power in accordance with the power of the wearer, etc.

The ring would do all it could to preserve itself, so if it 'knew' somehow in any way of Frodo's ultimate intentions, it would always be working against that particular angle of thought. My personal predilection at this point would be toward #1 above, but more reading and pondering to do.

Just thoughts.

 

[Rivendell_librarian]

The phrase is quite exact isn't it. Why else would he be thinking of facing the Witch King at all if he didn't at least have an inkling that he couldn't destroy the ring at the end?

The Ring does seem to have the power of giving whoever wears it unrealistic delusions of grandeur.

 

[TrackerOrc]

The ring would do all it could to preserve itself, so if it 'knew' somehow in any way of Frodo's ultimate intentions, it would always be working against that particular angle of thought.

So maybe the ring is working on Frodo to make him eventually put it on - which he does at Mount Doom, but maybe the ring wanted this to happen earlier, when the Witch King would be in a position to take it from Frodo? Maybe the 'delusions of grandeur' R_L refers to are the ring's attempts to get Frodo to act prematurely?
Extremely interesting stuff!

 

[Ent]

So maybe the ring is working on Frodo to make him eventually put it on - which he does at Mount Doom, but maybe the ring wanted this to happen earlier, when the Witch King would be in a position to take it from Frodo? Maybe the 'delusions of grandeur' R_L refers to are the ring's attempts to get Frodo to act prematurely?

All very possible.

 

[Eljorahir]

He knew that the Ring would only betray him, and that he had not, even if he put it on, the power to face the Morgul-king-not yet.

Maybe it's worth comparing this line to Frodo's previous statement to Gollum near The Black Gate:
"If I, wearing it, were to command you, you would obey, even if it were to leap from a precipice or to cast yourself into the fire. And such would be my command. So have a care, Smeagol!"

So, it seems Frodo already believes the Ring gives him the power of Command over Smeagol. What it would take for Frodo to achieve a similar power over the Morgul-king, is beyond my imaginings. So, I think it's the ring playing tricks on his mind, promising power that he could never have as a means to get back to its Master.

 

[TrackerOrc]

Maybe it's worth comparing this line to Frodo's previous statement to Gollum near The Black Gate:
"If I, wearing it, were to command you, you would obey, even if it were to leap from a precipice or to cast yourself into the fire. And such would be my command. So have a care, Smeagol!"

So, it seems Frodo already believes the Ring gives him the power of Command over Smeagol. What it would take for Frodo to achieve a similar power over the Morgul-king, is beyond my imaginings. So, I think it's the ring playing tricks on his mind, promising power that he could never have as a means to get back to its Master.

I wonder what would actually happen if he did give this command to poor old Gollum? I'm not at all sure Gollum wouldn't get the best of him (even before Mount Doom); he's had the ring for a much longer time than Frodo, for example. Perhaps this would backfire spectacularly?