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RotK ending (spoilers)

Talon MistsongTalon Mistsong Ranger
in Zocalo v2.0
For anyone who hasn't seen RotK yet, (what are you waiting for??) don't read on.


Someone at work recently asked me what I thought happened to Frodo in the end, what the Grey Heavans were all about. I told him not to over-analyze, but then it got me thinking. The Heavans sounds like Tolkien's answer to the legend of Avalon. Where King Arthur was brought to have his wounds healed and rest until he was needed again someday. What do you think?

Comments

  • PhiPhi <font color=#FF0000>C</font><font color=#FF9900>o</font><font color=#FFFF00>l</font><font color=#00F
    I think you're right. Tolkien freely borrowed themes from many myths, not the least of which was the isle of Avalon. In the Silmarillion (basically the history text book of Middle Earth) there are hints of lots of others. The book starts with the creation of existance by Ea (elvish name for God as far as I can tell. I believe it's the verb [i]to be[/i]). The whole passage is filled with parallels to catholicism (heirarchy of angels), the bible ("and then there was light"), norse and greek mythology, and others. And a version of Atlantis is mentioned later on. Spoiler for Silmarillion I guess: Spoiler: There's an island called Numenor, as in Aragorn's lineage, the men of Numenor. It is sunk by the god(s) because some from there try to sail to the undying lands.

    I know there are others, but I can't think of them right now. I suppose you could put it down to the fact that classical myths contain themes that resonate well in cultures, and so are good for such "invented" mythology as Tolkien wrote for Middle Earth. Mythological paradigms and such. See [URL=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0691017840/ref%3Dpd%5Fsl%5Faw%5Fasin-1%5Fbook%5F2098063%5F37/102-0268218-9557734]Hero with 1000 Faces[/URL] by Joseph Cambell. Good book about world-wide mythological parallels.

    As for whether Frodo would ever return to Middle Earth after his wounds were healed, I don't think so. My impression is the Grey Havens are more of a one way thing... I believe he got a well deserved rest and lived peacefully and happily till the end of his days. One dangerous adventure is plenty for any hobbit :)

    -Φ
  • MessiahMessiah Failed Experiment
    I always figured they were going into space, the descriptions of the voyage at the end just sounds so familiar. Spoiler: Plus Valinor was actually separated from Middle Earth by the Valar at the same time they killed off Numenor so that man could not invade its borders again, leading me to believe they remade the world into two
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    I think sailing across the sea is similar to going beyond the rim, in that it is ultimately a metaphor for a journey away from the known world to whatever lies beyond (in this case, the Undying Lands), never to return, and is only granted to a select few.
  • David of MacDavid of Mac Elite Ranger Ca
    Or as the Minbari say, going to the sea, which apparently of their version of "Better see the pyramids while I still can."
  • Talon MistsongTalon Mistsong Ranger
    I haven't read the Silmarillion, but the end of the RotK book has some interesting facts. The Numenorians were mortal, but blessed with long life. (Aragorn was almost a century old during the time of the Fellowship) But they became jealous of the Valar's immortality. Their prisoner-turned confidente Sauron convinced the king to invade Valinor. The Valar called upon the One (Tom Bombadil maybe?), and the Numenorian fleet was swallowed up by the sea, along with their island. No wonder Elrond was so disillusioned with Men. Anyway, Sauron escaped the storm, but he could no longer assume a form pleasing to Men.
  • PhiPhi <font color=#FF0000>C</font><font color=#FF9900>o</font><font color=#FFFF00>l</font><font color=#00F
    The One is Eä, that which is. The creator of the Valar, and through them Middle Earth. Tom Bombadil is...well I don't think he wouldn't care one way or another if a bunch of Men tried to invade Valinor. Him and Goldberry are more...unique beings. I don't think he's really mentioned in the Silmarillion.

    -Φ
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