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The One Ring Forums:
Tolkien Topics: Movie Discussion: The Hobbit:
Oooh, more fingerbling theorising:
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Lurker in the Mirk
Doriath
May 1 2014, 3:00pm
Views: 24696
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Oooh, more fingerbling theorising
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The two rings on his right hand (the Mirkwood ring and the Woodland ring):
I like that we both agree these rings may be a His and Hers set.  Also, the canon(?) colour theme idea is as good anchor as we can get but my question is about the symbolisms of the Forest in these rings. I do like the idea of the Mirkwood ring representing the shadow on the Forest, but then, if the two rings are a betrothal set, why would they not look more similar? Also, the idea of what the ring stands for would be dating the betrothal to post mirkification, circa TA1050. Betrothal is usually a happy occasion (and i imagine Thranduil's to be.. unless it was a political arrangement, but I don't see the necessity of that in Thranduil's history), and it seems rather counter-intuitive to want to feature the ominous portent of the mirk in his betrothal ring. But, if we bring in the Fisher King and Oberon influence, then it makes sense that his spiritual state could be embodied in his betrothal ring. Still, what about her ring? By the same token, she would also be affected by the mirkification, granted it would not be to the extent or intensity of Thranduil but she would still be alarmed and concerned (maybe that's why she upped and went West by the time Bilbo came avisiting?), and maybe her ring would then be a bit more mirkish as well. If the purity of the Woodland ring represents her, then I would assume she may be a bit more robust in mental/spiritual constitution than the Silvan would be, and therefore she may be one of the Sindar in Oropher's original entourage, or had she given her heart to Thranduil way before Oropher uprooted his posse (which would support the idea of her going West as being more likely)?
Also, with the linking of the betrothal to the mirkification seems to date the betrothal rather later than the event ought be. I'm in the camp of Thranduil being alive in Doriath, so I see him as a very nice catch for some lucky Elf-lady early on. I've not refamiliarised myself with pre-TA events so I'm might change my tune later but for now, I'm assuming that early life for Thranduil was par for course for young Elf-lords and he'd fall in love pretty on track with usual Elven life-time events markers. So I would still give her the connection to the forest, just from the presumed length of assimilation.
The gold ring on his left hand (the Snake ring):
In keeping with the sycophanting, me too! Likes the idea about Thranduil wearing 2 rings as one muchly. But in deference to the L&C, marriage rings are work on the right index. Why would Thranduil be wearing these rings on his left ring finger then? Is it as Eruvandi speculated, a message of bereavement? To pre-empt unwanted interest? But I still feel that there's no need for Thranduil to change the finger wearing those rings (especially when there are also the betrothal rings on display), because it would be a moot point - if he is wearing two wedding rings, the message is already obvious in itself, plus he is well-known enough he should not need to make an overt effort to send a message.
Signet ring? (the Crystal ring):
LOL It is rather flashily eye-catching. But I feel that Thranduil, at least movie Thranduil, is a bit like Batman in the sense of economy and purpose in everything he does and don so I think that ring is more than just pretty bling. I am rather taken with the idea that this ring might be magical so I will continue to run with my theory it might be some sort of minor ring of power Thranduil inherited from Oropher since there are not many of those laying around, and I imagine Oropher might have procured it early in the gem-envy game if nothing else.
Fan of both books and movies. Oh, and it seems I have severely misnamed myself... for the moment.
Thranduil Appreciation: I, II, III
(This post was edited by Lurker in the Mirk on May 1 2014, 3:01pm)
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