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Morthoron
Gondor
Nov 8 2008, 4:01am
Views: 7118
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Discussion: The Black Gate Opens -- The Final Battle Before the Black Gate
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The men of the West were trapped, and soon, all about the grey mounds where they stood, forces ten times and more than ten times their match would ring them in a sea of enemies. Sauron had taken the proffered bait in jaws of steel.
1. So, if I do the math correctly, there are approximately 60,000 to 70,000 Mordorion troops ringing Aragorn's 6,000 (actually 'less' than 6,000); thus, outnumbered and in a hostile land far removed from any aid, the Lords of Gondor face annihilation. This in fact is where one could say Tolkien deviates into utter fantasy, and that no army could sustain combat against such odds. However, there are many instances in 'real world' history that show a small, disciplined army can outdo a much larger force: at Bannockburn and Agincourt the odds were approximately 4-1; the Spartan '300' (which was, of course, more than 300, but let's not mess with legend) faced similar odds to those Aragorn encountered; and let's not forget the Alamo! Aragorn chose high ground (always sensible for a defensive position), and the orcs were 'hindered by the mires that lay before the hills'. A prime set-up for a eucatastrophe, wouldn't you say?
2. As Tolkien does throughout both The Hobbit and LotR, the battle is basically shown through the eyes of a Halfling, in this case Pippin. He has a wonderful little soliloquouy, regretting that Merry is not with him, and actually sympathizing with Denethor's decision to die with Faramir. An interesting parallel between Pippin in this battle and Bilbo at the Battle of Five Armies is that both are unconscious for most of the battle. Tolkien often abbreviates his battles (or doesn't dwell on them). Would you prefer a more in-depth description of combat?
3. Here we see firsthand the devastating advance of the Hill Trolls: 'Taller and broader than Men they were, and they were clad only in close-fitting mesh of horny scales, or maybe that was their hideous hide; but they bore round bucklers huge and black and wielded heavy hammers in their knotted hands.' We know that Trolls were made in mockery of the Ents, but of what stock were they derived? Or is this yet another enigma Tolkien never wholly explained (in all my research I could never find a thorough explanation)?
4. We find another 'echo' of a previous part of the tale when Pippin lies crushed beneath the Troll, and he hears the cries 'The Eagles are coming!' He mentions Bilbo, but realizes, like Frodo before him, that Bilbo's tale was far different than his own. Regarding the Eagles -- the cavalry in white cowboy hats of Middle-earth -- do you feel Tolkien overdoes the incessant amount of 'saving' the Eagles manage throughout the Silmarillion, The Hobbit and LotR? Do you consider this repeated plot contrivance a deus ex machina of legendary proportions?
Thanks to everyone who participated in this, my first chapter discussion, It was enjoyable.
THE EARL OF SANDWICH: "Egad, sir, I do not know whether you will die on the gallows or of the pox!"
JOHN WILKES: That will depend, my Lord, on whether I embrace your principles or your mistress."
John Wilkes (1727-1797)
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Discussion: The Black Gate Opens -- The Final Battle Before the Black Gate
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Morthoron
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Nov 8 2008, 4:01am
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Thoughts.
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Curious
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Nov 8 2008, 9:33am
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People get angry with me over this
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Beren IV
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Nov 8 2008, 10:42pm
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"For trolls, as you probably know...
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sador
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Nov 9 2008, 8:35pm
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Magic in Literature
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Dreamdeer
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Nov 10 2008, 6:05pm
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Petrified
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dernwyn
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Nov 9 2008, 1:44am
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A few points
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SirDennisC
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Nov 9 2008, 6:33pm
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I love the Eagles
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a.s.
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Nov 10 2008, 12:36am
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Something just popped into my head about the eagles.
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Aunt Dora Baggins
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Nov 10 2008, 3:54am
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Aslan is arguably also
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Curious
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Nov 10 2008, 10:51am
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Radagast
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Cyberia
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Nov 11 2008, 4:31am
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Radagast
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Elros
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Nov 11 2008, 11:57am
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I don't recall that being in a manuscript...
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Morthoron
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Nov 11 2008, 5:19pm
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Radagast meant well
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Dreamdeer
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Nov 11 2008, 5:30pm
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Unlike a.s., I haven’t yet read
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N.E. Brigand
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Mar 22 2009, 4:48am
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