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CelebornReturns
Registered User
Jul 23 2010, 8:43pm
Views: 679
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Priest, Prophet, and King
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I had always taken the Frodo/Sam storyline to be very Christological, but had always been bothered by that same reading applied when to other characters. In my mind, that office could not be represented by several characters. It only recently occured to me that traditionally there are 3 'offices' applied to Christ, (foreshadowed in the Ark of the Covenant which contained the miraculous manna, pieces of the Commandments, and kingly staff) Priest, Prophet, and King.
I did not read the book again, but in watching the film it occured to me how much Frodo represents the office of Priest- he is mediating for everyone else in ME- he is also the one self-sacrificing (Priest is the one who offers the sacrifice while also being a kind of sacrifice). Interestingly, his is the storyline is bound to the Lembas as well.
Gandalf clearly is the "Old Testament" figure in this story, being prophet, and is the one who knows everything from the past, and sets pieces in play according to his wisdom and foresight (I think this is demonstrated in Gandalf's early decisions concerning the Ring). Anyhow, he also becomes a figure of self-sacrifice; but interestingly we get a glimpse of his glorified self as well.
Aragorn is obviously the figure of the King. Like Christ, he appears as lowly and also rejected (although, with a different dimension here). Then he is hailed after the destruction of evil. We get to see his triumphant return when the world is being made over for good; of which, the White City is a minor symbol perhaps of the Heavenly Jersusalem.
Now clearly, none of these relationships works perfectly, and I don't think they are supposed to as an allagory would be much more confined. Nevertheless, their presence each relays things about Christ which could scarcely be done in an individual character. It makes me think of the end of John's Gospel where it says, "if one were to write everything about Him, I suppose the world could not hold all the books required... (paraphrase)." Therefore, Tolkien instead investigates aspects of Christ's unique position through three very drammatic characters and situations in a way not otherwise possible. I have only written a tiny bit concerning the symbolism these roles take on in this story, and mention it mainly as perhaps a germ of an idea upon which one could explore.
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Subject
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User
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Time
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Priest, Prophet, and King
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CelebornReturns
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Jul 23 2010, 8:43pm
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I agree that Frodo, Gandalf, and Aragorn
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Curious
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Jul 24 2010, 11:17am
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Do now thy office!
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squire
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Jul 25 2010, 12:55am
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While Tolkien was obviously influenced
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Curious
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Jul 26 2010, 2:38pm
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Slight Distinction
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CelebornReturns
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Jul 25 2010, 9:19pm
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A note about self-sacrifice or not: Gandalf
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CuriousG
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Jul 26 2010, 5:05pm
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Intentions
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CelebornReturns
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Jul 26 2010, 8:18pm
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"they chose to fight - not for themselves, but for the good of others"
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squire
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Jul 26 2010, 9:53pm
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Galadriel was supposed to be the representation of Mary,
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Lord of Magic
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Jul 29 2010, 2:33am
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Gandalf - the "Elf with da Wand" - may have been a virgin, but...
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squire
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Jul 29 2010, 3:08am
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Unless you believe
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Curious
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Jul 29 2010, 2:49pm
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You only have to believe
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FarFromHome
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Jul 29 2010, 4:13pm
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How has history always been written?
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Curious
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Jul 29 2010, 4:45pm
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Consummation = marriage.
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Elizabeth
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Jul 29 2010, 6:38pm
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Thanks.
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Curious
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Jul 29 2010, 7:06pm
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If it's so hard
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FarFromHome
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Jul 29 2010, 9:45pm
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Yes, I already conceded
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Curious
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Jul 29 2010, 10:07pm
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Tolkien also never says
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FarFromHome
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Jul 30 2010, 1:48pm
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Could you believe
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Curious
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Jul 30 2010, 2:29pm
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Yes, that works
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FarFromHome
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Jul 30 2010, 7:09pm
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What about
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Lord of Magic
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Jul 31 2010, 1:25am
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Yes, that was a forced marriage.
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Curious
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Jul 31 2010, 6:50am
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Eöl was powerful
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Lord of Magic
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Aug 1 2010, 3:54pm
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And yet
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December
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Jan 26, 9:19pm
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Very nice
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squire
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Jan 27, 12:12am
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Especially in inter-racial marriages, hm?
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December
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Jan 27, 1:04am
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Yes, no means no, but in forced marriages,
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Curious
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Jan 27, 2:24am
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Most astonishing!
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dernwyn
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Jan 27, 2:45am
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I think we would have to agree to disagree :)
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December
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Jan 27, 7:48am
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Love as a "distraction" from the story; Celebrian
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CuriousG
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Jul 29 2010, 6:10pm
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As to Celebrian,
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Curious
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Jul 29 2010, 7:26pm
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In a letter Tolkien embraced the comparison
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Curious
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Jul 29 2010, 2:59pm
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To be honest...
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Morthoron
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Aug 1 2010, 2:12am
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