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Modtheow
Lorien
Oct 14 2012, 3:40pm
Views: 301
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**Fire and Water** III: The Politics of Esgaroth
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After the death of Smaug, the people think that Bard is also dead. Then he appears in a moment that seems very cinematic to me (or at least, very Peter Jackson-Viggo Mortensen-like):
“And in the very midst of their talk a tall figure stepped from the shadows. He was drenched with water, his black hair hung wet over his face and shoulders, and a fierce light was in his eyes.”
Earlier this week, justbennett commented on how Bard seems similar to Aragorn. Any other thoughts on Bard’s similarity to Aragorn?
The people immediately shout for “King Bard! King Bard!” Then they are immediately swayed by the Master to blame the dwarves for their troubles. Bard calls them “Fools!” Have they elected the right leader for themselves?
The Master cleverly deflects criticism of his own behaviour and the people’s cry to raise Bard as king partly by saying “In the Lake-town we have always elected masters from among the old and wise, and have not endured the rule of mere fighting men.”
What’s the better political system in Middle-earth: democratic election of the” old and wise” – or at least of a clever “Moneybags”? Or a monarchy headed by a young warrior-king, claiming a hereditary line to the last lord of Dale? Does one result in a more successful society than the other? Or is it the Master’s rhetoric that is tricking me into asking this question in the first place?
Now that there’s an unguarded treasure hoard in the mountain, people are on the march. Bard suddenly imagines Dale rebuilt; the Master thinks of recompense for his town; the Elf-king is on his way with an army. Is everyone infected by the bewitchment of the treasure hoard? Are they motivated by greed? political ambition? justice?
As always, any other comments on the chapter are welcome. Next week: on to “The Gathering of the Clouds.”
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Subject
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Time
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**Fire and Water** III: The Politics of Esgaroth
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Modtheow
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Oct 14 2012, 3:40pm
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warrior king
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Escapist
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Oct 14 2012, 4:05pm
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I agree
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Modtheow
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Oct 14 2012, 5:55pm
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Answers
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sador
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Oct 14 2012, 5:19pm
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the success of a society
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Modtheow
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Oct 14 2012, 5:49pm
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Bard vs the Master
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Escapist
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Oct 14 2012, 6:11pm
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Oops.
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sador
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Oct 15 2012, 10:05pm
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a rather late thought...
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telain
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Oct 19 2012, 1:00pm
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Esgaroth
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Hamfast Gamgee
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Oct 14 2012, 6:49pm
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Wasn't the Shire somewhat democratic?
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justbennett
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Oct 15 2012, 10:26pm
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Democracy, Hobbits and Tolkien
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Istari68
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Oct 16 2012, 7:56pm
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