Tracking Down All Of The Passages That Charlie Likely Used For Inspiration For His Sauron Is Genuinely

tracking down all of the passages that Charlie likely used for inspiration for his Sauron is genuinely the gift that keeps on giving bc Tolkien saying that Sauron is 'evil, and therefore stupid' is genuinely one of the funniest things I've ever read about Sauron.

But yes, I'll be posting more book experts. And if anyone wants me to track things down for other characters, lmk ☺️

Oooh, halls that imitate the heavens. The Golden Hall of Noontide. The Corridor of Dusk. The Treasure Chambers of Midnight.

Day 5: Stars Durin's Folk star lamps inspired by their architecture in the books (did you know that they like to carve their pillars in the shape of trees? )

Prompt list:

Galadriel: Celebrimbor, this Annatar character's claims don't add up. He's using his charm and his knowledge to manipulate you. Celeborn: There's only one thing to do with honey-tongued, two-faced outsiders. Throw him out the window. Galadriel: That's...a bit excessive. Celeborn: Toss the dwarves out too. I don't know why you keep dealing with them. You can never trust a dwarf, you know. Celebrimbor: And *that* is why you have trouble making friends, Celeborn. You are too suspicious. You need to embrace new opportunities. Be more open-minded! Galadriel: Yes, but within reason. You worry me, Celebrimbor. Celebrimbor: *sparkling with creative ambition* *not listening*

On the authenticity of movie Faramir

Faramir is one of my favorite characters in the Lord of the Rings. So, when I first saw The Two Towers, I remember being outraged when he appears to claim the Ring. In the books, he stands out for his steadfast determination not to do so, and for helping Frodo and Sam once he learns about the Quest. Jackson's Faramir seemed like a critical misunderstanding of Tolkien's.

More recently, I realized that this isn't the case. We can probably blame the cutting of some of Faramir's scenes for the fact that his character arc isn't as thoroughly sketched, but there are a few key lines that do, in fact, show us the truth. First, in a voice-over, Galadriel tells Elrond/the audience that "the young captain of Gondor has but to extend his hand, take the Ring for his own--and the world will fall."

When we reach the critical scene, and Faramir confronts Frodo about the Ring, he faces the temptation to claim it. And it is here, as in the book, that Faramir passes the test--not later in Osgiliath, where he decides to release Frodo and company (he passes a different test there). Faramir doesn't claim it for himself, as Boromir did ("It could be mine. It should be mine. Give it to me!). Instead, he says, "the Ring will go to Gondor."

...He says he's claiming it for Gondor, which makes sense: both he and his brother are devoted to protecting the kingdom and its people. However, I think Faramir is misleading himself here, because he doesn't truly believe that the Ring will save Gondor*. Boromir did--but both he and Faramir are basing that belief on Denethor's assertions.

This leads into the real struggle for Faramir's character: how his actions right now will affect his relationship with his father. The issue is much clearer in the flashback of Osgiliath. Denethor tasks Boromir with the journey to Rivendell (I will refrain from enumerating book/movie differences here--I'd like to, but I'll restrain myself), and when both his sons protest, he shuts them down. "I trust this mission only to your brother," he says. "The one who will not fail me." He implies that Faramir is worthless to him because he is less capable (he isn't), and less devoted to his father's wishes.

Denethor is partly correct: Faramir will not put his father's orders above his own moral standards, or before the well-being of Gondor. However, he deeply desires his father's regard. He struggles to choose between them until the danger of the Ring is made quite clear. In the movie, Sam angrily reveals that Boromir died because "he tried to take the Ring from Frodo, after swearing an oath to protect him; he tried to kill him! The Ring drove your brother mad!" Almost immediately after this, Frodo starts acting possessed, nearly gets nabbed by the Nazgûl, and almost kills Sam.

Faramir witnesses all of this. He hears how the Ring warped his noble, stalwart brother into a murderous traitor, and gets a bonus demonstration! After that, he (and we) can picture the Ring in the hands of Denethor. Considering Denethor's character, it's terrifying to imagine how his actions in the Return of the King would be compounded by the One Ring.

It's clear now that the Ring absolutely must not go to Gondor. After saving Frodo, Faramir makes what, for him, was the more difficult choice: to countermand his father's will. He lets the Ring go. When the consequences are highlighted--his father may demand his life in forfeit--he accepts them (with a little hesitation...though I think 'my father, who is ill-tempered and likely insane now, may literally kill me for not doing what he wanted' is grounds for queasiness from anyone). Once his goals are set and his mind is made up, he stands steadfast by his decisions.

Considering that, I see now that movie!Faramir is much more true to Tolkien's Faramir than I originally gave him credit for.

As for the fallout in The Return of the King, book!Denethor doesn't actually command a pointless, suicidal charge from Faramir and his soldiers. He does hit him with the customary disdain and comparisons to Boromir, with the latter now colored by bitterness and grief (which appears in another deleted/extended edition scene, I think).

It's tragic how Denethor and his sons struggle to understand and support each other, and to manage their weighty obligations. Denethor's inflexibility and pride (exacerbated by Gondor's dire circumstances) leads one son to his destruction, and alienates the other. Thanks to Faramir, Denethor never obtains the Ring, but Sauron finds another way to undermine him (the palantír). He destroys himself in the end, and nearly takes his remaining son with him.

If you're especially fond of Faramir, Boromir, or Denethor (or if you too want to whack him energetically with a staff), I suggest having a look at the analyses of the characters by Megan N. Fontenot. She talks about how the characters evolved as Tolkien wrote the Lord of the Rings. For example, it seems that at one point, Boromir (and Gandalf) were the only Fellowship members who weren't hobbits (good luck with that)!

*In an extra/extended edition scene, while Faramir regards him uneasily, Frodo assures Faramir that "the Ring will not save Gondor--it has only the power to destroy." At that point, he's still undecided about taking the Ring to Gondor. In the book, however, Faramir asserts that he "would not take [Isildur's Bane], if it lay by the highway. Not were Minas Tirith falling in ruin and I alone could save her, so, using the weapon of the Dark Lord for her good and my glory." When he learns that the weapon Frodo carries is the Ring, he is briefly tempted, but knowing and respecting the inherent peril, he rejects it.

Book!Faramir is more secure in his own identity and values, and less tormented than movie!Faramir by his father's annoyance that he isn't an obedient tool.

Fëanor unilaterally decides that he is a member of the Fellowship. Attempts to dissuade him or leave him behind fail too.

He spends most of the journey to Moria disagreeing with everyone, especially Gandalf. He doesn't manage to usurp leadership (Aragorn and Frodo only trust Gandalf), but not for lack of trying. Boromir is impressed, and invites him to Gondor.

When he launches himself at the Balrog, Gandalf takes the opportunity to ditch him. "Don't worry about him, he'll be fine." It's truly unfortunate that when the combatants fall into the abyss, the Balrog snags Gandalf as well.

Fëanor refuses to die like this (not metal enough for him), so he manages to crawl his way out of Moria and tracks the Fellowship to Lothlórien. Once there, he demands to be shown immediately to the leaders of the realm.

As soon as Fëanor, Galadriel, and Celeborn set eyes on one another, the whole place explodes.

Fëanor: *waking up in a cold sweat* Mandos I need out and I need out now

Námo: ... why

Fëanor: My grandson gave my hammer to Sauron after taking out all of the gems and making magic rings

Námo: *scrambling* OH SHIT

Fëanor: I KNOW SO LET ME OUT

Námo: still no but OH SHIT

tell me where is Celeborn i have much desire to see him in The Rings of Power