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I think some of the point he is making is that, for Tolkien, destiny and inherent character really mattered. In his world, words _matter_. Some vows simply cann
by karencarits 4y ago
I think some of the point he is making is that, for Tolkien, destiny and inherent character really mattered. In his world, words _matter_. Some vows simply cannot be broken and a lot of the tragedies in the Silmarillion are due to hasty or careless words.
I am reminded of this quote by Gildor: "Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all counsels may run ill."
Galadriel and Legolas are very different characters in more ways than just sex and ignoring those differences makes the characters more superficial. I read the critique as suggesting another kind of sexism in play: that Galadriel had to be portraited similar to Legolas (in a kind of macho way) to be seen as powerful, rather than exploring the traits that Tolkien gave her. For example, when I read the books, Galadriel gave me associations to Virgin Mary - and for Tolkien, a resemblance to Virgin Mary would be the greatest honor for any character, far more than being competent with a sword
I agree with you that the films also contained violence - and the author does not deny this. But I agree with the author that some of the scenes are more explicit than necessary and they made me too uncomfortable
- cygx 4y agoHowever, note that Galadriel is supposed to be over six feet tall, and her Teleri name is Nerwen - man-maiden - because she used to tussle with the boys back in the day. She's "a match for both the loremasters and the athletes of the Eldar in the days of their youth" and "she was then of Amazon disposition and bound up her hair as a crown when taking part in athletic feats".
- mcv 4y agoYeah, I have absolutely no problem with Galadriel fighting. I do have a problem with her being dismissed as a nobody by her nephew the king, her getting on that boat without Celeborn, or her trying to swing across an entire ocean. I know that she's athletic, but there's just no logic in any of that. I do understand why they did it: they wanted her to end up in Numenor. But they did that in a poor way, and for poor reasons, because the destruction of Numenor isn't supposed to happen until millennia later. The rings haven't even been forged yet!
- cygx 4y agoI feel you. "Thankfully", my memory of how these things were supposed to happen is foggy at best, so I'll be able to enjoy the series on its own merits...