Focusing question

Do the main characters of Lord of the Rings portray or exhibit characteristics of GOD and Man’s relationship to GOD in their characters?

Possible thesis

You can find GOD or aspects of a higher power in everything if you look hard enough.

Allegory Vs. Applicability –Many people may be tempted to read LOTR as an allegory. However the author’s intent was not to write an allegory, but a book that was applicable to many different things. Lord of the Rings was not written to be an allegory, but applicable to life. Explain differences and what Tolkien’s intention was.

Counter argue whether we should interoperate past author’s intent.

Characters – Explain: Gandalf’s, Aragorn’s , Sauron’s, Frodo’s and the Ring’s applicable characteristics. I will reference biblical material to cross reference characteristic of each. For example: Gandalf at time reflects characteristics of Jesus and even God during different points in the film. Aragorn reflects Christ as well. The RING represents many different things like choice, struggle, temptation and so on.

I will also be counter arguing that religion can be manipulated to fit just about anything if you try hard enough.

I will be closing with arguments of why we should look at things in different ways and why we should see the world in different ways as well. Why the human race need something to believe in and how my symbol ties it all together.

I will wrap up with why Tolkien would not role over in his grave to read my paper as I am applying this writing as he originally intended.

2. Aragorn has to make a lot of sacrifices

3. Saudoman is a deceiver and in league with the enemy of middle earth

4. J.R.R. Tolkien did not write Lord of the Rings as an allegory, but for its applicability to be applied to many different issues.

5. The Hobbits are the most human like over all in the story

6. The entire human race bow to the Hobbits for saving middle earth.

7. The RING represents: choice, trials, struggles, and the weight of responsibility.

8. Christ died, descended into hell and arose the third day and ascended into heaven.

9. Other people don’t believe we should look at movies and books in other ways then intended by the author.

10. The Bell Rock is a demonic type creature.

11. Aragorn is also a Christ like character in that he becomes King over all middle earth.

12. The final battle happens very similar to Armageddon in the Bible.

13. Aragorn mentions a time of peace very much like the 1000 years of peace referred to in the bible.

14. The elves resemble angles and stand with us in our moments of despair.

15. The all seeing eye resembles satin. It is a play on words to call it an all seeing eye when it actually is not able to see out side of its land with the exception of someone wearing the RING.

Tolken was more of a mythologist then anything. That having been said, my purpose is to analyze the characters in relation to Christian religion.  I believe that all the major characters of “Lord Of The Rings” reflect at some point religious characters from the bible. The only exception to that in my opinion is the hobbits’ who I believe embody the human soul. Let me explain!

Lets start with my favorite character Gandalf The Gray. He starts by leading the fellowship in much the same way as a shepherd leading a flock of sheep. (Refer to Apostles Holy Bible – New King James Version )   Gandalf at times reflects the God like figure and even the persona at times of Christ. He is the wisest of the group and obviously also has an abundance of power. He is often seen giving advise and guidance

Wood, Ralph C. LeaderU. 13 July 2002. 3 May 2009 < http://www.leaderu.com/

humanities/wood-classic.html>. “Deserves it! I daresay he does,” [replies Gandalf].

“Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment….”

He allows the Hobbits’ to choose the path they will take and it causes him to have to make a sacrifice. In the mountain of Cazadoom he faces one creature who resembles a fiery demonic or satin type creature. Gandalf SACRIFICES himself to save the fellowship much like Christ died for us according to the Biblical reference. Then descends into the lower level of earth and defeats the Belrock  Returning as Gandalf “The White”. This would represent his rebirth or the Resurrection if you will!

Next lets look at Aragorn. Here is a humble but strong character who really exemplifies the characteristics of Christ as well. First his heritage alone is of Royal blood line. He himself also in a way dies when he falls off the cliff and the water returns him to the shore near his horse. Resembling the return to life and even baptism. Aragorn is humble and willing to sacrifice himself many times over for his friends. Defiantly a Kingly quality! He also has a unique relationship with the elves  With in the story he is the only known human to have any contact with elves. Much like Christ would have to Angels.

Sowron Obviously we could relate to the Devil and the overall evil controlling power. Bruner, Kurt, and Jim Ware.”FINDING GOD IN THE LORD OF THE RINGS’ .’” Best Answer . Dec. 2008. 3 May 2009

<http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081020072618AAX0BA9>. “Just as there is a person called Sauron who is part of a conspiracy invading the happy world of hobbits, there is a rebel called Lucifer whose calculating schemes invade the lives of men. We have been told of his history and intentions.”

Sodoman often at times reflects the body of evil and fights agains them through their journey and tries to tempt Gandalf. These two characters both when facing off often resemble Traits of both Jesus and Satin as stated by Stan Williams. WILLIAMS, STAN. “20 Ways “The Lord of the Rings” Is Both Christian and Catholic.” Catholic Education Resource Center. 2 May 2009

<http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/arts/al0160.html>.3.” Gandalf and Saruman, while not analogous, have traits, goals, and experiences similar to those of Jesus and Satan. Gandalf is even tempted in a battle with Saruman not unlike Christ is tempted by Satan in the wilderness.”

The hobbits’ are the only creatures in the story with no real special or supernatural ability. Yet they are the ones chosen to carry the burden of the ring. The ring which also has its own supernatural ability try’s to over come the hobbits’. Yet we see that through there own ability to lean on each other Frodo and Sam are able help each other through their journey. While the rest of the fellowship fight to save Middle Earth.

The white city. This could be seen as Jerusalem. During the time known in Revelations from the Bible as ARMAGEDIN.

The ring in and of itself represents temptation and embodies evil. Throughout the whole entire movie we see the entire fellowship struggle with the bearing of this object.

Everyone is tempted to snatch the ring for their own reasons or purpose. Kirt and Jim both referred to the Ring like this Bruner, Kurt, and Jim Ware. “‘FINDING GOD IN THE LORD OF THE RINGS’ .” Best Answer . Dec. 2008. 3 May 2009 <http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081020072618AAX0BA9>. – “Tolkien’s Ring, like the devil’s offer, is both thoroughly evil and perilously powerful. It is, after all, the One Ring, the single, tiny point at which the potential for universal

domination, the ability to do “whatever one wants to do”, has been localized. And therein, as the wise know very well, lies the seed of evil itself — the same evil that has infected the world since the beginning of human history.”

Temptation represents choice and it is our choices in life that make us who we are.

I believe that all the major characters of “Lord Of The Rings” reflect at some point religious characters from the bible. The only exception to that in my opinion is the hobbits’ who I believe embody the human soul. Let me explain!

Lets start with my favorite character Gandalf The Gray. He starts by leading the fellowship in much the same way as a shepherd leading a flock of sheep. Gandalf at times reflects the God like figure and even the persona at times of Christ. In the mountain of Cazadoom he faces one creature who resembles a fiery demonic or satin type creature. Gandalf SACRIFICES himself to save the fellowship much like Christ died for us according to the Biblical reference. Then descends into the lower level of earth and defeats the Belrock Returning as Gandalf The White. This would represent his rebirth or the Resurrection if you will!

The hobbits’ are the only creatures in the story with no real special or supernatural ability. Yet they are the ones chosen to carry the burden of the ring. The ring which also has its own supernatural ability try’s to over come the hobbits’. Yet we see that through there own ability to lean on each other Frodo and Sam are able help each other through their journey. While the rest of the fellowship fight to save Middle Earth.

The ring in and of itself represents temptation and embodies evil Temptation represents choice and it is our choices in life that make us who we are.

Déous Gennari

          Look at OH Brother Where Are’t Thou. In actuality it is sometimes hard to say or pinpoint what a directors purpose is. While it may be clear to someone the directors purpose may be to provoke a laugh as in comedy, or to show how friends stick together. The directors purpose may also be different from what he shows the audience. For example in OH Brother it would appear it’s a story of a man who wants to win the love of his wife back. But after examining it closely we can see the it resemble another movie called the Odyssey. It may very well be a project done by the directors to see if they can take a fantasy movie and place it in a film that depicts REAL life. We look at the film and say “Could that have really have happened in that time period of history. So far from what I have watched of the movie I would have to say yes.

Déous Gennari

For more info on Cast go to Admissions page on this blog.

DO THE CHARACTERS MORALS CHANGE THOUGHOUT THE MOVIE?

I would have to say absolutely. HI, who’s character at the beginning of the film and through out most of it suffers from lack of impulse control and is a criminal. And definitely not even a good one. He has very little care about social laws and self worth. Ed who starts as a prison guard  is also impulsive. She actually comes up with the idea to kidnap Nathan Jr.

After kidnapping Nathan Jr. Ed wants them to be a respectable family. Two friends of HI show up creating tension and HI has a hard time letting go of the past and his criminal mind set. However you see Ed is putting pressure on HI. He struggles with asking them to leave although it is obvious he wants to make his wife happy.

Throughout the movie we see HI and even Ed slowly realizing this may not have been the best decision. HI even decides toward the middle of the film to leave and let Ed raise HI alone as he will just send her money. This shows that HI isn’t comfortable with his own life decisions and wants to make things right. HI is tied up by his two prison buddies and Ed and HI both wind up going on a wurl wind adventure to rescue Nathan Jr. In the car Ed realizes this isn’t working out and wants to fix it but isn’t sure exactly how to do this. Finally they rescue Nathan Jr. and return him to his real parents, willing to except the consequences of their impulsive decision. They admit having committed the act and why they did it. This shows a total change on both their parts and a remorse for having committed the crime in the first place.

Some of my hobbies are of course singing. I am in the process of recording an album called “Déous – It’s My Life “. I have taken my life story and turning it into an audio autobiography.  Where I share some of my story. At the end of each chapter I end the chapter with a Broadway song that I tie into my story in some way. For example: “THE CONFRONTATION” from Jekyll and Hyde I will explain how that ties into my military experience and trying reestablish myself back into civilian society. I have some recorded rough copies of songs that will be on my album on my Official MySpace site at: www.myspace.com/deousmusic feel free to add me to your MySpace profile and let me know what you think of the songs if you like. I love to get constructive criticism from friends and fans so don’t hesitate to be honest.

I am also auditioning for the spring play here at Pierce called “ADMISSIONS”. I will be keeping you informed as to what is happening as we go through the process.

I enjoy racing as well. I own a Race and Show car team called Illstyle. We are car enthusiasts that are seriously team oriented. Strictly NO street racing allowed.

Any way that’s a little about myself. I look forward to getting to know you all in my English class.