Synopsis of "Aragorn"
PREFACE
PART 1: BIOGRAPHY, CHARACTER AND SIGNIFICANCE
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Ancestry
Aragorn's ancestry dating back to the union of Melian and Thingol in the First Age. Supported by genealogical tables.
1.2 Prophecies
Description of prophecies relating to Aragorn dating back to three thousand years before his birth.
1.3 Childhood
Aragorn's parentage and his childhood in Rivendell. Psychological issues from having his identity withheld from him. First meeting with Arwen.
1.4 Adulthood prior to LotR
Aragorn's life-story between his departure from Rivendell in TA 2951 and the events of LotR in 3018-9. Includes friendship with Gandalf, service in Rohan and Gondor and the search for Gollum. Activities put in context with other events going on. Deals with role and identity issues and his betrothal to Arwen in 2980.
1.5 LotR: An "Aragorn-centric" view
LotR from Aragorn's point of view - as opposed to being "hobbito-centric". Emphasis on personal struggles and motives.
1.6 The Palantír Confrontation
Detailed look at Aragorn's confrontation with Sauron in the Palantír of Orthanc on March 6th 3019 drawing attention to its nature, significance and repercussions. I have devoted a whole chapter to this confrontation because I believe it to be the most crucial action Aragorn took in LotR - in fact one of the most crucial actions taken by any of the characters in the struggle to destroy the Ring. I also believe its impact is often overlooked and its significance underestimated.
1.7 King Elessar
Aragorn was eighty-eight when he became King and lived to be two hundred and ten. Thus his time as King proved to be by far the longest section of his life. It therefore deserves to be studied in detail, rather than being dismissed as a "happy ever after" conclusion to his struggles. Supported by genealogical tables.
1.8 Death
Description of Aragorn's death explaining the manner of it in the context of his Númenórean heritage.
1.9 Names and Titles
Lists Aragorn's names and titles along with their origin, meaning and use.
Also examines the process whereby his true identity was revealed during the course of the events of 3018-9.
1.10 Appearance
Assessing Aragorn's appearance can be nearly as complex as unravelling his character and deeds. The two main factors which affected it - namely inheritance and lifestyle - were in fact working in opposition to each other. Also discusses the issues of disguise, invisibility, camouflage and transformation.
PART 2: RELATIONSHIPS
2.0 Introduction
2.1 Elves
The chief purpose of this chapter is to carry out a detailed analysis of Aragorn's relationships with Arwen, Elrond, Galadriel, Celeborn, Elladan and Elrohir, both individually and in the context of family issues. Supported by genealogical table. Also considers Glorfindel, Gildor Inglorion, and Círdan and his people.
I have deliberately omitted Legolas as I feel that the unique threesome of Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli merits a chapter of its own.
2.2 Dúnedain
Looks at Aragorn's relationships with his contemporaries among the Dúnedain of the North particularly his parents, Arathorn II and Gilraen, his paternal grandfather Arador, his maternal grandparents Dírhael and Ivorwen, and Halbarad the friend, kinsman, second-in-command and standard-bearer who led the Grey Company to his aid during the War of the Ring. Supported by genealogical tables.
2.3 Istari
Deals with Aragorn's relationships with the Wizards (the Order of the Istari). The main emphasis is obviously on Gandalf, but I also consider the state of awareness between Aragorn and Saruman plus their possible attitudes towards each other.
Brief, speculative comments on the likelihood of Aragorn encountering Radagast and the Blue Wizards, Alatar and Pallando.
2.4 Legolas and Gimli
In LotR much attention is understandably paid to the close and lasting friendship which developed between Legolas and Gimli. However the purpose of this chapter is to study what I consider to be an equally significant relationship, namely that between Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli.
2.5 Hobbits
Examines Aragorn's relationships with Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin and Bilbo.
Although Gollum was technically a Hobbit I decided it would be more appropriate to include him in the discussions on Isildur and the Ring in Chapter 2.8.
2.6 Gondorians
Analyses Aragorn's relationships with the Steward Ecthelion II, Denethor, Boromir, Faramir, Prince Imrahil, Beregond, Ioreth and the Warden of the Houses of Healing. There is a lot of emphasis on Aragorn's service in Gondor as a young man. I also consider possible relationships with a few miscellaneous characters named in LotR. Supported by genealogical tables.
2.7 Rohirrim
Analyses Aragorn's relationships with Théoden, Éowyn and Éomer, plus a few miscellaneous characters named in LotR. Considers the history of the Rohirrim in order to understand their close alliance with Gondor, and looks at the young Aragorn's period of service under Théoden's father Thengel. Supported by genealogical tables.
2.8 Ancestors, the Ring and Gollum
This chapter has three purposes:
- To look at the influence of some of Aragorn's ancestors (chiefly Elendil, Isildur and Anárion) on his life, destiny and struggles.
- To analyse Aragorn's attitude to the One Ring and the effect it had on him. Includes discussion of his attitude to the Nazgûl.
- To examine Aragorn's relationship with Gollum.
2.9 Miscellaneous Relationships
Aragorn seems to have journeyed over a wider area of Middle-earth than anyone else in LotR so must have formed many more relationships than the ones analysed so far. This chapter examines the less obvious associations - mainly with races rather than individuals - looking at what we know of Aragorn, the lands he visited and the people he would have encountered. The context is set by a look at the linguistic background given in LotR Appendix F. Covers the following categories:
- Bree-men, Dunlendings, Dead Men of Dunharrow
- Beornings, Woodmen of Western Mirkwood
- Men of Dale and Lake-town (Esgaroth)
- Drúedain
- Lossoth
- The Enemy's slaves
- Tom Bombadil
- Treebeard and the Ents
- The Enemy
Men of the East
Variags of Khand
Orcs
Trolls
Balrogs
Shelob and her offspring
Dragons
- Nature: animals, birds, plants, the land itself
CONCLUSION
GENEALOGICAL TABLES
THE SILMARILLION: CHIEF NAMES AND CONCEPTS USED
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX