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The Lord of the Rings contains very few women characters.
The characterization and development of these women figures is fairly limited. But if one considers the context and desired result of the story, this apparent lack can be better understood; although it should be said that many consider the number of women and their presentation to be exceptionally written.
It could be argued from an analytical and psychological point of view that 4 things influenced Tolkien's writing of women characters.
1. One could certainly argue that the loss of his mother and the resulting lack of a motherly figure, led Tolkien to construct the image of an idealized and perfect woman in his understanding and desire; especially if his lasting impression of her was one of a martyr who died passing on the Faith to her children.
This is pure speculation of course, but is something that can occur when one loses a parent or role model early in life. Obviously the reality of married life would have tempered this attitude [as is also shown in his letters] but it could still have remained embedded in his psyche.
Certainly the principle women in Middle-earth are of an ethereal beauty and nobility and are willing to give either their realm, existence and life for what is at stake in Middle-earth. Though this isn't always evident in the writing itself, they are passionate and willful which is shown by their actions. Based on the descriptions of Tolkien's mother, these do seems in line with her character.
2. As mentioned earlier [The Man], Tolkien's writing of the love story of Beren and Lúthien and that of Aragorn and Arwen, seems to have been influenced by his courtship with Edith Brat who became his wife. The trial suffered by both Beren and Aragorn seems to be a romanticized and idealized reflection of Tolkien's own trial of love for Edith when he was at university.
3. The Lord of the Rings and related back-history [Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales] was intended to be a 'mythic saga', and creation of a world of legend and epic struggle. The women personages in the story fall into this context and represent women of royalty and power. Women of stature and images of angelic purity, including Éowyn, the Rohan woman who falls for Aragorn.
4. Tolkien, having been brought up close to an Oratory of Priests never lacked for instruction and teaching in Catholic life and Christian doctrine. He held a love of Mary, the Virgin Mother of God and had a strong devotion to her. As already mentioned [see Allegory] he credited anything beautiful in his writing to her and willfully acknowledged her reflection in the character of Galadriel.
But what is interesting to note is the reflection of Mary in many of the prominent female characters of the Lord of the Rings. And who are the these characters?
Once again it is worth stressing that this not an attempt to make an direct allegory of Mary in each of these characters but to point out some of parallels and reflections involved; including some aspects of Marian tradition and Mary-like undercurrents that permeate them.
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Tolkien once wrote of Galadriel;
" I think it is true that I owe much of this character to Christian and Catholic teaching and imagination about Mary... " [Letters p.407].
But what is Catholic imagination about Mary? To fully appreciate similarities in Tolkien's female characters and the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is worth considering what Catholicism thinks of her.
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So where is all this in the Lord of the Rings. It's not all there but there are hints and similar reflections in the woman characters.
Galadriel:
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Galadriel is the most obvious woman who is linked to Marian themes.
Galadriel is a queenly figure of the Elves [though not a exactly a queen], with great wisdom and foresight. The descriptions of Galadriel given in the Lord of the Rings are:
" Very tall they were, and the Lady no less tall than the Lord; and they were grave and beautiful. They were clad wholly in white; and the hair of the Lady was of deep gold, and the hair of the Lord Celeborn was of silver long and bright; but no sign of age was upon them, unless it were in the depths of their eyes; for these were keen as lances in the starlight, and yet profound, the wells of deep memory. " [LotR p.345].
" ...and behind him stood Galadriel, tall and white; a circlet of golden flowers was in her hair, and in her hand she held a harp, and she sang... " [LotR p.363].
" Beautiful she is, sir! Lovely! Sometimes like a great tree in flower, sometimes like a white daffadowndilly, small and slender like. Hard as diamonds, soft as moonlight. Warm as sunlight, cold as frost in the stars. " [LotR p.664].
" But Galadriel sat upon a white palfrey and was robed all in glimmering white, like clouds about the moon; for she herself seemed to shine with a soft light. On her finger was Nenya, the ring wrought of mithril, that bore a single white stone flickering like a frosty star. " [LotR p.1005].
" Frodo took the phial, and for a moment it shone between them, he saw her standing like a queen, great and beautiful.." [LotR p.367].
She is immortal and her name in Quenyan [Elvish] means, " Lady of Light. " [arda]. Her beauty is of great renown and her wisdom places her among the Wise of Middle-earth. She has long been a prominent foe of Sauron and like Gandalf understands the times in which she lives.
She tests the hearts of the Fellowship when they enter Lórien, searching to understand their motives and desires and lead them into deeper truth.
It is interesting to note that Lothlórien is described to be " without stain " in the Lord of the Rings [something that is dealt with in First and Last Things] and Tolkien himself mentions that Galadriel was " unstained, she had committed no evil deeds. " [Letters p.341 & p.431].
This is also mentioned by Aragorn when speaking to Boromir;
" Speak no evil of the Lady Galadriel! You know not what you say. There is in her and in this land, no evil. " [LotR p.349].
This is in-line with the Immaculate Conception of Mary [Immaculate means unstained]. In fact the whole vision of Lothlórien and Galadriel is almost like a beatific vision of the Immaculate World to come.
Through her gentleness and kindness, Galadriel brings about a change of heart in Gimli the Dwarf towards the Elves as he falls in love with her. Gimli's first encounter with Galadriel is powerful for him,
" And the dwarf, hearing the names given in his own ancient tongue, looked up and met her eyes; and it seemed to him that he looked into the heart of an enemy and saw there love and understanding. Wonder come into his face, and then he smiled in answer. " [LotR p.347].
He is overcome by her beauty and gentleness; and regarding the strand of hair that he requests, he says he will;
" ...treasure it, Lady, in memory of your words to me at our first meeting. " [LotR p.367].
Gimli is stricken by her beauty and love at their first meeting.
" Henceforth, I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to me. " [LotR p.369].
He is referring to the three strands of her hair she bequeathed to him. Her beauty, understanding and gentleness helps in his conversion and reconciliation with the Elves as a whole. This aspect of Galadriel is very Marian. Many of the great Saints of the Church have written of such encounters with the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Again through her gentleness and love Frodo opens up to her and offers the One Ring to her keeping. With this offer she undergoes a temptation of sorts but rises to the challenge and remains merely Galadriel,
" I pass the test. I will diminish and go into the West. " [LotR p.357].
Her humility here is evident, and along with her wisdom, is the chief reason she overcomes the temptation. She mentions the bitterness herself and the Elves will encounter if Frodo succeeds in the quest because the Three Elven Rings will pass away. She is willing to sacrifice their abode and works, for the deliverance of Middle-earth.
She is misunderstood by the outside world and is referred to as the, " Sorceress of the Golden Wood " by Boromir and Eomer; and also the, " Mistress of Magic " by Faramir; which is similar to the perception in today's world towards Mary, especially by certain Christian groups that erroneously think that Catholics worship Mary and they consider praying to her as sorcery or occultism. [LotR p.422 & p.652].
She is sometimes referred to as the " Lady of the Golden Wood " or as the " Lady of the Galadhrim ", and has many titles which is similar to many of the names accorded to Mary [e.g. Our Lady of Gap, Our Lady of Lourdes etc...] and at one particular point where the Three Hunters [Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas] are pursuing the Orcs across the plains of Rohan. Tolkien writes;
" ...often in their hearts, they thanked the Lady of Lórien for the gift of Lembas. " [LotR p.417].
This has a two-fold symbolism here. One that is very Eucharistic in reference to the Lembas and one that is also very similar to a prayer in the Catholic Church which thanks Mary for the gift of her Son in the Eucharist, which is Jesus in the form of the Bread and Wine. And as already mentioned, the Lembas has very distinctive Eucharistic overtones [see The Lembas]. Mary is often referred to as the Mother or Woman of the Eucharist.
Aragorn actually mentions to Eomer,
" We have passed through Lothlórien and the gifts and favour of the Lady go with us. " [LotR p.422].
Galadriel also gives to Frodo the " Phial of Galadriel " [or Star-Glass] which contains Light from the Star of Eärendil, the most beloved Evening/Morning Star of the elves.
Eärendil was Half-Elven [i.e. mixed parents - Elven and Man] from the First Age of Middle-earth and he was the one who, acting on behalf of both races, Elves and Men, [the Elves carry elements of an unfallen race and Men are easier to corrupt] was allowed to sail into the West to beg the forgiveness and help of the Angelic Powers in the destructive war against the first Dark Lord, Morgoth.
So in a way Eärendil is a very salvific figure, much like Jesus who in Divine and Human form stands in Heaven beseeching the Father to forgive in his name.
Eärendil, took with him one of the Silmarils, the Holy Jewels of the Elves that were made in the Undying Lands [Blessed Realm] at the beginning of Middle-earth. These Jewels held the Light of the Two Trees in the Blessed Realm before they were defiled and killed by Morgoth. Morgoth stole the Jewels and fled to Middle-earth. The Elves then forsook the Blessed Realm, passed into exile and pursued Morgoth to reclaim the Silmarils; and what ensued was a long and bitter war of the Elves against Morgoth.
Eärendil, bearing the Silmaril on his brow, was then set to sail in the vault of heaven by the Valar [Angelic Powers] as a sign of hope to all those who still laboured in the fight against evil in Middle-earth. It is the Light of this Silmaril that is captured in the Phial that Galadriel gives to Frodo. It is the light of the Phial that has a specific power in defeating Shelob the Spider, and allowing Frodo and Sam to pass the Watchers in Cirith Ungol.
Galadriel passes on to Frodo, Light from the Star of Eärendil; and this Silmaril possesses Light from the Two Trees that gave Light to the Blessed Realm - i.e. Galadriel gives to Frodo a special Light or Grace from the Blessed Realm to help him defeat evil.
This role of Galadriel being an instrument of providing hope, favour and victory in the struggle against evil is also similar to that of Mary in the Pilgrimage of Faith of the Church and its faithful here on earth. She is often referred to as the Guiding Star and the imagery of the Church being a boat on a voyage in dangerous seas, with Mary helping in bringing the boat home to safe shores is very traditional, spiritual and theological.
To further illustrate this point is a prayer-like request Sam makes to Galadriel in Mordor;
" If only the Lady could see or hear us, I'd say to her: 'Your Ladyship, all we want is light and water: just clean water and plain daylight, better than jewels, begging your pardon.' " [LotR p.897].
Later this request is fulfilled and Sam exclaims,
" If ever I see the Lady again I will tell her! Light and now water!. " [LotR p.899].
Another interesting parallel is that of the Elven Cloaks that Galadriel also gifts to the entire Fellowship. In 495 A.D. England, Mary appeared in an apparition to Saint Simon Stock on Mt Carmel and gave to him a 'scapular' made by her and her angels. The scapular is basically a cloth that is worn [around the neck] as a sign of consecration to Our Lord or Our Lady. There are many different types of scapulars in existence throughout the Church, but this one is the most well known and particular as it was woven and given by Mary herself. She said to St Simon Stock,
"Take, beloved son, this scapular of thy order as a badge of my confraternity and for thee and all Carmelites a special sign of grace; whoever dies in this garment, will not suffer everlasting fire. It is the sign of salvation, a safeguard in dangers, a pledge of peace and of the covenant". [read more here].
Mary instructed St Simon that whoever wore the scapular and lived a holy life would be protected from the devil. [This has happened before in the history of Christianity; the Chrism oil for anointing the Kings in France was reported to have come from directly the Blessed Virgin Mary and carry a special anointing].
Tolkien most certainly would have known of this Apparition to St Simon Stock.
Of the Elven Cloaks, the Elves of Lórien exclaim;
" You are indeed high in the favour of the Lady. For she herself and her maidens wove this stuff. " [LotR p.361].
And of the cloaks Sam later says, " ...it was made by the Lady. " [LotR p.897].
The Elves who give them exclaim, " ...you will find them a great aide in keeping out of the sight of unfriendly eyes. " [LotR p.361].
These quotes provide a very similar link to Mary making the Scapular and it providing a special grace. The Elven Cloaks gave a special power of protection to the Fellowship on more than one occasion in the Lord of the Rings;
" It was dark, but not too dark for the night eyes of Orcs, and in the star glimmer they must have offered their cunning foes some mark, unless it was the grey cloaks of Lórien and the grey timber of the elf-wrought boats that defeated the archers of Mordor. " [LotR p.377].
" ...but its rider did not see them, lying covered in their elven-cloaks, too crushed for the moment, and too afraid to move. " [LotR p.447].
" Over the wide solitude they passed and their elven-cloaks faded against the background of the grey-green fields; even in the cool sunlight of midday few but elvish eyes would have marked them, until they were close at hand. " [LotR p.417].
" And strange too is your raiment. Have you sprung from the grass? How did you escape our sight? Are you Elvish folk? " [LotR p.422].
" It's hard for even friendly eyes to see these elven-cloaks. " [LotR p.599].
" Not even an eagle poised against the sun would have marked the hobbits sitting there, under the weight of doom, silent, not moving, shrouded in their grey cloaks. " [LotR p.630].
Galadriel carries one of the Three Elven Rings; " Nenya - the Ring of Adamant ", [or Ring of Water].
Adamant is an old Greek word for diamond, one of the hardest and resistant and purest substances known to man; and also ties in with the fact that the Ring Nenya is wrought of Mithril, the hardest and most precious substance existing in Middle-earth. Her Ring is described as;
" ...bearing a single stone flickering like a frosty star. " [LotR p.1005].
Diamonds are often referred to as cold or frosty because they diffuse light so well and remain cool.
The ring Nenya mirrors Galadriel's role as she epitomizes the resistance of the Elves against evil. She is extremely pure and is a reflection of good. Mary is sometimes referred to as the Jewel of the Father and is the most pure example of an open heart to God who reflects and transmits His light. She is also the complete reflection of the victory of God over the devil where she crushes the head of the Serpent [see Elbereth below].
Elbereth:
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Elbereth is " Queen of the Blessed Realm " and is one of the immortal angelic beings existing before the making of Middle-earth. She dwelt in the Blessed Realm. She is one of the Valar; and the Elves having great reverence for her, sung many hymns and songs in her honour. [Letters p.206, footnote]
In the Lord of the Rings there are three or four specific references to Elbereth. The name itself in Elvish means Star Lady , Lady of the Stars or Queen of the Stars. This is due to the fact that in the creation of Middle-earth she helped in the casting of the Stars in the night sky. [arda]. What is interesting is that she doesn't create the Stars but uses the due from one of the Two Trees that gave Light to the Blessed Realm.
Her other names are: Gilthoniel which means The Kindler, and Varda which means Sublime or the Exalted. [LotR Index p.1117].
The first major mention of Elbereth in the Lord of the Rings is when Frodo, Pippin and Sam encounter the High Elves leaving Middle-earth on the outskirts of the Shire. They hear the Elves singing a song to Elbereth, which runs as follows:
Snow-white!
Snow-white! O Lady clear! |
O
Queen beyond the Western Seas! |
O
Light to us that wander here |
Amid
the world of woven trees |
Gilthoniel!
O Elbereth! |
Clear
are thy eyes and bright thy breath |
Snow-white!
Snow-white! We sing to thee |
In
a far land beyond the sea |
O
stars that in the Sunless Year |
With
shining hand by her were sown, |
In
windy fields now bright and clear |
We
see your silver blossom blown! |
O
Elbereth! Gilthoniel! |
We
still remember, we who dwell |
In
this far land beneath the trees |
Thy
Starlight on the Western Seas |
[LotR p.78]
Frodo mentions, " These are High Elves! They spoke the name of Elbereth. " For those familiar with Catholic hymns, this song to Elbereth is extremely evocative of and similar to many songs in honour of Mary. One in particular,
Hail
Queen of Heaven, the ocean star, |
Guide
of the wanderer here below: |
Thrown
on life's surge, we claim thy care - |
save
us from peril and from woe. |
Mother
of Christ, star of the sea, |
Pray
for the wanderer, pray for me. |
Sojourners
in this vale of tears, |
To
thee, Blest advocate, we cry; |
Pity
our sorrows, calm our fears, |
And
soothe with hope our misery. |
Refuge
in grief, star of the sea, |
Pray
for the mourner, pray for me. |
Once again, the theme of a guiding star is evident and the similarity of devotion and reverence is clear. Another hymn to Mary is quoted below.
Gentle
woman, quiet light, |
Morning
star, so strong and bright; |
Gentle
Mother, peaceful dove, |
Teach
us wisdom, teach us love. |
At another juncture, this time in Rivendell in the Hall of Fire, Sam over hears a song sung in Elvish to Elbereth which translates roughly as:
O
Elbereth Star-kindler ! |
Glittering
white shines down, sparkling like jewels, |
from
the glorious firmament of the star-host! |
To
remote lands, gazing afar, |
from
the tree-woven lands of Middle-earth, |
Everwhite,
to thee I will chant |
on
this side of ocean, here on this side of the Great Ocean! |
[ 'Aerlinn in Edhil o Imladris' - Holy Song [hymn] of the Elves of Rivendell ]
[LotR p.231].
Once again the similarities are striking and another Catholic hymn is certainly interesting to look at:
Hail holy
Queen, Mother of Mercy |
Our life, our sweetness
and our hope! |
To thee do we cry
poor banished children of Eve |
To thee do we send
up sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears |
Turn, then, most gracious
advocate, |
thine eyes of mercy
towards us; |
and after this our
exile, |
show unto us the blessed
fruit of thy womb Jesus; |
O clement, o loving,
O sweet Virgin Mary |
Pray for us, O holy
Mother of God |
that we may be made
worthy of the promises of Christ |
And from the Hail Mary prayer;
Holy Mary, Mother
of God |
Pray for us sinners
now |
and at the hour of
our death |
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At the beginning of the Silmarillion, Tolkien outlines how Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, feared Elbereth above all the other Valar;
" Too great is her beauty to be decleared in the words of Men or Elves; for the light of Ilúvatar lives still in her face. In light is her power and her joy... for Melkor [Morgoth] she knew from before the making of the Music and rejected him, and he hated her, and feared her more than all others whom Eru made... " [Sil p.16].
In the Lord of the Rings when Frodo is attacked by the RingWraith[s] on Weathertop, he tries to stab him and hears himself crying out the name;
" O Elbereth! Gilthoniel! " [LotR p.191].
Aragorn later comments that Frodo's sword wouldn't have done him much harm but;
" ...more deadly to him was the name of Elbereth. " [LotR p.193].
This Good vs Evil order in the Lord of the Rings where the Wraiths feared the name of Elbereth ties in with the theme of Grace in Marian spirituality and the hatred of the devil towards Mary.
As the Fellowship paddles the Great River; Legolas sighs, " Elbereth Gilthoniel! " just before he looses his bow and fells the Winged steed of the RingWraith. [LotR p.378]
In similar reference is the password Sam uses when Frodo is captured in the Tower of Cirith Ungol:
"...and don't let it down till you hear me call the password. Elbereth I'll call. What the Elves say. No orc would say that. " [LotR p.891].
One beautiful passage demonstrating the power in the names of Elbereth and Galadriel is when Sam is about to be attacked by Shelob.
" Even as Sam himself crouched looking at her, seeing his death in her eyes, a thought came to him, as if some remote voice had spoken, and he fumbled in his breast with his left hand, and found what he sought: cold and hard and solid it seemed to his touch in a phantom world of horror, the Phial of Galadriel. "Galadriel!" he said faintly, and then he heard voices far off but clear: the crying of the Elves as they walked under the stars in the beloved shadows of the Shire, and the music of the Elves as it came through his sleep in the Hall of Fire in the house of Elrond.
| " Gilthoniel A Elbereth! " |
And then his tongue was loosed and his voice cried in a language which he did not know...
| " A Elbereth Gilthoniel | " O Elbereth Starkindler! |
| o menel palan-diriel, | from heaven gazing-afar, |
| le nallon si di'nguruthos! | to thee I cry now in the shadow of death! |
| A tiro nin, Fanuilos! " | O look towards me, Everwhite! " |
And with that he staggered to his feet and was Samwise the hobbit, Hamfast's son, again. ......
As if his indomitable spirit had set its potency in motion, the glass blazed forth suddenly like a white torch in his hand. It flamed like a star that leaping from the firmament sears the dark air with intolerable light. No such terror out of heaven had ever burned into Shelob's face before.... " [LotR p.712]
Sam's invocation [a description Tolkien himself used in referring to it] is very reminiscent of Marian prayers - 'I cry to thee now in the shadow of death! O look towards me'. Certainly the way in which he finds himself speaking the words is similar to speaking in tongues, and also that of receiving a Grace from above. The light that blazes forth from the Phial after the invocation is in line with the Order of Grace, as if Elbereth herself helps Sam in displaying the Light from the Blessed Realm [as captured in the Phial].
An important note on Elbereth is her blessing of the Silmarils in Valinor [the Blessed Realm] so that any unclean flesh that touched them would burn [arda]. The Phial displayed the Light from the Silmaril and it burns into Shelob's eyes.
Another example of this is when Frodo and Sam are escaping the Tower of Cirith Ungol. At the Gates of the Tower are two Watchers that hold the power of entry or exit; Sam uses the Phial of Galadriel and the Name of Elbereth to break the power and pass the hidden barrier.
He cries out, " O Elbereth Gilthoniel. "
" For why he did not know, his thought sprang suddenly back to the Elves in the Shire, and the song that drove away the Black Riders in the trees. " [LotR p.894].
Éowyn:
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The character of Éowyn also reflects part of the already stated Catholic Marian tradition and belief of the victory of Mary, by the Grace of God, over the devil.
Éowyn kills the Witch-King - with the help of Merry.
But Éowyn fulfills a prophecy in Middle-earth that the Witch-King [chief of the evil Ring-Wraiths] would not die by the hand of man. And it is interesting to note that in the text of the Lord of the Rings, Tolkien draws attention to this fact. [LotR Appendix 3]. Tolkien writes;
| " Hinder me? Thou foul. No living man may hinder me " |
| " But no living man am I. You look upon a woman.... " |
" The winger
creature screamed at her, but the Ringwraith made no answer, and was
silent, as if in sudden doubt. " |
[LotR p.823].
Once again, Tolkien seems to use similar imagery from Catholic tradition.
Lúthien:
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On J.R.R. and Edith Tolkien's tombstone, an inscription reads;
Edith Mary Tolkien, Lúthien, 1889-1971.
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, Beren, 1892-1973.
Tolkien considered his love and relationship with Edith akin to the love story of Beren and Lúthien. Though not specifically in the Lord of the Rings, Lúthien is mentioned a couple of times and foreshadows Arwen and her fate.
The love story of Beren and Lúthien is one of 'light and darkness and human love' [Celebration p.23] and is one of the most prominent stories in the Silmarillion.
Beren was a mortal man and Lúthien was the daughter of Melian and Thingol, an Elven King from the First Age. Upon escaping the enemies and wilds of the north, Beren stumbles into the Hidden Kingdom of Doriath where he espies the 'most beautiful child of Ilúvatar' [the Silmarillion], Lúthien, dancing among the trees of the forest. Enchanted, he falls in love with her and eventually, she with him.
Thingol, her father, unimpressed by the mortal suitor for his immortal Elven daughter, sets an impossible task before Beren so as to be rid of him. He requests that Beren bring him one of the Silmarils [hallowed Jewels of the Elves] from the crown by Morgoth [the first Dark Lord]. Beren agrees and sets out on this suicide mission but is followed by Lúthien. Soon he is ensnared by werewolves and is held captive by Sauron [a servant of Morgoth at the time] but she rescues him with the help of Huan, the hound [wolf] of the Valar.
" Through Lúthien's powers, they passed the gates of Angband, and the great wolf Carcharoth that guarded them. Coming before the Dark Throne itself, she wove a spell that put Morgoth and his court into a deep sleep, and Beren cut a Silmaril from the Iron Crown. Returning to the gates, they found that Carcharoth barred their escape. Beren held up the hallowed Jewel to protect them, but the monstrous wolf bit off his hand, and with it consumed the Silmaril. But the Silmarils were blessed by Varda herself, so that any unclean flesh that touched them would be withered and burnt. The wolf's innards were consumed with that burning, and it ran howling into the south. "
" Lúthien healed Beren, and they came at last back to her father's halls at Menegroth. There they heard tidings that the maddened wolf had entered Thingol's realm, and Beren set out with the King to the Hunting of the Wolf. After nightfall they returned; the wolf was slain and the Silmaril recovered, but Beren was wounded mortally. So he passed away, and soon after Lúthien too wasted of grief. "
" Their spirits were gathered in the Halls of Mandos in the Uttermost West of the World, and there Lúthien sang a song of such extraordinary power and beauty that it moved even the implacable heart of Mandos himself. So she was granted a unique fate, to become mortal and return to Middle-earth with Beren, where they dwelt for a time in happiness on the green island of Tol Galen in the River Adurant. " [arda].
" Lúthien obtains a brief respite " says Tolkien [Letters p.193]. She petitions with love and receives a special grace.
Lúthien is very symbolic of the role of Mary [and also that of Divine Grace] in this story. She follows Beren into darkness to help him on his quest and retrieve him. Her singing protects Beren from Morgoth and lulls him into a slumber. She goes before the Archangels of Middle-earth to petition them for a special grace in favour of Beren as he is returned from death by her prayer to them. She is the 'most beautiful child of Ilúvatar' much like that of Mary being the most sublime creation of the Father.
She is a precursor to Arwen, with her free-choice in choosing mortality to be with Beren, her love. She sacrifices all for him and trusts in the Creator in the unknown step of doing this.
After Aragorn becomes King, the Reverence of God is returned in the Númenorean Kingdom [Gondor]. Tolkien mentions this in one of his letters: The " lineal priest Kings of whom Lúthien was the Blessed foremother " are restored and the worship of God would be renewed in Gondor. [Letters p.206-207].
This is because, from her comes the Númenorean people, from whom will emerge the True King of Men and Renewer [Envinyatar]. Lúthien makes a great sacrifice so she is linked to the priestly and kingly roles in Númenor. Tolkien describes how the Kingship and Priestly role are one and same in Númenorean understanding.
She is the 'Blessed foremother' of the line of Númenorean Priests/Kings that offer worship to Eru, the One God. The Marian reflection here is striking.
Arwen:
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Arwen's part in the Lord of the Rings is limited to just a few pages, but if one reads Appendix A and the Tale of Aragorn and Arwen, one catches a glimpse of the sacrifice that Arwen makes in loving and committing herself to Aragorn, 'the greatest traveler the world had known.' [arda].
There are Three Unions of Elves and Men.
Each of these unions is critical to the fulfillment and fate of the Race of Men.
Tolkien, on more than one occasion, draws attention to the parallel between Arwen and Lúthien. They play similar parts in fulfilling the Plan of the Creator in the overall mythology for Middle-earth and Arwen is a type of renewal of the character of Lúthien.
Further on, it will be discussed how the character of Arwen carries Marian parallels, but discussion is needed on these aspects of Mary to develop them later in Arwen.
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Arwen is described as the perfect woman;
" ...and there sat a lady fair to look upon, and so like was she in form of womanhood to Elrond that Frodo guessed that she was one of his close kindred. Young she was and yet not so. The braids of her dark hair were touched by no frost; her white arms and clear face were flawless and smooth, and the light of the stars was in her bright eyes, grey as a cloudless night, yet queenly she looked, and thought and knowledge was in her glance, as of one who has known many things that the years bring. Above her brow her head was covered with a cap of silver lace netted with small gems, glittering white; but her soft grey raiment had no ornament save a girdle of leaves wrought in silver... " [LotR p.221].
" So it was that Frodo saw her whom few mortals had yet seen; Arwen, daughter of Elrond, in whom it was said that the likeness of Lúthien had come on earth again; and she was called Undómiel, for she was the Evenstar of her people... " [LotR p.221].
" Such loveliness in living thing Frodo had never seen before nor imagined in his mind... " [LotR p.221].
The name Arwen means 'Noble Maiden' in Elvish. In comparing Arwen with Lúthien [above], Tolkien shows her beauty, but also her role to come.
The Encyclopedia of Arda says: The title of Arwen, Queen to Aragorn II Elessar, refers not only to her radiant beauty, but also to her descent: the evening star was the light of the last Silmaril, bound to the brow of her grandfather Eärendil. [arda].
The Evening and Morning Stars.
In the Book of Revelation, in John's vision there is a description:
" A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and on her head a crown of twelve stars. " [Rev 12:1].
In Catholic understanding this is another reference to Mary [and also that of the Church] and her role in the end times. Notice the symbolism with the Sun, Moon and Stars.
In many of the apparitions of Mary in the 20th century [and also those of earlier times], Mary has appeared in this manner as described in Revelation. [Go here to read about Marian apparitions of the 20th century].
The description of Galadriel and Arwen at the end of the Lord of the Rings are certainly evocative of this description of Mary in Revelation;
Galadriel, " ...was robed all in glimmering white, like clouds about the moon; for she herself seemed to shine with a soft light. " [LotR p.1005].
And in another text regarding Arwen, Tolkien describes a similar scene;
" And Frodo saw her come glimmering in the evening, with stars on her brow and a sweet fragrance about her, was moved with great wonder... " [LotR p.951].
Upon seeing her, Frodo then says to Gandalf;
" At last I understand why we have waited! This is the ending. Now not only day shall be beloved but night too shall be beautiful and blessed and all fear pass away. " [LotR p.951].
[The star theme of night and day is also mentioned with Eomer's comment about the two women: that of Arwen being of the Evening and Galadriel being for the Morning.]
After the destruction of the Ring and the Restoration of the Kingdom of Men, now both Day and Night is beautiful. Evil has passed away. In the overall mythology, night and dark were to be feared by the free races. Similarly, the Orcs wouldn't travel under the sun; Gollum hated the sunlight and moonlight. As already mentioned, this is because these sources of light for Middle-earth were all created from some element coming from the Two Trees in the Blessed Realm. The sunlight, moonlight and starlight are all images and symbols of the source of good in Middle-earth.
Tolkien writes of Arwen;
" ...it was said that the likeness of Lúthien had come on earth again. " [LotR p.221].
Arwen is like a second Lúthien, and takes Galadriel's place in Middle-earth, just as Mary is the second Eve, and renews her role as the Mother of All. With the passing of evil, the night now holds no fear, and Arwen's place comes to the fore.
Arwen makes a free choice, renounces her right to immortality and sacrifices a life with her people. She cleaves to Aragorn, the King come again, the True King, and in doing so helps restore the Kingdom of Men. She becomes the Queen of the Re-United Kingdom in the White City of Minas Tirith. The Second Eve theme is current here as she plays a vital role in the plan of restoration for the Noble Kingdom of Númenor [Gondor and Arnor], the one Kingdom of Men who gave reverence to Eru [Ilúvatar], the One God.
The part of Lúthien and then that of Arwen, are all part of the,
" Divine Plan for the ennoblement of the race of Men " [Letters p.194], just as Mary is critical in the Plan of Salvation.
He also mentions that it was Arwen who suggested that Frodo go over the Sea to the Undying Lands; " ...what is meant is that it was Arwen who first thought of sending Frodo into the West, and put in a plea for him to Gandalf [direct or through Galadriel, or both], and she used her own renunciation of the right to go West as an argument. Her renunciation and suffering were related to and enmeshed with Frodo's [suffering]: both were parts of a plan for the regeneration of the state of Men.
Her prayer might therefore be specially effective, and her plan have a certain equity of exchange... " [Letters p.327 - footnote]. She sacrifices and offers. Her sacrifice bears beautiful fruit for Frodo who is allowed to pass over the Sea to the Undying Lands. Her suffering and love purchases a special grace for Frodo, just like Mary who suffered for Humanity [like her Son Jesus], and it bears special fruit for her children. Frodo is an 'everyman' hero that in some way represents all of us.
This sacrifice and relationship of Arwen to Frodo is foreshadowed; " ...Frodo halted for a moment, looking back. Elrond was in his chair and the fire was on his face like summer-light upon the trees. Near him sat the Lady Arwen. To his surprise Frodo saw that Aragorn stood beside her; his dark cloak was thrown back, and he seemed to be clad in elven-mail, and a star shone on his breast. They spoke together, and then suddenly it seemed to Frodo that Arwen turned towards him, and the light of her eyes fell on him from afar and pierced his heart. " [LotR p.232].
She makes a great sacrifice and in the end Arwen’s soul is pierced by a sword of sorrow and bitterness as Aragorn departs Middle-earth. It was bitter for her to receive the fate she had chosen but she remained faithful to her decision.
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Involved in the Second Eve theme for Arwen is the part she plays from afar.
Mary didn't accompany Jesus during his public life but remained in the background praying for him and continually offering her yes in the gift of her Son to the Father and for Humanity. Arwen remains out of the picture until the end of the story, then her role becomes apparent, not only for Aragorn who will become King, but also for Frodo, the 'everyman'. In Appendix A it is pointed out by Tolkien that she 'watched over Aragorn from afar.' She then joins him at the critical climax. But it is Aragorn who departs first voluntarily, like Jesus, and Arwen, like Mary, is left distraught.
The grief for Arwen is tangible in Tolkien's writing when after Aragorns death she returns to the once beautiful Lothlórien and passes away. She suffers for her choice. [Tale of Aragorn and Arwen - Appendix A p.1030]. But Tolkien leaves the possibility of further re-union and joy open with the parting words of Aragorn before his own death;
" But let us not be overthrown at the final test, who of old renounced the Shadow and the Ring. In sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! we are not bound for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory. Farewell ! " [LotR p.1038].
Beyond them is more than memory ! Indeed !
Tolkien believed in Heaven, he believed in a God of Mercy and in Eternal Life offered to those who trust in Jesus. Aragorn offers hope and faith at the very last beyond death, which is one of the strongest themes of the Lord of the Rings. [though it is often mistaken for a pathological death theme].
This does not mean there is no sorrow or suffering in the story, but that there is no despair. A huge difference.
Arwen, through her love for Aragorn, trusts in the Creator for the life to come from the renouncement she has made. Her free choice through love [for Aragorn], trusts in providence to provide in the unknown. She suffers at the end, and even is tempted to despair, but she accepts the fate and lays down her life in Lórien.
There is a symbolism in returning to Lothlórien, not Rivendell the home of her father Elrond, to find peace and final rest. Lothlórien was a quasi-Garden of Eden on earth, 'the heart of elvendom on earth' , a place of healing and preservation, and Arwen symbolically returns there to pass away and gives up her life. [see also First and Last Things].
She is assumed into eternity.
