Aragorn's Choices - Two Towers.

[Algamesh]

WarRingers,

If you will go back and browse through the first few chapters of the Two Towers, you will locate three places where Aragorn utters statements of self-doubt. I don't have the book in front of me at the moment but they go something like:

"An ill fate is upon me this day ... all my choices are amiss".

"Vain was Gandalf's trust in me".

Here we have a veteran "man of the wild" who has most likely made many crucial life or death decisions in the past. We never imagine, up until this point, that he could be self-questioning or hesitant. This is an area where Aragorn deviates from the "High Hero" mode and becomes somewhat more human and less "legend".

How did you feel about this insight into Aragorn's character? Is the pressure of the throne possibly weighing heavily upon him at this point? Anything else going on here that needs to be pointed out?

[TheRingBearer]

Yeah, I've noticed that as well. I think the pressure of the failure of the fellowship and the death of Boromir as well as the ringbearer going it alone might be decreasing his confidence.

[Nessa the Dancer]

I noticed that as well.

I think it balances out Aragorn's character. Up until that time, Aragorn has been the hero who can do no wrong and knows exactly what to do in situations and has been the leader (for the four hobbits at least and he has rarley shown a weakness before now.

He and Gandalf were friends before he joined the Company and he feels a lot of guilt that he has let Gandalf down in a big way when the Fellowship breaks up.

Also Borromir dying brought home to him his responsiblity to Gondor and as the leader of the Company, he feels responsible for Frodo and and then for Merry and Pippin and he just doesn't know where to turn or what to do.

This, as has been pointed out strips away the gloss of Elendil's heir and and the legened that has been built up around him and shows another side of him, that of a Ranger who carries a lot of responsibility on his shoulders.

[Sindarin]

I agree. Aragorn is human after all, and he was only in doubt due to all the war, strife and dismay he was surrounded by.

[Tar-Ancalimë]

I personally didn't think that Strider appeared like a superhero... or above human... simply the fact that we first see him from the perspective of the hobbits... who naturally would look up to him... to me this self-doubt is... not new exactly to his character. I mean, he went through a lot of self doubt on Caradhras... that was his idea, and it didn't work out, and he was feeling... not exactly upset, but at least disappointed that his idea failed the Fellowship... also he knew Gandalf would meet doom in Moria, and yet he didn't make a point of saying this (sure he mentioned it, but you know what I mean). This tested him some more... plus there are other foreshadowings for this attitude of his... and it's not like he was perfectly confident with all he did... I mean, I see your point, but the thing I'm trying to say is, that you kinda do imagine that Strider isn't perfect... a wonder guy, you know. Then, this kind of situation just brings out this part of his character a little more prominently into view... tho you have to know it's always been there.

[Bonos-Girl]

in the book aragorn was a lot more human and these quotes reflect the fact that he wasn't 'perfect' as indeed no mortal can be.

[Gatsby]

neat discussion.
i always got the feeling that Aragorn always felt the weight of what h would become... king. i mean he's got to be thinking 'if i can't even bloody decide the best route how am i going pull off being king?'. he's also a bit insecure about his abilties to resist temptation, worrying that isildurs weakness lives on in him. i think aragorn always thinks he has something to prove and that people are always watching the decisions he makes; i mean he went around for years just helping other lords and what have you prove his worthiness to elrond. basically i think aragorn has some issues...
out
gatsby

[Lessa]

All these doubts eventually help him to reach the decisions he ultimately does.
I would prefer to have a king who knows his own faults and can see other prespectives than one who is to arrogant and self important.
For me Aragorn is a kind hearted man who is tough we the need arises. But respectful of the dignity of others which history tells us a lot of kings aren't.

Lessa

[Kezzy]

I think it is good that the hero of a story can have slef doubts. It is kind of telling us that no matter how heroic or strong we think we are we can still amke mistakes. I think that maybe a little bit more of these types of insights into Aragorns character should have been made throughout the book. It would give us a better understanding as to why he makes the decisions he does and how he becomes the king he is.

[Bramblerose Bunce]

I believe that because we see these faults we can in some way relate to Aragorn. We too become unsure of ourselves when a lot of pressure is on us. Another thing, is that it enhances the feel that this story could actually happen. If something is perfect, we tend to not believe. However, since there are faults and doubts we can sympathise with the characters.

I agree with Lyssa, that this is how we look upon him. We want him to be king, not only because we know he has the knowledge, cunning and courage, but because he knows sympathy. He is someone that can be trusted and fight for the poeple.

I don't really believe that there should have been more moments when Aragorn showed his uncertainty. The thing is that when there are so few insights, you have to interpret what you do see thus there are many ways of seeing a person (which is how it is with real people) and the story becomes more tuned to the reader. this is how I see it anyway. :)

[Lessa]

I agree Bramblerose to see more self doubting would have made him seem wishy washy. Not something you need or want in leader. The people following him like to see a little self doubt but too much or they loose their respect and their is nothing worse than a leader who has lost the respect of his people.

Lessa

[Catz]

i do agree Lessa and Bramble....while we want a King to be human, we also need him to be able to take the hard decisions that no one else can or will...that is after all his function
i liked the way that Aragron was set in the books as a person with this incredible weight of prophesy on his shoulders....its something that really makes you sympathise with him, even as you admire the kingly qualities of the character....
:catz:

[Streyeder]

It would seem to me that any of his previous choices would be trifle in comparison of what lay ahead. "You quest lies on the edge of a knife, stray but a little..." or to that effect would make me question my every choice as well. Remember, now the fate of the world could rest in his hands...

[Lessa]

Not a happy position to be in. I don't think anyone could function very well if they thought about that while they were trying to do just that.

Lessa

[Narsil's weilder]

He worries that the trust that the fellowship and Arwen has in him will fail him like the ring did to Isildur.

[Simplehobbit]

Aragorn, certainly a man of much experience. But he even realizes the importance of Frodos mission--how this one Ring will change the course of the entire future of all people. How can he not doubt that he is making the right choices? For if he were to make one wrong decision, it could mean the failure of the whole quest! He is humble enough to know that he is not as wise as Gandalf, no matter what his heritage. So, he has doubts.....but even with his doubts, he still makes a choice and is ready to take responsibility for the outcome.:knight:

[Aragorn Isildur]

One point from his past sticks out. His parents died when he was only a boy leaving him to be brought up by Elrond. He's akin to him in a way but there is still a major difference between the races. Maybe Aragorn was made to feel inferior by living in Rivendell. when he left to prove himself as it were, under the alias Thorongil for example, he left most of these insecurities behind. Those comments could just be his inferioty complex resurfacing briefly in the face of overwhelming odds.

Aragorn:king: