Character Analysis - Aragorn

[Windwater Elf]

I am in the habit of analysing characters as I used to study Shakespeare in high school. Therefore, I am interested to know the views of other LOTR fans of the various characters in this epic saga. Let us start with letter A so that means we will start off with Aragorn.

What sort of a person do you think he is? An ideal hero? A brave man and a good king? Do you wish to emulate him? Is he a good role model? How did his character develop in the course of the epic? What are your views?

As for me, I think he is a man who faces up to responsibility at the end of the day. Of course he is a brave man and I am sure he would be a good and wise king. He is courageous enough to face up to Sauron and was not deceived and overpowered by the Ring and for that I admire him. So do Arwen and Eowyn. Heh!

[Sindarin]

I believe Aragorn is the ideal hero. :knight: He is a simple man, yet courageous, kind hearted, and a brave warrior. :battle:

He's everything a great king should. :king:

[Daisy Gamgee]

i think he is also aware of his faults, which I think makes a better man and leader than one who thinks he is perfect - thats just setting up for a fall. He knows what may bring him down, and so is able to face up to that succesfully. (Plus, he seems pretty darn sexy, and thats without Viggo's portrayal - must be the sense of power ;) )

[Narsil's weilder]

He is an ordinary person in extrodinary times. In any other time such as the 20th century he'd just be a Prince Charles lets say. He is more like Prince Wlliam in that he wishes to deny the thrown.

[Windwater Elf]

To be honest, I was not a fan of Lord Of The Rings before watching the Fellowship Of The Ring. I have never read the book before this, not even once. However, after seeing the movie and reading the book, I find that all throughout, Aragorn was learning to come to terms with his responsibility as the heir of Isildur.

[Bess the Bard]

What struck me on my last read of the books is the preparation Aragorn went through on his way to be King. He fought as a captain in the armies of Rohan and Gondor. He thus learned strategy and command, and what it is to serve a higher authority and take orders. He traveled in far lands, farther than any other man of his time. Into the far east and south of Middle Earth. It's a common saying that travel broadens the mind. It probably enabled Aragorn to see the Southrons and Easterlings as human beings and not monsters to be exterminated once he achieved victory. Same with the Dunlendings.

So Aragorn came to the throne as a seasoned warrior and commander, widely traveled and with experience of many other cultures and races. He also had the unique gift of healing, which had to make him willing to seek solutions through peaceful means where possible, such as alliances or compromise. Someone who came to power solely through military victory would have been a very different king.

Aragorn also had the grace and wisdom to realize that he did not achieve his goal through military might or by himself. Fighting alone would have merely postponed the inevitable victory of Sauron. As he knew, it was through the indomitable will and courage of lowly hobbits that his kingdom was restored.

In all these ways, Aragorn is not the traditional "ideal hero" who wins all solely by his own courage and strength. Aragorn is a more modern and complete hero than that. He combines physical strength, courage and great will with wisdom, tolerance, the ability to heal and to acknowledge the contributions of others. I imagine he was a very great king indeed.

[Tar-Palantir]

I could not have said it better myself!
Alright, are we done with Aragorn? ;)

[Elf angel]

Can we moved on to Arwen then?

[Narsil's weilder]

Interesting points Bess. Now do you think they gave Aragorn a higher role in TTT movie as the general kinda. Where in the books Gamling was the leader of the army there instead of Aragorn.

[greenleaf00]

For me aragorn is scared of what he could
be the whole issue with family and such
haunts his every decision i find him very
troubled with a burden 2 carry not an honour