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Post by Stormrider on Jan 14, 2009 23:10:10 GMT -6
From: AnnieLT (Original Message) Sent: 3/24/2003 10:48 PM
The picture was lost--it was a picture entitled "Aragorn and Éowyn" by Alan Lee
Bk 5, Ch 2, DISCUSSION: The Meeting of Aragorn and Eowyn
What is it about Aragorn, do you think, that Eowyn is drawn to? When the Lady of Rohan learns of his mission to ride away on the Paths of the Dead, why does she try to dissuade him? And when she can’t dissuade him, she asks that he take her with him. Why would Eowyn want to join the company?
At one point, Aragorn says, To what does Aragorn refer, and why does he share this with the Lady? What do you think Eowyn makes of this? Does she understand Aragorn’s words?
Do you think Eowyn despairs being left behind because of Aragorn’s unreturned love or does something else trouble her?
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Post by Stormrider on Jan 14, 2009 23:12:01 GMT -6
From: LindaS Sent: 3/25/2003 9:01 PM
Aragorn and Eowyn are comparable types, they are both of noble breeding, with the souls of warriors. Physically, Eowyn is certainly beautiful and Aragorn impressive. Natually, there is an attraction between them. Aragorn is of course bethrothed, and his loyalty to Arwen is unquestioned. Eowyn understands that Aragorn's mention of Rivendell means that he has an attachment to someone there.
When Eowyn tries to dissuade Aragorn from his path, she is being protective. Failing to dissuade him, she asks to go with him because she fears he goes to his doom and this is the only way she can honorably offer her love, knowing he has left someone else behind.
When this is also refused, she is in despair. Life in a "cage" was bad enough. Life in a cage and a lost love would be worse. She looks for relief to her despair, finally, in battle.
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From: Colleen Sent: 3/26/2003 12:12 AM
We're never told how old Eowyn actually is, but I think it's safe to assume she's relatively young. I believe age has a lot to do with what's going on here. I equate Eowyn's affection for Aragorn as something along the lines of a school-girl crush. They do not have much contact, but she does fall in love with him. She admires him. He's the closest Middle Earth has to a celebrity, and to top it off, he's a nice guy. It may not be true love, but it is love. I believe most women remember their first love and can relate to Eowyn's affection and admiration.
As far as Aragorn's allusion to Arwen, while Eowyn may not know exactly what or who he's talking about, she does realize he does not share her affection. However, the fact that this man could feel so deeply for something so far away probably made him even more attractive in Eowyn's eyes.
When she learns of Aragorn's plan for the Paths of the Dead, her feelings magnify what concern she'd normally feel. She's terrified that he will not make it through, but she seems more terrified about being left behind. When Aragorn does leave her, she's heartbroken. She's realized, though she really already knew it, that his heart was not with her.
SPOILERS:
However, Eoywn needs this expierence in order for her relationship with Faramir to develop. This heartbreak helps her distinguish real love from crush love. Unlike Arwen, Eowyn could never be equal (in a relationship) to Aragorn. Faramir, on the other hand, is more on her level.
Colleen
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From: Popo Sent: 3/26/2003 12:33 AM
Colleen:
Eowyn, daughter of Theodwyn and Eomund was born in 2995 of the Third Age, which makes her 23 or 24 years old when she first met Aragorn.* As I recall, Shakespeare's Juliet was 13. So, Eowyn, judged on that scale would be rather elderly (grin!). But then I suppose Edoras would have been a more sheltered environment than Verona, and the "dating" scene for a young, noble lady of Rohan might not be quite so free and open?
______________
*Another "gem" from the Appendices of LotR -- in this case, Appendix A, p. 1107 (1991 omnibus edition), and in the Ballentine Books, 1965, paperback edition, RotK, p. 437.
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From: Ruscosenda Sent: 3/26/2003 10:59 AM
Remeber that Aragorn is in his 80s, although he appears much younger - not exactly a perfect match. Just remember, Arwen wasn't interested in Aragorn when he was in his 20s either. Of course, Arwen was way older then Aragon, but I guess he was into the older woman thing.
-- Rusco
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From: Colleen Sent: 3/26/2003 11:06 AM
Thanks for the info Popo (note to self: always check the appendices)
I'd still argue that 24 is relatively young -- even in those days. (Especially compared to both Aragorn and Arwen). And I would also agree that she was probably sheltered from quite a bit -- which may have only aggrivated her trapped feeling.
I thought it was interesting you compared her to Juliet. It made me wonder if that's the relationship Eowyn imagined with Aragorn. (I'm just thinking out loud here) Both women were young and somewhat naive, though Juliet moreso. When I read Romeo & Juliet I wondered what would have happened if it wasn't a tradgedy. My guess is that their passion and thier love would have burnt out almost as quickly as it started. Real love has to be based on more that just first impressions. You have to be careful to feed and nurture it lest it fade.
Eowyn wanted to be a queen because she wanted to be equal to the men around her. She saw Aragorn as her way to do that. Even if she did not know his true lineage at first, by the time they met Aragorn already carried an air of royalty about him. She loved Aragorn for his strength, deeds and courage, but did she love Aragorn the man?
I could go on, but I think I should wait for future chapters.
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From: Desi-Baggins Sent: 3/26/2003 12:47 PM
What woman wouldn't want Aragorn; especially a man so faithful to a woman so far away. Eowyn couldn't help but try and keep trying. But beyond her feeling for Agagorn she wanted to be looked upon with more respect than just a "homemaker" so she couldn't help to try to take advantage of the situation.
Desi
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From: Electra_Elessar Sent: 3/27/2003 8:36 PM
I think that Eowyn is attracted to Aragorn in a father-figure way. She sees him as a strong, authority figure, unlike Theoden, who was weakend so by Grima. She can't help to be attracted to Aragorn. But she translates those feelings into love the way younger women who don't have fathers latch on to older, powerful men.
-Maegglin
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From: LindaS Sent: 3/27/2003 10:49 PM
It does not appear that Aragorn regards Eowyn as immature. It is clear that he holds a great deal of sympathy for what she went through - tending her sick uncle, repulsing the attentions and schemes of Wormtongue.
It is also clear that he admires her, and knows that she loved him. I think he even thinks himself somewhat unworthy of that love, because as he says, she only knows him as "a shadow and a thought."
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