Wk10 Bk6 Ch4: The Muster Disperses

[Stormrider]

From: Annie2 (Original Message) Sent: 5/30/2003 6:38 PM


This picture was lost: The Muster Disperses by Robin Wood

Wk10, Bk6, Ch4, DISCUSSION: The Muster Disperses

"But the Men of Rhfn and of Harad, Easterling and Southron, saw the ruin of their war and the great majesty and glory of the Captains of the West. And those that were deepest and longest in evil servitude, hating the West, and yet were men proud and bold, in their turn now gathered themselves for a last stand of desperate battle. But the most part fled eastward as they could; and some cast their weapons down and sued for mercy."

Three groups of men are met with a choice: to flee, to stay and fight, or sue for mercy. I am curious about this 3rd group, and so, it seems, is the artist. Are they cowards? Do they carry less hatred for their enemy? Were they not as deeply entrenched in evil as their brothers? Why do they cast down their weapons and sue for mercy? How do you think the captains of the west deal with them? Do you have any personal thoughts or feelings towards these men?

Or you may choose to address one of the other groups: Proud, bold men who gather themselves for a last stand of desperate battle or those who flee eastward. What would you say of them?

[Stormrider]

From: Colleen Sent: 6/1/2003 7:23 PM
I don't know for certain what it means to "sue for mercy," but I'm assuming it means to plead one's case -- to beg. Many Men in Sauron's service were slaves. I imagine either by force or threat. Many may have been brave and decent men who had no choice. They probably had to fight or risk harm to their families. Once freed from their bonds though Sauron's demise, they chose to fight against the evil they so unwillingly served.

-Colleen

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From: Ruscosenda Sent: 6/1/2003 9:57 PM
I agree with Colleen. I think the first two groups were the truly evil. There were two reactions among the truly evil ones to the impending defeat. The proud ones fought until the end and the cowardly ones fled. The third group is probably the most interesting. It's possible that they may have been the descendants of some of the honorable men of Gondor that sided with Castamir the Usurper during the Kin Strife. Some of the Easterlings may have been distant kinsfolk of the Rohirrim that were deceived by Sauron. Apparently, Aragorn felt that they deserved mercy and allowed them to live.

-- Rusco