The major characters of a book are
often more interesting than the minor characters, although, of
course, there are exceptions. This makes complete sense, at first
thought. You see, the hero and/or heroine is usually extensively
developed, given a background and a future and a full description,
while we are only given a glimpse of secondary characters. Words
here, a glance there, are all we get of their character in most
cases, leaving them free to our own imaginations and interpretations.
However, this is not so with Tolkien.
While he doesn’t often describe his characters’ physiques, he
does give us an unusually extensive look at their personalities, and
thanks to the handy Appendices of The Lord of the Rings
(not to mention the many other books he wrote about Middle-earth), we
know a lot about their pasts and what happens to them as well. Minor
characters in The Lord of the Rings
are well-developed flourishes that add depth and context to the
story, and this is one of the reasons why The Lord of the
Rings is such a good book.
One of the most popular minor
characters is, of course, Legolas the Elf. This may be mostly due to
Orlando Bloom’s portrayal of the character in the film version
(which, while not exactly canon in some places, was still admirable
no matter whether or not you like Legolas), but Miss Jane likes
Legolas’s character in the book as well. (Eowyn does not agree. ;))
Being an Elf, Legolas is otherworldly, seemingly impervious to cold,
hunger and wounds. In the movie, he is represented as being an
unstoppable fighter, although Tolkien actually doesn’t say anything
about Legolas’s prowess in battle. Although Legolas is an Old
Solemn Elf (he’s far older than Aragorn, who is eighty-seven!), he
has quick wit and a sense of humor, as well as being extremely loyal
to his friends.
Gimli is also
another one of the popular minor characters, although not as well
known as Legolas or Boromir. Gimli
is a Dwarf, and highly proud of it. He boasts about what his cousin,
Balin, can do for the Fellowship in the Mines of Moria, however, he's
the most reluctant one to go into The Paths of the Dead. Throughout
the book, Gimli is a fighter, unable to stop until justice is done.
He is, for some reason unbeknownst to the less-enlightened
movie-watchers-only, at odds with Legolas for most of the trilogy.
(For the Less Enlightened – see The Hobbit.
The movie or book will do.) By the end of Return,
Legolas and Gimli have struck up an unlikely friendship that carries
on until they die. This friendship is greatly expounded on in the
film, but we love it nevertheless. Gimli has quite a few memorable
lines in the movie, too, the most-quoted being, “But it only counts
as one!”
Boromir is quite a character. While
not nearly as awesome as his younger brother (Miss Jane says, “But
then, who is?” To which Eowyn replies with a hearty and
resounding, “AMEN!”), he has many fine qualities, including
honor, loyalty, courage, and caution. But he is also stubborn,
headstrong, prideful, somewhat spoiled, and endowed of a hasty
temper. These flaws all cause him to nearly destroy the quest to
destroy the Ring. He is angry that he doesn't get to have command of
the Ring, and wants it taken to Minas Tirith to be used instead of
being thrown into Mount Doom. When neither of these wishes are
gratified, he keeps working for them, trying first persuasion, then
force against Frodo to get the Ring. Frodo flees from Boromir, and
Merry and Pippin immediately run off to find him when they discover
that he is gone. Aragorn commands Boromir to follow Merry and Pippin
and protect them. Boromir obeys, and redeems himself for his past
actions by sacrificing himself in battle when Orcs attack Merry and
Pippin.
Theoden, the King of Rohan, is the
“good King” of sorts, compared to Denethor. In his prime, he was
The Two Towers, he initially
refuses them. Finally, Gandalf reveals what Wormtongue really is and
Theoden banishes him from Rohan, after which he leads his country
into battle against Saruman, proving his valor several times. He
challenges the Witch-king to battle, but is killed when his horse,
Snowmane, falls on top of him.
Note: this Theoden
is book-Theoden. The Theoden of the movie is quite different in
several ways (he is actually possessed by Saruman, he is aware of
Eowyn's presence at his death, and he has to be convinced to lead
Rohan into battle by Eomer, to name three), and while still an
interesting character, we don't find him to be quite as heroic or
admirable as he is in the book.
Eomer is next on the list of minor characters. (Eowyn has recently
fallen in love with him, but this is partially due to her love for
Star Trek and finding out that he and Bones are both played by
the same actor, Karl Urban.) He wasn't fleshed-out as much in the
movie as he is in the book, which makes his character still likeable,
but less awesome. Eomer is the nephew of Theoden and the brother of
Eowyn. Eomer is known for his passion of the fight and his
willingness to do anything to see justice served. He is banished
from Rohan by Theoden, yet still comes to fight after Theoden is back
in his right mind. The scene in Return when Eomer found his
father and Eowyn on the battlefield, dead and dying, and starts
sobbing is one of the most heart-wrenching scenes in the entire
trilogy, in Eowyn's opinion. Not much more about his character is
shown after Aragorn is crowned king, but he is once again made the
head of the Riders of Rohan and, we assume, lived a happy life.
 |
| Yes, this is a random picture of Faramir, because Beregond wasn't in the movie. ;) |
Beregond is one of Miss Jane's favorite characters, despite the
scarcity of scenes with him in them
(this may or may not have to do
with the fact that he saved Faramir's life at the risk of his
own...*cough* He is highly valued in Eowyn's eyes.). He's a
valiant, brave warrior who forms a deep friendship with Pippin, and
he's a good, affectionate father. He's loyal to his leader
(Faramir), and would be willing to follow him into death. He fights
alongside Pippin in the final battle and, although he ends up
severely injured, wreaks a fair amount of havoc in the enemy lines.
Sadly, both he and his elder son, Bergil, were left out of the movie,
but he's a pretty amazing guy in the book.And, of course, there's Figwit. Who is Figwit, you ask? See below.
(Figwit shows up around 1:48)
Figwit (which stands for Frodo Is Great, Who Is That?) was played by
Bret McKenzie and, apparently, got sooo much of a fandom that he was
brought back for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. We don't
really know why he's so awesome, but we'll join in the fandom anyway,
because, hey, it's Lord of the Rings!
Special Guest
Paragraph from Eowyn's sister:
Well, my sister asked me to tell ya'll about Haldir. He is awesome.
Elrond was against helping Theoden with protection. But the 'high
elves'(Aka; Galadriel and whatever the other bored elf's name is.) He
honors the long ago alliance between men and elves. To quote the
minor, but still amazing character “An Alliance once existed
between Elves and Men. We are here to honor that Allegiance.” In
his small bit of screen time he was able to insult Gimli, a fact
which makes him pretty awesome, 'cause Gimli isn't my favorite. He is
also a pretty good shot. *Spoiler Alert* Sadly this character meets
his death in the battle that he so readily assisted. Helm's Deep was
where the noble elf met his death. I have just now looked in the
Appendix to see if Haldir was related to anyone special. But as far
as I can tell he's not. If someone knows better I'd love to know.
Just comment below, and I'll read it sometime. All in all I think
that Haldir isn't really a random little character, as Eowyn thinks.
He is rather a good character who honors old ways and dies fighting
for what he thinks is right.(That is a 'good' way to die.) Of course
he wouldn't have died if that wretched orc hadn't attacked him..FROM
BEHIND! Oh, I cried when he died. Little characters can make a big
impact especially when they die... can't they? Well...I can't really
think of anything more to say about him, sooo... that's all!
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