Welcome back to my series of posts about how J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel The Lord of the Rings is deeper than its film adaptations. This time, we’ll see one of the most important ways in which Tolkien contrasts the kingdoms of Rohan and Gondor. I speak, of course, of the characterizations of Théoden and Denethor.
We’ve a lot to cover, so let’s get started.
Background
Théoden son of Thengel of the House of Eorl was the King of Rohan, in his own words “a lesser son of great sires.” His wife Elfhild died giving birth to their son Théodred, and after Théoden’s sister died and left her two children orphaned, Théoden adopted them.
Denethor Ⅱ son of Ecthelion of the House of Húrin was the Ruling Steward of Gondor. Denethor loved his wife Finduilas “in his fashion,” but she died five years after giving birth to their second son Faramir. This led a bitter Denethor to show a preference for his eldest son Boromir.
In his grief, Denethor began to look into the palantír of Anárion, which no steward before him had done. Through the palantír of Isildur, Sauron showed Denethor the might of his armies, driving the steward mad with despair. Denethor began to mistrust his allies, believing that the conflict with Sauron was his alone.
Grieving Fathers
During the War of the Ring, both Théoden and Denethor lost their sons to the war; Boromir and Théodred were killed by orcs. This left Théoden’s nephew Éomer as his heir, while Denethor’s son Faramir became his. In both cases, the ruler was at best unsure whether his new heir would make a good leader.
At every turn, however similar their circumstances, Théoden and Denethor acted in very different ways. Théoden eventually decided to put his trust in his nephew Éomer. As the Rohirrim prepared for war, Théoden deliberately referred to Éomer as his son:
‘But if you would take my council, said Éomer in a low voice, ‘you would then return hither, until the war is over, lost or won.’
Théoden smiled. ‘Nay, my son, for so I will call you, speak not the words of Wormtongue in my old ears.’
The Lord of the Rings (Book Ⅴ, Chapter Ⅲ)
Later on, as Théoden gives orders to the various companies under his command, we again hear the king call Éomer his son:
‘Éomer, my son! You lead the first éored,’ said Théoden; ‘and it shall go behind the king’s banner in the centre.’
Théoden King, The Lord of the Rings (Book Ⅴ, Chapter Ⅴ)
In stark contrast to Théoden’s actions, Denethor’s contempt for his son Faramir is best summed up in this passage:
[
‘Do you wish then,’ said Faramir, ‘that our places had been exchanged?’
‘Yes, I wish that indeed,’ Said Denethor. ‘For Boromir was loyal to me and no wizard’s pupil. He would have remembered his father’s need, and would not have squandered what fortune gave. He would have brought me a mighty gift.’
] – The Lord of the Rings (Book Ⅴ, Chapter Ⅳ)
This is perhaps the most striking comparison between Théoden and Denethor, but we’re not even close to being done.
Oaths of Fealty
Théoden formed a friendship with Meriadoc Brandybuck, who swore fealty to the king of Rohan out of love for the old man. Théoden accepted the hobbit’s fealty in a short, informal ceremony:
‘I have a sword,’ said Merry, climbing from his seat, and drawing from its black sheath his small bright blade. Filled suddenly with love for this old man, he knelt on one knee, and took his hand and kissed it. ‘May I lay the sword of Meriadoc of the Shire on your lap, Théoden King?’ he cried. ‘Receive my service, if you will!’
‘Gladly I will take it,’ said the king; and laying his long old hands upon the brown hair of the hobbit, he blessed him. ‘Rise now, Meriadoc, esquire of Rohan of the household of Meduseld!’ he said. ‘Take your sword and bear it unto good fortune!’
The Lord of the Rings (Book Ⅴ, Chapter Ⅱ)
Likewise, Peregrin Took swore fealty to Denethor, but the circumstances couldn’t have been more different. The Ruling Steward of Gondor reacted to Pippin with “scorn and suspicion.” Pippin reacted to this slight by offering Denethor his sword out of pride and indignation. There’s a longish and rather formal ceremony that concludes thusly:
‘And this do I hear, Denethor son of Ecthelion, Lord of Gondor, Steward of the High King, and I will not forget it, nor fail to reward that which is given: fealty with love, valour with honour, oath-breaking with vengeance.’
The Lord of the Rings (Book Ⅴ, Chapter Ⅱ)
Where Now the Horse and the Rider?
Perhaps most importantly, Théoden and Denethor are old men watching the world they knew crumble. They both knew that, even if they were to defeat Sauron, the world would never be the same after the war. Théoden struggled with this tragic knowledge, but in the end he rode to war, eventually fighting in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.
‘Yet also I should be sad,’ said Théoden. ‘For however the fortune of war shall go, may it not so end that much that was fair and wonderful shall pass forever out of Middle-earth?’
Théoden King, The Lord of the Rings (Book Ⅲ, Chapter Ⅷ)
The Madness of Denethor
Denethor faced a similar prospect. Whether it was Sauron burning the world or Aragorn taking his rightful place on the throne, the age of the Ruling Stewards would inevitably end sooner rather than later. Things couldn’t just go back to the way they were. With his remaining son Faramir wounded and unconscious, the steward looked again into the palantír.
We’re never explicitly told what Denethor saw, but he probably saw the orcs of Cirith Ungol capture the ringbearer. Regardless, Denethor concluded from this that Sauron had won. Instead of fighting till the end as Théoden did, Denethor sank into despair. The steward resolved then to burn himself alive and take Faramir with him.
The Passing of Théoden
Pippin told Gandalf of Denethor’s madness, and the wizard was forced to choose between saving Faramir and fighting in the battle. Though Gandalf knew that others would die, he chose to save Faramir. As a result, Théoden died on the Pelennor Fields, mortally wounded by the Witch-King of Angmar.
Although Pippin, Gandalf, and Beregond prevented Denethor from killing Faramir, the steward leapt onto the pyre and burned to death. Théoden spoke his last words to Éomer and Meriadoc, naming his nephew as the new king of Rohan before he died.
Woe and Bitter Loss
From the walls of Minas Tirith, Gandalf looked out over the battlefield and grieved to see the results of Denethor’s actions:
‘Beyond hope the Captain of our foes has been destroyed, and you have heard the echo of his last despair. But he has not gone without woe and bitter loss. And that I might have averted but for the madness of Denethor. So long has the reach of our enemy become!’
Gandalf, The Lord of the Rings (Book Ⅴ, Chapter Ⅶ)
In other words, Théoden rode into battle knowing that the new world would be diminished even in victory. And after standing firm against the Lord of the Nazgûl, Théoden died because Denethor chose to kill himself rather than face the future.
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