Why THIS is The Lord of the Rings' most important scene | Professor Craig Explains
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- Опубліковано 2 січ 2021
- The coronation scene in The Return of the King is the most important scene in The Lord of the Rings, if we take Tolkien at his word. Craig dives into Tolkien's concept of "eucatastrophe" and how it explains this epic narrative. Amid all the climactic battles, the destruction of the Ring, and (basically) the apocalypse, it's a quiet moment on a green field that turns out to be the most important thing that happens in the entire book.
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I totally cried when Aragorn said, "My friends, you bow to no one!" and then knelt before the Hobbits. And, I almost cried when Boromir said, "I would have followed you my brother, my captain, my king!"
Or when Aragorn said “for Frodo” right before he lead the charge at the Black gate. That was a tear jerker
@@bobrown582 every single time 😢
I think the reason the death metaphor (silver haze + green land) is reversed is because this is Frodo and Sam's resurrection, and therefore Tolkien's ultimate eucatastrophe. They took the ring on an impossible journey to destroy it in Mordor, in hell. If they could even make it how were they going to get back alive? They risked everything to destroy it, including their lives. After destroying the ring and Mount Doom erupted their chances of survival looked like they didn't exist. The eagles came and saved them from death's door and then the coronation is when they reenter everyone else's world
I’m a Catholic and I do love the imagery in his writing. I also respect that you didn’t mock his Catholic faith and stayed respectful. Gained a sub.
Agreed on all counts I too subscribed. This isn't a nerdfest video (not that there's anything wrong with that), but is a very intelligent and academic study.
Yeah I’ve just gotten into Tolkien and an odd amount of people feel the need to downplay the Catholic aspect of his work and criticize it for simply being Catholic.
"The Emperor gets the shaft." Nice.
This may be a minor point, but the Field of Cormallen is not a coronation scene, it is purely about honoring Frodo and Sam and the general victory. The coronation happens back at the gates of Minas Tirith in the next chapter, The Steward and the King.
I won't lie. That scene makes me cry to. "My friends - you bow to no one."
It's one of the rare additions/alterations to the original which I think JRR Tolkien would've seen as an improvement to his novel, perhaps even wishing that he'd thought of presenting it this way. And this is doubly-true because in the book, the same scene is full of lazy exposition, wherein the woman from the Houses of Healing explains to her unlearned cousin from the sticks (and thus to the audience) the state of the Gondor rumor-mill surrounding their new king and his strange companions (including some rumors that are true, as the woman has first-hand knowledge of these events). It feels unpolished, and the comedy is forced (and I think the presentation was intended to be mildly amusing). Which is a shame, because I agree - this is an incredibly significant scene. The Fourth Age has begun. A true Numenorian is back on the throne. No matter what happens afterwards, a hard-won peace has started, and all of the work that our protagonists have participated in has paid off.
We the people demand more videos of Professor Craig explaining things.
I love your Tolkien deep dives Craig! Good stuff!
There is something more... I recognized it immediately when I read it, and even more, when I saw it in the movies. The Christian importance of being flown on Eagle's wings...
Two lines from the bible.. one from Exodus, one from Isaiah
‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. (Exodus19)
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40)
Love your decanter of brandy while you do your analysis. A true sybarite.
I figured the professor would approve. Next time I'll do a big mug of dark brown beer just for him. (YT just won't let me drink it if I want to keep my E rating...)
I really like these explanation videos on LOTHR, you should definitely do more. Keep up the great work team!
Terrific video as always Craig. I'll go one step further on the religious symbolism side and say that I firmly believe that LOTR is a retelling or, at the very least, in the mold of Dante's Commedia. Sam:Frodo is Virgil:Dante. You could even look at Sam's love of gardens and Virgil's Eclogues as parallels, if you were so inclined.
Great video! I really enjoyed this. You do a great job at taking these concepts and explaining them in a clear, simple way. I’m looking forward to what else you have coming! Cheers.
Man I’m not religious by any means but that coronation scene gets me every time, then again so does every speech Sam gives. Oh yeah, I can’t forget Frodo’s goodbye or in the movie when Legolas offers Gimli to die fighting alongside a friend. 😭
Brilliant video! Thanks so much for your time on this
I know that Tolkien did not like allegory but did make references to Christian symbolism and belief. You offer good explanations of journey from death to life in the Coronation scene.
Well, that’s also Christian theology, not just Catholic. I like that you treat Tolkien’s faith that shines through Tolkien’s novels with respect. Respect! ✊😁
Not a catholic, but I am a christian. I second that. Tolkien let's his writing represent his personal beliefs in a beautiful way.
This was a phenomenal video. Thank you Professor Craig for sharing with us what it took 20 years for you to see. I'm certainly glad I don't have to wait the 20 years myself! Love this info on the "eucatastrope"! Keep it up!
Wow this was amazing! Made me want to cry!
Thanks for this. To me the heart and emotional release in the whole story are the following lines which are, yes, in 'The Field of Cormallen' chapter: ...when Sam heard that, he laughed aloud for sheer delight, and he stood up and cried: 'O great glory and splendour! And all my wishes have come true!' And then he wept. And ALL the host laughed and wept... These lines from the book hit me more deeply than the coronation scene in the film (which I also love btw) especially after countless pages of certain doom, death and hopelessness. I found it kind of beautiful, poetic and unexpected that the character at the heart of this joyous moment is Sam. For me personally it is a moment of transcendence and hope, which has genuinely impacted my theology and worldview.
Yes, this moment was definitely the emotional release for me. As I read it sitting on my recliner at home, I gave a whole hearted belly laugh, and wept…
So, if we are going to apply theological comparisons to characters, does Sam = St. John the author of the 4th Gospel and the disciple? Or is it Frodo? With the Redbook of the Westmarch = to the Gospel.
Well done, sir! Excellent exposition.
Thx for this! More Professor Craig, pls.
What struck me when you pointed out the reversal of the images of "silver glass" and "green land", showing Sam and Frodo on the OTHER SIDE of death, looking over at where they came from, where we live - that gave me an epiphany. The other side is like another dimension. We stay the same people that we are but the worlds change.
Nice! Great analysis and info.
Interesting and given Tolkien’s faith more so. How does the gratitude of the King (he would not be but for the Hobbits) and Tolkien’s aversion to allegory fit in to the explanation. Or is the best allegory a subconscious device?
Very helpful! I did not notice any of this!
I think that, in on Faire Stories, Tolkien explains Eucartastrophe as the catastrophe that turn out to accomplish good. The crucifixion is the catastrophe that becomes the EU-Catastrophe THROUGH the resurrection. THAT is the surprise, and THAT is why the bowing to the hobbits makes the whole story. ( a story of death-and death to self) a resurrection story-an ultimate EUcatastrophe. The EU catastrophe is at the heart of every FAIRE STORY everywhere in all cultures-which is why the gospels are the universal fulfillment of myth-human mythology.
I was worried that crazy cat would spill his apple juice
I love your Channel!!! I am very attentive into your details! 😉👍🏻🙌🏻
But how come Tolkien disliked allegory, and would have made this entire taspestry of religious allegory? I always had this feeling people tend to read too much into his work. In my opinion, the scene is powerful simply because it's the great ending of all the hardship they went through. There's this great relief of burden and you quickly reflect on how much they endured to get there. The eucatastrophe without the allegory. haha
Wow, that's quite an observation!
Yup, bawl every time...
Emperor gets the shaft could mean two things lol. I’ll have to use that one
I cry like a baby in that scene almost every single time.
Kinda hard not to!
Interesting that this comes immediately after, in Tolkiens words, 'Frodo fails'. At the very least, when thinking about the religious angle, it makes an interesting statement on the balance of faith and works place in the Christian life.
@Craig!! ....good job. :) This was a great little deep dive. Even though I haven't read the books and only have seen the movies (don't hate me), I really appreciate the insights and this makes me more eager to read the books.
Dooo it!
I guess it really is in the interpretation of the reader, since the Field of Cormallen (as others have noted) in NOT the coronation scene, but instead a feast in celebration of the great victory; and Aragorn is not yet King (though Gandalf is happy to call him one), but instead a victorious captain. But in your interpretation of the scene as an allegory (with many excellent points), you've changed the story into what you think you're reading, not what's actually on the page. I think Tolkien would say that he consciously wrote the scene as seemed logical in that point of the story, but as a Christian dealing with the themes of LOTR, naturally his Christian beliefs come through.
You're right that I did misidentify the scene as the coronation scene--my bad. But the imagery here is way too deliberate for me to accept that this was accidental. I stand by my interpretation!
@@TheLegendarium If the author says he didn't intend the scene as an allegory, that's good enough for me.
"Don't lie to me." 😄
Any time Craig wants to do a deep dive on Tolkien lore, I listen
This scene always rips me open.
Nice video i am huge fan of LOTR and Tolkien books... Keep in good work :)
I cry every time
Please allow captions for those of us who have hearing issues. Thanks
I'm not crying, you're crying! 😭
I've always imagined that Professor Tolkien intended for the Rocks surrounded by lava to represent Purgatory, a waiting place between the fires of Hell and Paradise.
I totally agree. Incredible, meningfull scene.
Yep. It's the one scene that ALWAYS gets me. But I think there are different reasons for different people. For me, it's the recognition of the power that lies in humility. Granted, that could be argued as a Christian viewpoint, but I'm not a Christian, so I just see it in terms of humanity.
I'm still surprised that Tolkien chose "eucatastrophe" rather than "eustrophe" (or "eustrophy"). Obviously, it wasn't due to any lack of linguistic knowledge on his part. Maybe easier to say or for people to work out the meaning of. I just like "eustrophe" better.
Finally found a word describing my feelings while watching the portal scene in Endgame.
you should do more collabs with daniel greene!
100% cried at that scene!
I like how respectful you are of the Christian religion and how you explained the imagery. Subscribing.
I mean.. I thought it had a lot to do with Howard Shore myself.
It is the most important scene in the book because the tall guy standing next to Elrong probably is Glorfindel!
Why cant I/we/us/everyone can never get enough of this world
Rhetorical question
Guess before watching: Frodo says he'll take the ring to Mordor! :)
Hello, what does that mean that christ conquered death for everyone? Is it the same as saying he redeemed Earth ?
i did not detect any sort of religious take away from books or movies... i would agree that the ending where aragorn says ; no, rise, you bow to no one ", the crowd then bows to the hobbits is the ultimate climax ( despite there being many climaxes )... but religious tendencies ? nah
Love how uncomfortable Craig looks in that outfit
1:19
Congratulations, you have just angered several Harry Potter fans.
An interesting and entertaining video but Tolkien disliked and avoided allegory in all forms.
Sure, he avoided it, but as he wrote to Milton Waldman: "[A]ny attempt to explain the purport of myth or fairytale must use allegorical language."
Tears are not optional.
They are proof of a good heart even if you think the Bible is humanity's greatest fairy story, as I do.
My friend, your necktie bows to your left
As a Christian i appreciate this take. I will however remind you, Tolkien himself denied any analogies in his story.
Christ was prophet, priest, and king. These are represented in the books by Gandalf (prophet), Frodo(priest), and Aragorn (king). All three experienced a death and resurrection in a sense. Gandalf literally died after killing the Balrog. Aragorn goes down the paths of the dead and Frodo goes off to the undying lands.
"You bow to no one." is not in the book. And they only bowed to Frodo and Sam. Sometimes, movie writers can improve a book.
05:35 “We don’t have to go the religious route here. This scene would qualify as the story’s ultimate eucatastrophic moment even just on narrative terms”. I think that all this religious stuff is just “in the eye of the beholder”. You should have said:” This scene DOES qualify as the story’s ultimate eucatastrophic moment simply on narrative terms.”.
Your aesthetic is 👌🏾, but perhaps if wearing a nice heavy over sweater, leave off the suit jacket. It is too much weight. If your library/ office/ space is cold, get a nice complimenting (but not strictly dark brown) cardigan left unbuttoned & not overly weighty.
No allegories at all!
I reqlly don't understand...
Not so. The most important scene in the story is the elves returning to Valinor. It is litterally closure to the entire tale that was started in the first age. The Noldor are redeemed and the plight of Middle-Earth that was started by Morgoth has finally been put to rights.
Tolkien.... metaphor....
Nope.
Lov. But wrong. Tolkien hated allegory.
So, what you see is what you get. In these instances, it's the Undying Lands. Nothing more. Definitely no Christian relationship.
Tut tut. Basics.
Goodness. Nothing about Aragorn made me cry. The character is pure boredom. He definitely is no Jesus figure in any part of the story, except maybe in his arrogance deriving from his lineage he fails to live up to. The horrible portrayal in the movies made my long-held impression of the character even worse.
You took way too long to get to the point
Nerd
Ain't that the truth...