LotR Challenge 16

[amruniel]

16 - Favourite Female Character



Galadriel - no doubt about that.

"She was one of the greatest of the Eldar in Middle-earth, and surpassed nearly all others in beauty, knowledge, and power. She was also the bearer of Nenya, one of the three Elven rings. Tolkien thought of her, along with Gil-galad the Elven-king, as one of the mightiest and fairest of all the Elves left in Middle-earth."

I love that she's a ruler, a beautiful lady, the bearer of one of the Rings of Power, as well as a warrior.


"Galadriel was born in Valinor during the Years of the Trees, before the First Age had even begun. Much of Galadriel's story is confusing, and there are several distinct tales told about her collected in the Unfinished Tales. According to the older account, used in the published Silmarillion, Galadriel was an eager participant and leader in the rebellion of the Ñoldor and their flight from Valinor due to her desire to one day rule over a patch of Middle-earth herself.

She was eager to see Middle-earth, having heard of it from Fëanor, and wanted to rule a realm of her own. She swore no oaths and was in like mind with Fingon, son of Fingolfin.

However, separated from Fëanor and his kin, she and her people did not take part in the Kinslaying at Alqualondë. They followed Fingolfin instead and crossed the Helcaraxë in the far north.

[...]

She played a relatively insignificant part in the wars of the First Age, as she thought that defeating Morgoth was beyond the power of the Eldar, and when Morgoth was defeated by the coming of the Valar out of the West she, having played no part in the Kinslaying, was offered safe return to Valinor. But Galadriel, being prideful, chose to remain in Middle-earth."

(both quotes taken from the LotR Wikia)

I particularly enjoy her backstory and the way the last quoted sentence explains her cryptic remark "I pass the test" in FotR after Frodo offered to give her the ring.

Come to think of it, while I like Galadriel in the books/movies, it's the parts that are just alluded to or can be found in the appendices or other Tolkien books that make her really interesting. She's a fierce and strong lady that doesn't rely on others to achieve her goals - and that in a universe that has oftentimes be criticised for being anti-female and patriarchal.
And judging by her part in the rebellion as well as in the defeat of Dol Guldur, she's a damn fine fighter as well.

Galadriel wonderful, inspiring, well-rounded female character that can and should serve as a model for strong girls and woman all around the world.

Comments

[silvan-lady.livejournal.com]

She is very special!

[amruniel.livejournal.com]

That she certainly is!

As somebody commented in your journal - her character is pretty much set in the LotR books/movies, but then, what do you expect of a person who is literally older than the sun? ;)

But as a whole I think she's the most interesting female character that is featured in LotR. And it's sad that very few people know her whole story and just get the glimpses of her character we get in the books/movies.

[silvan-lady.livejournal.com]

I've read the Silmarillion but I don't remember that much of it as it was close to 30 years ago so thanks for the reminder of the part she played. :-)

[amruniel.livejournal.com]

I've battled my way through the Silmarillion a few years ago, and really struggled with it. I'll have to try again sometime soon. There are so many great stories to be found there... and some wonderful, strong female characters!