"A shadow and a thought" interpretation? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Odysseus · 08-12-2013, 04:37 PM

I know this has been discussed on here before but I didn't really find any answers that to me felt definitive. Why does Aragorn say in him Eowyn loves "only a shadow and a thought"? I've heard two contrasting theories which, in short, revolve around whether aragorn is truly a glorious, noble king or whether he is something else, and the former is merely Eowyn's idealistic view of him. Though, surely, aragorn IS truly a king? I mean technically that is what his bloodline would have him become.

Another interesting thing I noticed is that, I may be mistaken, but only the elves (aside from gandalf) seem to recognise aragorn for what he is destined to become (a king). Legolas says to boromir at the council that aragorn is "no mere ranger", but instead the heir to the throne of Gondor. Then shortly before the conversation between Eowyn and aragorn takes place, Elrond basically tells Aragorn to stop his ranger act (arguably his lesser self) and answer his true calling as king of Gondor. Finally, Arwen clearly sees him in the same light as her father, something which other have said he only really ever shows to her.

So, potentially, this lesser man that Eowyn sees is merely his shadow (though this too is problematic since many agree that Eowyn is actually only drawn to aragorn for his king like nature) Again, this may be pure coincidence and I haven't read the books in many long years so I may have it wrong, but does anyone think there's some truth in this?

Anyway, enough rambling, can I get some views?

08-12-2013, 04:37 PM	#1
Odysseus Newly Deceased Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 4	"A shadow and a thought" interpretation? I know this has been discussed on here before but I didn't really find any answers that to me felt definitive. Why does Aragorn say in him Eowyn loves "only a shadow and a thought"? I've heard two contrasting theories which, in short, revolve around whether aragorn is truly a glorious, noble king or whether he is something else, and the former is merely Eowyn's idealistic view of him. Though, surely, aragorn IS truly a king? I mean technically that is what his bloodline would have him become. Another interesting thing I noticed is that, I may be mistaken, but only the elves (aside from gandalf) seem to recognise aragorn for what he is destined to become (a king). Legolas says to boromir at the council that aragorn is "no mere ranger", but instead the heir to the throne of Gondor. Then shortly before the conversation between Eowyn and aragorn takes place, Elrond basically tells Aragorn to stop his ranger act (arguably his lesser self) and answer his true calling as king of Gondor. Finally, Arwen clearly sees him in the same light as her father, something which other have said he only really ever shows to her. So, potentially, this lesser man that Eowyn sees is merely his shadow (though this too is problematic since many agree that Eowyn is actually only drawn to aragorn for his king like nature) Again, this may be pure coincidence and I haven't read the books in many long years so I may have it wrong, but does anyone think there's some truth in this? Anyway, enough rambling, can I get some views?