Theoden

**FULL VIEW PLEASE**

Théoden, Tolkien's embodiment of Anglo-Saxon heroism - painting done for John's Theme of the Month.

"Out of doubt, out of dark, to the day's rising
He rode singing in the sun, sword unsheathing.
Hope he rekindled and in hope ended;
Over death, over dread, over doom lifted
Out of loss, out of life, unto long Glory."

More than any other people in Tolkien's works, the Rohirrim recall the legendary, heroic ideals of Anglo-Saxon and Germanic sagas. Théoden, in particular, was the embodiment of the glorious warrior. The heroism that this type of literature embodies was not based on invincibility, but rather on unswerving courage and loyalty in the face of inevitable defeat:

"Purpose shall be the firmer, heart the keener, courage shall be the more, as our might lessens. Here lies our lord all hewn down, good man on ground. Ever may he lament who now thinks to turn from war-play. I am old of life; from here I will not turn, but by my lord's side, by the man I loved, I intend to lie." (The Battle of Maldon)

The ultimate goal of the poems' heroic protagonists was to achieve glory in life and to gain a similar renown in legend or history. Eagerness for glory outweighed personal risk and probability of defeat or death, focussing instead on the eternal fame that such an act brought.

Entangled in the Anglo-Saxon and Germanic epic poems were strong notions of fate and fame. All true warriors from that period believed in fate, and felt that their destiny was pre-determined. "And if death does take me, sent the hammered mail of my armour to Higlac, return the inheritance I had from Hrethel and he from Wayland. Fate will unwind as it must!" (Beowulf)

The second important quality for the warrior was fame. The Anglo-Saxons longed for fame, as fame meant immortality. It was so important that warriors would give up their lives, and the lives of others, if only to receive glory. This attitude is summed up in The Battle of Brunanburh, when the victory of King Æthelstan and his brother Edmund is said to yield "ealdorlangne tir", eternal fame. As the Edda puts it:

"Cattle die,
kindred die,
we ourselves also die;
but the fair fame
never dies
of him who has earned it."

Théoden perfectly encompassed these values – albeit with one major twist that clearly increased the courage of his later actions. The twist, of course, was his seduction at the hands of Wormtongue and Saruman, and his rejection of those whisperings to become the king he needed to be became an even greater achievement.

End of Anglo-Saxon heroism lesson

Hope you like it! Sorry for the horrid scan, no time to rescan better!

This is for *dragonladych, really. As a fellow Théoden obsessive