It’s been a few years since I read the book so I needed the refresher on Theoden’s character! The true Theoden is a much needed inspiration for us to look to in these days, as is the case with many of Tolkien’s characters.
Wonderful essay, sir. You give a very insightful look at Théoden and do a fine job at pointing to how some of the differences between the books and films don't work so well, and I say this as someone who does enjoy both portrayals of the character.
That being the case, there is an important difference between the book and film versions of Théoden which I'd like to note- his age. The books make it expressly clear that Théoden is still very much an elderly man when he rises back to his feet and starts to feel the light of hope again. Unlike in the movie, his body doesn't change to match this reawakening. He simply stands up straighter, casts his cane aside, and takes up his sword once more.
In the films he is visibly a much younger man once Saruman's influence is pushed out of him. Not a young man by any means, but also not the same wizened ruler that he is in the books. As you say, part of this is because Aragorn's character needs a proper arc in the movies, since he doesn't have one in the books. Sometimes this grates against Théoden's character as we knew him, but I don't think that means Théoden was necessarily done dirty here. (Not always, anyway.) I personally like his arc within the films almost as much as I do his arc in the books, because it allows us to more actively see a man pulling himself from despair to become the leader he needs to be. Now I'd probably feel differently if the films actually did lean hard on the idea that his decisions are made out of cowardice, but though Aragorn and Gandalf do argue this, the films also actively show that no, Théoden isn't making his choices out of a sense of fear. He's making his choices out of concern for the wellbeing of his people, to the point that he journeys to Helm's Deep right alongside them. It's a portrayal that's not so ungracious as it may first seem.
I generally agree on all points my Man. Thanks for taking the time to offer a well-thought response! The question of age was a salient point in particular. Something I hadn’t thought much about and decided to gloss over.
I admit I’m exaggerating a bit with the “done dirty” comment. I am erring on the side of being critical of the films, so perhaps I am leaning into error itself. Overall Theoden still has a great arc; indeed I fell in love with him on the screen way before I read the books. And Eomer indeed was severely truncated, most of all, I think, due to time. It’s illuminating that much of what was added back into The Two Towers films in the Extended Edition involved Eomer! Nonetheless, like you say, we’d be hard pressed to see anything more excellent than those three films. They deserve all the praise they get!
Apparently I went over the secret word limit that cuts replies off after too long, so I'll finish my thoughts here instead lol
So, while I don't think Théoden was done dirty here, (mostly) someone was in order to make this happen: Éomer. In order to make Théoden act as a simultaneous foil and parallel to Aragorn's own journey of growth, the team behind the film basically took a good chunk of Éomer's arc as the young man turned ruler coming to grips with this great responsibility, and stitched it onto Théoden. I think this is a huge reason why Éomer ends up in such a tertiary role in the movies. Alas, it is what it is. The process of adaptation requires some things be left on the cutting room floor, and while not perfect, I think we'd have been hard pressed to ask for better than the excellence we did get.
I’m probably going to re-read The Two Towers this spring. I often find myself wanting to reread the series when the weather gets warm, but haven’t in a couple years. Pulling these quotes for the essay has whetted my appetite
I've been "struggling" through Dune Messiah. I don't know why, but it's so painful for me to read this book. Perhaps it's rewriting a beloved character, or it's just the heavy court intrigue focus which has never been that interesting a plot archetype for me.
Either way, I'm looking forward to some fantasy to take a break from sci fi for a while.
I didn't like Theoden's portrayal either. There were many times in The Two Towers where I thought Aragorn was out of line. I understand that Jackson needed to build Aragorn up but they were two kings. They were equals.
Firstly, thanks very much for the shout out and high praise. I really appreciate it. Secondly, thank you for writing such a wonderfully detailed, emotional and poignant piece on this great character. The contrast between book and film is brilliantly covered and the positioning of Aragorn in the movies, which we discussed before, is even clearer here and I can really see what you mean. I know that Theoden is your favourite character but I would be really interested in reading more of your thoughts on some of our other heroes. Even Master Samwise 😁
Thank you as well! I hope to do some more of these eventually. Samwise might just be next up, but I know it won't be for a while. In the meantime, you'll have to keep your own good work on your series!
Wow just discovered your wonderful essay and was so surprised and pleased to find my Ukiyo-e style art of Theoden within the article! Thank you for including it! I am so happy with the way you described it as "spiritually" capturing Theoden in his post-wormtongue arc! I was really trying to do just that, since I also was disappointed with his depiction in the Jackson films, and then subsequently many other depictions thereafter by artists inspired by the films.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Hilary. And your comments earlier helped me tease out my point better for future readers, so thanks! I would like to do more of these, and Denethor is a great suggestion, but likely not for some time. My newsletter will be full of short stories all April. After that, who knows?
It’s been a few years since I read the book so I needed the refresher on Theoden’s character! The true Theoden is a much needed inspiration for us to look to in these days, as is the case with many of Tolkien’s characters.
Wonderful essay, sir. You give a very insightful look at Théoden and do a fine job at pointing to how some of the differences between the books and films don't work so well, and I say this as someone who does enjoy both portrayals of the character.
That being the case, there is an important difference between the book and film versions of Théoden which I'd like to note- his age. The books make it expressly clear that Théoden is still very much an elderly man when he rises back to his feet and starts to feel the light of hope again. Unlike in the movie, his body doesn't change to match this reawakening. He simply stands up straighter, casts his cane aside, and takes up his sword once more.
In the films he is visibly a much younger man once Saruman's influence is pushed out of him. Not a young man by any means, but also not the same wizened ruler that he is in the books. As you say, part of this is because Aragorn's character needs a proper arc in the movies, since he doesn't have one in the books. Sometimes this grates against Théoden's character as we knew him, but I don't think that means Théoden was necessarily done dirty here. (Not always, anyway.) I personally like his arc within the films almost as much as I do his arc in the books, because it allows us to more actively see a man pulling himself from despair to become the leader he needs to be. Now I'd probably feel differently if the films actually did lean hard on the idea that his decisions are made out of cowardice, but though Aragorn and Gandalf do argue this, the films also actively show that no, Théoden isn't making his choices out of a sense of fear. He's making his choices out of concern for the wellbeing of his people, to the point that he journeys to Helm's Deep right alongside them. It's a portrayal that's not so ungracious as it may first seem.
I generally agree on all points my Man. Thanks for taking the time to offer a well-thought response! The question of age was a salient point in particular. Something I hadn’t thought much about and decided to gloss over.
I admit I’m exaggerating a bit with the “done dirty” comment. I am erring on the side of being critical of the films, so perhaps I am leaning into error itself. Overall Theoden still has a great arc; indeed I fell in love with him on the screen way before I read the books. And Eomer indeed was severely truncated, most of all, I think, due to time. It’s illuminating that much of what was added back into The Two Towers films in the Extended Edition involved Eomer! Nonetheless, like you say, we’d be hard pressed to see anything more excellent than those three films. They deserve all the praise they get!
Apparently I went over the secret word limit that cuts replies off after too long, so I'll finish my thoughts here instead lol
So, while I don't think Théoden was done dirty here, (mostly) someone was in order to make this happen: Éomer. In order to make Théoden act as a simultaneous foil and parallel to Aragorn's own journey of growth, the team behind the film basically took a good chunk of Éomer's arc as the young man turned ruler coming to grips with this great responsibility, and stitched it onto Théoden. I think this is a huge reason why Éomer ends up in such a tertiary role in the movies. Alas, it is what it is. The process of adaptation requires some things be left on the cutting room floor, and while not perfect, I think we'd have been hard pressed to ask for better than the excellence we did get.
This was fantastic. Thank you
Thank you, Cole!
This makes me want to reread the whole series! Great post.
I’m probably going to re-read The Two Towers this spring. I often find myself wanting to reread the series when the weather gets warm, but haven’t in a couple years. Pulling these quotes for the essay has whetted my appetite
I've been "struggling" through Dune Messiah. I don't know why, but it's so painful for me to read this book. Perhaps it's rewriting a beloved character, or it's just the heavy court intrigue focus which has never been that interesting a plot archetype for me.
Either way, I'm looking forward to some fantasy to take a break from sci fi for a while.
LoTR might be just what I need :)
I didn't like Theoden's portrayal either. There were many times in The Two Towers where I thought Aragorn was out of line. I understand that Jackson needed to build Aragorn up but they were two kings. They were equals.
I'm stealing this saying from someone else, but every man's dream indeed is to ride to death. Forth Eorlingas!
Firstly, thanks very much for the shout out and high praise. I really appreciate it. Secondly, thank you for writing such a wonderfully detailed, emotional and poignant piece on this great character. The contrast between book and film is brilliantly covered and the positioning of Aragorn in the movies, which we discussed before, is even clearer here and I can really see what you mean. I know that Theoden is your favourite character but I would be really interested in reading more of your thoughts on some of our other heroes. Even Master Samwise 😁
Great stuff, Eric 👍🏼
Thank you as well! I hope to do some more of these eventually. Samwise might just be next up, but I know it won't be for a while. In the meantime, you'll have to keep your own good work on your series!
Wow just discovered your wonderful essay and was so surprised and pleased to find my Ukiyo-e style art of Theoden within the article! Thank you for including it! I am so happy with the way you described it as "spiritually" capturing Theoden in his post-wormtongue arc! I was really trying to do just that, since I also was disappointed with his depiction in the Jackson films, and then subsequently many other depictions thereafter by artists inspired by the films.
This was great. I'd love to see a companion piece about why Denethor failed in hope even though he was of higher lineage as a son of Numenor.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Hilary. And your comments earlier helped me tease out my point better for future readers, so thanks! I would like to do more of these, and Denethor is a great suggestion, but likely not for some time. My newsletter will be full of short stories all April. After that, who knows?