loquendinerdiae
@loquendinerdiae.bsky.social
she/her
Rings of Power rekindled the wonder Tolkien evoked in me as a kid. Here to share. Writing in public about chiastic structure in ROP.
Rings of Power rekindled the wonder Tolkien evoked in me as a kid. Here to share. Writing in public about chiastic structure in ROP.
‘Yes, fortune or fate have helped you,’ said Gandalf, ‘not to mention courage. For your heart was not touched, and only your shoulder was pierced; and that was because you resisted to the last…’
- Gandalf to Frodo, The Fellowship Of The Ring
🧵10/10
- Gandalf to Frodo, The Fellowship Of The Ring
🧵10/10
May 6, 2025 at 4:53 PM
‘Yes, fortune or fate have helped you,’ said Gandalf, ‘not to mention courage. For your heart was not touched, and only your shoulder was pierced; and that was because you resisted to the last…’
- Gandalf to Frodo, The Fellowship Of The Ring
🧵10/10
- Gandalf to Frodo, The Fellowship Of The Ring
🧵10/10
ROP reveals layered meaning in her connection with Sauron, who, as we see, is also more complex than a mere monolith of evil.
🧵9/10
🧵9/10
May 6, 2025 at 4:53 PM
ROP reveals layered meaning in her connection with Sauron, who, as we see, is also more complex than a mere monolith of evil.
🧵9/10
🧵9/10
Galadriel is put into the closest proximity with Sauron—physically and cosmically—is arguably most at risk of his seduction, and yet she resists. To view her susceptibility to his enchantment as unwittingly becoming his pawn is far too simplistic.
🧵8/10
🧵8/10
May 6, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Galadriel is put into the closest proximity with Sauron—physically and cosmically—is arguably most at risk of his seduction, and yet she resists. To view her susceptibility to his enchantment as unwittingly becoming his pawn is far too simplistic.
🧵8/10
🧵8/10
Sauron's manipulation is nigh impossible even for beings who hate him to resist, especially when they desire power.
"[Galadriel] was proud, strong, and selfwilled... she had dreams of far lands and dominions that might be her own to order as she would without tutelage."
- Unfinished Tales
🧵7/10
"[Galadriel] was proud, strong, and selfwilled... she had dreams of far lands and dominions that might be her own to order as she would without tutelage."
- Unfinished Tales
🧵7/10
May 6, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Sauron's manipulation is nigh impossible even for beings who hate him to resist, especially when they desire power.
"[Galadriel] was proud, strong, and selfwilled... she had dreams of far lands and dominions that might be her own to order as she would without tutelage."
- Unfinished Tales
🧵7/10
"[Galadriel] was proud, strong, and selfwilled... she had dreams of far lands and dominions that might be her own to order as she would without tutelage."
- Unfinished Tales
🧵7/10
To view Sauron’s deception as an instrument of the will of Ilúvatar clarifies that far from serving as a pawn in Sauron’s game, Galadriel’s role is one of the most heroic, most dangerous, and most difficult in the destruction of Sauron.
🧵6/10
🧵6/10
May 6, 2025 at 4:53 PM
To view Sauron’s deception as an instrument of the will of Ilúvatar clarifies that far from serving as a pawn in Sauron’s game, Galadriel’s role is one of the most heroic, most dangerous, and most difficult in the destruction of Sauron.
🧵6/10
🧵6/10
As Ilúvatar declares:
‘…no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.’
🧵5/10
‘…no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.’
🧵5/10
May 6, 2025 at 4:53 PM
As Ilúvatar declares:
‘…no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.’
🧵5/10
‘…no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.’
🧵5/10
The spell Sauron places upon Galadriel does not work exactly as he intends. It entices Galadriel to take the dagger and seek him, and brings her to him, but he does not anticipate how powerful she is, what an effect she will have on him, or how their connection will lead to his ruin.
🧵4/10
🧵4/10
May 6, 2025 at 4:53 PM
The spell Sauron places upon Galadriel does not work exactly as he intends. It entices Galadriel to take the dagger and seek him, and brings her to him, but he does not anticipate how powerful she is, what an effect she will have on him, or how their connection will lead to his ruin.
🧵4/10
🧵4/10
As she mourns Finrod, we see 3 shades in the background, an allusion to the 3 Norns of Norse Mythology who weave fate. Even Sauron’s wizardry is but an instrument of the will of Ilúvatar. Galadriel’s ensnarement is a grave miscalculation, but also crucial to the eventual defeat of Sauron.
🧵3/10
🧵3/10
May 6, 2025 at 4:53 PM
As she mourns Finrod, we see 3 shades in the background, an allusion to the 3 Norns of Norse Mythology who weave fate. Even Sauron’s wizardry is but an instrument of the will of Ilúvatar. Galadriel’s ensnarement is a grave miscalculation, but also crucial to the eventual defeat of Sauron.
🧵3/10
🧵3/10
Her friends and allies would see her relinquish her obsession. They see the ill effects of Sauron’s pull upon her, but they can't see what Galadriel can: that Sauron is a threat. Had she returned to Valinor as orderd, Sauron would have amassed far greater power before being discovered.
🧵2/10
🧵2/10
May 6, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Her friends and allies would see her relinquish her obsession. They see the ill effects of Sauron’s pull upon her, but they can't see what Galadriel can: that Sauron is a threat. Had she returned to Valinor as orderd, Sauron would have amassed far greater power before being discovered.
🧵2/10
🧵2/10
Although Galadriel is 'ensnared,' by Sauron, she is still in the right! Although Sauron 'finds' Galadriel by seeking a means of revenge, he is still sincerely repentant! For additional context and detail, check out the longer version (with refs) here: shorturl.at/7YTao More soon!
🧵16/16
🧵16/16
Missing Pieces | Notion
‘As may a master in the telling of tales keep hidden the greatest moment until it comes in due course. It may be guessed at indeed, in some measure, by those of us who have listened with full heart an...
shorturl.at
May 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Although Galadriel is 'ensnared,' by Sauron, she is still in the right! Although Sauron 'finds' Galadriel by seeking a means of revenge, he is still sincerely repentant! For additional context and detail, check out the longer version (with refs) here: shorturl.at/7YTao More soon!
🧵16/16
🧵16/16
Approaching Valinor, Thondir senses something wrong when her eyes lock on dagger. He fights the draw of the Light to reach out to her, trying (as he did in refusing her orders) to pull her back from Darkness. Sauron's pull is too strong for Galadriel; the Light is too strong for Thondir.
🧵15/16
🧵15/16
May 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Approaching Valinor, Thondir senses something wrong when her eyes lock on dagger. He fights the draw of the Light to reach out to her, trying (as he did in refusing her orders) to pull her back from Darkness. Sauron's pull is too strong for Galadriel; the Light is too strong for Thondir.
🧵15/16
🧵15/16
Thondir, her Captain, has witnessed how her addiction to the dagger and vow has worn on her for centuries. His mutiny stems from genuine care: perceiving something amiss in his beloved, valiant Commander, he stages an intervention. What is an act of love, she perceives as an act of betrayal.
🧵14/16
🧵14/16
May 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Thondir, her Captain, has witnessed how her addiction to the dagger and vow has worn on her for centuries. His mutiny stems from genuine care: perceiving something amiss in his beloved, valiant Commander, he stages an intervention. What is an act of love, she perceives as an act of betrayal.
🧵14/16
🧵14/16
Before she jumps ship, Elrond says: "She has passed beyond my sight." As she approaches Valinor, Sauron's power wanes; she passes beyond his ‘sight.’ In a panic, he casts his mind and calls to her. You can hear him in the music—Sauron, master of songs of power.
🧵13/16
🧵13/16
May 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Before she jumps ship, Elrond says: "She has passed beyond my sight." As she approaches Valinor, Sauron's power wanes; she passes beyond his ‘sight.’ In a panic, he casts his mind and calls to her. You can hear him in the music—Sauron, master of songs of power.
🧵13/16
🧵13/16
When she pours water on it in Forodwaith, she sees flame and hears Black Speech—she glimpses Sauron seeking her, but mistakes the meaning of the vision. He gets a similar glimpse of her at the same time — enough to know she is seeking him, but maybe not enough to know who or where she is.
🧵12/16
🧵12/16
May 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
When she pours water on it in Forodwaith, she sees flame and hears Black Speech—she glimpses Sauron seeking her, but mistakes the meaning of the vision. He gets a similar glimpse of her at the same time — enough to know she is seeking him, but maybe not enough to know who or where she is.
🧵12/16
🧵12/16
He also uses his 'mark' to track The Right Someone (Galadriel). In Forodwaith, Galadriel says "This mark was left as a trail for Orcs to follow. The last time I saw it was on my brother. We must follow it." The mark was not left for Orcs to follow, but for Galadriel to follow.
🧵11/16
🧵11/16
May 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
He also uses his 'mark' to track The Right Someone (Galadriel). In Forodwaith, Galadriel says "This mark was left as a trail for Orcs to follow. The last time I saw it was on my brother. We must follow it." The mark was not left for Orcs to follow, but for Galadriel to follow.
🧵11/16
🧵11/16
For 2) as w/the One Ring Sauron binds the dagger, so it pulls the bearer back to him. He cares not for the object, just the bearer - Finrod's kin/ally from whom Sauron can get his revenge. (In LOTR, the inverse is true, the bond is to return the object w/ no regard for the bearer.)
🧵10/16
🧵10/16
May 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
For 2) as w/the One Ring Sauron binds the dagger, so it pulls the bearer back to him. He cares not for the object, just the bearer - Finrod's kin/ally from whom Sauron can get his revenge. (In LOTR, the inverse is true, the bond is to return the object w/ no regard for the bearer.)
🧵10/16
🧵10/16
"Gorlim [Galadriel] answered that he [she] should find Eilinel again [fulfill Finrod's oath], and with her be [in doing so] set [him] free; for he [she] thought that Eilinel also [Finrod] had been made captive [by his unfulfilled oath]."
🧵9/16
🧵9/16
May 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
"Gorlim [Galadriel] answered that he [she] should find Eilinel again [fulfill Finrod's oath], and with her be [in doing so] set [him] free; for he [she] thought that Eilinel also [Finrod] had been made captive [by his unfulfilled oath]."
🧵9/16
🧵9/16
"... and it seemed to him [her] that he [she] heard her [his] voice lamenting that he had forsaken her [his vow]....
on his [her] shoulders he [she] felt suddenly the heavy hands [weight] of Sauron’s hunters [Finrod’s forsaken oath]. Thus Gorlim [Galadriel] was ensnared… "
🧵8/16
on his [her] shoulders he [she] felt suddenly the heavy hands [weight] of Sauron’s hunters [Finrod’s forsaken oath]. Thus Gorlim [Galadriel] was ensnared… "
🧵8/16
May 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
"... and it seemed to him [her] that he [she] heard her [his] voice lamenting that he had forsaken her [his vow]....
on his [her] shoulders he [she] felt suddenly the heavy hands [weight] of Sauron’s hunters [Finrod’s forsaken oath]. Thus Gorlim [Galadriel] was ensnared… "
🧵8/16
on his [her] shoulders he [she] felt suddenly the heavy hands [weight] of Sauron’s hunters [Finrod’s forsaken oath]. Thus Gorlim [Galadriel] was ensnared… "
🧵8/16
The enchantment of Gorlim's wife makes him perceive that she laments him forsaking her. Galadriel perceives an enchanted plea seemingly from Finrod. With a few well-placed rumors to support the seed planted in her mind, she comes to believe Finrod’s oath was to seek and vanquish Sauron.
🧵7/16
🧵7/16
May 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
The enchantment of Gorlim's wife makes him perceive that she laments him forsaking her. Galadriel perceives an enchanted plea seemingly from Finrod. With a few well-placed rumors to support the seed planted in her mind, she comes to believe Finrod’s oath was to seek and vanquish Sauron.
🧵7/16
🧵7/16
Per The Silmarillion: "the green grave of Finrod Finarfin’s son, fairest of all the princes of the Elves, remained inviolate..." Sauron sends a "phantom devised by wizardry"- the same way he tricks Gorlim into giving up the location of Barahir, as told in the beginning of Of Beren And Lúthien.
🧵6/16
🧵6/16
May 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Per The Silmarillion: "the green grave of Finrod Finarfin’s son, fairest of all the princes of the Elves, remained inviolate..." Sauron sends a "phantom devised by wizardry"- the same way he tricks Gorlim into giving up the location of Barahir, as told in the beginning of Of Beren And Lúthien.
🧵6/16
🧵6/16
For 1) the dagger's raw value in gold + silver could draw the wrong someone motivated by greed. If he sends Finrod’s body w/the dagger, then the most likely to pick it up would be whoever grieves Finrod most: whoever is closest to him and knows him best—the right someone.
🧵5/16
🧵5/16
May 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
For 1) the dagger's raw value in gold + silver could draw the wrong someone motivated by greed. If he sends Finrod’s body w/the dagger, then the most likely to pick it up would be whoever grieves Finrod most: whoever is closest to him and knows him best—the right someone.
🧵5/16
🧵5/16
He knows is Finrod is a Noldor Elf, but he needs more info to get revenge. He has the belongings he stripped from them and can use the dagger as bait to:
1) ensnare the right someone (who knows Finrod & can provide means to revenge)
2) bring the ensnared to Sauron himself
🧵4/16
1) ensnare the right someone (who knows Finrod & can provide means to revenge)
2) bring the ensnared to Sauron himself
🧵4/16
May 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
He knows is Finrod is a Noldor Elf, but he needs more info to get revenge. He has the belongings he stripped from them and can use the dagger as bait to:
1) ensnare the right someone (who knows Finrod & can provide means to revenge)
2) bring the ensnared to Sauron himself
🧵4/16
1) ensnare the right someone (who knows Finrod & can provide means to revenge)
2) bring the ensnared to Sauron himself
🧵4/16
Lúthien arrives with Huan, who defeats Sauron. Lúthien gives Sauron a choice: be stripped of his corporeal body and sent back to Morgoth, or yield the island to her and flee. He flees. And he must be PISSED.
🧵3/16
🧵3/16
May 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Lúthien arrives with Huan, who defeats Sauron. Lúthien gives Sauron a choice: be stripped of his corporeal body and sent back to Morgoth, or yield the island to her and flee. He flees. And he must be PISSED.
🧵3/16
🧵3/16
Finrod swore an oath to Barahir; when Barahir’s son, Beren, seeks his aid to steal a Silmaril and to win the hand of Lúthien, Finrod joins him & honors his oath. Finrod & Beren are captured by Sauron, who tries to discover who they are. Before he can get answers, Finrod dies saving Beren.
🧵2/16
🧵2/16
May 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Finrod swore an oath to Barahir; when Barahir’s son, Beren, seeks his aid to steal a Silmaril and to win the hand of Lúthien, Finrod joins him & honors his oath. Finrod & Beren are captured by Sauron, who tries to discover who they are. Before he can get answers, Finrod dies saving Beren.
🧵2/16
🧵2/16