How are the Ringwraiths represented at the end of Chapter 12?
In chapter 12 of Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien the Ringwraiths: characters that have been consumed by evil, are hunting down Frodo and his friends. The Ringwraiths are described as having a chilling laugh, and a deadly hissing voice, and their presence is menacing. The Ringwraiths ignite fear and hatred in everyone who is in their presence, the Ringwraiths are an incredible evil; being controlled by a much greater evil. Yet Frodo has come face-to-face with them multiple times, and as Frodo is being chased by the Ringwraiths “They seemed to him to run like the wind and to grow swiftly larger and darker, as their courses converged with his.” (Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, 278) In the quotation, the word “darker” is used to describe the Ringwraiths. This word was used because, to Frodo, it seemed with every step forward their darkness became darker and darker. The darkness emitting from them was stronger than the black of the night sky. And no matter how many times Frodo has been up against the Ringwraiths: he is always paralyzed with fear. The simile “run like the wind” (Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, 278) is used as well. This was used because the Ringwraiths were moving incredibly fast towards Frodo on their horses, they were chasing him with malicious intent and wouldn’t stop until they reached him. This terrified Frodo. In one scene in particular Frodo is consumed by the terrifying image of the Ringwraiths as he is being chased “Their cold eyes glittered, and they called to him with fell voices.” (Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, 279) But, the narrator knows all, the narrator knows exactly how many Black Riders there are, who they're chasing, and where they are. “Two rode towards Frodo; two galloped madly towards the Ford to cut off his escape.” (Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, 278) Even though Frodo might not know what is happening in the current moment: the narrator does. The narrator is omniscient. The narrator knows exactly how many Black Riders there are, what they are doing, and where they are going. The narrator also knows how Frodo is feeling in the situation without Frodo saying it aloud. “Go back to the Land of Mordor, and follow me no more!” (Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring, 279-280) Frodo shows newfound confidence and bravery while on his journey, and while facing the Ringwraiths, that newfound bravery shows itself. The same happened to J.R.R Tolkien, before enlisting in the army and being in war he didn’t have the bravery to fight against the enemy. Frodo and Tolkien were very comfortable in their homes and walking around their neighbourhoods, but they both embarked on a journey. A journey that made them both stronger.
Work Cited
Tolkien, J.R.R. The Fellowship of the Ring. 1991.
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