Post by Lomadia on Mar 29, 2006 3:09:44 GMT -5
The Council of Elrond
In this chapter, Elrond summons a group of men, elves, dwarves, hobbits, and Gandalf the wizard to discuss important matters pertaining to the Ring:
-Gloin tells the council that no news has come from Balin's colony in Moria for a long time. Dain has been asked to ally himself with Sauron.
-Elrond, Gandalf, and Bilbo tell the history of the Ring.
-Boromir describes a prophetic dream that he and his brother had. He also talks about Gondor's difficulty in defending the West against Mordor.
-Aragorn reveals himself as the heir of Isildur.
-Legolas tells the council that Gollum has escaped from Mirkwood.
-Gandalf describes his breach with and imprisonment by Saruman.
-The council decides to send a company to Mordor to attempt to destroy the Ring. Frodo volunteers himself to bear the Ring. Sam asks to accompany him.
Some Questions to Consider (Answer all, a few, or none):
1. How does Tolkien comment on hope and despair (or optimism and pessimism) in this chapter? What reasons for hope does the Quest have?
2. Choice is a major theme of this chapter. Which characters use their freedom of choice for evil purposes? Which characters use choice for good? Who makes mistakes?
3. Elrond tells Frodo that he was present at the Battle of Dagorlad. How do you think the Elvish culture would be affected by a living memory that lasts millenia?
4. What secrets are revealed in this chapter? Why were they kept secret?
5. Tolkien is considered one of history's greatest philologists (students of words). What does he say about the power of words in this chapter (examples- Boromir refuses to name Sauron, the change in Gandalf when he speaks the Black Speech)?
6. Any thoughts on Boromir and his brother's dream?
7. Heritage is problematic for Aragorn. How does his lineage affect his actions and speech, if at all?
8. How does Tolkien emphasize the importance of unity?
9. In the film, Saruman has become entirely evil. In the book, Saruman says that by allying himself with Sauron, he can create "Knowledge, Rule, Order." Do you think he truly believes in creating good? Or is he just trying to persuade Gandalf to join with him?
10. What connections do you see between Saruman and Faust?
11. What options are considered for dealing with the Ring? Why wouldn't they work?
12. Elrond says that "nothing is evil in the beginning." Do you believe this is true? What other mythological structures share this view?
13. What, according to Gandalf, is Sauron's greatest weakness? (Take a look at the paragraph beginning with "'Despair, or folly?'")
14. Why does Frodo choose to take the Ring despite his desire to return home? What does this choice tell us about Frodo's character?
In this chapter, Elrond summons a group of men, elves, dwarves, hobbits, and Gandalf the wizard to discuss important matters pertaining to the Ring:
-Gloin tells the council that no news has come from Balin's colony in Moria for a long time. Dain has been asked to ally himself with Sauron.
-Elrond, Gandalf, and Bilbo tell the history of the Ring.
-Boromir describes a prophetic dream that he and his brother had. He also talks about Gondor's difficulty in defending the West against Mordor.
-Aragorn reveals himself as the heir of Isildur.
-Legolas tells the council that Gollum has escaped from Mirkwood.
-Gandalf describes his breach with and imprisonment by Saruman.
-The council decides to send a company to Mordor to attempt to destroy the Ring. Frodo volunteers himself to bear the Ring. Sam asks to accompany him.
Some Questions to Consider (Answer all, a few, or none):
1. How does Tolkien comment on hope and despair (or optimism and pessimism) in this chapter? What reasons for hope does the Quest have?
2. Choice is a major theme of this chapter. Which characters use their freedom of choice for evil purposes? Which characters use choice for good? Who makes mistakes?
3. Elrond tells Frodo that he was present at the Battle of Dagorlad. How do you think the Elvish culture would be affected by a living memory that lasts millenia?
4. What secrets are revealed in this chapter? Why were they kept secret?
5. Tolkien is considered one of history's greatest philologists (students of words). What does he say about the power of words in this chapter (examples- Boromir refuses to name Sauron, the change in Gandalf when he speaks the Black Speech)?
6. Any thoughts on Boromir and his brother's dream?
7. Heritage is problematic for Aragorn. How does his lineage affect his actions and speech, if at all?
8. How does Tolkien emphasize the importance of unity?
9. In the film, Saruman has become entirely evil. In the book, Saruman says that by allying himself with Sauron, he can create "Knowledge, Rule, Order." Do you think he truly believes in creating good? Or is he just trying to persuade Gandalf to join with him?
10. What connections do you see between Saruman and Faust?
11. What options are considered for dealing with the Ring? Why wouldn't they work?
12. Elrond says that "nothing is evil in the beginning." Do you believe this is true? What other mythological structures share this view?
13. What, according to Gandalf, is Sauron's greatest weakness? (Take a look at the paragraph beginning with "'Despair, or folly?'")
14. Why does Frodo choose to take the Ring despite his desire to return home? What does this choice tell us about Frodo's character?
