YES!!!

Catholicism in the Depths of the Lord of the Rings

By Michael Ironstone

The Lord of the Rings is the greatest work of literature ever written. I haven’t read it 5 times over for nothing! The Sunday Times went as far as to say, "The English-speaking world is divided into those who have read Lord of the Rings and those who are going to.” It’s inspiring, emotional, epic, realistic, and— Catholic?! Yes! As JRR Tolkien put it, “The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision.” Let’s dive into the depths of Middle-earth and discover the Catholicism in The Lord of the Rings.

Before we discuss the symbolism in the Lord of the Rings, it is essential to understand JRR Tolkien’s view of myths. “‘Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight?’ ‘A man may do both,’ said Aragorn. ‘For not we but those who come after will make the legends of our time. The green earth, say you? That is a mighty matter of legend, though you tread it under the light of day!’” Tolkien believed that the whole of history was a myth. He said that Christianity and the story of Christ was the only myth that contained the fullness of truth. in essence, the Gospel is the True Myth, given to us by God. Tolkien said that all myths should always parallel truth. Tolkien said, “We have come from God, and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of the true light, the eternal truth that is with God.” Myth can contain truth if always centred on God. Tolkien was a strong Catholic, and his writings show it, implicitly when you first read them, but they scream at you once you discover them. Now, let’s examine these epic masterpieces!

There is much symbolism of the powers of good in these stories. It must be realized that Tolkien wrote many more books than his most popular ones; the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. We also will be examining the Silmarillion for evidence that will help explain the Lord of the Rings. The Silmarillion is about the tales and myths from the creation of Arda, and the events that lead up to the Lord of the Rings, and after. More importantly, in the chapter Ainulindalë: The Music of the Ainur. The Silmarillion begins thus: “There was Eru, the One, who in Arda is called Ilúvatar; and he made first the Ainur, the Holy Ones, that were the offspring of his thought, and they were with him before aught else was made…Ilúvatar called together all the Ainur and declared to them a mighty theme, unfolding to them things greater and more wonderful than he had yet revealed; and the glory of its beginning and the splendour of its end amazed the Ainur, so that they bowed before Ilúvatar and were silent.” Ilúvatar means ‘all father’ in Quenya, the language of the High-elves which Tolkien constructed. Eru literally means The One God in Sindarin, the language of the Grey-elves which Tolkien also constructed. Eru Iluvatar closely parallels God. Tolkien’s world is a monotheistic world with one God who is almighty and has no beginning or end. There are some strong hints of the Holy Spirit existing in Arda, with Iluvatar being God the Father. In the Silmarillion there is the Secret Fire, the Imperishable Flame of Eä. In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is described as a fire, coming down from Heaven to rest upon the heads of the Twelve Apostles. In Gandalf’s epic confrontation with the Balrog, a demon, he says, “I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor.” The Secret fire gave power and strength to the Faithful Servants of God. The secret fire of Eä was the imperishable flame of God. The Silmarillion carries on, “Therefore Ilúvatar gave to their vision Being, and set it amid the Void, and the Secret Fire was sent to burn at the heart of the World; and it was called Eä.” Iluvatar continues, “Therefore I say: Eä! Let these things Be! And I will send forth into the Void the Flame Imperishable, and it shall be at the heart of the World, and the World shall Be; and those of you that will may go down into it. And suddenly the Ainur saw afar off a light, as it were a cloud with a living heart of flame; and they knew that this was no vision only, but that Ilúvatar had made a new thing: Eä, the World that Is.” These verses parallel the creation story in Genesis extremely closely. “And the earth was void and empty, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the spirit of God moved over the waters.” But who are the Ainur? The Ainur are the greatest created servants of Iluvatar. They are the Valar and the Maiar, the Valar being the greatest of the heavenly angels, and the Maiar being the lesser, akin to the hierarchy of angels in Heaven. “And therefore they are named the Valar, the Powers of the World…With the Valar came other spirits whose being also began before the World, of the same order as the Valar but of less degree. These are the Maiar, the people of the Valar, and their servants and helpers.” Manwë is the greatest of the Valar, for he represents the great Archangel Michael.

In the bible, Jesus is talked about as being both a priest, prophet, and king. There are three figures who play these rolls in the Lord of the Rings. First, Frodo and Gandalf playing the part of priest. Frodo, being the priest who offers himself for the sake of saving Middle-earth and the Ring is his cross. Gandalf, an incarnate Maiar sent to Middle-earth, also plays the roll of priest, sacrificing himself on the Bridge of Khazad-dum to save the fellowship. Gandalf also plays the roll of prophet. He is sent by Iluvatar to join together the free people of Middle-earth who are still faithful to Eru together. But, like most prophets in the bible, he is rejected. When warning the people of Rohan, the King Theoden under the spell of Saruman, dismisses Gandalf with these words: “Maybe you look for welcome. But truth to tell your welcome is doubtful here, Master Gandalf. You have ever been a herald of woe. Troubles follow you like crows, and ever oftener the worse. . . . Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?” He is also disregarded by Denethor, the steward of Gondor with the same scorn. Jesus said, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” Even among the free peoples of Middle-earth, prophets are rejected.

Then there is Aragorn, who is the Kingly figure. Aragorn is the King of Gondor and Arnor, a kingdom which had lost it’s king many years before Aragorn. But the lineage of kings was still kept, all the way from Isildur to Aragorn. In a conversation between Gandalf and Frodo in Rivendell, Gandalf reveals Aragorn’s true identity to a shocked and surprised Frodo. “But there are few left in Middle-earth like Aragorn son of Arathorn. The race of the Kings from over the Sea is nearly at an end. It may be that this War of the Ring will be their last adventure.’ ‘Do you really mean that Strider is one of the people of the old Kings?’ said Frodo in wonder. ‘I thought they had all vanished long ago. I thought he was only a Ranger.’ ‘Only a Ranger!’ cried Gandalf. ‘My dear Frodo, that is just what the Rangers are: the last remnant in the North of the great people, the Men of the West.’” It is shown that Aragorn is really the hidden king, humbly hidden under the appearance of a ranger. And still, the parallels continue. Jesus is really the King of the world, although he does not look it in appearance or in his dress, just like Aragorn is dressed as a normal man, not in any great splendour. Jesus came to re-establish the throne of David, and Aragorn is to restore the throne of Isildur. So, in that way, you could say David resembles Isildur, both great and strong kings, but they both fall into temptation. When Aragorn is finally crowned King, he is described with striking similarities to Jesus. “Tall as the sea-kings of old, he stood above all that were near; ancient of days he seemed and yet in the flower of manhood; and wisdom sat upon his brow, and strength and healing were in his hands, and a light was about him. And then Faramir cried: ‘Behold the King!’” Jesus is described as being ancient of days in Micah 5:2. “from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days.” Jesus is wise, and strength and healing were in his hand. Jesus healed countless people, and like Jesus, Aragorn also healed people. It was said of the King, “The hands of the king are the hands of a healer. And so the rightful king could ever be known.” Aragorn was a healer and worked hard and far into the night. “At the doors of the Houses many were already gathered to see Aragorn, and they followed after him…men came and prayed that he would heal their kinsmen or their friends whose lives were in peril through hurt or wound, or who lay under the Black Shadow. And Aragorn arose and went out, and he sent for the sons of Elrond, and together they laboured far into the night.” Aragorn is clearly a kingly Christ figure.

When these Priest, Prophet, and King figures are studied closer, it become more apparent that they resemble Christ in his death also. Frodo sacrifices himself and ‘dies’ and has to leave Middle-earth and go to Valinor. Gandalf dies fighting and conquering his enemy, a demon. He then physically dies and is resurrected and comes back to Middle-earth transfigured as Gandalf the White. And when Aragorn treads the Path of the Dead, he also ‘dies’ in a sense as he goes down into the abode of the dead and releases them from their sin of rebellion when they fulfil their oath. Aragorn then returns and conquers the forces of Mordor and saves Gondor from destruction. Thus all three die and are resurrected in their own way, resembling Jesus dying and rising again.

Gandalf is also portrayed as the “White Rider” closely paralleling the white rider talked about in revelation. “The Dark Lord has Nine. But we have One, mightier than they: the White Rider. He has passed through the fire and the abyss, and they shall fear him. We will go where he leads…Behold the White Rider!’ cried Aragorn, and all took up the words. ‘Our King and the White Rider!’ they shouted. ‘Forth Eorlingas!’” He is also described in the battle of Helm’s Deep when he rides to war: “There suddenly upon a ridge appeared a rider, clad in white, shining in the rising sun.” These verses are almost identical to Revelation 19:11: “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.”

Now we come to a very important part: Lembas. Lembas was an elven waybread made by the elves for long and hard journeys. In Sindarin, Lembas means “‘Bread of Life’. This can only mean one thing. Lembas is the Eucharist! Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger”. It was said that one small bite could satisfy a man for a whole day. Lembas is the only food they have left when Frodo and Sam enter Mordor. The Lembas give them strength for the journey. “Often in their hearts they thanked the Lady of Lórien for the gift of lembas, for they could eat of it and find new strength even as they ran…The lembas had a virtue without which they would long ago have lain down to die….And yet this waybread of the Elves had a potency that increased as travellers relied on it alone and did not mingle it with other foods. It fed the will, and it gave strength to endure, and to master sinew and limb beyond the measure of mortal kind.” It is also interesting to note that Lembas had healing properties. In the Silmarillion, an elf warrior brings lembas to a band of starving and injured men in the wild. “and [Beleg] gave to them the lembas of Melian; and they were quickly healed” It is also said that Lembas was in the keeping of the queen to give out. “…for according to the customs of the Eldalië the keeping and giving of lembas belonged to the Queen alone. In nothing did Melian show greater favour to Túrin than in this gift;” In both the Silmarillion and the Lord of the Rings, the Lembas is given to those in need by motherly figures, who represent Mary. The Elven Queen Melian, and the Elven Queen Galadriel. Melian means ‘Love-gift’ and Galadriel means ‘Daughter of Light’, both fitting names for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Tolkien had a great love of the Blessed Sacrament. In a letter to his son he said, “Out of the darkness of my life, so much frustrated, I put before you the one great thing to love on earth: the Blessed Sacrament … There you will find romance, glory, honour, fidelity, and the true way of all your loves upon earth.”

So now that we’ve discussed the forces of good in Middle-earth, now we must turn to the evil that shows itself throughout the stories. First we’ll start with the greatest evil in Arda: Melkor Morgoth. Melkor was the greatest of the Valar created by Iluvatar. His name means ‘he who arises in might’. The Silmarillion describes him in fitting words, “Last of all is set the name of Melkor, He who arises in Might. But that name he has forfeited; and the Noldor, who among the Elves suffered most from his malice, will not utter it, and they name him Morgoth, the Dark Enemy of the World.” He is the brother of Manwë, second greatest of the Valar. Likewise, Lucifer was the greatest and brightest of the angels. His name means ‘light bearer’, and like Melkor, he has forfeited his name and became Satan, which means enemy in Hebrew. Melkor forfeited his name and became known as Morgoth, which means ‘Dark Enemy’. Clear name parallels show the connection between the two. Tolkien was a linguist, and there are many hidden etymological hints of parallel throughout the stories of Middle-earth. In the beginning of time, Iluvatar composed a great music, and instructed the Ainur in the singing of it. The song guided by Iluvatar brought into being Eä, the World that Is. During that great song, Melkor rebelled. “But as the theme progressed, it came into the heart of Melkor to interweave matters of his own imagining that were not in accord with the theme of Ilúvatar; for he sought therein to increase the power and glory of the part assigned to himself…Then the discord of Melkor spread ever wider…From splendour he fell through arrogance to contempt for all things save himself, a spirit wasteful and pitiless. Understanding he turned to subtlety in perverting to his own will all that he would use, until he became a liar without shame. He began with the desire of Light, but when he could not possess it for himself alone, he descended through fire and wrath into a great burning, down into Darkness.” The same story happened with Satan. In the book of Isaiah, it describes the fall of Satan. “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to Sheol, to the depths of the Pit.” (Isaiah 14:21-15) The parallels are unmistakable. Both fell through pride. Both went down into the darkness. But out of the rebellion, a greater good was brought. For Iluvatar declares, “And thou, Melkor, shalt see that 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.” God will always bring a greater good out of evil.

Now we turn to Morgoth’s most powerful servant: Sauron, called the deceiver. Again, we will turn to etymological clues for parallel. In greek, ‘Sauros’ means dragon. It is quite clear that the name Sauron is derived from this. Sauron in Sindarin means ‘Foul one’. In the book of Revelation, Satan is described as a dragon. “And there was seen another sign in heaven: and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads, and ten horns: and on his head seven diadems.” So Sauron and Morgoth both symbolize Satan.

Then there are other creatures. Balrogs. They are demons of flame and terror. Gandalf faces one of these on the Bridge of Khazad-dum. Balrogs are fallen maiar, so the Balrog on the bridge, named ‘Durin’s Bane’, could be called Gandalf’s opposite. Gandalf is a maiar of pure goodness and grace while the Balrog is an evil twisted servant of hatred. “For of the Maiar many were drawn to his [Melkor’s] splendour in the days of his greatness, and remained in that allegiance down into his darkness; and others he corrupted afterwards to his service with lies and treacherous gifts. Dreadful among these spirits were the Valaraukar, the scourges of fire that in Middle-earth were called the Balrogs, demons of terror.”

Then there are the Orcs. It was said that Morgoth captured and corrupted elves by torture and fear, and from these he bred the race of the Orkor, bitterest of the enemies of the elves. Although this is not know to have happened for sure, it is quite likely that it did. Another possibility as that they might be corrupted and evil men who Morgoth turned into orcs. Whatever the case, they are the opposite of good; a symbolism of Angels and Demons. The Orcs once were good, but they turned evil and were corrupted. Demons were once good angels, but then they rebelled and turned to evil.

Another iconic character in the Lord of the Rings is Grima, known as Wormtongue. He is the evil servant of Saruman who is sent to Rohan to corrupt King Theoden. In old english, the word ‘wyrm’ ment ‘dragon’ or ‘snake’. Since Satan is a dragon, and in the garden of eden he is portrayed as a snake, this is fitting. But it becomes even more evident when Gandalf addresses Wormtongue. “‘A witless worm have you become. Therefore be silent, and keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm!’…In the gloom they heard the hiss of Wormtongue’s voice.” and then later, “‘Down, snake!’ he said suddenly in a terrible voice. ‘Down on your belly! How long is it since Saruman bought you?’…’See, Théoden, here is a snake!’” It is all too clear. Wormtongue’s reply and Gandalf’s rebuke. Wormtongue is a symbol of the devil.

Now we have to come to the most interesting character. Gollum, who once was Smeagol. In fact, he once was a Hobbit! There is deep symbolism here. The Ring corrupted Gollum so that he went from a hobbit to a Gollum. He, as Professor Joseph Pearce puts it, ‘Gollumized’; went from good to evil. Now, Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam had many chances to kill Gollum, but out of pity they didn’t. They had many chances to go against Jesus’ commandment, “Love your enemies”. But they didn’t. They spared him. And in the end, when Frodo had failed and taken the ring for himself, Gollum ended up causing the ring to be destroyed. “‘Yes,’ said Frodo. ‘But do you remember Gandalf’s words: Even Gollum may have something yet to do? But for him, Sam, I could not have destroyed the Ring. The Quest would have been in vain, even at the bitter end. So let us forgive him! For the Quest is achieved, and now all is over. I am glad you are here with me. Here at the end of all things, Sam.’”

And now we come to our last evil ‘character’, if you’d call it that. The One Ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them. “Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulûk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.” So says the evil inscription on the Ring. Tolkien said, “You can make the Ring an allegory of our own time, if you like: an allegory of the inevitable fate that awaits all attempts to defeat evil power by power.” The Ring symbolizes sin and death. Many succumbed to the temptation of the ring, and like wise, many succumb to the temptation of sin. And once you keep the ring for a long time, you begin to fade out of the world of light. When you keep sinning for a long time, Sanctifying Grace begins to fade from your soul, turning you into a spiritual Gollum. Boromir succumbed to this temptation, and ultimately he split the fellowship, even though he died in the end. Aragorn had the opportunity to succumb to this temptation, but he resisted. There is a great scene in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films where Frodo has just escaped Boromir, and Aragorn finds him on the top of Amon Hen. Frodo holds out the ring and asks if he would have destroyed it. The Ring starts whispering to enticingly Aragorn, but Aragorn resists the temptation and closes Frodo’s hand, telling him he would have followed him to the end. Boromir is what men are. Aragorn is what men must strive to be. When Frodo, as a symbol of Christ, walks his own Via Dolorosa, up the slopes of Mount Doom, he carries the weight of the Ring as his cross. Jesus told us, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” When the Ring is destroyed, sin and death are conquered forever. The date that the Ring was destroyed holds some shocking parallels. The Ring was destroyed on March 25. The feast of the Annunciation is on March 25. Also, there is an ancient tradition that Jesus was crucified on March 25. Since Easter is a movable date, so is good friday, so it is not on March 25 every year. The Ring is destroyed and conquered on that day, and Jesus destroyed and conquers sin and death on that day. The parallels are extremely clear.

So as you can see, the Lord of the Rings is packed full of Catholic symbolism. Hidden at first, but becoming extremely clear when you look deeper. “The Lord of the Rings is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work” It’s obvious. None can deny it. So let us thank God for giving us JRR Tolkien, and thank Tolkien for writing such an amazingly Catholic book.