Andúril: Difference between revisions

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{{disambig-more|Andúril|[[Andúril (disambiguation)]]}}
{{disambig-more|Andúril|[[Andúril (disambiguation)]]}}
{{objects
{{object infobox
| image=[[Image:Noble Collection - Andúril.jpg|250px]]
| name=Andúril
| name=Andúril
| othernames=Flame of the West
| image=[[File:Noble Collection - Andúril.jpg|250px]]
| derivation=''[[andúnë]]'' = "west" and ''[[ril]]'' = "brilliance"
| caption=Andúril by the [[Noble Collection]]
| pronun={{respell|an|doo|ril}}
| othernames="Flame of the West"
| location=
| location=
| ownedby=[[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]]
| owner=[[Aragorn]], [[Eldarion]], [[High King of the Dúnedain|High Kings of the Dúnedain]]
| maker=Originally [[Telchar]], reforged by unknown smith in [[Rivendell]]
| type=Weapon
| appearance=
| appearance=Two-handed sword
| references=
| creator=Elven-smiths, reforged from [[Narsil]] (created by [[Telchar|Telchar of Nogrod]])
|}}{{Pronounce|Anduril.mp3|Ardamir}}
| created={{TA|3018}}
| createdlocation=[[Rivendell]]
| destroyer=
| destroyed=
| destroyedlocation=
| notablefor=
}}
<center>
<center>
{{quote|Renewed shall be blade that was broken,<br>The crownless again shall be [[Aragorn|king]].|[[The Riddle of Strider]]<ref name="Strider">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[Strider (chapter)|Strider]]"</ref>}}</center>
{{quote|Renewed shall be blade that was broken,<br>The crownless again shall be king.|[[The Riddle of Strider]]}}</center>


'''Andúril''' was the name for the sword '''[[Narsil]]''' after its reforging in [[Third Age 3018]] for [[Aragorn]], the heir of [[Isildur]].  
'''Andúril''' was the name for the sword '''[[Narsil]]''' after its reforging in [[Third Age 3018]] for [[Aragorn]], the heir of [[Isildur]].  
==Appearance==
Its blade had engraved the designs of [[Seven Stars]] between the rayed [[Sun]] and the crescent [[Moon]], symbols of [[Elendil]], and his sons [[Anárion]] and [[Isildur]]. It also had many [[cirth]]. Its blade was notably brilliant, justifying its name. Later it was added an Elven [[Andúril's sheath|sheath]] with floral and and runic ornaments.


==History==
==History==
Narsil was a symbol of the kingship of [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]], but was broken at the end of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]] at the end of the [[Second Age]]. Aragorn, as the Chieftain of the [[Rangers of the North]], and therefore the descendant of the Kings of Arnor and Gondor, carried the fragments of the ancient sword. After three thousand years, Narsil was finally reforged as Andúril when Aragorn set out to reclaim his kingdom.  
Narsil was a symbol of the kingship of [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]], but was broken at the end of the [[Second Age]]. Its fragments remained a heirloom for the [[Kings of Arnor]], and the [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain]].
 
[[Boromir]], son of the [[Stewards of Gondor|Steward of Gondor]], travelled to [[Rivendell]] for the [[Council of Elrond]] because of the prophetic dream of his brother [[Faramir]]. The dream told him to "[[Seek for the Sword that was broken|seek for the Sword that was broken]]".<ref name="CoE">{{FR|Council}}</ref>
[[File:Darrell Sweet - The Reforging of the Sword.jpg|thumb|left|"The Reforging of the Sword" by [[Darrell Sweet]]]]
Finally, after three thousand years, when [[Aragorn]] set out for the [[War of the Ring]], Narsil was reforged by Elven smiths of Rivendell, and Aragorn renamed it "Andúril".
 
Aragorn carried the sword during his journey south as part of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]], and fought with it, the '''Sword That Was Broken''' or the '''Sword Reforged'''. In his departure of [[Lothlórien]], the first of the [[Gifts of Galadriel]] was [[Andúril's sheath]], specially made for it.<ref>{{FR|II8}}</ref> When entering [[Meduseld]] he initially refused to surrender it to Doorward [[Háma]] and entered a long argument with him, until convinced so by [[Gandalf]].<ref>{{TT|III6}}</ref>


[[Boromir]], son of the [[Steward of Gondor]], travelled to [[Rivendell]] for the [[Council of Elrond]] because of the prophetic dream of his brother [[Faramir]]. The dream told him to "[[Seek for the Sword that was broken|seek for the Sword that was broken]]".<ref name="CoE">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[The Council of Elrond]]"</ref>
Already famous during the [[War of the Ring]], Aragorn often used the sword to help establish his credentials as the [[Heir of Isildur]] and the throne of Gondor. This was especially true when he convinced the [[Oathbreakers|Dead Men of Dunharrow]] to fulfill their oath to support Gondor in its time of need.


Aragorn carried the sword during his journey south as part of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]], and it featured prominently at several points in the story, where it was sometimes referred to as the '''Sword That Was Broken''' or the '''Sword Reforged'''. Aragorn often used the sword to help establish his credentials as the heir to the throne of Gondor. This was especially true when he convinced the [[Dead Men of Dunharrow]] to fulfill their oath to support Gondor in its time of need.
==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Anduril.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Andúril'' means "Flame of the West" in [[Quenya]],<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 34 (form: ''Andūril'')</ref> composed of ''[[andúnë]]'' ("west") and ''[[ril]]'' ("brilliance"). "West" here refers to [[Númenor]].


== Etymology ==
==Inspiration==
''Andúril'' means "Flame of the West" in [[Quenya]],<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 34 (form: ''Andūril'')</ref> composed of ''[[andúnë]]'', "west" and ''[[ril]]'', "brilliance"). "West" here refers to [[Númenor]].
Broken swords that are reforged are also seen in the ''Volsungasaga'' and the ''Nibelungenlied''.<ref>{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.tolkiensociety.org/app/uploads/2016/11/Anglo-Saxon-Part-2.pdf|articlename=''Tolkien Society Anglo-Saxon Study Pack 2''|dated=2014|website=TS|accessed=4 January 2020}}</ref>


== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1978: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)]]'':'''
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:Narsil is reforgerd after Rivendell, though this reforging is not shown. Neither Narsil nor Andúril are named.
:Narsil is reforged after Rivendell, though this reforging is not shown. Neither Narsil nor Andúril are named.


'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|BBC Radio's The Lord of the Rings]]'':'''
'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:Narsil is reforgerd after Rivendell, and Aragorn carries Andúril thereafter.
:Narsil is reforged after Rivendell, and Aragorn carries Andúril thereafter.


'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
'''2001: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Because of Aragorn's ''warrior''-persona in this video game, Andúril merely serves as a melee weapon upgrade after Rivendell.<ref name="Veugen">[[Connie Veugen]], "'A Man, lean, dark, tall': Aragorn Seen Through Different Media", published in ''[[Reconsidering Tolkien]]'' (edited by [[Thomas M. Honegger]] ([http://dare.ubvu.vu.nl/bitstream/1871/10975/1/Aragorn_Final.pdf read in PDF]))</ref>  Aragorn does not use the broken sword at any point prior. In the game's credits, artist Jason Rosenstock is explicitly mentioned as the designer of Andúril.<ref>[[Vivendi]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', User Manual, page 22, "Aragorn Sword Design"</ref>
:Because of Aragorn's ''warrior''-persona in this video game, Andúril merely serves as a melee weapon upgrade after Rivendell.<ref name="Veugen">Connie Veugen, "'A Man, lean, dark, tall': Aragorn Seen Through Different Media", published in ''[[Reconsidering Tolkien]]'' (edited by [[Thomas M. Honegger]] ([http://dare.ubvu.vu.nl/bitstream/1871/10975/1/Aragorn_Final.pdf read in PDF]))</ref>  Aragorn does not use the broken sword at any point prior. Notably, the sword's blade is constantly illuminated; it glows red during the day, and blue at night. In the game's credits, artist Jason Rosenstock is explicitly mentioned as the designer of Andúril.<ref>[[Vivendi]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', User Manual, page 22, "Aragorn Sword Design"</ref>


'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:In ''[[The Two Towers]]'', when asked by [[Háma]] to disarm outside [[Meduseld]], Aragorn is very reluctant, saying that normally he would give up his weapon, "if I bore now any sword but Andúril".<ref name="tKotGH">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Two Towers]]'', "[[The King of the Golden Hall]]"</ref> This scene and dialogue is omitted from the film on the grace that the sword Aragorn surrenders there was not Andúril.  
:In ''[[The Two Towers]]'', when asked by [[Háma]] to disarm outside [[Meduseld]], Aragorn is very reluctant, saying that normally he would give up his weapon, "if I bore now any sword but Andúril".<ref name="tKotGH">[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Two Towers]]'', "[[The King of the Golden Hall]]"</ref> This scene and dialogue is omitted from the film on the grace that the sword Aragorn surrenders there was not Andúril.  


Line 42: Line 60:
:Andúril is not forged from the shards of Narsil until late in the third film. [[Elrond]] had the sword reforged only after [[Arwen]]'s pleading. He then took the sword to Aragorn in the camp of the [[Rohirrim]] at [[Dunharrow]]. Aragorn's acceptance of the sword, along with his decision at that time to take the [[Paths of the Dead]], showed his willingness to accept his destiny of becoming king.  
:Andúril is not forged from the shards of Narsil until late in the third film. [[Elrond]] had the sword reforged only after [[Arwen]]'s pleading. He then took the sword to Aragorn in the camp of the [[Rohirrim]] at [[Dunharrow]]. Aragorn's acceptance of the sword, along with his decision at that time to take the [[Paths of the Dead]], showed his willingness to accept his destiny of becoming king.  


:In the [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Special Extended DVD Edition|extended edition]], the [[Mouth of Sauron]] refers to the blade as Elvish; this could either be a reference to its reforging or a mistake on behalf of the writers.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Peter Jackson]], [[Fran Walsh]], [[Philippa Boyens]] (adaptors), ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Special Extended DVD Edition]]'', "[[The Mouth of Sauron (scene)|The Mouth of Sauron]]"</ref>
:In the [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (extended edition)|extended edition]], the [[Mouth of Sauron]] refers to the blade as Elvish; this could either be a reference to its reforging or a mistake on behalf of the writers.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], [[Peter Jackson]], [[Fran Walsh]], [[Philippa Boyens]] (adaptors), [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (extended edition)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (extended edition)]], "[[The Mouth of Sauron (scene)|The Mouth of Sauron]]"</ref>


'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
Line 48: Line 66:


{{references}}
{{references}}
{{weapons}}
{{weapons}}



Revision as of 15:23, 4 January 2020

The name Andúril refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Andúril (disambiguation).
Andúril
Weapon
Noble Collection - Andúril.jpg
Andúril by the Noble Collection
Pronunciationan-doo-ril
Other names"Flame of the West"
OwnerAragorn, Eldarion, High Kings of the Dúnedain
AppearanceTwo-handed sword
CreatorElven-smiths, reforged from Narsil (created by Telchar of Nogrod)
Rivendell, T.A. 3018
GalleryImages of Andúril
"Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.
"
The Riddle of Strider

Andúril was the name for the sword Narsil after its reforging in Third Age 3018 for Aragorn, the heir of Isildur.

Appearance

Its blade had engraved the designs of Seven Stars between the rayed Sun and the crescent Moon, symbols of Elendil, and his sons Anárion and Isildur. It also had many cirth. Its blade was notably brilliant, justifying its name. Later it was added an Elven sheath with floral and and runic ornaments.

History

Narsil was a symbol of the kingship of Arnor and Gondor, but was broken at the end of the Second Age. Its fragments remained a heirloom for the Kings of Arnor, and the Chieftains of the Dúnedain.

Boromir, son of the Steward of Gondor, travelled to Rivendell for the Council of Elrond because of the prophetic dream of his brother Faramir. The dream told him to "seek for the Sword that was broken".[1]

"The Reforging of the Sword" by Darrell Sweet

Finally, after three thousand years, when Aragorn set out for the War of the Ring, Narsil was reforged by Elven smiths of Rivendell, and Aragorn renamed it "Andúril".

Aragorn carried the sword during his journey south as part of the Fellowship of the Ring, and fought with it, the Sword That Was Broken or the Sword Reforged. In his departure of Lothlórien, the first of the Gifts of Galadriel was Andúril's sheath, specially made for it.[2] When entering Meduseld he initially refused to surrender it to Doorward Háma and entered a long argument with him, until convinced so by Gandalf.[3]

Already famous during the War of the Ring, Aragorn often used the sword to help establish his credentials as the Heir of Isildur and the throne of Gondor. This was especially true when he convinced the Dead Men of Dunharrow to fulfill their oath to support Gondor in its time of need.

Etymology

Andúril means "Flame of the West" in Quenya,[4] composed of andúnë ("west") and ril ("brilliance"). "West" here refers to Númenor.

Inspiration

Broken swords that are reforged are also seen in the Volsungasaga and the Nibelungenlied.[5]

Portrayal in adaptations

1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):

Narsil is reforged after Rivendell, though this reforging is not shown. Neither Narsil nor Andúril are named.

1981: The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series):

Narsil is reforged after Rivendell, and Aragorn carries Andúril thereafter.

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):

Because of Aragorn's warrior-persona in this video game, Andúril merely serves as a melee weapon upgrade after Rivendell.[6] Aragorn does not use the broken sword at any point prior. Notably, the sword's blade is constantly illuminated; it glows red during the day, and blue at night. In the game's credits, artist Jason Rosenstock is explicitly mentioned as the designer of Andúril.[7]

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers:

In The Two Towers, when asked by Háma to disarm outside Meduseld, Aragorn is very reluctant, saying that normally he would give up his weapon, "if I bore now any sword but Andúril".[8] This scene and dialogue is omitted from the film on the grace that the sword Aragorn surrenders there was not Andúril.

2003: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King:

Andúril is not forged from the shards of Narsil until late in the third film. Elrond had the sword reforged only after Arwen's pleading. He then took the sword to Aragorn in the camp of the Rohirrim at Dunharrow. Aragorn's acceptance of the sword, along with his decision at that time to take the Paths of the Dead, showed his willingness to accept his destiny of becoming king.
In the extended edition, the Mouth of Sauron refers to the blade as Elvish; this could either be a reference to its reforging or a mistake on behalf of the writers.[9]

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

The reforging of Narsil is experienced by the player in the quest arc called "The Blade that was Broken". The player sets out to find the last of the Silithair, shining adamants crafted by Elves of the house of Fëanor in days of old, in order for the Elf-smiths of Imladris to reforge the sword into Andúril.[10]

References

Weapons in Tolkien's legendarium
 Arrows:  Black Arrow · Dailir · Red Arrow
Axes:  Dramborleg · Durin's Axe
Bows:  Belthronding · Bow of Bregor · Bow of the Galadhrim
Knives:  Angrist · Barrow-blades · Morgul-knife · Sting
Maces:  Grond
Spears:  Aeglos
Swords:  Anglachel/Gurthang · Anguirel · Aranrúth · Dagmor · Glamdring · Glend · Gúthwinë · Herugrim · Narsil/Andúril ·  Orcrist · Ringil · Sword of Manwë