Riddle of Strider: Difference between revisions
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'''The Riddle of Strider''' is a poem by [[Bilbo Baggins]] in | '''The Riddle of Strider''' is a poem by [[Bilbo Baggins]] in honour of [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]], written when Aragorn first revealed his true identity to Bilbo. | ||
:All that is gold does not glitter, | ==Poem== | ||
:''All that is gold does not glitter,''<br>''Not all those who wander are lost;''<br>''The old that is strong does not wither,''<br>''Deep roots are not reached by the frost.''<br><br>''From the ashes a fire shall be woken,''<br>''A light from the shadows shall spring;''<br>''Renewed shall be blade that was broken,''<br>''The crownless again shall be king. | |||
The poem is first given in [[The | ==Appearances== | ||
The poem is first given in the chapter [[Strider (chapter)|Strider]] in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' in the letter left for [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] by [[Gandalf]] in [[Bree]]. In that letter, it appears as part of a postscript reminding Frodo to make sure that the "[[Strider]]" he meets is "the real Strider." The poem thus appears in that context as a means of identifying Aragorn. Aragorn indeed later quotes the first two lines, not knowing the poem is in the letter, and this does help to confirm his identity. Bilbo himself recites the poem at the [[Council of Elrond]] when [[Boromir]] expresses doubts about Aragorn's claim to be the [[Heir of Isildur]]. | |||
==Analysis== | |||
The first line is clearly a re-working of the traditional proverb "All that glitters is not gold," reversing its meaning. The second line, perhaps one of the lines from Tolkien's work most often quoted out of context, refers to Aragorn's travels. The third and fourth lines concern Aragorn's heritage, while the remaining lines describe his destiny. The "blade that was broken" refers to the [[Shards of Narsil]], which is indeed remade for Aragorn. | The first line is clearly a re-working of the traditional proverb "All that glitters is not gold," reversing its meaning. The second line, perhaps one of the lines from Tolkien's work most often quoted out of context, refers to Aragorn's travels. The third and fourth lines concern Aragorn's heritage, while the remaining lines describe his destiny. The "blade that was broken" refers to the [[Shards of Narsil]], which is indeed remade for Aragorn. | ||
==Portrayal in Adaptations== | |||
In [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]], the last four lines are recited by [[Arwen]] upon her return to [[Rivendell]] as she stands before the Shards of Narsil. She later encourages [[Elrond]] to re-forge the sword, and presumably to deliver it to Aragorn. | In [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]], the last four lines are recited by [[Arwen]] upon her return to [[Rivendell]] as she stands before the Shards of Narsil. She later encourages [[Elrond]] to re-forge the sword, and presumably to deliver it to Aragorn. | ||
A reading of this poem by [[Christopher Lee]] can be found on the [[Tolkien Ensemble]]'s CD At Dawn in Rivendell. | A reading of this poem by [[Christopher Lee]] can be found on the [[Tolkien Ensemble]]'s CD ''At Dawn in Rivendell''. | ||
[[Category:Poems]] | [[Category:Poems]] | ||
Revision as of 18:18, 20 April 2008
The Riddle of Strider is a poem by Bilbo Baggins in honour of Aragorn, written when Aragorn first revealed his true identity to Bilbo.
Poem
- All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.
Appearances
The poem is first given in the chapter Strider in The Fellowship of the Ring in the letter left for Frodo by Gandalf in Bree. In that letter, it appears as part of a postscript reminding Frodo to make sure that the "Strider" he meets is "the real Strider." The poem thus appears in that context as a means of identifying Aragorn. Aragorn indeed later quotes the first two lines, not knowing the poem is in the letter, and this does help to confirm his identity. Bilbo himself recites the poem at the Council of Elrond when Boromir expresses doubts about Aragorn's claim to be the Heir of Isildur.
Analysis
The first line is clearly a re-working of the traditional proverb "All that glitters is not gold," reversing its meaning. The second line, perhaps one of the lines from Tolkien's work most often quoted out of context, refers to Aragorn's travels. The third and fourth lines concern Aragorn's heritage, while the remaining lines describe his destiny. The "blade that was broken" refers to the Shards of Narsil, which is indeed remade for Aragorn.
Portrayal in Adaptations
In Peter Jackson's The Return of the King, the last four lines are recited by Arwen upon her return to Rivendell as she stands before the Shards of Narsil. She later encourages Elrond to re-forge the sword, and presumably to deliver it to Aragorn.
A reading of this poem by Christopher Lee can be found on the Tolkien Ensemble's CD At Dawn in Rivendell.
