by Todd Pheifer

Created on: July 11, 2008   Last Updated: November 13, 2008

Epic tale

The Lord of the Rings trilogy is an epic story that encapsulates the classic struggle between good and evil in a fantasy setting. While the three stories (plus The Hobbit) were written many years ago, the creation of movie versions has re-energized the novels and given audiences a beautifully visual interpretation of J.R.R. Tolkien's grand work. It is difficult to summarize the intricate detail of Tolkien into a movie setting, but Peter Jackson does a wonderful job capturing the heart of the story through film. While the overarching plot is fairly straightforward, there are subtleties that make the telling very complex. In addition, there are many major and minor characters that come in and out of the story as it progresses. This article addresses one of the main characters and why he is the favorite of this author.

Return of the King

Probably my favorite character within the Lord of the Rings trilogy is Aragorn, the reluctant heir to the throne of men. Throughout the story we see Aragorn's journey from mysterious traveler to high king of the land of men. He is a powerful character, and yet he is still just a man, which makes him a interesting blend of mortality and legendary strength.

The person to have with you in a dark alley

From an action standpoint, Aragorn is easy to root for because he embodies courage, determination, and a high degree of combat skill. His swordsmanship, cunning, and leadership abilities make him a convincing "hero"-type character that the audience desires to win in the end. Not only is he a definitive "good guy" but he is fun to watch, as he battles "bad guys" on his way to victory.

Depth of character

There is also a complexity to Aragorn. He understands his history and eventually accepts his "calling", but he has enough humility that he does not take his destiny for granted. He is more than willing to share the spotlight with others and one of his chief qualities is loyalty to his friends and comrades. In addition, he has the capacity to love and he shows his humanness through his relationships.

Hard to argue with the hero

Overall, Aragorn remains for me the most likeable character of the Long of the Rings trilogy. He may not have the fighting skill of a Legolas, the personal triumph of a Frodo, or the age and wisdom of a Gandalf, but he is a culminating character in the story. The quest to destroy the ring is about freedom for the land, but it is also to pave the way for Aragorn to assume the throne.

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