Striders transformation to Elessar.

[ringbearer]

Note Aragorn's mistakes and indeciseveness up to the point he uses the Palantir to challenge the Dark Lord. I believe it was at this time he truly "assumed the role" of "King".

[AACHOO]

It was the first time he saw who the enemy truly was.
Seeing what was at stake he rose to the occasion.Had to have been some serious soul searching after the encounter probably doubt and finally resolve to over come all that lay ahead.

[ringbearer]

No, he found out who he "truly was". The "enemy" was already well established.

[cee2lee2]

Probably a bit of both -- encountering the enemy in that way, he looked inside himself to find his true self.

[Selwythe]

Perhaps longing for revenge rose in him as he beheld the murderer of his forefathers, Isildur, Elendil, Anarion... the north kingdom...

[olorin]

He finally saw the strength of his enemy, and the resolution he would need to stand against it...

[ragnor]

i believe Aragorn was a work in progress. he evolved as the quest continued. steady yet assured of his role from the past prophecies to the role of king. he stayed the course when others second guessed themselves. to me a steady hand on the helm of the fellowship.

[WearyPilgrim]

I agree with all of the above ... I would just like to add that in in his confrontation with Sauron through the Palantir he won, and he was able to wrench the Stone to his own uses, maybe that gave him a confidence in himself, the belief that he was truly an heir of Elendil, and that Sauron was not invincible, it was a turning point in the War of the Ring. Its going to be a crucial point in the Two Towers movie in 2002, I hope its a scene that is done justice.

[Comic Book Guy]

With Arwen in the scene, I'm sure it will.

[ringbearer]

Originally posted by Comic Book Guy
With Arwen in the scene, I'm sure it will.

:rolleyes: Sarcasm noted!:rolleyes:

[hama]

The issue of Aragorn's character development within the Trilogy is an interesting topic. I think Tolkien chose to devlop his character slowly throughout LotR to enhance his role as a heroic figure. I don't think there is any doubt that Aragorn knew or felt his role and his destiny and were both rooted in his sense of history and his devotion to his lineage.

Of course, it would be difficult for Aragorn to not appear fallible when juxtaposed against the characters of Gandalf and Elrond. His sense of doubt is best expressed in the scene after the Mines of Moria when he doubts his ability to lead the Fellowship. His sense of authority and position is also well expressed in the tone of his discussion with Eomer at their first meeting.

Aragorn is initially deferential to Gandalf but as the trilogy develops, Gandalf takes on more and more the character of a wise counsel to a King, the real source of power. If one really looks at the character or Gandalf, there are many times when he doubts himself or makes errors in judgement. However, in the end, Tolkien makes Aragorn a sympathetic character by allowing him to grow in stature as the novel progresses. I have to agree with the posters above who identify the moment of Aragorn looking into the Palantir and seeing his course of action and his road through the Paths of the Dead. From that point on there is a very real sense of destiny and decisiveness in all that Aragorn does for the balance of LotR.

This of course is all IMHO.

[Ñólendil]

It is unfortunately my duty in life -- set upon me by myself -- to annoyingly point out things I feel are mistakes.

The Lord of the Rings, contrary to popular opinion, is not actually a Trilogy. As can be seen in the Letters, Tolkien disliked the term. If it was a trilogy it would consist of three books that can safely be read separately, the first, second and third books (that is: Volumes) would be complete in themselves, although connected. The Lord of the Rings is one story (an heroic romance, not a novel), made up of six Books and Appendices, originally (and against the author's wishes) issued in three Volumes. It is also the sequel to The Silmarillion, which should have been published in connexion or in conjunction with it.

Probably most of this (save the Trilogy and novel business, which is not very essential to knowing about this story anyway) you know, but according to one friend of mine (at least) I love to hear myself talk. :)

Good points, I agree.

[WearyPilgrim]

I think you are being a bit hard on yourself Inny. "I love to hear myself talk" is a bit unfair, "I am infatuated with hearing myself talk" would be more reasonable ... LOL :D

Besides it would be a boring board without people like yourself ... keep up that infatuation ... :)

[Snowdog]

I would just like to add that in in his confrontation with Sauron through the Palantir he won, and he was able to wrench the Stone to his own uses, maybe that gave him a confidence in himself, the belief that he was truly an heir of Elendil, and that Sauron was not invincible, it was a turning point in the War of the Ring. I agree with this. Strider in effect 'battled' one-on-one with Sauron through the Palantir when he wrested the stone away from his will. This had a MAJOR effect on him and he even appeared different afterward. He was now Aragorn.

[Tar-Elendil]

Originally posted by Snowdog
I agree with this. Strider in effect 'battled' one-on-one with Sauron through the Palantir when he wrested the stone away from his will. This had a MAJOR effect on him and he even appeared different afterward. He was now Aragorn.
i think that he "was always" aragorn and not estel,strider,etc. It is just that he had always had to conceal his true identity and he had finally revealed himself to the enemy(even tho in a diff guise). he looked diff becuz of the palantir. same thing happened with denethor.

[Tar-Elendil]

as far as the palantir thing goes

[afro-elf]

he looked diff becuz of the palantir. same thing happened with denethor.

it could a semantic problem here


but the palantir ITSELF did not affect denethor's or aragorn's appearance

denethor was worn out by USE of the stone and his struggle with sauron

aragorn may have truly come into his own

but it was not the stone in its self

[Tar-Elendil]

a weariness overcame both of them after using the stone. it says after aragorn uses the stone that it seemed many years had fallen upon him during one night. i dont think his appearence changed at all save he was tired after the use of the palantir. His more kingly manner comes out after this probably as frodo had glimpsed it at argonath.

[afro-elf]

you said



he looked diff becuz of the palantir. same thing happened with denethor.


but denethor was aged before his time by USE of the stone

[Snowdog]

When one is stressed it can take a toll. Being a fact that I dont always put things into words well, tar you said what I was meaning. The 'battle of wills through the Palantir is what 'aged' Aragorn's appearance. Also, of course he was always Aragorn, but he went by meny identities through the years, and he 'came out' as Isildur's Heir while battling Sauron via the Palantir.