The problem with Glûg the orc’s betrayal on The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

The problem with Glûg the orc's betrayal on The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

As a dedicated fan of both Middle-earth and Westeros, I’ve spent countless hours pondering the intricacies of these captivating worlds. While George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series is notorious for its betrayals, J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” has always been a beacon of camaraderie and heroism. However, in Amazon’s “The Rings of Power,” we see a fascinating twist with Glûg, an orc who betrays Adar for what he believes to be the greater good.

We don’t see a lot of betrayal throughout The Lord of the Rings.

It’s clear what you’re implying: In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, characters like Isildur, Saruman, Smeagol, Gollum, and Boromir betray their respective alliances. Similarly, in Amazon’s TV series The Rings of Power, the first Dark Wizard deceives the Stranger, Ar-Pharazôn betrays Miriel, and Glûg betrays Adar.

In simpler terms, the list appears to show very little incidence of betrayal. To put it another way, most actions that could be considered betrayal seem to be linked to Sauron or his influence. However, due to my limited knowledge of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legendarium, I can’t definitively say there is no betrayal outside of Sauron’s sphere. But if I were to guess, I would say that instances of betrayal not directly or indirectly tied to Sauron are rare, at least in the context provided.

Similar to how George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, translated to TV as “Game of Thrones,” has a multitude of betrayals even in its initial season/book: Jon Arryn’s assassination by his wife Lysa, Jaime Lannister pushing Bran from the tower, Cersei drugging King Robert during a hunt, Mirri Maz Duur cursing Khal Drogo, the Kingsguard pursuing Arya and capturing Sansa, Joffrey ordering Ned Stark’s execution, and the presence of Littlefinger.

In the realm of Westeros, betrayal is often clouded by mixed intentions that both the characters and viewers struggle with. However, in Middle-earth, a betrayal is simply evil without question. This becomes clear when we recall the first book of Tolkien’s renowned trilogy bears the title “Fellowship”, emphasizing the importance of camaraderie among elves, dwarves, humans, and hobbits. Our protagonists strive to protect these bonds, and whenever they are threatened, it is usually due to greed, pride, ambition, cruelty, or manipulations by Sauron.

Until Glûg.

In the world of The Rings of Power, Glug stands out as the unique orc with noble aspirations. He yearns for a sanctuary where he and his companion can nurture their orc child under the protective veil of an ash-laden sky. To realize this dream, Glug is loyal to Adar, a fallen elf who serves as a kind of adoptive patriarch for the orcs. The orcs call Adar “Lordfather,” reflecting their belief that he cares for them and advocates for their welfare. However, throughout Season 2, Adar’s actions cast doubt on Glug’s faith in his Lordfather, as Glug worries that Adar has been consumed by fear and lost sight of what truly benefits the orcs of Mordor.

The problem with Glûg the orc's betrayal on The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Instead, Glûg reveals Adar’s secrets to Sauron, not driven by self-interest to seize Adar’s authority or force his rule over Middle-earth’s populace, nor out of malice towards Adar personally. Rather, Glûg believes that Adar has broken a promise and sees Sauron as the one who can uphold it. His act of rebellion, although it may seem unconventional, is as noble as any could be, stemming from his concern not just for himself but also for his orc kin and fellow Uruks.

Absolutely, Glug was mistaken. Sauron isn’t looking out for the orcs’ wellbeing; instead, they often face harm, as evidenced by Glug’s tragic end at Sauron’s hands. This is a common experience for orcs.

Orcs, hobbits and the little people in Middle-earth

J.R.R. Tolkien didn’t explicitly establish an origin for orcs, which might make them the most genuine beings in his mythology, given that their origins are a knotty web of contrasting tales shrouded in darkness, much like our own. However, there is a recurring theme about their origins – they are destined to serve under Sauron (and Morgoth before him). This doesn’t mean orcs are innately evil, but rather, the trajectory of their story leans towards unjust actions.

Despite their constant efforts, orcs appear to make little effort and are always vulnerable to the malignant and contentious spirits that initially shaped them. It might be said that Glûg’s betrayal was the most typical orcish act he could commit: His noble intentions ultimately drove him to kill one of the few beings who truly cared for him.

From another perspective, if we momentarily overlook the “murder” charge against Glug, he could be seen as a figure who battles to safeguard his people’s future, often facing someone he once trusted. This description can also apply to Elendil, Elrond, and Prince Durin. However, when elves, dwarves, and humans unite for the sanctity of their fellowship, they seem invincible, like they’re wearing armor stronger than mithril chainmail. We label them as good. When an orc fights for the same reason, he meets a brutal end with a sword through his throat, and we call him Glug.

In Tolkien’s works, such as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, he intended readers to identify with characters who might not be traditionally heroic. That’s why the destiny of the world rests in the hands of Gollum, Bilbo, and Frodo – seemingly insignificant hobbits. In The Rings of Power, we encounter new hobbit-like characters, namely the Harfoots (and the Stoors). However, Glûg suggests that perhaps the true underdogs are the orcs, a people who are destined to enact and suffer from evil despite their best efforts.

If the makers of “The Rings of Power” possibly pondered such an idea, they effectively dismissed it at the conclusion of season 2. They did so, symbolically speaking, by ending a life through a sword thrust to the throat. However, this is not a problem because orcs are traditionally portrayed as villains and deviating from these established norms could disrupt the established rules.

2024-10-26 19:42

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