Eowyn Should Have Destroyed the One Ring, Not Frodo

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J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings mirrors real-world struggles – Sauron embodies any oppressive force, while those who oppose him represent the fight for justice. Unlike real life, the heroes in the story always succeed. A common debate among fans centers on whether Frodo, the Ringbearer, truly fits the traditional hero mold. While fate and destiny are present in Tolkien’s writing, he likely chose Frodo as the main character because he was an unlikely hero – an underdog facing impossible odds.

The Hobbits were the most unassuming and humble people in Tolkien’s world, and placing Frodo and Sam in a battle against overwhelming evil highlighted the idea that the gentle could ultimately triumph in Middle-earth. However, Frodo almost failed, and Tolkien suggested that the creator god, Eru Ilúvatar, directly caused Gollum’s accidental fall into the lava. This raises questions: would Ilúvatar have had to intervene if Éowyn had carried the Ring instead? Would Frodo have needed to leave Middle-earth to recover? To truly understand Éowyn’s potential impact, we need to first explore her background and character.

Éowyn Was a Heroic Warrior with One of the Strongest Wills

It’s important to discuss gender inequality in fiction, and sometimes that means reimagining or adding strong female characters to existing stories. For example, in The Lord of the Rings, the powerful women are often presented as exceptional cases, differing from typical women of that world. The story reflects the author’s time, portraying men as warriors and providers, and women as symbols of grace, healing, and goodness. Essentially, characters like Galadriel stand out because they have more control over their own destinies. This agency is what allowed Éowyn to break from traditional expectations and reject the role society assigned to her. However, it’s worth noting that Tolkien originally had different ideas for Éowyn’s character.

Originally, the author considered a relationship between the elderly Aragorn and the much younger Éowyn, but decided against it because Aragorn seemed too old, imposing, and serious. Another early idea involved Éowyn dying after getting her revenge, which would have left Aragorn feeling guilty for not understanding her. However, Tolkien ultimately portrayed Éowyn as a strong, independent woman – he himself described her as a “stern Amazon.” Later, he suggested she was a bit of both a caregiver and a warrior. Éowyn’s passionate speech highlights her strength and resolve, as she declares her ability to fight and her fearlessness in the face of pain and death. She even subtly criticized Wormtongue by saying she was tired of hiding and longed for the danger and excitement of battle.

Not much is known about Éowyn’s early life. Records say she and her brother, Éomer, were raised by Théoden after their parents died. While they grew up together, their lives quickly diverged due to their genders. Éomer excelled as a warrior and horseman, quickly rising through the ranks of the Rohirrim to become a respected marshal and fight in battles. Éowyn, however, appeared to remain in Edoras, the capital city of Rohan, though she held considerable power and influence there.

As Théoden prepared to leave for his last battle, he intended to appoint someone to oversee Edoras, even asking for suggestions. His guard, Háma, then pointed out Éowyn, describing her as brave and noble, and well-respected by the people. Théoden immediately decided Éowyn would be in charge of protecting the city. He had full confidence in her ability to manage things during the dangerous time, though he didn’t know what choices she would ultimately make.

Éowyn Would Have Never Succumbed to the One Ring

Tolkien presented Frodo Baggins as the central figure in determining the fate of Middle-earth. He chose Frodo because his humility and modesty offered the best chance of resisting the Ring’s corrupting power. While Gandalf had faith in Frodo’s strength, he also recognized that Samwise Gamgee would play a crucial role in the quest.

Gandalf wisely chose Sam to accompany Frodo, as their quest likely would have failed without him, and Middle-earth would have suffered greatly. Éowyn, initially driven by a desire for fame, seemed an unlikely hero. She craved recognition, even if it meant risking her life against powerful enemies. However, her eventual victory over her own ambition and fear revealed the inner strength and goodness needed to resist the Ring’s power.

Unlike characters like Arwen or Galadriel, who were content to simply withstand challenges, Éowyn actively sought to shape her own destiny. She defied expectations and left a lasting, positive impact on Middle-earth. Though she openly desired recognition, Éowyn’s true motivation wasn’t personal glory, but a deep-seated need to defend those who couldn’t defend themselves.

This is clear in her statement after the war, where she expressed a desire to cherish life and growth. Éowyn strongly resists accepting a helpless role and refuses to give in to hopelessness, a struggle Frodo faces right before a critical moment. Driven to prove her worth, Éowyn would not have succumbed to the Ring’s power, avoiding the mistake that almost led Frodo to become the main antagonist of The Lord of the Rings.

Éowyn Made Prophetic History by Killing the Witch-king

Éowyn was clearly a warrior of the noble House of Eorl, and her fierce spirit embodied the qualities Aragorn recognized: proud, determined, kind, and brave without being ruthless. Given her heroic nature, it wasn’t surprising she wouldn’t accept being left behind when the men went to war – Éomer and Théoden really should have anticipated her joining them.

The strong societal expectations of the time meant that seeing a woman fight was unusual, which actually helped Éowyn achieve her greatest moment. Before leaving Edoras, she’d privately asked Aragorn to let her join the battle, explaining her desire to fight. He turned her down, asking her to stay and protect Rohan while Théoden was away – a typical response from a man who didn’t recognize the courage and determination within her.

Rather than wait passively, Éowyn disguised herself as a man named Dernhelm, a practice echoed by many real-life female warriors throughout history. Like Nadezhda Durova of Russia, she took on a male identity to fight and prove her courage. However, Éowyn wouldn’t have been able to fulfill her destiny without the help of Merry, who joined her on her journey.

During the battle, Théoden was fatally wounded by the Witch-king of Angmar, leaving Éowyn to defend her uncle. The Witch-king boasted that no man could defeat him, but Éowyn revealed she was a woman. Though surprised, the Witch-king fought her, nearly overpowering her until Merry attacked with a special blade. This fulfilled an old prophecy, as neither Éowyn nor Merry counted as ‘Men’ according to its terms.

Éowyn earned the recognition she deserved, but she was seriously injured in battle. She recovered in the Houses of Healing in Minas Tirith, just like Frodo, and eventually shifted her romantic feelings from Aragorn to the future Steward of Gondor. It seems Tolkien intended to give Éowyn a husband as a reward for her bravery and allow her to retire from fighting.

Éowyn’s victory over a powerful enemy of Sauron has kept her memory strong for generations. However, the idea of her simply becoming a wife feels increasingly unsatisfying to modern audiences. Many fans have pointed out that limiting Éowyn to a domestic life after she proved her courage and skill feels unfair. Ultimately, Éowyn consistently defied expectations, and that strength of character is precisely why she would have been a remarkable Ringbearer.

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2025-11-10 03:38