tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257529292737510242.post8505363176251108910..comments2023-08-08T06:27:02.614-05:00Comments on Deus ex Libris: Ere the sun risesClaire Dawsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06133898311730467349noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5257529292737510242.post-37744960814431293792010-10-07T11:33:07.745-05:002010-10-07T11:33:07.745-05:00I think Denethor also embodies the despair of Men,...I think Denethor also embodies the despair of Men, especially of the Men of Gondor, in their long toil against Sauron, holding the border against his encroachment for centuries without true leadership. It should cause grave worry about Aragorn's coming as king; they have many years worth of fear and pain against that yearning. Denethor is a chilling example: any dawn after that long, dark night will drive some into darkness or madness. I wonder if it's too much to ask if Tolkien is trying to say a thing about the clenching up of the soul that hopelessness causes. It would put the Men of Gondor,particularly Denethor and to an extent Boromir as embodiments their race, into a category with Gollum and Orcs (who are descended from the very earliest Elves). He seems to hold up Aragorn and Faramir as people who can endure long hoplessness without being crippled. Also Elves and Istari, but they have a different stake and life-span.Fishnoreply@blogger.com