At a field of Orcs before the burning city of Minis Tirith, King Theodan commands his men to “ride now!” he then blows a horn so hard it shatters. Theodan leads his men in the courageous charge into battle. (Tolkien 820) In The Lord of The Rings selfless leaders take the best actions for Middle Earth because selfless policies are often the most sustainable. Theodan is an example of a selfless King, both the Two Towers and The Return of the King are filled with scenes like the Rohirrim’s charge in the battle where Theodan inspires his people to go to battle. Denethor’s reign contrasts heavily with Theodan’s because the Steward of Gondor frequently rules out of need for personal gain. The contrast between these two leaders shows how good policies are rooted in selfless motivation.
The charge of the Rohirrim at Minis Tirith is reminiscent of their final charge at helm’s deep. It is again an example of the Rohirrim going against a force that far outmatches them with a near certainty of defeat. However the Rohirrim go into the charge regardless because of their leadership. Theodan commands that the horn of helm’s deep be blown and describes how “All that heard that sound trembled. Many of the Orcs cast themselves on their faces and covered their ears with their claws. “ (Tolkien 528) Theodan is a very inspirational king as such makes a point to lead his men into battle, especially when he knows he may be leading them to doom. Theodan is described majestically in this scene, Tolkien writes “His horse was white as snow, golden was his shield, and his spear was long.” (528) Theodan embodies the classic romantic depiction of a hero, riding on noble stead in gleaming armor with a mighty weapon against evil. In fact so cowered was Saruman’s army by the sight of the Rohirrim and their leader than when the charge began “[The riders] drove through the hosts of Isengard like wind among grass.”(528) Notice how the riders of Rohan are compared to a scene from nature, yet another example of how their actions are meant to sustain middle earth. Theodan is selfless by leading his men in this charge and in doing so inspires them to win the battle.
Denthor however does not inspire the people of Gondor when Mordor besieges Minis Tirith. Instead, bereaved by the illness of his son he became ineffective and pessimistic. Filled with regret Denethor exclaimed “ I sent my son forth, unthanked, unblessed, out into needless peril, and here he lies with poison in his veins. Nay, Nay, whatever may now betide in war, my line too is ending, even the House of the Stewards has failed.” (805) Denethor appreciates his mistake however he is also unable to lead his city when it needs him most. The Lord of Gondor is too concerned with the end of his line to ensure that the city he is sworn to rule does not also perish. Theodan also lost a son and knew that his line would end should he die at Helmsdeep. A key difference between Theodan and Denethor is their ability or inability to maintain belief in their causes in times of peril or certain defeat and to inspire their people with that same belief.
The Lord of the Rings highlights to relationship between selflessness and sustainable politics. Denethor is debilitated by his own loss and leaves the leadership of his city of other people. Theodan in sharp contrast leads his men from the front of the charge and inspires them with both words and his own visage to have courage even when against overwhelming forces. The means Theodan uses to inspire his people are the same that Robert Scruton suggests when he says the motive of sustainability spreads “by spreading to the point of transparency the solid stuff of person-to-person sympathy.” (208) Theodan is able to reach his people through rhetoric. Today we have means of spreading ideas easier than ever before, inpiration is more attainable than ever.
Scruton, Robert. Green Philosophy. Great Britain. Atlantic Books, 2013. Print.
Tolkien, J.R.R. The Two Towers. New York. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 1994. Print.
Tolkien, J.R.R. The Return of the King. New York. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 1994. Print.