Religious Themes in Film

Lesson 1: Introduction and Lord of the Rings I

“Even the smallest being…” The Hero Archetype in LOTR

Although neither Jesus nor any other Christian characters are directly referenced in the three LOTR films, these three movies are the only films we will study where we know that the books’ author, J.R. Tolkien, had many Christian themes in mind when he wrote it.

For this reason, LOTR movies are rich with Biblical themes, parallels and symbols. In this lesson and the next, we will look at how some of the journeys of the characters in LOTR parallels with Biblical characters, specifically Christ.

We will be using Joseph Campbell’s definition and description of the archetype of a hero and his journey to help us emphasize aspects of these parallels. By using scripture to inform LOTR, and vice versa, we will be developing tools in which to derive more meaning from our movie watching – and Bible reading – experiences.

Read Campbell's introduction to his monomyth, pages 30 - 40. As outlined in this reading, Campbell’s monomyth is the myth of the Hero and the Hero’s adventure. The Hero’s adventure, in almost every culture, follows this basic plot: Separation, Initiation, and Return.

Briefly…

Separation

The hero is first "called" to his/her vocation and then separated from his/her usual environment or society. He/she leaves the safety of the community and ventures out. There is usually conflict when the hero struggles with accepting his/her vocation. He/she first enters "the belly of the whale" as Campbell describes it – a dark wilderness that will test the hero.

Trials of Initiation

The hero is put through a series of trials, physically and spiritually. Through the trials, the hero becomes stronger and reaches higher states of spiritual awareness. As the hero progresses, he/she becomes more comfortable and aware of her/his destiny. Finally, the enemies and tests are overcome, and the hero comes into the full role of his/her destiny.

Return

The hero returns to the community to take on his/her new role. The hero returns with new powers or assumes a kingship that is his/her destiny. The hero’s journey radically changes the community or the entire world in some way.

Let us consider one Hero’s adventure in the case of subplot of LOTR which takes place in the first and second movies: The story of Gandalf and his change from a Grey Wizard to a White Wizard.

Separation

Gandalf’s separation is clear. Near the end of the first movie, he is separated from his friends and brought down into the depths of the earth by an old enemy, the Balrog.

Consider how this story, a mortal man (even if he has extraordinary powers) who is brought down into the depths of hell, reverberates with many old stories:

• Dante’s Inferno records the story of Dante himself who goes down into the many levels of hell. Dante is led by…

• Vergil because Vergil wrote the story of Aeneas’ trip to hell in The Aeneid.

• Another Greek story is that of Orpheus, who travels to hell to find his wife. The story of Orpheus is probably what inspired the recent film, What Dreams May Come with the Robin Williams character taking the part of Orpheus.

• The Mesopotamian myth Gilgamesh records the feats of the hero Gilgamesh who travels into the underworld to rescue his friend, Enkidu.

• The Anglo-Saxon myth Beowulf has its hero delving into the monster Grendel’s underground den which is haunted by evil spirits.

Initiation

When Gandalf and the Fellowship are at the top of the mountains getting wracked by storm, we are given a strong hint that Gandalf does not want to go into the Mines of Moria.

“Moria,” Saruman says in a voice over to Gandalf, “You fear to go into those mines. The Dwarves delved too greedily and too deep. You know what they awoke in the darkness of Khazad-dum. Shadow and Flame.”

Why doesn't Gandalf want to go into the mines? Because an old fear is there: Balrog. An old fear which he does not want to face. In fact, he would rather take his chances on the pass of Caradhras than go into those depths.

“The Balrog,” Gandalf says when they go into the Mines of Moria and the Balrog approaches. “A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you.” Gandalf falls with the Balrog, nevertheless, and meets his deepest fears.

These tests of Heroes are many times physical – as we know by the tasks of Hercules, for instance – and Gandolf battles Balrog with his sword. But the physical tests are often a metaphor for psychological or spiritual tests. It is clear, Gandalf fears the Balrog, but his fear appears much more than the simple fear that he is going to get his butt kicked.

He seems to have a clear lack of confidence in his powers when he first considers the Balrog. Gandalf will need to struggle with his inner demons and with his own confidence in his power when he faces the Balrog.

The Return: Gandalf the White

Gandalf returns and rejoins his friends, and the fight, in the second movie in the Fangorn Forest. He returns “reborn.” He has a new identity: Gandalf the White instead of Gandalf the Grey.

With this new identity comes new powers. Gandalf is indeed more powerful than before, both physically and spiritually. Having met his darkest physical and psychological fears, he has returned with a new confidence and a higher level of power on both levels.

The rebirth is not only psychological, it is physical. His friends hardly recognize the new Gandalf, he seems to glow.

Consider a strikingly similar scene recounted in the New Testament, when Jesus brings some of his disciples up to a mountain:

”And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white.” Mt 17:2 and a similar verse in Mk 9.

This transfiguration by Jesus is a brief preview of his post-resurrected body.

Physical transformations which correlate to psychological or spiritual change is a common theme in Biblical literature and stories from around the world. Take Milton's Paradise Lost, a work which is responsible for many of our contemporary images of heaven and hell. Milton describes a once beautiful angel called Beelzebub who is now a sinful Fallen angel:

“…but O how fallen! how changed from him who, in the happy realms of light clothed with transcendent brightness, didst outshine Myriads, though bright!” (Book I:84)

The closer one is to the Truth – the closer one is to God – the brighter, more transcendent you become. Paradoxically, angels are often described as pure light and heaven is described as pure fire.

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