The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Lesson Plan

What is the meaning of the Rohirric poem which Aragorn recites? Why does Legolas say that it is "laden with the sadness of mortal men"?

The poem which Aragorn recites is a riff on the old Anglo-Saxon poem "The Wanderer". In it, an exiled warrior laments the passing of time, the loss of material well-being, the death of his friends, and the impermanence and hardship of life on Earth, all before ultimately finding consolation in God. Legolas's reflection on Tolkien's version of this poem shows the large gap in lived experience between immortal Elves and deathbound Men.

Compare Aragorn’s style of leadership with Théoden’s. In what ways are the two kings similar? In what...