Study of the Rangers of the North

Snowdog · 05-28-2002, 04:35 PM

Aragorn and the other Rangers makes a good case-study of Tolkiens work. I read the article by Michael martinez and it has some merit, though I always thought that the Rangers while being for the most part good, the hard life led to some rather less-than-civilized behavior. Maybe my imagination of them. Opinions on Rangers from the sons of Arvedui to Arathorn II, Aragorn's father?

Eldanuumea · 05-30-2002, 03:35 PM

Michaels M.'s article describes the Rangers as a peace-keeping force serving the "hidden" northern kingdom. After reading his article, I thought of comparing them to a group of sheriff's deputies. His article states that perhaps the Rangers were carrying out a function dating back to the existence of the kingdom, with the folks of Eriador more or less allowing the system to continue since it kept them secure.

Michael Martinez · 06-08-2002, 09:12 PM

That essay was intended more as a comparison of two literary forms: Tolkien's stories and the stories of Robert E. Howard.

The nature of the Rangers is quite mysterious, and I stuck my neck out the most in Of thegns and kings and rangers and things, which predates the "By This Sword, I Rule!" article by several months (and thus lays the groundwork for my current theory of Ranger motives and functions).

Eldanuumea · 06-08-2002, 11:08 PM

I misremembered the name of the article I had in mind....sorry for any confusion!

Michael Martinez · 06-09-2002, 12:24 AM

Don't worry about it. I was actually fishing for threads where I could respond with something useful.

I haven't posted here in a while, and there were almost seven hundred threads for me to review. I gave up around 290, I think.

Eldanuumea · 06-09-2002, 05:30 AM

Glad to be of service in some small way, Michael!

Snowdog · 07-29-2002, 04:56 PM

I always think of the Rangers similar to as you say a defence for the north. They were not numerous and could not be in all places at once so sometimes enemies slipped by. But for the most paet they kept trouble from the Shire and that was traditionally part of Arnor of old. But they were rough from the lifestyle led in the wild. Much could be said of the generations I bet.

Michael Martinez · 07-30-2002, 01:42 AM

Actually, the attitude of the Bree-landers toward the Rangers might lend some support to your idea. Aragorn himself noted that he had a rascally look, and he was pretty rude to Frodo when they first met.

I hadn't really thought about that aspect of it. The company Halbarad led to Rohan might have been on their best behavior among the Rohirrim because "the chief" was there with them, and they didn't want to diminish his standing with the allies.

Ñólendil · 08-03-2002, 02:39 AM

If they were usually impolite or unkind in word (if not in deed), it may not only have been from their hard life as Rangers. The people they protected weren't very nice to them.

I never imagined the courtesy of the Northern Rangers was insincere. Makes you wonder.

05-28-2002, 04:35 PM	#1
Snowdog Dúnedain Ranger of the North Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: The Ruins of Arnor Posts: 892	Study of the Rangers of the North Aragorn and the other Rangers makes a good case-study of Tolkiens work. I read the article by Michael martinez and it has some merit, though I always thought that the Rangers while being for the most part good, the hard life led to some rather less-than-civilized behavior. Maybe my imagination of them. Opinions on Rangers from the sons of Arvedui to Arathorn II, Aragorn's father? __________________ "I am an outlaw, I was born an outlaw's son. The highway is my legacy, on the highway I will run."

05-30-2002, 03:35 PM	#2
Eldanuumea Elven Warrior Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 123	Michaels M.'s article describes the Rangers as a peace-keeping force serving the "hidden" northern kingdom. After reading his article, I thought of comparing them to a group of sheriff's deputies. His article states that perhaps the Rangers were carrying out a function dating back to the existence of the kingdom, with the folks of Eriador more or less allowing the system to continue since it kept them secure. __________________ "Queen of Sweetness and Light!" - Mordomin

06-08-2002, 09:12 PM	#3
Michael Martinez Elven Loremaster Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 892	That essay was intended more as a comparison of two literary forms: Tolkien's stories and the stories of Robert E. Howard. The nature of the Rangers is quite mysterious, and I stuck my neck out the most in Of thegns and kings and rangers and things, which predates the "By This Sword, I Rule!" article by several months (and thus lays the groundwork for my current theory of Ranger motives and functions). __________________ http://www.xenite.org/faqs/lotr_movie/ http://www.michael-martinez.com/ http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/

06-08-2002, 11:08 PM	#4
Eldanuumea Elven Warrior Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 123	I misremembered the name of the article I had in mind....sorry for any confusion! __________________ "Queen of Sweetness and Light!" - Mordomin

06-09-2002, 12:24 AM	#5
Michael Martinez Elven Loremaster Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 892	Don't worry about it. I was actually fishing for threads where I could respond with something useful. I haven't posted here in a while, and there were almost seven hundred threads for me to review. I gave up around 290, I think. __________________ http://www.xenite.org/faqs/lotr_movie/ http://www.michael-martinez.com/ http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/

06-09-2002, 05:30 AM	#6
Eldanuumea Elven Warrior Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 123	Glad to be of service in some small way, Michael! __________________ "Queen of Sweetness and Light!" - Mordomin

07-29-2002, 04:56 PM	#7
Snowdog Dúnedain Ranger of the North Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: The Ruins of Arnor Posts: 892	I always think of the Rangers similar to as you say a defence for the north. They were not numerous and could not be in all places at once so sometimes enemies slipped by. But for the most paet they kept trouble from the Shire and that was traditionally part of Arnor of old. But they were rough from the lifestyle led in the wild. Much could be said of the generations I bet. __________________ "I am an outlaw, I was born an outlaw's son. The highway is my legacy, on the highway I will run."

07-30-2002, 01:42 AM	#8
Michael Martinez Elven Loremaster Join Date: Feb 2000 Posts: 892	Actually, the attitude of the Bree-landers toward the Rangers might lend some support to your idea. Aragorn himself noted that he had a rascally look, and he was pretty rude to Frodo when they first met. I hadn't really thought about that aspect of it. The company Halbarad led to Rohan might have been on their best behavior among the Rohirrim because "the chief" was there with them, and they didn't want to diminish his standing with the allies. __________________ http://www.xenite.org/faqs/lotr_movie/ http://www.michael-martinez.com/ http://www.merp.com/essays/MichaelMartinez/

08-03-2002, 02:39 AM	#9
Ñólendil Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: California Posts: 60,865	If they were usually impolite or unkind in word (if not in deed), it may not only have been from their hard life as Rangers. The people they protected weren't very nice to them. I never imagined the courtesy of the Northern Rangers was insincere. Makes you wonder. __________________ Falmon -- Dylan

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
North Korea to Give Up Nuclear Aims	Nurvingiel	General Messages	62	04-03-2007 04:16 AM
Putting the North American plains to use?	Lief Erikson	General Messages	20	09-02-2005 05:39 PM
Where did the Rangers of the North Live?	afro-elf	Lord of the Rings Books	6	04-25-2003 05:24 PM
Rangers and the Scouring of the Shire	afro-elf	Lord of the Rings Books	17	04-24-2003 12:18 PM
Rangers of the North Vs the Rangers of Ithelien	afro-elf	Middle Earth	5	09-02-2002 01:01 PM