As reading is like breathing to me, there are so many great characters I could choose from the thousands of books I’ve read. I don’t really have one favorite, but I have one that comes close, and as her story has been on my mind lately, I chose her for today’s topic.
Éowyn.
These are movie photos of Miranda Otto who played the character in Peter Jackson’s epic masterpiece. I loved her in the film, but as all book nerds will agree, the book is always better, and Éowyn as a character is no exception. Yes, I think J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings was and is genius. I was captivated from the moment I stepped foot in the Shire.
Orphaned young and raised alongside her brother Éomer in her uncle’s home – King Théoden of Rohan, Éowyn longs for more than a woman of that age is relegated to. The story finds her caring for her uncle, whose mind has been poisoned by his evil advisor – Sauron’s spy and a lecherous man who lusts after her. Her brother has been banished and she’s alone, trapped in a life she doesn’t want. A life of she fears. When opportunity to escape her perceived fate comes to her doorstep, she is more than willing, but is thwarted by the man she thinks she loves when he tells her it is her duty to lead her people in her uncle’s and brother’s absences. Nevertheless, she eventually makes her way into battle and to everyone’s amazement, defeats the Witch-king who had been the subject of a prophecy that said no man could kill him. When threatened with a fate worse than death, Éowyn responds:
“But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Éowyn I am, Eomund’s daughter. You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.”
“Then tottering, struggling up, with her last strength she drove her sword between crown and mantle, as the great shoulders bowed before her. The sword broke sparkling into many shards. The crown rolled away with a clang. Éowyn fell forward upon her fallen foe.”
I love Éowyn! She calls herself a “wild shieldmaiden of the north.” I can relate to that. The White Lady of Rohan. Lady of the shield-arm. Daughter of the House of Eorl. She had many names, but of course I connected with the shield references the most. She is fierce, loyal, and determined, yet in the books as she recovers from her battle wounds, she has a change of heart about her “fate” and she softens, saying she’ll become a healer. That resonates with me too.
See which characters resonated with my friends:
Don at https://donhillson.wordpress.com/
Beckie at http://free2b2much.blogspot.com/
Tracy at https://countyroadchronicles.wordpress.com/
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Technically it’s for teens and not forty-five year old teachers, so I volunteered to be a chaperone for five of my favorite teen girls. I’m a genius. Admit it. I win.
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