Gandalf the Messiah (LotR Critique)

 

When the word “messiah” is uttered, it often conjures images of Jesus Christ or the Prophet Mohammed or any other potent religious figure sent to guide his or her people by way of the dispensing of wisdom and morality. Messianic figures are not to be confused, however, with “Christ-figures”. While some characters in literature can echo the story and journey of Christ, as with a Christ-figure, messianic figures are actually infused with divinity. Often, it is necessary for these messianic figures exist in fantasy literature to provide a symbol of either good or evil. In the case of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic The Lord of the Rings, there will always be argument over the existence of Christ-figures in the characters of Frodo and possibly Aragorn, but in the epic, it is the character of Gandalf the Grey (and later Gandalf the White), who best represents a messianic figure and shows the importance of his role as such.

Throughout the long journey, it is Gandalf who supplies the wisdom, the explanation of events, and the sound advice to the Fellowship and all else. It is Gandalf who possesses a divine origin, and it is Gandalf who possesses great power and also the wisdom to use it correctly.

In her essay, “The Evil Ring: Realism and the Marvelous”, literary theorist Christine Brooke-Rose often refers to Gandalf as “the great explainer”. The reasoning, though, according to Brooke-Rose, is not because of any messianic capabilities, but rather because The Lord of the Rings was set in an exotic and fantastic locale. While a setting based in “reality” would require little explanation, Middle Earth “needs on the contrary to be constantly explained (since it is unfamiliar), either by the omniscient author, or by his substitute Gandalf”. (Brooke-Rose 74) Through reading the book, one can see Brooke-Rose's point, as it seems that Gandalf seems to do naught but talk and explain and advise until his sacrifice on the Bridge of Khazad-Dum. Though he does take more action after his rebirth as Gandalf the White (much like Jesus post-Resurrection, a character who is both a Christ-figure and messianic), his primary role is still that of an adviser and an explainer.

However, when one examines the role of a messianic figure, one will find that a messianic figure often does no more than simply advise and explain. It is the role of a messiah to inspire and lead and advise and give hope and occasionally dole out a miracle or two. Action, or rather the choice of action is usually left to the followers, to leave them with the choice of when morals to follow. It is in this sense that the “great explainer” Gandalf truly shines. He serves as the de facto leader of the Fellowship as well as adviser, giving lectures and preaching on the quality of mercy and pity. To provide an example, there is a moment where Frodo learns that Gollum, a villain from the the prequel to the series The Hobbit is still alive and following them, Frodo voices that it was a pity that his uncle Bilbo did not kill Gollum when given the chance. Gandalf is quick to respond with:

Pity? It was pity that stayed [Bilbo's] hand. Pity and Mercy: not to strike without need. ...Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends. ...My heart tells me that [Gollum] has some part to play yet, for good or ill, before the end; and when that time comes, the pity of Bilbo shall rule the fate of many – yours not least. (Tolkien 59) It is these words that will echo in Frodo's decision later in the epic to give mercy and pity to Smeagol.

In the end, advice and wisdom are all Gandalf can dispense. It is his sacrifice that gives his words great weight to all of the Fellowship, but through it all, the choices are their own. It is Frodo's choice to bear the ring that begins the Fellowship itself, Frodo's choice that leads them into the Mines of Moria. Though these choices are tempered and weighed with the wisdom that Gandalf has imparted, it still remains the choice of the character.

It is this wisdom that is the greatest quality of a messianic figure. The messianic figure shows the way, leads the group, lights the path, and fills in the holes so that the followers will not be making their choices blindly. In his book, Following Gandalf: Epic Battles and Moral Victory in The Lord of the Ring, Matthew Dickerson remarks on Gandalf's status as a Maia, one of the spirits created by Eru, the God-Creator of Middle Earth itself, “...Gandalf is sent to Middle Earth to provide wisdom, and not to provide “power on the physical plane” or what one might call “military might.” In fact his natural “angelic” powers were intentionally limited to hinder their exhibition. Thus, the purpose of the Istari is not so much to do or to act but rather to know ...[Gandalf] was sent for training, advising, instructin, arousing.” (Dickerson 49-50) Not only does Dickerson further cement Gandalf's role as a dispenser of wisdom, he remarks that it is Gandalf's purpose to dispense it, as a messiah should.

Gandalf is a spiritual being given mortal form who dwells upon Middle Earth for two thousand years before returning to the West along with the diminished Elves and the Ringbearers. A messiah is a potent figure of divine power, and Gandalf fits this description: He is created and sent to Middle Earth by Eru, the God-Creator, as well as resurrected and returned by the same divine power, only much less limited in his displays of power, showing himself as a being of the light in his return from death, his healing of King Theoden (though as a dispenser of wisdom it is better to argue that he guided Theoden out of the web of deceit that Grima Wormtongue had ensnared him in, opening his eyes as it were, and his miraculous arrival at Helm's Deep and of course the rescue of Frodo and Sam from Mount Doom.

Still though, as a messianic leader, the power is never truly his. Only in Gandalf's battle against the Balrog is the power definitely the power of an Istari, which results in Gandalf sacrificing himself to save the Fellowship. In the case of Helm's Deep, it is because Gandalf has inspired Erkenbrand to bring the Riders of Rohan. In the case of Frodo and Sam's rescue, as well as his own rescue from Orthanc, it is Gandalf's friendship with the Lord of the Eagles rather than his own power that provides escape. There are of course departures in the films directed by Peter Jackson, where Gandalf is made to be more action-oriented, such as the Battle of Pelennor Fields which shows Gandalf fighting off Orcs and potentially slaying the Witch-King of Angmar himself (while he does fight in the book, his involvement in the battle is increased in the films). Still though, the actions of the heroes and the miracles which save the day are inspired or set in motion in some way by Gandalf, a form of indirect divine intervention.

But what makes Gandalf important to the piece? To the setting? If he were merely a method of exposition, Tolkien could have vital information carried in the various books that Frodo carries. If he were there to simply moralize, there would be no need for him to be a Maia, but rather simply a wise old man with enough experience to know better and having enough respect from the Fellowship to be listened to. Instead, I believe that Gandalf serves as a symbol. Within The Lord of the Rings, the presence of Eru the God-Creator is virtually nil. There is little formal religion, and magic is rare. When the forces of Mordor begin spilling across the land, there is no mention of the people turning to gods for help or advice, yet it is made apparent in The Silmarillion that there are in fact divine beings who watch over Middle Earth. It seems that there is little to give the people hope or moral direction. Gandalf is acting as Eru's agent, an agent of good to help guide the people to freedom and victory, but still allow them their free will. Sauron is for all intents and purposes a counterpoint to Eru. He seeks to twist and corrupt and rule and destroy rather than create, but he cannot directly intervene as he has been rendered non-corporeal. Much like Eru, he needs agents to act on his behalf, though in his case it is to deceive and incite and sow dissent. Gandalf is needed simply to provide the other side of the duality.

In the end, Gandalf's wisdom resonates, his lessons echo in the actions of the heroes, his values and morals are championed. It is his teachings and wisdom that cement him as the messianic figure in The Lord of the Rings. Gandalf shows the heroes the best of themselves, what they can attain to be, and with a little wisdom and a little magic, sets them on the path to achieving it.

Works Cited

Brooke-Rose, Christine. “The Evil Ring: Realism and the Marvelous”. Poetics today. Vol. 1:4 (1980), pg. 67-90.

Dickerson, Matthew T. Following Gandalf: Epic Battles and Moral Victory in the Lord of the Rings. Brazos Press. Grand Rapid, MI. 2003.

Tolkien, J.R.R. The Lord of the Rings. Houghton Mifflin Company. New York. 2004.

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