Free Write on Hope and Despair

I think the image in the return of the king that resembles a picture of despair is the scene where Denthethor is overwhelmed by the battle and attempts to take his own life and bring Faramir with him. I think in this moment was when I realized that people were really being driven mad by the despair that was surrounding them as a result of the ongoing battle and the impending doom that Sauron was pushing towards them. You can see this despair come out in Denethor by both his actions and his words. Denethor talks about how all hope is lost and that there is no chance that they will win this battle.

On the other hand, an image of both hope and despair is when all the men of Minas Tirith ride to the black gate to drive out all the forces of Mordor. There is hope in this action because they believe that by doing this they may help divert Surons attention from Frodo and the ring. There is despair in this moment when they find that Frodo has been killed (or so they thought). I find it had to separate both the feelings of hope and despair from this situation.

Lastly, a moment of hope that I see is in the healing house when Aragorn comes to heal Faramir and Eowyn. Aragorn brings hope to his people upon arrival. You can see it in everyone's eyes that although despair surrounds them there is hope. I think these three scenarios highlight the different levels at which despair and hope can be mingled together. Denethor had no hope and was filled only with despair. Second, at the black gate, the soldiers were filled with hope coming from their previous victory, but were most likely filled with despair after finding out that Frodo had been killed. Lastly, Faramir, Eowyn, and Marry were all filled with hope upon being revived by Aragorn in the house of healing.

It's also interesting to analyse the settings in which each scenario occurs. Denethor is in despair because he is alone, separated from the rest of his people at the top of a city that is under attack. He is filled with only despair. Next, the armies of Gondor and Rohan are filled with hope as they join together to fight against the forces of Mordor, but are then filled with despair as they find out that one of their close friends has fallen. Lastly, the purest essence of hope that I find in these chapters are when characters are reunited with Aragorn. I think these three scenarios emphasize how hope comes from the people surrounding you and that despair comes from solidarity.