Is Theoden's refusal to let Merry and Eowyn participate in battle with the other warriors indicative of lack of respect for their abilities, condescension about their value to others, chivalric protectiveness for those who need protection, or something else?
Similarly, does Denethor's willingness to allow Pippin to serve equally with other warriors of Gondor suggest his respect/lack of respect for the Hobbit, the low value he places on Pippin's life, his willingness to use people for his own gains, or something else?
I think that Theoden does not allow Merry or Eowyn to participate in the battle due to chivalric protectiveness and because he does not think they will contribute anything to the battle. Merry is a small hobbit who Theoden sees as a friend but no great warrior. It makes sense that he wants Eowyn to stay, since there is no one else to lead the people of Rohan if he does not return. However, Tolkien uses this situation to again emphasize the significance of the seemingly insignificant, since Merry and Eowyn are the ones that defeat the Witch King of Angmar, one of the most formidable enemies to all of Middle-Earth.
ReplyDeleteDenethor's willingness to allow Pippin to serve with the warriors of Gondor alludes to his willingness to use people for his own gains. Since Pippin is already willing to swear loyalty to him, Denethor decides to make use of him. Pippin sees this as a way to repay Denethor for his son Boromir's death, so he does not have many qualms with entering danger to serve his new lord. I would also argue that Denethor places a low value on Pippin's life because he thinks that the war is hopeless and that it is futile to fight against the darkness.