Isildur Character Analysis

Isildur, the bold and tenacious son of Elendil, is one of the Elf-friends during Ar-Pharazôn’s rule of Númenor. When Sauron convinces Ar-Pharazôn to cut down the sacred White Tree of Númenor, Isildur sneaks into the court and steals one of its fruits to grow a new one. He escapes the fall of Númenor and founds the kingdom of Gondor with his brother Anárion in Middle-earth, then joins the Last Alliance and fights with his father and Gil-galad’s elves against Sauron. After his father is killed, Isildur uses the hilt-shard of Elendil’s broken sword to cut the One Ring from Sauron’s hand, impairing his power and ending the war. However, the Ring attracts and compels Isildur, who refuses to destroy it as the elves recommend, enabling Sauron to later rise again. Shortly after, Isildur is killed by orcs when the Ring (which makes him invisible) abandons him and slips from his finger.