Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Two Towers, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Decline and Decay
Good and Evil
Duty
Joy and Optimism vs. Despair
Power
Heroism, Honor, and Glory
Summary
Analysis
The Three Hunters sleep briefly while Gandalf stands watch and wake up to ride again before sunrise. In the dawn, Legolas can see the mead hall of Théoden, called the Meduseld, and other settlements around it. Gandalf urges them not to draw any weapons as they ride towards it so the Rohirrim don’t mistake them for enemies. They pass the barrows in the ground where five hundred years of Théoden’s ancestors are buried. Legolas calls it a short time for the elves, but Aragorn reminds him that, to the men of Rohan, the founding of their land is only remembered in songs.
The ordinary passage of time is another factor that contributes to Middle-earth’s decline, especially in the kingdoms of men. Human memory is much shorter than the memory of the elves. Generations of men have lived and died in Legolas’s lifetime alone, and some of their wisdom and teachings have been lost along the way, existing now only in stories. This fact suggests that as history fades into legend, men tend to lose their moral bearings, too.
Themes
At the gates of the city of Edoras, a guard stops them in the language of Rohan. Gandalf understands the language but asks why they don’t speak the Common Tongue. Théoden has ordered that only friends who know their language are allowed through the gate. Aragorn explains that they’re returning the horses lent to them by Éomer, but the guard says that Wormtongue told him not to let strangers in. Gandalf sends the guard to tell Théoden, and not Wormtongue, that they’re here to speak to him. The guard returns some time later and brings them in, warning that they can’t bring any weapons into the hall.
Théoden’s orders that only friends be allowed entry to the city is an example of the harmful insularity that’s taken hold in the kingdoms of men. In a time when the world should be banding together against their shared enemy, Rohan is closing its gates and allowing only its own people entry. The fact that these orders were given by Wormtongue—whom Gandalf seems to particularly dislike—is another indication that something might be wrong in in Théoden’s house.
Themes
The companions climb the stairs to the Meduseld and are stopped by the doorward Háma. Aragorn is unwilling to leave his sword Andúril behind, but eventually sets it against the wall, warning the guard not to touch it. Háma is amazed by the legendary weapons that Legolas, Aragorn, and Gandalf leave with him. Gandalf refuses to go in without his staff, claiming that he’s old and needs the support. Háma trusts that Gandalf is a friend of Théoden and allows him to carry the staff into the hall.
Háma’s curiosity and wonder parallel Éomer’s interest in the legends of the past visible in Aragorn and his companions. This interest reveals Rohan’s deep appreciation for stories and legends as a society, though not all the men of Rohan still revere stories as their ancestors did. Háma, also like Éomer, is trusting enough of Aragorn and his friends—and relies enough on his own proper judgement of his duty—that he’s willing to bend the rules for them and allow Gandalf to carry his staff into the hall.
Themes
Théoden, bent with age, sits on a dais at the far side of the hall with a woman wearing white and a man with a pale face. Gandalf greets Théoden, who calls him a “herald of woe” and asks why he should welcome him. The pale man agrees, mentioning that five days prior Théoden’s son Théodred was killed in battle, and names Gandalf Láthspell, or Ill-news. Gandalf tells Théoden that his hall isn’t as courteous as it used to be and the pale man, Wormtongue, asks if it’s true that Gandalf is in league with “the Sorceress of the Golden Wood.”
Courtesy can be an important indicator of morality in Middle-earth, and Gandalf finds it lacking in Rohan. After Théoden greets Gandalf, it’s Wormtongue who takes over, speaking for him and throwing dark accusations at Gandalf. This behavior indicates an unusual distribution of power in Théoden’s hall—even in his own home, the king doesn’t speak for himself.
Themes
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Gandalf sings a song praising Galadriel before throwing off his grey cloak and standing up straight. He tells Wormtongue to be silent, then raises his staff as thunder rolls and clouds cover the sun, darkening the hall. Wormtongue cries that Háma has betrayed them by not taking Gandalf’s staff from him, then there is a flash like lightning and Wormtongue sprawls on the ground. The darkness clears away as Gandalf points his staff at a window, and he tells Théoden to have courage and take his counsel. He says that Théoden has sat in the shadows and taken evil advice for too long.
Though Gandalf has the power to summon darkness as a display of strength, he is also quick to bring light back into the hall, both literally and figuratively, revealing that Wormtongue has been poisoning Théoden’s thoughts and giving him bad counsel. This, it seems, is the root of what has gone wrong in Rohan. Rather than taking active charge of his country, Théoden has been weary and passive, allowing Wormtongue to isolate Rohan and work evil.
Themes
Théoden slowly stands and the woman behind him takes his arm as he walks down the dais. Gandalf knocks on the doors and shouts for them to open for the Lord of the Mark. He tells the woman—Éowyn, Théoden’s niece—to send the guards down the stairs. Gandalf will help Théoden walk. Aragorn first sees Éowyn as she glances back, and he thinks that she looks beautiful and cold. She also notices Aragorn, pauses, then leaves.
It’s noteworthy that, as Théoden stands to retake command of Rohan, he physically leans on Éowyn and Gandalf, the two people he’s soon to turn to for advice and support. Éowyn is a capable Lady of Rohan and a shrewd judge of character. She notices Aragorn’s power and nobility almost immediately, though it’s hidden beneath his appearance as a ranger.
Themes
Gandalf takes Théoden to look out at his land, and Théoden realizes it isn’t as dark as he’d thought. Gandalf tells him that he isn’t as frail as Wormtongue has made him think, either, and urges him to “cast aside” his age. Théoden drops his staff and stands up straight, feeling like he’s woken up from a dark dream. Still, he is afraid that Gandalf has come too late to save Rohan.
Wormtongue has forced Rohan into a sharp decline and has done the same to Théoden as a king and a person, driving him into hopelessness and despair. Gandalf helps him recognize that neither Rohan nor Théoden himself is as corrupted as Wormtongue would like him to believe. Still, Théoden’s despair is deep, and it isn’t entirely alleviated by Gandalf’s reassurances.
Themes
Gandalf tells Théoden to call for Éomer, who was imprisoned for threatening to kill Wormtongue. Théoden sends Háma as an errand-runner, since he was not trustworthy as a doorward. Théoden smiles at Gandalf, and many of the lines on his face vanish. Gandalf quickly explains the situation of the war with Mordor to Théoden—the enemy is strong, but Rohan and Gondor are not alone. Their greatest hope (the Ring-bearer) is traveling east into Mordor, and all they have to do is remain unconquered until his quest is complete. They all look to the east, thinking of Frodo, and Legolas thinks he can see a tiny red flame in the distance.
Gandalf begins to right the wrongs that have taken hold of Rohan, freeing Théoden from the weight of his age, freeing Éomer from imprisonment, and arming his allies with one of the most vital tools against their enemy: hope. Rohan is not alone, despite Wormtongue’s efforts to close its borders. As Rohan emerges from its isolation and joins its allies, so will others gather to defend Middle-earth while Frodo undertakes his quest.
Themes
Théoden grieves that he won’t have peace in his old age and that the young are dying in the conflict. Gandalf suggests that he would feel stronger holding a sword, and Éomer, freed and armed by Háma, offers Théoden his. As Théoden lifts it, strength returns to his arm. He shouts a call to arms in the language of Rohan, and the guards run in, amazed, to lay their swords at his feet. Gandalf counsels Théoden to trust Éomer, cast aside his fear, and face the war ahead by destroying Saruman and sending Rohan’s women and children to safety. There is no time for rest—Rohan must ride to war today. Théoden will ride to war rather than lead the women away to safety, and Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli will accompany him.
Now that Théoden is freed from Wormtongue’s influence, it’s vital that he take up the duties that he abandoned. As he lifts Éomer’s sword, he reclaims his position as Rohan’s political and military leader—a heavy burden, especially for a man of his age. Still, he is devoted to defending Rohan and riding to war himself. In facing Saruman’s armies, Théoden is reinforcing his own men, but he’s also striking a blow against one of the enemies that seeks not only to destroy Rohan, but to subjugate the whole world.
Themes
Wormtongue is brought back into the hall, along with Théoden’s sword, which Wormtongue had locked away and hidden. Wormtongue attempts to convince Théoden not to listen to Gandalf. Théoden offers Wormtongue the chance to ride with him to war and prove his loyalty, but Wormtongue asks to stay behind instead and be left in charge of Rohan in his absence. Tired of Wormtongue wasting their time, Gandalf asks what Saruman bribed him with. Gandalf guesses that Wormtongue was promised that he could take whatever treasure he wanted, as well as Éowyn, after Rohan fell, and suggests that Wormtongue return to Saruman now.
Wormtongue has been preventing Théoden from attending to any of his duties primarily by the influence of his words, but also by locking away Théoden’s sword, symbolically cutting him off from his armies and the battles already raging in his own land. In doing so, he has effectively been using Théoden as a figurehead and ruling Rohan himself. Now, rather than trusting in Théoden’s mercy or changing his ways, Wormtongue continues to reach for power by taking advantage of Théoden’s proposed absence from his hall.
Themes
Wormtongue, enraged, spits at Théoden’s feet and flees down the stairs. Théoden orders guards to follow him, give him a horse, and let him leave while ensuring that he doesn’t harm anyone. Another guard washes the stones by Théoden’s feet, and the four guests sit down with Éomer and Éowyn to eat. Gandalf explains that Wormtongue was once an ally of Rohan, but has been plotting Théoden’s downfall for years, isolating him, poisoning him, and giving him bad advice. Théoden realizes that he owes his freedom to Éomer and Gandalf, and offers Gandalf a gift. Gandalf chooses Shadowfax, whom Théoden gives him happily, along with armor for Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas.
Gandalf reveals that Wormtongue was tempted away from true loyalty to Rohan by Saruman, who took advantage of Wormtongue’s greed, lust, and desire for power. Boromir, who was tempted in much the same way as Wormtongue, proved that it’s possible to repent after wrongdoing and make up for past mistakes; but when offered the opportunity to do so, Wormtongue doesn’t accept. With Wormtongue gone, Théoden’s hall returns suddenly to its former courtesy, indicating that Wormtongue’s corrupting effect was relatively superficial. Théoden acknowledges his mistakes and debts and offers food and gifts to his guests.
Themes
Éowyn offers wine to Théoden and then the guests, wishing them health and happiness. She pauses to look at Aragorn, who smiles at her. As he takes the cup, their hands meet, and he feels her trembling “at the touch.” Troubled, he responds to her greeting but doesn’t smile again.
Éowyn’s role as the cup-bearer is another indication of a return to the past courtesy of the hall, which is reminiscent of Anglo-Saxon mead halls where the female relatives of the king would offer wine to the king’s soldiers. Here, the narrator foreshadows a connection between Éowyn, who appears both interested and intimidated, and Aragorn. Though it’s unclear why Aragorn would be troubled by Éowyn’s interest in him, it’s apparent that he doesn’t want to encourage it.
Themes
Théoden announces that, since he’s riding to battle for what is probably the last time and his son is dead, Éomer is his heir. He asks who will stay behind from the fighting to rule the people in his place, but no one volunteers. Háma says that the people trust the House of Eorl, but Théoden argues that they need Éomer in the battle. Háma didn’t mean Éomer, but his sister, Éowyn, “fearless and high-hearted.” Théoden agrees, and Éowyn kneels to receive a sword and armor.
In Théoden’s absence, Éowyn is trusted with leadership over Rohan. She’s chosen because of her high rank, but also because of her own capability. The men of Rohan are eager to follow Théoden to war, not to take up the duty of ruling the women and elderly. Despite the fact that Éowyn’s new position isn’t coveted by anyone other than Wormtongue, she is particularly qualified for it, possessing all the characteristics and courtesy of Middle-earth’s past heroes.
Themes
Théoden says goodbye to Éowyn, since he might not return, and reminds her that any survivors of the battle will meet her and the noncombatants at Dunharrow. She tells him not to talk about defeat, and that every day he’s gone will feel like a year. As she says it, she looks at Aragorn, standing nearby. Aragorn assures her that the king will come back, and that the greatest danger isn’t in Isengard.
Théoden, much like the ents marching to Isengard, is aware that he might die in the battle. Still, he feels duty-bound to go and do good for the world, comforted by the knowledge that even if he and the riders of Rohan are defeated, the kingdom will live on, led by Éowyn. Moreover, Aragorn reminds Éowyn that Saruman isn’t Rohan’s, or Middle-earth’s, gravest threat—Sauron is, he implies.
Themes
As they set off, Gimli complains again about riding and fighting from horseback. Éowyn stands alone in the doorway of the hall holding her sword. Over a thousand men and horses are gathered to leave, cheering as Théoden walks out. Éomer, riding up, makes peace with Gimli after their previous argument about Galadriel and invites Gimli to ride with him. Gimli agrees, if Legolas can ride beside them. Gandalf calls Shadowfax and throws back his grey cloak, revealing his white clothes beneath.
Now that Rohan is beginning to heal itself from Wormtongue’s influence and its decline, Éomer has more attention to give to courtesy, reconciling with Gimli. Théoden’s men are rallied behind him, enthusiastic to see their king leading them again and hopeful for the coming battle.
Themes
Shouting for the king and the White Rider, “the last host of Rohan” thunders across the fields. Éowyn, still standing alone in the doorway of the silent hall, watches them ride away.
The chapter concludes with images of finality. The host that departs from Edoras is the last host of Rohan, whether that will be because of Sauron’s success or Rohan’s slow decline. The narrator doesn’t indicate what Éowyn is thinking about as she watches them depart, but it is noteworthy that she’s holding the sword given to her by Théoden, despite being left behind with no opportunity to use it. Though her duty is to stay and care for Rohan in Théoden’s absence, her sword and her long look may indicate her desire for a different duty—to ride to battle as part of Rohan’s last host.
Themes
