Théoden Character Analysis in The Two Towers

Théoden is the aging king of Rohan. At the beginning of The Two Towers, he’s under the influence of his treacherous counselor Wormtongue, who’s secretly a servant of Saruman and who dulls Théoden’s senses and corrupts his judgement. When Gandalf exposes Wormtongue, Théoden is returned to his former vigor and discernment, but Rohan has suffered in his absence. Théoden determines to ride into war against Saruman, proving himself a capable leader and inspiring his disheartened men.

Théoden Quotes in The Two Towers

The The Two Towers quotes below are all either spoken by Théoden or refer to Théoden. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

‘The end will not be long,’ said the king. ‘But I will not end here, taken like an old badger in a trap. Snowmane and Hasufel and the horses of my guard are in the inner court. When dawn comes, I will bid them sound the Helm’s horn, and I will ride forth. Will you ride with me then, son of Arathorn? Maybe we shall cleave a road, or make such an end as will be worth a song—if any be left to sing of us hereafter.’

‘I will ride with you,’ said Aragorn.

Related Characters: Aragorn (speaker), Théoden (speaker)

Page Number and Citation: 156

Explanation and Analysis:

‘Songs we have that tell of these things, but we are forgetting them, teaching them only to children, as a careless custom. And now the songs have come down among us out of strange places, and walk visible under the Sun.’

‘You should be glad, Théoden King,’ said Gandalf. ‘For not only the little life of Men is now endangered, but the life also of those things which you have deemed the matter of legend. You are not without allies, even if you know them not.’

‘Yet I should also be sad,’ said Théoden. ‘For however the fortune of war shall go, may it not so end that much that was fair and wonderful shall pass for ever out of Middle-earth?’

‘It may,’ said Gandalf. ‘The evil of Sauron cannot be wholly cured, nor made as if it had not been. But to such days we are doomed. Let us now go on with the journey we have begun!’

Related Characters: Théoden (speaker), Gandalf (speaker), Sauron

Page Number and Citation: 168-169

Explanation and Analysis:

Théoden Character Timeline in The Two Towers

The timeline below shows where the character Théoden appears in The Two Towers. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...if he is a friend or enemy of Sauron. Éomer answers that he serves only Théoden King of Rohan and that his people desire to be free and not serve a... (full context)

...asks what brings Aragorn here and what fate he brings with him. Aragorn says that Théoden has a choice: to go to war either with or against Sauron. Aragorn adds that... (full context)

...Boromir and Gandalf in a company, Éomer warns him that Gandalf is no longer in Théoden’s favor because he took the king’s horse Shadowfax. Gandalf is a “herald of strange events:... (full context)

...forty-five leagues in five days, naming him “Wingfoot.” Though Éomer has to hurry back to Théoden, he promises that Rohan doesn’t pay tribute to Sauron and will not forget their old... (full context)

...finding the hobbits is achieved, Aragorn vows to Éomer that he will come talk to Théoden. Though Éomer says that he should not let strangers wander freely on Rohan’s lands, he... (full context)

...also mentions that Saruman, concerned with the whereabouts of the Ring and the danger of Théoden taking it, forgot about the closer threat of Treebeard. (full context)

...hobbits and meet Treebeard, but Gandalf says that he will take him to speak to Théoden instead. They must all prepare for war against Mordor without the help of the Ring,... (full context)

...their leader. Gandalf asks the horses for permission to ride quickly to the house of Théoden. They ride as the sun sets towards the Gap of Rohan. Legolas sees smoke blocking... (full context)

...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... (full context)

...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... (full context)

...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. (full context)

Théoden, bent with age, sits on a dais at the far side of the hall with... (full context)

...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... (full context)

Théoden slowly stands and the woman behind him takes his arm as he walks down the... (full context)

Gandalf takes Théoden to look out at his land, and Théoden realizes it isn’t as dark as he’d... (full context)

Gandalf tells Théoden to call for Éomer, who was imprisoned for threatening to kill Wormtongue. Théoden sends Háma... (full context)

Théoden grieves that he won’t have peace in his old age and that the young are... (full context)

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... (full context)

Wormtongue, enraged, spits at Théoden’s feet and flees down the stairs. Théoden orders guards to follow him, give him a... (full context)

Éowyn offers wine to Théoden and then the guests, wishing them health and happiness. She pauses to look at Aragorn,... (full context)

Théoden announces that, since he’s riding to battle for what is probably the last time and... (full context)

Théoden says goodbye to Éowyn, since he might not return, and reminds her that any survivors... (full context)

...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... (full context)

...of Westfold, are heading to Helm’s Deep to seek shelter. There is no hope ahead. Théoden calls the rider by name and tells him that they will not return home without... (full context)

Gandalf tells Théoden that he has to leave with Shadowfax on an errand and to wait for him... (full context)

...Helm’s Dike, an ancient trench and rampart, and a sentinel challenges them. Éomer answers that Théoden rides to their aid, and the sentinel hurries them in, calling their arrival “good tidings... (full context)

Théoden and his riders are happily welcomed and begin arranging the defense of Helm’s Deep with... (full context)

...and was last seen fighting in the mouth of the Deep with Gimli. Aragorn finds Théoden and reports that, while they have supplies to shelter in Helm’s Deep, the orcs have... (full context)

...out of the Deep. The men on the walls listen with wonder and rally around Théoden, charging from the tower with Aragorn at his side. They ride down the hosts of... (full context)

...Rohan at the Dike cheer for him, and Aragorn and Legolas call out to Gandalf. Théoden rides down out of the Dike and Erkenbrand charges down from the hills with Gandalf,... (full context)

That morning, Théoden and Gandalf reunite, along with Aragorn, Legolas, and Erkenbrand. Éomer and Gimli, who had been... (full context)

Though the ents are a legend to Théoden, Théoden and the land of Rohan are only fleeting stories in the long lives of... (full context)

Gandalf tells Théoden he should be glad that the lives of those legends are also threatened by Mordor,... (full context)

...springs of Isen are dried up as a result of Saruman’s corruption of the land. Théoden is distressed to ride past places where carrion birds swarm around fallen riders of Rohan,... (full context)

...Hunters worry for the hobbits’ safety while they were there being “truants,” eating and smoking. Théoden recognizes Merry as a halfling, since his people have stories that they exist, though they... (full context)

The hobbits, the Three Hunters, Théoden, and Éomer follow Gandalf, who intends to speak to Saruman before they leave, up to... (full context)

Saruman flatters and offer help to Théoden, who hesitates before Gimli breaks the silence and calls Saruman a liar. Saruman addresses Théoden... (full context)

...Sauron. Gandalf decides to split the party up immediately. He’ll ride ahead with Pippin, while Théoden takes Éomer and some of the riders, and the rest go with Aragorn. Suddenly, a... (full context)

Théoden Character Analysis

Théoden Quotes in The Two Towers

Book 3, Chapter 7 Quotes

Book 3, Chapter 8 Quotes

Théoden Character Timeline in The Two Towers