Posted: June 06, 2000 at 16:02:04: by David Freitag
I am so used to the wealth of Tolkien's invented names that it always brings me up short when I encounter a familiar name being used for a different character. This happened to me recently, rereading the "Cirion and Eorl" essay in _Unfinished Tales_. The first section describes Gondor's wars with the Wainriders, in which the ancestors of the Eotheod play a crucial role.
Here we find that King Ondoher's second son is named Faramir. Accordong to the law of the time, all of the King's sons cannot go to battle, one must remain behind to ensure the succession. This was to be Prince Faramir. But he snuck away and joined the host in disguise, and was slain, as was his father and brother.
This self-willed, impetuous act placed the Line of Anarion in danger (eventually, the victorious general, Earnil, of a collateral line, was made king, but his son was the last). So much in contrast to the wise, forethoughtful Faramir we all know and love, though he too was a second son.Inspired by this discovery, I have put together a short list of names Tolkien reused, and will place it in another post, as this one looks long enough to stand on its own.
|
