I was raised Catholic but rejected the teachings on account my own philosophy is closer allied with existentialism. Shippey’s fourth chapter, in reference to the religious undertones of Lord of the Rings was something I admit was not as interesting as it could be. I don’t agree with the Catholic Church so I am not fond of Tolkien using many elements of Christianity in his writing. By Tolkien adhering to religious teachings, he abandons many elements of realism. In Arda, there is essentially one religion for many different races, while on Earth that is inconceivable. Consequently, Denethor is painted as a sinner due to his plans on suicide, deemed as a high offense in the Catholic Church. I find Denethor is not a grave sinner, but rather a troubled and strained man who ultimately becomes weak. He is not someone who deserves the punishment given to suicides. Tolkien’s claim that his works are Catholic in nature seems to directly abandon his devotion to English mythology. Christians viewed the Celts, Norse and Anglo-Saxons as heathens and now Tolkien combines the two ignoring their initial differences.
Furthermore, Tolkien has also strongly stated that his work is not allegorical, despite many moments in the books in which a worldly equivalent is easily found. Tolkien states that allegory to him means that every detail has its foil. While much of Lord of the Rings is purely fantasy, it is clear that his work is not an allegory. I argue that his work is allegorical on account many events draw similarities, especially when considering Christian elements like March 25th, Denethor’s suicide and divine intervention.
Shippey’s discussions on Frodo, and how Frodo’s name has evidently no meaning, are some things I do find interesting. Frodo’s name is neither one drawn from ancient lore nor daily dialect of the Hobbits. However, considering Tolkien, his name does make sense. I recall an interview with a close friend of Tolkien who said that often the two of them would get together and discuss names. The would debate which names sounded like that of a hero and which ones were evil and et cetera. Frodo seems to be a potential creation of one of those discussions, as it seems fitting to that of an unwitting hero. “Frodo,” does not command courage and power and glory as it does meekness or simplicity. Without any history to the name, Frodo creates his own legend.
