LotR, Book VI, Ch-1: The Tower of Cirith Ungol

[Serenoli]

The Tower of Cirith Ungol brings to an end a suspense that was started at the end of The Two Towers, and which was brought to a highlight at the end of Book Five: is Frodo dead or alive?

The chapter deals with how Sam uses the weapons left to him- the Ring, Galadriel's phial, Sting and his plain hobbit-sense. After some deliberation, he screws up the courage to walk into Mordor and he manages to pass the mysterious Watchers with the help of the phial. He scares off two orcs- Snaga and Shagrat, the only orcs alive after a bloody battle between the hundreds who were initially there, over Frodo's belongings, in particular, the mithril-coat. Finally, he discovers Frodo, (alive, hurray!) restores the Ring to him, and disguised as orcs, they leave the dreaded tower. Their perils are not over, though; for the Watchers send out a cry that attracts a nearby nazgul who they have to escape as well.

The mood for Mordor is set in this chapter- Frodo becomes the mysterious third person while Sam becomes the lead voice; the fear and suspense of Mordor, where they are forever fleeing from one danger to the next, (be it Nazguls, orcs, or hunger and thirst) is established. And, finally, the advantages of being a small, unnoticed hobbit become paramount in the quest.

Favourite scenes:

Undoubtedly seeing vicious orcs being scared by Sam! And, also the description of Mordor as Sam first sees it… stark, and bathed in a blood-red light from Mount Doom… creepy.

The indirect help the Elves give them… Galadriel’s phial, ‘Elbereth’ the password, and when they try to pass the Watchers a second time, it is a phrase from an Elvish song sung by Gildor that gives the phial enough strength to break the Watcher’s barrier. It is interesting, too, how Sam begins to sing of the Shire when he gives up Frodo and that, unexpectedly, leads him to Frodo.

Key discussion points:

What is the significance of this chapter, in your opinion?

Why does Sam put on the Ring near the start of the chapter?

Is it ironic that the Ring itself aided Sam by making him seem more powerful than he was, to the Orcs? How much of Sam's deeds can be attributed to his credit, and how much to pure chance?

How does the description of orcs in this chapter tally with your previous impressions of them? Does it reinforce the idea that 'orcs deserve no pity'... or does it make you feel sorry for them?

When Sam hands Frodo the Ring, Frodo has a momentary vision of him as an Orc who is trying to steal his Ring. Compare it to the way he felt when Bilbo wanted a look at his ring, back in Rivendell.

At one point, it is said: "He felt that he had from now on only two choices: to forbear the Ring, though it would torment him; or to claim it, and challenge the Power that sat in its dark hold beyond the valley of shadows" Sam takes the first choice, and resists its power. Is this Tolkien's way of showing the choice that Frodo had to face, then and later in Mount Doom? Sam's choice is influenced partly by love of his master, and partly by his unconquered hobbit-sense. Do you think that it was harder for Frodo to resist, as he was less like a hobbit, and more Elvish? (He is called Elf-friend many times in the story)

What if Sam had given up Frodo for dead, or unrescuable, without making sure, and had tried to go on and destroy it by himself? What do you think would have happened?