The Return of the king pdf by J.R.R Tolkien pdf download, themes, characters and read reviews

The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien concludes the epic saga as Gandalf and Pippin arrive in Minas Tirith, where the shadow of Mordor looms and Denethor’s despair threatens the city’s fate. Aragorn takes the Paths of the Dead to summon an ancient army, while the Riders of Rohan and the forces of Gondor prepare for a desperate stand against Sauron’s onslaught. As battles rage, courage, sacrifice, and the fulfillment of prophecy pave the way for the final confrontation at the Black Gate, where the fate of Middle-earth hinges on Frodo’s unseen quest in the heart of Mordor.

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The return of the king Summary by J.R.R Tolkien

The Return of the King, the third and final volume in The Lord of the Rings, opens as Gandalf and Pippin ride east to the city of Minas Tirith in Gondor, just after parting with King Théoden and the Riders of Rohan at the end of The Two Towers. In Minas Tirith, Gandalf and Pippin meet Denethor, the city’s Steward, or ruler, who clearly dislikes Gandalf. Pippin offers Denethor his sword in service to Gondor, out of gratitude for the fact that Denethor’s son Boromir gave his life for the hobbits earlier in the quest.

A blanket of gloom—which Gandalf calls the Darkness—begins to issue from Mordor and soon obscures the entire sky over Minas Tirith. Meanwhile, Aragorn realizes that the Riders may not reach the city in time to defend it from the imminent conflict with Mordor. Aragorn parts company with Théoden and decides to take the legendary Paths of the Dead to Gondor. As he travels through the Paths, accompanied by Legolas and Gimli, a huge army of the Sleepless Dead heeds Aragorn’s commands and follows him southward. In Gondor, Denethor sends his other son, Faramir, to hold off the approaching armies of Mordor at Osgiliath. Faramir holds his position as long as he can, but he ultimately gives up the field, despite Gandalf’s help. Retreating to the city, a poisoned arrow of the Nazgûl—the Black Riders—strikes Faramir down, though it does not kill him. Later, as the fierce battle wages outside Minas Tirith, Denethor goes mad and locks himself in a crypt with the ailing Faramir. Denethor plans to destroy the remnants of the line of Gondor’s Stewards.

The army of Mordor nearly breaks through Minas Tirith’s defenses, but the Riders of Rohan arrive just in time to fight the army off. The Lord of the Nazgûl, the Black Captain, kills King Théoden. In heroic defense, Lady Éowyn and Merry slay the Black Captain, though Éowyn is grievously wounded. The forces of Mordor regroup, but Aragorn arrives via the Anduin River on the black ships of the Enemy, which he has conquered with the help of the Dead.Pippin finds Gandalf, and together they stop Denethor from killing his son. The old Steward throws himself on a burning pyre and kills himself. Having rescued Gondor, Aragorn enters Minas Tirith and heals those whom the Black Captain wounded during the battle. In so doing, Aragorn fulfills an ancient prophecy concerning the coming of the next king of Gondor.

The leaders of the armies of the West decide to put together an assault on Mordor in order to distract Sauron from the quest of Frodo, the Ring-bearer. Aragorn’s forces march to the Black Gate of Mordor and confront Sauron’s Lieutenant. The Lieutenant claims that the hobbit spies—Frodo and Sam—have been captured in Mordor. Gandalf rebukes the Lieutenant, who flees inside the Gate and unleashes the great armies of Mordor.

About the author -John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born on 3 January 1892 – 2 September 1973) was an English writer, poet, philologist, and academic, best known as the author of the high fantasy works The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. From 1925 to 1945, Tolkien was the Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon and a Fellow of Pembroke College, both at the University of Oxford. He then moved within the same university, to become the Merton Professor of English Language and Literature and Fellow of Merton College, positions he held from 1945 until his retirement in 1959. Tolkien was a close friend of C. S. Lewis, a co-member of the informal literary discussion group The Inklings. He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II on 28 March 1972.

After Tolkien’s death, his son Christopher published a series of works based on his father’s extensive notes and unpublished manuscripts, including The Silmarillion. These, together with The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, form a connected body of tales, poems, fictional histories, invented languages, and literary essays about a fantasy world called Arda and, within it, Middle-earth. Between 1951 and 1955, Tolkien applied the term legendarium to the larger part of these writings.

Information about the book (Bookdepository.com)

The Return of the king by J.R.R Tolkien
The Return of the king by J.R.R Tolkien
  • Format Hardback | 464 pages
  • Dimensions 149 x 228 x 29mm | 650g
  • Publication date 04 Feb 2011
  • Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
  • Imprint HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
  • Publication City/Country London, United Kingdom
  • Language English
  • Edition Statement edition
  • Illustrations note 2 col illus, Index
  • ISBN13 9780007203567
  • Bestsellers rank 18,298

Excerpt from the return of the king pdf by J.R.R Tolkien

_Chapter 1_

Minas Tirith

Pippin looked out from the shelter of Gandalf’s cloak. He wondered if he was awake or still sleeping, still in the swift-moving dream in which he had been wrapped so long since the great ride began. The dark world was rushing by and the wind sang loudly in his ears. He could see nothing but the wheeling stars, and away to his right vast shadows against the sky where the mountains of the South marched past. Sleepily he tried to reckon the times and stages of their journey, but his memory was drowsy and uncertain.

There had been the first ride at terrible speed without a halt, and then in the dawn he had seen a pale gleam of gold, and they had come to the silent town and the great  empty house on the hill. And hardly had they reached its shelter when the winged shadow had passed over once again, and men wilted with fear. But Gandalf had spoken soft words to him, and he had slept in a corner, tired but uneasy, dimly aware of comings and goings and of men talking and Gandalf giving orders. And then again riding, riding in the night. This was the second, no, the third night since he had looked in the Stone. And with that hideous memory he woke fully, and shivered, and the noise of the wind became filled with menacing voices.

A light kindled in the sky, a blaze of yellow fire behind dark barriers Pippin cowered back, afraid for a moment, wondering into what dreadful country Gandalf was bearing him. He rubbed his eyes, and then he saw that it was the moon rising  above the eastern shadows, now almost at the full. So the night was not yet old and for hours the dark journey would go on. He stirred and spoke. ‘Where are we, Gandalf?’ he asked. ‘In the realm of Gondor,’ the wizard answered. ‘The land of Anórien is still passing by.’ There was a silence again for a while. Then, ‘What is that?’ cried Pippin suddenly, clutching at Gandalf’s cloak. ‘Look! Fire, red fire! Are there dragons in this land? Look, there is another!’

For answer Gandalf cried aloud to his horse. ‘On, Shadowfax! We must hasten. Time is short.See! The beacons of Gondor are alight, calling for aid. War is kindled. See, there is the fire on Amon Dîn, and flame on Eilenach; and there they go speeding west: Nardol, Erelas, Min-Rimmon, Calenhad, and the Halifirien on the borders of Rohan.’ But Shadowfax paused in his stride, slowing to a walk, and then he lifted up his head and neighed. And out of the darkness the answering neigh of other horses came; and presently the thudding of hoofs was heard, and three riders swept up and passed like flying ghosts in the moon and vanished into the West. Then Shadowfax gathered himself together and sprang away, and the night flowed over him like a roaring wind.

Pippin became drowsy again and paid little attention to Gandalf telling him of the customs of Gondor, and how the Lord of the City had beacons built on the tops of outlying hills along both borders of the great range, and maintained posts at these points where fresh horses were always in readiness to bear his errand-riders to Rohan in the North, or to Belfalas in the South. ‘It is long since the beacons of the North were lit,’ he said; ‘and in the ancient days of Gondor they were not needed, for they had the Seven Stones.’ Pippin stirred uneasily. ‘Sleep again, and do not be afraid!’ said Gandalf. ‘For you are not going like Frodo to Mordor, but to Minas Tirith, and there you will be as safe as you can be anywhere in these days. If Gondor falls, or the Ring is taken, then the Shire will be no refuge.’

‘You do not comfort me,’ said Pippin, but nonetheless sleep crept over him. The last thing that he remembered before he fell into deep dream was a glimpse of high white peaks, glimmering like floating isles above the clouds as they caught the light of the westering moon. He wondered where Frodo was, and if he was already in Mordor, or if he was dead; and he did not know that Frodo from far away looked on that same moon as it set beyond Gondor ere the coming of the day. Pippin woke to the sound of voices. Another day of hiding and a night of journey had fleeted by. It was twilight: the cold dawn was at hand again, and chill grey mists were about them. Shadowfax stood steaming with sweat, but he held his neck proudly and showed no sign of weariness. Many tall men heavily cloaked stood beside him, and behind them in the mist loomed a wall of stone.

Partly ruinous it seemed, but already before the night was passed the sound of hurried labour could be heard: beat of hammers, clink of trowels, and the creak of wheels. Torches and flares glowed dully here and there in the fog. Gandalf was speaking to the men that barred his way, and as he listened Pippin became aware that he himself was being discussed. ‘Yea truly, we know you, Mithrandir,’ said the leader of the men, ‘and you know the pass-words of the Seven Gates and are free to go forward. But we do not know your companion. What is he? A dwarf out of the mountains in the North? We wish for no strangers in the land at this time, unless they be mighty men of arms in whose faith and help we can trust.’

‘I will vouch for him before the seat of Denethor,’ said Gandalf. ‘And as for valour, that cannot be computed by stature. He has passed through more battles and perils than you have, Ingold, though you be twice his height; and he comes now from the storming of Isengard, of which we bear tidings, and great weariness is on him, or I would wake him. His name is Peregrin, a very valiant man.’ ‘Man?’ said Ingold dubiously; and the others laughed. ‘Man!’ cried Pippin, now thoroughly roused. ‘Man! Indeed not! I am a hobbit and no more valiant than I am a man, save perhaps now and again by necessity. Do not let Gandalf deceive you!’

‘Many a doer of great deeds might say no more,’ said Ingold. ‘But what is a hobbit?’

‘A Halfling,’ answered Gandalf. ‘Nay, not the one that was spoken of,’ he added seeing the wonder in the men’s faces. ‘Not he, yet one of his kindred.’ ‘Yes, and one who journeyed with him,’ said Pippin. ‘And Boromir of your City was with us, and he saved me in the snows of the North, and at the last he was slain defending me from many foes.’ ‘Peace!’ said Gandalf. ‘The news of that grief should have been told first to the father.’ ‘It has been guessed already,’ said Ingold; ‘for there have been strange portents here of late. But pass on now quickly! For the Lord of Minas Tirith will be eager to see any that bear the latest tidings of his son, be he man or-‘

‘Hobbit,’ said Pippin. ‘Little service can I offer to your lord, but what I can do, I would do, remembering Boromir the brave.’ ‘Fare you well!’ said Ingold; and the men made way for Shadow fax, and he passed through a narrow gate in the wall. ‘May you bring good counsel to Denethor in his need, and to us all, Mithrandir!’ Ingold cried. ‘But you come with tidings of grief and danger, as is your wont, they say.’ ‘Because I come seldom but when my help is needed,’ answered Gandalf. ‘And as for counsel, to you I would say that you are over-late in repairing the wall of the Pelennor.

Courage will now be your best defence against the storm that is at hand – that and such hope as I bring. For not all the tidings that I bring are evil. But leave your trowels and sharpen your swords!”The work will be finished ere evening,’ said Ingold. ‘This is the last portion of the wall to be put in defence: the least open to attack, for it looks towards our friends of Rohan. Do you know aught of them? Will they answer the summons, think you?’ ‘Yes, they will come. But they have fought many battles at your back. This road and no road looks towards safety any longer. Be vigilant! But for Gandalf Stormcrow you would have seen a host of foes coming out of Anórien and no Riders of Rohan. And you may yet. Fare you well, and sleep not!’ Gandalf passed.

Some themes explored in the return of the king by J.R.R Tolkien

Storytelling

In an explicit sense, Bilbo, Frodo and Sam are engaged in a literary endeavor, involving the chronicling of their adventures. After a major event has occurred, Sam often wonders how the story will be remembered and whether his own heroics will be forgotten. More often than not, the stories of the heroes that are presented in the trilogy are in a song form, rather than a written literary form. Many of the songs are Elvish and towards the end of The Return of the King, many of these songs are prophetic in nature, with Aragorn appearing as the foreshadowed King. Many of the present heroes are related to former heroes or presently engaged in some quest that originated in an anterior mission (for example, Frodo’s quest of the Ring is the result of Bilbo’s earlier adventure with the Ring). As a result, the songs are often celebratory (in regards to the past) and prophetic (in regards to the future).

Aging

Aging is a complicated theme in this last novel of the trilogy. On one extreme, we find Bilbo Baggins, who has become a very elderly (but also very sleepy) hobbit. His recurrent sleep prefigures the symbolic death that occurs in the sailing towards the Grey Havens. Even on the ride to the sea, Bilbo is half-asleep on his horse. Throughout the trilogy, the elves have represented a symbolic youth and regeneration. The passing of Galadriel and many elves certainly dampens the illusory hope of “eternal youth” that surrounded the elves. Indeed, the connection between the elves and “midsummer” is another symbol of extreme youth and life the greatest promise. There are various remnants of this old youth that remain: Arwen, Elanor, the mallorn tree and restoration of the Shire vegetation are a few examples.

Conservation and Heritage

One of the arguments of the Trilogy is that the present generation has an obligation to take care of its own problems and not leave them to the next generation to sort out. The entire expedition regarding the Ring, is designed with this understanding in mind. The various dynasties and traditions of Middle Earth all presuppose an idea of cyclical nature. The opposite of this balance (chaos) is found in Denethor‘s attempt to burn his son (and heir) on a funereal pyre.

Bravery, Prophecy and Fate

The Trilogy raises the question of whether heroism is a matter of individual will-power or a matter of fate. The success of some figures, like Aragorn, is foreshadowed by prophetic songs‹but not all of the songs actually come to pass. Other times, prophecy is accomplished in an unintended manner. Gandalf suggests that Gollum may actually prove of use in the end, and for a time, Gollum seems truly repentant and helpful. Ultimately, it is Gollum’s theft that destroys the Ring: he does good despite his bad intentions. Conversely, Frodo is considered to be a success even though his will power failed him at the end. Aragorn began the Trilogy as “Strider.” His metamorphosis into a greater hero parallels the progression of names (from the prophetic songs) that are applied to him: Strider, Aragorn, King Elessar, the Elfstone.

Major characters in the return of the king by J.R.R Tolkien

Aragorn (Strider, Elendil, Elessar)

Aragorn is one of the original members of the Fellowship of the Ring, but he is also the Heir of Isildur. In The Return of the King, Aragorn successfully battles against Sauron’s forces and he claims his throne, with Arwen Evenstar as his queen. There are numerous prophesies and songs that concern Aragorn‹ranging from his trek along the formidable “Paths of the Dead,” to his role as Elessar, a healer-king.

 Eowyn

Eowyn is the daughter of Eomund and Theodwyn. She appears in the story as Aragorn is preparing to ride towards the Paths of the Dead. As Eowyn has fallen in love with Aragorn, she is heartbroken, fearing his death. Though she is forbidden to join in the battle, she disguises herself as a ma and takes the name “Dernhelm,” leaving Rohan and heading for the battle at Gondor. As “Dernhelm,” she rides with Merry and both are wounded in valiant battle. Eowyn’s disguise is uncovered and she is sent to the Houses of Healing, for her wound is serious. At the Houses of Healing, Eowyn becomes acquainted with Faramir, who is also injured. They are ultimately married.

 Frodo Baggins

In The Return of the King, Frodo continues to carry the burdensome Ring. He is rescued from the orcs (by Sam) and with Sam, he continues to the Cracks of Doom. Frodo’s will power wanes at the crucial moment but Gollum destroys the ring inadvertently. After the battles against Sauron, Frodo returns to the Shire where he serves as mayor for a time, before sailing away for the Grey Havens.

 Gandalf the White (Mithrandir)

Gandalf is the wizard who assists the forces of Good throughout the trilogy. Gandalf also goes by the name Mithrandir and in the second part of the trilogy, he relinquishing the name Gandalf the Grey for a name more emblematic of his power: Gandalf the White. He is the one who supports Aragorn in battle, guides the debate of the captains, and crowns Aragorn as King once peace has been established. At the end of the novel, Gandalf sails with the large company that is headed for the Grey Havens.

 Gollum

Gollum is a despicable, yet pitiable, creature who has occasional moments of genuine repentance which are dominated by hatred, fear, jealousy and greed. Gollum fulfills Gandalf’s prophecy by making himself useful inadvertently: at the very end of the novel, just when Frodo’s will power slackens, Gollum wrests the Ring away from Frodo (ripping his finger off in the process)‹but Gollum falls into the Cracks of Doom, destroying himself and also the Ring.

 Samwise “Sam” Gamgee

Sam Gamgee is Frodo’s fellow hobbit and servant. When Frodo tries to continue alone at the end of Book Two, Sam remains with him. In The Two Towers, Sam is faithful and Book 5 of The Return of the King opens with Sam’s rescue of Frodo. Sam wisely takes the Ring from Frodo when he thinks Frodo is dead (though he gives the Ring back later). When Frodo’s physical and/or emotional strength ebbs, Sam has the supplement. After battle, Sam’s gifts and resourcefulness remain useful: he uses Galadriel’s dust to reforest the Shire, he serves as mayor after Frodo and becomes the custodian of Frodo and Bilbo’s literary works. He marries Rose Cotton (Farmer Tom’s daughter) and has a young daughter Elanor.

 Saruman (Sharkey)

Saruman is, in essence, a defrocked wizard. Gandalf demotes him in The Two Towers and he is sealed in a tower. In The Return of the King, we find that Saruman is continually ungrateful for the mercy and forgiveness that are repeatedly extended to him. He is joined by Grima (Wormtongue) and he is killed by this servant towards the end of his stint in the Shire. Sharkey is the alias that Saruman takes when he destroys the Shire‹making good on his threat to the hobbits. Since his home had been destroyed and his power had been lost, Saruman had little to lose. Grima kills “Sharkey” by slitting his throat.

 Sauron

Sauron is the Evil One, and he remains “offstage” for the entire trilogy. He is never described physically, though he is sometimes engaged in long-distance communication (through the palantir). Sauron is really more of a force than a character, metonymically represented by the symbolic Evil Eye. The Eye of Sauron, the Ring of Sauron and the hosts of Mordor (the geographical location that functions as the seat of Sauron’s power) are amply depicted but Sauron remains behind these many screens. We do know that his evil works precede the action of Book One of the Trilogy. The destruction of the Ring, however, destroys both Sauron and his power.

 Lady Arwen (Evenstar)

the daughter of Elrond, she marries Aragorn and becomes Queen. She offers a gift to Frodo: a white gemstone that will help to relieve him of his pains and memories when they become intense. Beregond the son of Baranor, he is one of the soldiers of Minas Tirith and he befriends Pippin.

 Bergil

a young boy who is the son of Beregond, he gives Pippin a tour of Minas Tirith.

 Bilbo Baggins

the (hobbit) hero of The Hobbit, Bilbo originally steals the Ring from Gollum. He reappears in The Return of the King, as a very old and sleepy hobbit. He has begun the long process of writing the stories of the hobbits’ heroic adventures and after passing this project to Frodo, who later passes the project to Sam. At the end of The Return of the King, Bilbo sails to the Grey Havens.

 Denethor

the lord of the city (Minas Tirith) and the father of Boromir and Faramir. When he fears that his lineage is coming to an end and that defeat is inevitable he burns himself on a funeral pyre. He is unsuccessful in killing his wounded son, Faramir, in a similar manner.

 Elrond

one of the older figures, he first appears in The Houses of Healing in The Fellowship of the Ring. He is the father of Lady Arwen and he sails along with Gandalf, Galadriel and the others who are destined for the Grey Havens.

 Eomer

the brother of Eowyn, he is a Marshal of the Mark and the adopted son of Theoden. When Theoden dies at Pelennor, he names Eomer as his heir.

 Faramir

the noble son of Denethor, Faramir is distinguished from his brother Boromir, who tried to steal the Ring and was killed earlier in the Trilogy. Faramir is wounded and he is almost burned on the funeral pyre by his suicidal father, Denethor. Faramir recovers from his battle injuries and marries Eowyn.

 Fredegar “Fatty” Bolger

a Hobbit who first appeared in Book One, Fatty is imprisoned when the Shire is tyrannized by Sharkey. He loses weight in prison.

 Galadriel

a Queen of the Elves, Galadriel is one of the Ring-bearers who must depart for the Grey Havens at the end of the trilogy. Though Galadriel is not as active in The Return of the King as she is in The Fellowship of the Ring, Galadriel’s gifts to the hobbits prove very necessary in the battle and in the restoration that follows.

 Grima (Wormtongue)

once an advisor to Theoden, Grima was is a spy for Saruman. He is imprisoned and released with Saruman and has little choice but to follow him to the Shire and do his bidding. In a fit of rage, Grima slits his master’s throat, only to be shot dead with arrows a few moments later.

 Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck

a hobbit who is part of the Fellowship of the Ring, though he is separated from Frodo, Sam and the Ring early on.

 Peregrin “Pippin” Took

a less mature hobbit who is part of the Fellowship of the Ring. He makes the error of looking into the palantir at the end of the The Two Towers, though Gandalf forgives him. The Return of the King begins with Pippin and Gandalf’s flight towards Minas Tirith. Perhaps it is Pippin’s time with the Ents and his drink of their draughts that accounts for his growth in stature (tall by hobbit standards).

 Rose Cotton (Rosie)

a hobbit who marries Sam Gamgee. They have a daughter named Elanor.

 Shadowfax

a winged horse who is so headstrong that only Gandalf has the power to tame and ride him.

 Tom Cotton (Farmer Tom)

a hobbit who assists in the reclamation of the Shire, when Frodo, Sam, Pippin and Merry return.

 Theoden

a King of the Mark, he suffered under the spells of Saruman and the deceitful counselor, Grima. Gandalf returns and heals Theoden and Theoden emerges into a brief second period of youth. His strength and valor return and Theoden fights heroically, though he falls at the Battle of Pelennor Fields.

 Treebeard (Fangorn)

the leader of the Ents, Treebeard is a giant Tree-like creature who assists in the annihilation of the orcs and their compatriots. He is an old friend of Gandalf and a new ally of the hobbits, offering them draughts of the Ent’s wine-like juice. Though the Ents are on the victorious side of this war, they have long been separated from their Ent-wives (even before the war) and their future prospects are unclear at best.

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Tolkien’s classic epic fantasy trilogy The Lord of the Rings, updated with a fresh new package for Book 3, The Return of the King J.R.R Tolkien can be bought from the following sites online:

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