Aragorn / Strider Character Analysis in The Fellowship of the Ring

Disguised as a seemingly suspicious and dangerous wanderer called Strider, Aragorn is in truth the heir to the thrones of Gondor and Arnor—his ancestors, Elendil and Isildur, fought Sauron in the War of the Last Alliance in the Second Age. For centuries, his peoples have been wandering Middle-earth as the doughty Rangers, or Dúnedain, who secretly protect the Free Peoples of Middle-earth (including hobbits and humans). By the time Frodo encounters Strider at Bree, the Ranger has already accomplished great exploits and is a master warrior, tracker, and healer. He has many powerful allies: Gandalf the Grey trusts Aragorn implicitly, Elrond is Aragorn’s foster father, and Arwen is betrothed to him. After the Council of Elrond, Aragorn volunteers his service to the Company of the Ring. He also bids Rivendell’s elvish smiths restore the shards of Narsil (Elendil’s longsword and an heirloom of his lineage) into a formidable blade that he names Anduril, Flame of the West. In reforging the Sword that was Broken, Aragorn begins to officially step towards claiming his birthright as the King of Gondor and Arnor. He shoulders leadership of the Fellowship after Gandalf’s fall in Moria, although he feels torn between his loyalty to Frodo and his duty to the people of Gondor.

Aragorn / Strider Quotes in The Fellowship of the Ring

The The Fellowship of the Ring quotes below are all either spoken by Aragorn / Strider or refer to Aragorn / Strider. 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:

"They come from Mordor," said Strider in a low voice. "From Mordor, Barliman, if that means anything to you."

"Save us!" cried Mr. Butterbur turning pale; the name evidently was known to him. "That is the worst news that has come to Bree in my time."

"It is," said Frodo. "Are you still willing to help me?"

"I am," said Mr. Butterbur. "More than ever. Though I don't know what the likes of me can do against, against –" he faltered.

“Against the Shadow in the East,” said Strider quietly. “Not much, Barliman, but every little helps. You can let Mr. Underhill stay here tonight, as Mr. Underhill, and you can forget the name of Baggins, till he is far away.”

Related Characters: Frodo Baggins (speaker), Aragorn / Strider (speaker), Barliman Butterbur (speaker), The Black Riders / Ringwraiths / Nazgûl

Related Symbols: The One Ring

Page Number and Citation: 165

Explanation and Analysis:

“If Gondor, Boromir, has been a stalwart tower, [the Rangers] have played another part. Many evil things there are that your strong walls and bright swords do not stay. You know little of the lands beyond your bounds. Peace and freedom, do you say? The North would have known them little but for us.

[…] Travellers scowl at us, and countrymen give us scornful names. 'Strider' I am to one fat man who lives within a day's march of foes that would freeze his heart, or lay his little town in ruin, if he were not guarded ceaselessly. Yet we would not have it otherwise. If simple folk are free from care and fear, simple they will be, and we must be secret to keep them so. That has been the task of my kindred, while the years have lengthened and the grass has grown.”

Related Characters: Aragorn / Strider (speaker), Boromir

Page Number and Citation: 242

Explanation and Analysis:

"And now we must enter the Golden Wood, you say. But of that perilous land we have heard in Gondor, and it is said that few come out who once go in; and of that few none have escaped unscathed."

"Say not unscathed, but if you say unchanged, then maybe you will speak the truth," said Aragorn. "But lore wanes in Gondor, Boromir, if in the city of those who once were wise they now speak evil of Lothlórien [...] only evil need fear it, or those who bring some evil with them.”

Related Characters: Aragorn / Strider (speaker), Boromir (speaker), Galadriel

Page Number and Citation: 329

Explanation and Analysis:

[Aragorn’s] own plan, while Gandalf remained with them, had been to go with Boromir, and with his sword help to deliver Gondor. For he believed that the message of the dreams was a summons, and that the hour had come at last when the heir of Elendil should come forth and strive with Sauron for the mastery. But in Moria the burden of Gandalf had been laid on him; and he knew that he could not now forsake the Ring, if Frodo refused in the end to go with Boromir. And yet what help could he or any of the Company give to Frodo, save to walk blindly with him into the darkness?

Related Characters: Frodo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Aragorn / Strider, Boromir

Related Symbols: The One Ring, The Shards of Narsil / Anduril

Page Number and Citation: 359

Explanation and Analysis:

The travellers sat still without moving or speaking. On the green bank near to the very point of the Tongue the Lady Galadriel stood alone and silent. As they passed her they turned and their eyes watched her slowly floating away from them. For so it seemed to them: Lórien was slipping backward, like a bright ship masted with enchanted trees, sailing on to forgotten shores, while they sat helpless upon the margin of the grey and leafless world.

Related Characters: Frodo Baggins, Aragorn / Strider, Samwise (Sam) Gamgee, Boromir, Meriadoc (Merry) Brandybuck, Peregrin (Pippin) Took, Legolas Greenleaf, Gimli, Galadriel

Page Number and Citation: 367

Explanation and Analysis:

"We of Minas Tirith have been staunch through long years of trial. We do not desire the power of Wizard-lords, only strength to defend ourselves, strength in a just cause. And behold! in our need chance brings to light the Ring of Power. It is a gift, I say; a gift to the foes of Mordor. It is mad not to use it, to use the power of the Enemy against him. The fearless, the ruthless, these alone will achieve victory. What could not Aragorn do? Or if he refuses, why not Boromir? The Ring would give me power of Command. How I would drive the hosts of Mordor, and all men would flock to my banner!"

Related Characters: Boromir (speaker), Frodo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Aragorn / Strider, Sauron

Related Symbols: The One Ring

Page Number and Citation: 36

Explanation and Analysis:

Aragorn / Strider Character Timeline in The Fellowship of the Ring

The timeline below shows where the character Aragorn / Strider appears in The Fellowship of the Ring. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...pipe at the edge of the room. Butterbur identifies the figure as a Ranger called Strider, and warns Frodo to steer clear of him. (full context)

Strider waves Frodo over to join him, which the hobbit uneasily agrees to. The Ranger seems... (full context)

Free Will, Fate, and Foresight Theme Icon

...feeling immensely foolish and uncertain as to how it suddenly ended up on his finger. Strider addresses Frodo by his real name of Baggins and exclaims “You have put your foot... (full context)

Frodo, Sam, and Pippin return to their rooms and find that Strider is already there, while Merry is absent. The Ranger tries to convince the hobbits that... (full context)

Courage, Heroism, and Selflessness Theme Icon

As the hobbits argue among themselves about whether to trust Strider, they are interrupted by Butterbur, who bears a letter for Frodo from Gandalf. The innkeeper... (full context)

Upon Butterbur’s exit, Strider prompts Frodo to read Gandalf’s letter. It reveals that the wizard urged them to leave... (full context)

...he involuntarily surrendered to a strange, dreamlike state. Nob found him lying by the roadside. Strider suggests that Merry was put to sleep by the “Black Breath,” presumably a Black Rider’s... (full context)

The next morning, back in Bree, Strider wakes Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin at first light. They discover that their original rooms... (full context)

After walking some miles down the main road, Strider cuts left to lead the hobbits into the wilderness. The small company spends two days... (full context)

Reaching Weathertop after a day’s march, Strider discovers signs of a great battle and a stone marked with hastily made scratches. He... (full context)

...toward the bottom of the hill, warning his friends that Black Riders may be approaching. Strider advises that they should stay put, as they are better protected by the fire. He... (full context)

After Strider finishes his stories, Frodo, Pippin, Merry, and Sam rest and keep watch. The hobbits suddenly... (full context)

...icy stab to his shoulder. Reeling from the pain, he sees the bright figure of Strider leap into battle wielding a flaming brand (a burning piece of wood) in each hand.... (full context)

...are overjoyed that he is awake, sharing the news that the Black Riders retreated at Strider’s fiery attack, but that Strider has also disappeared for the past hour. The Ranger then... (full context)

When Strider learns of Frodo’s wound, he is gravely concerned, especially when he later discovers the hilt... (full context)

At daybreak the next morning, Strider and the hobbits hasten from Weathertop toward Rivendell. For approximately ten days they struggle through... (full context)

Strider and his charges are forced to return to the road for the final leg of... (full context)

For the next two days, Glorfindel and Strider push the hobbits hard toward safety. As they approach the Ford of Bruinen that borders... (full context)

...Riders, their vanquishing at the Ford of Bruinen through Gandalf and Elrond’s combined magic, and Strider’s true identity as a descendant of ancient kings. (full context)

...the eventful Shire news he has missed. For several minutes they do not notice that Strider has joined them. Bilbo greets the Ranger fondly, and man and hobbit step away to... (full context)

Aragorn rises to reveal the Sword that was Broken, laying the shards of Narsil before the... (full context)

In response to Boromir’s questions, Aragorn discusses the history of the Rangers as protectors of oblivious peoples. He indicates that he... (full context)

...of Middle Earth to form the Company—Legolas for the elves, Gimli for the dwarves, and Aragorn and Boromir for the human race. With Gandalf’s support, Merry and Pippin secure the final... (full context)

...of the Ring—more informally known as the Fellowship of the Ring—makes plans to depart Rivendell, Aragorn instructs elven smiths to reforge the shards of Narsil that he carries in his scabbard.... (full context)

...cold. Defeated by Caradhras, it takes a blazing fire and the strength of Boromir and Aragorn to keep the party alive in the heavy snow. They retreat down the mountain, defeated... (full context)

...alternative path to cross the Misty Mountains by traveling underground through the Mines of Moria. Aragorn does not want to take this route, but it is the only option. He warns... (full context)

...creatures attack that same night. Backing the Fellowship against a great bonfire they have built, Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, and Gimli each fight with skill and bravery—Aragorn and Boromir use their swords... (full context)

...deep. They are aiming for the eastern gate as their exit. Except for Gimli and Aragorn, the Fellowship’s anxiety heightens with each crossroads in which Gandalf stops to take time to... (full context)

...a great orc-chieftain. So great is the thrust that Frodo is pinned to the wall. Aragorn smites the orc, and picks up the Ring-bearer. As the Company flees through a door... (full context)

...an enemy, Gandalf instructs them to flee while he makes a stand on the bridge. Aragorn and Boromir ignore his command, holding their ground behind the wizard. After breaking the balrog’s... (full context)

The Company is wracked with grief at Gandalf’s presumed death, but Aragorn forces them to move towards Moria’s exit. With hordes of orcs trapped behind them, they... (full context)

Aragorn guides the devastated Company toward the elf-forest of Lothlórien. He stops briefly in their haste... (full context)

...on, running for three hours beyond dusk to ensure they are not caught by orcs. Aragorn and Legolas are glad to arrive at the border of the forest of Lórien, while... (full context)

...is so great that they blindfold Gimli to protect Lothlórien’s secrets. To calm Gimli’s outrage, Aragorn requests that all of the Company be blindfolded as well. Thus the Lórien elves guide... (full context)

...will have to decide whether to move east or west. Considering the Fellowship’s future path, Aragorn feels torn between protecting Frodo on a direct quest to Mordor—especially now that they have... (full context)

...individual items—a magic sword sheath and green-jeweled brooch in the shape of an eagle for Aragorn; belts of silver or gold for Merry, Pippin, and Boromir; a great bow and quiver... (full context)

...the fourth evening, Sam is startled awake from dozing in the boat he shares with Aragorn and Frodo. He thinks he has seen a log that is moving unnaturally quickly in... (full context)

...morning, Boromir encourages the Company to leave the boats and travel west to Gondor. However, Aragorn desires to travel a little further down the river to behold the ancient site of... (full context)

...makes use of an old portage road. Settled in boats on the river once more, Aragorn is deeply affected when they pass under the grand pillars of the kings. That same... (full context)

That night, while camping on the lawn at the foot of Amon Hen, Aragorn and Frodo see from Sting’s blade that there are orcs some way off. After breakfast... (full context)

...telling the whole truth, and the panicked Company runs in numerous directions looking for Frodo. Aragorn, trying to keep them together, charges Boromir with following and protecting Merry and Pippin, while... (full context)

Aragorn easily catches up to Sam and tells him to follow him up Amon Hen to... (full context)