Themes of The Lord of The Rings - Christ Figures

Christ Figures

Authors like Peter J. Kreeft and Jean Chausse have identified reflections on the figure of Jesus Christ in three main characters of The Lord of the Rings: Gandalf, Frodo and Aragorn. While Chausse found "facets of the personality of Jesus" in them, Kreeft wrote that "they exemplify the Old Testament threefold Messianic symbolism of prophet (Gandalf), priest (Frodo), and king (Aragorn)." The interpretation of Gandalf as a prophet is shared by Mark Stucky, who also sees this character as a symbol of the resurrection of Christ.

Also the motif of hope can be found in Aragorn's successful handling of Saruman's palantír. Only Aragorn as the heir of Isildur can rightfully use the seeing stone while Saruman and Denethor, who have both also made extensive use of a palantír, have become despaired or presumptive. These latter traits have been identified as one of the traditional Catholic sins "against the virtue of Hope."