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      Thematic Anlaysis of FOTR

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    Topic:   Thematic Anlaysis of FOTR

     ridan
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    Thematic Analysis Of The Fellowship of the Ring

    RING THEMES
    {{{{The History of the Ring Theme
    A mysterious, sad theme, often played in the movie to track the journey of the Ring, Over the main titles,

    The Evil of the Ring Theme (Descending thirds motif)
    An alternating, high-low two-note motif, played when the Evil of the Ring is referenced.

    The Ring Seduction Theme
    A mysterious, seductive, choral theme, used on Caradhras when Boromir is tempted, when Aragorn is tempted on AMon Hen, and when F+S leave and Gandalf warns them of the Rings' power.

    The Passage of the Ring Theme
    A short simple, traveling theme, used when the Ring leaves Gollum, when Frodo offers the Ring to Gandalf and he refuses, when Frodo and Sam are traversing the Shire, when he offers it to Galadriel and shedoesn't take it, and when she says that he must do the task.

    The Ring Verse:
    Not really a true theme, but sung whenever the Ring is shown to have power away from Sauron, and when Saruman and Gandalf fight (because Saruman wants the Ring.) Also chanted by the ring itself occassionally
    General lyrics are as follows:
    Chorus in Black Speech :
    Shre nazg golugranu kilmi-nudu
    Ombi kuzddurbagu gundum-ishi
    Nugu gurunkilu bard gurutu
    Ash Burz-Durbagu burzum-ishi
    Daghburz-ishi makha gulshu darulu.
    Ash nazg durbatulūk, ash nazg gimbatul,
    ash nazg thrakatulūk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul
    Daghburz-ishi makha gulshu darulu.
    Gū kībum kelkum-ishi, burzum-ishi. Akha - gūm-ishi ashi gurum.
    Nubin sherkuk, rakhizinash, matizinashūk, matizin Umbrūk.
    Three rings for the Elven-kings under the sky
    Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone
    Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die
    One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
    in the land of Mordor where the shadows lie.
    One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
    One Ring to bring them all and in the Darkness bind them
    in the land of Mordor where the shadows lie.
    There is no life in the cold, in the dark. Here in the void there is only death.
    I smell your blood. I shall devour it, eat it all, eat all of the world.}}}}

    VILLAIN THEMES
    <<<<Isengard Theme
    A large, threatening evil theme, off-kilter, played on trombone and hammer, in 5/4 percussion, used to represent Saruman, his fortified Isengard, his Uruk-hai, and his forest killing “development”

    Sauron's Theme
    An evil, devilish theme, played on high strings, brass, or Rhaita, and very threatening. Used thrice in the movie, in the prologue when we first see the orcs, when Barad-dur is first seen, and when Frodo sees Sauron's Eye in Galadriel's Mirror.

    Ringwraith (Nazgūl) Theme
    A Gothic Choral theme, sung in an ancient tongue of man, full of terror and fear, and complemented by bold brass and tense under-strings, occasionally used as a theme for the rings power, and accompanied by a secondary motif similar to the danger motif. General lyrics are as follows:

    Chorus in Adūnaic:
    Nźbābītham Magānanź
    Nźtabdam dāurad
    Nźpām nźd abārat-aglar
    īdō Nidir nźnākham
    Bārī 'n Katharād
    'We deny our maker.
    We cling to the darkness.
    We grasp for ourselves power and glory.
    Now we come, the Nine,
    Lords of Eternal Life.

    Balrog theme
    A evil, threatening, foreboding theme, played on drums and brass, played when Gandalf stops on the bridge, and when the Balrog drags him down into the Abyss with him. Used to represent the Balrog of Morgoth and its power.>>>>

    CHARACTER THEMES
    [[[[Gollum’s theme
    An evil, slithering string theme, but while also sounding evil, also sounds pitiable and sad.
    Used to represent Gollum when he is discussed or on screen.

    Arwen’s theme
    A high, slow, beautiful theme, used twice in the movie to represent Arwen. General lyrics are as follows:
    Chorus in Sindarin
    Tinśviel elvanui
    Elleth alfirin edhelhael
    O hon ring finnil fuinui
    A renc gelebrin thiliol...

    'Tinśviel [the] elven-fair,
    Immortal maiden elven-wise,
    About him cast [her] night-dark hair,
    And arms [like] silver glimmering...'

    Aragorn’s theme
    A noble brass motif, used when Aragorn saves Boromir for a few seconds when he jumps out of the woods and kills Lurtz, when he jumps in to save frodo from the witchking, when he jumps in to save him from the cave troll, when the Fellowship runs to the Bridge in Moria, when he first walks towards the Uruks on Amon Hen, and when Butterbur introduces Strider.

    Frodo’s theme
    Sad, noble theme, used when Gandalf speaks to him in Moria, saying "All you have to decide...", in a greater form with choir after Gandalf falls, and when he leaves Amon Hen by boat (after hearing Gandalf's saying again).

    The Fellowship Theme
    A Grand, heroic theme, often played on brass, used in it’s fragmentary form when the Fellowship begins to form: when Sam leaves the cornfield, when Merry and Pippin show up and roll down a hill, and when Strider (Aragorn) joins the group. As the Fellowship forms at the Council of Elrond, it is used in a brassy, grand statement, and similarly when the leave Rivendell, are seen on a mountain trail, as they run for the bridge after defeating the cave troll, and after Aragorn and Frodo leap onto the edge of the stairs as the section behind them falls. After Gandalf falls, you only hear it in its fragmentary form again, this time saddened by the loss, and is heard on the Great River and after Boromir dies.

    Fellowship Choral Motif
    Used when the Fellowship departs Rivendell, when M+P almost get axed by orcs on Amon Hen, and over Boromir's last stand.

    Hobbit Theme
    A joyous, careless theme, played on quick strings, used often in Hobbiton, and when M+P run into Frodo and Sam in Farmer Maggot's Cornfield.

    Samwise's Theme
    A Very powerful theme, packed with emotion, used when Frodo and Sam are in the Lake at the Falls of Rauros.]]]]

    MOOD/EVENT/UNIDENTIFIED THEMES
    ^^^^Nature/ Unexpected Hope Theme
    A high choral motif, played when the moth finds Gandalf on top of the tower of Orthanc.

    Weakness Motif
    A sad string theme, representing the weakness of men. Used when Isildur is seen wearing the Ring in the Prologue, when Elrond says "Men are weak", after the Isildur-Mt.Doom flashback, and when Aragorn tells Arwen why he fears the past.

    Fate of Man motif
    A sad, 4-note motif, used when Elendil falls, and after Frodo runs from Boromir, when he is saying "I see your Mind..."

    Ominous Brass Motif
    Used when Saruman describes Sauron's Eye to Gandalf. (Used in TTT when Frodo asks Gollum about Mordor.)

    2-note Sauron-related motif
    Used when Sauron appears in the Prologue at the Last Alliance Battle, and when Saruman Tells of the Nine.

    Oboe motif
    Used when Gandalf is on top of Orthanc (before the moth scene), after Aragorn sings The Lay of Leithien, and at Rivendell when Boromir picks up the Shards of Narsil

    Danger Motif
    A circling melody, often used to indicate danger, real or possible, such as when Saruman Uncovers the Palantir, When Gandalf Dismounts his horse within Isengard, and when Sam rustles the bushes outside of Bag End. Often used in conjunction with the Nazgul.

    Danger Motif 2
    A motif, one that tends to avoid downbeats, often used as an ostinato. used often with the Nazgul, and when Gandalf Goes to the Gondorian Library.

    Boromir's Death
    Sad choral motif, used when Boromir dies on Amon Hen.

    General Lyrics:
    We do not love the sword for it's Brightness,
    nor The arrow for it's swiftness,
    Nor the warrior for his glory.
    We love only that which they defend.
    ^^^^

    KINGDOM/LOCATION THEMES
    ****The Shire theme
    A slightly Celtic theme, often played on wood flutes, other times on string and horn, used to represent the hobbits and the Shire.

    The Lothlorien Theme
    An exotic, choral theme, used to represent Galadriel and the Woods Of Lothlórien. General Lyrics:

    Chorus in Quenya
    Ilfirin nairelma
    Nauva i nauva
    Ilfirin nairelma
    Ar ullume nucuvalme
    nauva i nauva
    melme noren sina
    nairelma

    Rivendell theme
    A beautiful choral motif, played twice in the movie, both times within Rivendell. The lyrics are an Elvish poem called “A Elbereth Gilthoniel” The General lyrics are as follows:

    Chorus in Sindarin
    A Elbereth Gilthoniel,
    silivren penna miriel
    o menel aglar elenath,
    na-chaered palan diriel
    o galadhremmin ennorath
    nef aear, sķ aearon,
    Fanluilos, le linnathon
    Nef aear, sķ aearon!

    Gondor Theme
    A noble French horn theme, played when Boromir speaks of his Father at the Council.

    History of Gondor Theme
    Used when Boromir speaks to Aragorn of the White Tower of Ecthelion while in Lothlorien.

    Misty Mountain Motif
    A weary, 3-2-3 note theme, used to represent the mightiest mountain range in Middle-earth

    Moria Theme
    A deep, chanting motif, an all male choir chanting in Neo-Khuzdul, used to represent the Mines of Moria, used when Saruman speaks of the "shadow and flame", when the Fellowship begins the Journey in the Dark, and throughout the Bridge of Khazad-dum sequence.

    Dwarrowdelf theme
    A loud, Khuzdūl chorus theme, or sad brass, used to represent the ruined Kindom of Dwarrowdelf, mightiest stronghold of the Dwarves
    Used thrice in the movie, when Gandalf shows them the city with "more light", when Gimli runs into the Chamber of Mazarbul and sees Balin's tomb, and after the cave troll stabs Frodo****

    [Message edited by ridan on 01-23-2004]

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    posted 01-23-2004 12:39 PM PT (US)     

     ridan
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    my TTT analysis will be up in a few days.

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    posted 01-27-2004 01:50 PM PT (US)     

     ridan
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    bump

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    posted 01-29-2004 01:01 PM PT (US)     

     Marian Schedenig
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    On first glance, this looks excellent. It's just so long that I haven't had time to read it properly yet...or apply it by listening to the scores.

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    posted 01-29-2004 03:29 PM PT (US)     
     

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