Why didn't the eagles fly the ring to Mordor?

Whatevo @whatevo
1mo ago

Posted to: Lord of the Rings

The idea of the eagles simply flying the One Ring to Mordor in The Lord of the Rings is an interesting one, but there are several reasons why it wasn’t practical or even possible within Tolkien’s world:

1. Sauron's Vigilance: The airspace over Mordor was heavily guarded. Sauron had watchful armies and, most significantly, the Nazgûl on their fell beasts patrolling the skies. The eagles, while powerful, would have been exposed to detection and attack long before reaching Mount Doom.

2. The Eagles’ Independence: The eagles aren’t just a taxi service—they’re sentient beings with their own agency and allegiance to the Valar, particularly Manwë. They rarely intervened directly in Middle-earth’s affairs unless given a specific task from the higher powers.

3. The Ring's Influence: Anyone carrying the Ring risks falling under its power, and the eagles might not have been immune to its influence. Prolonged exposure to the Ring could corrupt even the noblest of beings, and it’s uncertain whether an eagle could resist its temptation.

4. Story Themes of Perseverance and Sacrifice: One of Tolkien’s central themes is that ordinary individuals—like Frodo and Sam—can rise to heroic heights. Having the eagles deliver the Ring would have circumvented the journey and sacrifices that are essential to the story’s message.

5. Limited Interference from the Valar: The eagles are ultimately part of a much higher order in Middle-earth, under the governance of the Valar. The Valar tended not to interfere directly in Middle-earth, giving its inhabitants the agency to face their challenges.

Tolkien’s world is very much built on the notion that the journey and the struggle are necessary parts of the fight against evil—no shortcuts allowed!

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