Noms De Guerre: The Power of Naming in War and Conflict in Middle-Earth
2015; Mythopoeic Society; Volume: 34; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
0146-9339
Autores Tópico(s)Comics and Graphic Narratives
ResumoI.R.R. Tolkien skillfully Deploys deep understanding of the mythic and psychological power of names and naming throughout his legendarium. Among other aspects of naming, his stories highlight many ways in which names, naming, re-naming, and un-naming can be used as strategies in war and conflict. Names are, in one sense, the outward indication of power negotiation. The namer, the one who bestows new name or uses an already-given name, reveals, through the choice of name they use, their relationship to that which they name. It may be more or less equal relationship; may be one of exerting power over someone or something by imposing name on or by using name that will influence those who hear it; or may be one of subordination, using name to flatter or placate someone or something more powerful. A name may be used in magical sense, as form of logizomai--that is, naming something as that which you desire to be or become--or to give something greater power by distinguishing from others of its kind. A person may rename him- or herself--out of desire for anonymity, to indicate an alliance with someone or something else, or out of pride or hubris. (1) Here I wish to examine several examples of how names and naming are used in these ways in war and conflict in Tolkien's legendarium: weapons that are named, noms de guerre that are chosen by or given to individuals, new names adopted for variety of reasons, and names that are taken away. The use of naming as magical power in war ultimately leads us to Sauron's great and magical act of naming. NAMED WEAPONS Why might be named? Not all cultures have tradition of naming weapons. The Iliad describes the appearance, weight, symbolism, and lineage of Achilles's shield and spear at obsessive length without naming them; neither is Odysseus's bow, the one that proves his identity, named in The Odyssey (Grindley 151-53). But in the Northern and medieval literature with which Tolkien was personally and professionally engaged, named swords abound: Sigurd's Gram, (2) Beowulf's Naegling and Hrunting, Arthur's Excalibur, Roland's Durendal, Charlemagne's Joieuse, and so on. (3) With name, gains its own identity, even personality of sorts (Poudrier 35); name also marks as an heirloom tying generations together and legitimizing the heir who holds it. A named may be further distinguished by runes and inscriptions of power enhancing the abilities of the warrior who bears it (Burdge and Burke 703), ensuring victory or protection and further ennobling its bearer (Bribois 94), or bringing luck in battle (Davidson 67); the name itself may endow [the bearer] with [...] special powers (Bliss 77). In story, the hero's particular provides a concentrated symbolic functionality (Grindley 151), even more so if named, and the hero and his are inextricably linked (Flieger 147). Literary sword names often emphasiz[e] their power to do harm [and] to test the opponent [...]. [T]hey show imaginative personification of the weapon (Davidson 102). (4) Of the named weapons in Tolkien's writings, the vast majority are swords; the sword, as Ewart Oakeshott argues, possesses a potent mystique which sets above any other man-made object (qtd. in Whetter and McDonald 5). (5) There are only few singular examples of other types of named weapons. Aeglos (6) was the spear of Gil-galad, broken when he fell in combat against Sauron. Belthronding, borne by Beleg, is the only named bow, and Dailir its particular special arrow. (Bard did use his Black Arrow in combat against Smaug, and the Red Arrow was token of the agreement of Rohan to aid Gondor in war if needed, but those are not names on the same level; they fall somewhere between names and simple descriptors.) Dramborleg was the great axe favored by Tuor in battle; Durin's Axe is special heirloom weapon, but as with the Black and Red Arrows, the name is not true name like Dramborleg. …
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