In The Lord of the Rings, each member has a role to play in the Fellowship. Aragorn, for example, embodies the courageous king. Gandalf symbolizes wisdom. Frodo carries the heavy burden of the Ring. But one character stands out for a quality that isn't necessarily so obvious, but is nonetheless just as rare and precious.
A quick reminder of the Council of Elrond scene
Do you remember the Council of Elrond scene in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring?While the greatest representatives of the free peoples debate, the Ring rests in the center. Everyone is looking at him.
Some covet him. Boromir, in particular, begins to show signs of obsession. Gimli, however, decides instead to grab his axe and strikes the Ring, thinking he can destroy it. But the axe shatters and the dwarf is thrown backward.
This gesture may seem impulsive, even naive. But at the same time, it reveals a quality precious thing that has yet to be said.
The only one who wants to destroy the ring
Indeed, on reflection, Gimli does not seek to seize the Ring. He does not admire it. He does not covet it. Yet, even Frodo fails to do so in the end. Gandalf himself refused to touch it, for fear of being corrupted. Isildur, a thousand years earlier, was simply unable to do so. Boromir, however, tries to steal it. And Gollum wants it back.
In the end, Gimli is the only character to try to destroy the Ring voluntarily. Yet we can assume that he too felt the ring's attraction. Rather, he sees it as evil, poisonous, and threatening. Thus, what makes him unique is his exceptional resistance to the temptation of power, its incorruptibility.
Let us also remember that dwarves adore precious stones and gold. Their greed is legendary. Gimli's ancestors even paid dearly for this weakness, notably in the history of Erebor. Which makes him even more exceptional.
A scene that speaks volumes
In the films, Gimli often embodies the comic touch. He falls, growls, rivals Legolas... But this scene at the Council shows that his humor masks a great nobility. He doesn't talk much about his motivations. At the same time, he doesn't seek recognition and acts out of conviction.
Note that this scene doesn't come directly from the books. It was Peter Jackson and his team who chose to add more emotion and script details to highlight this aspect of Gimli, which had long been put in the background.
This addition also anticipates an obvious question regarding the plot: "Why not just break the Ring?" Thus, this scene also shows that the Ring is indestructible by ordinary means.
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