Exploring King Théoden’s Question: The Absence of Gondor During the Fall of the Westfold in The Lord of the Rings

Exploring King Théoden's Question: The Absence of Gondor During the Fall of the Westfold in The Lord of the Rings

‘The Lord of the Rings’ film trilogy is celebrated for its iconic moments and quotes, notably King Théoden’s plea for Gondor’s help during Rohan’s crisis against Saruman. While Théoden blames Gondor for inaction, his own struggles and lack of communication play a role. During this time, Gondor was engaged in its own battles against Mordor. This situation highlights the intricate dynamics of loyalty and conflict in Middle-earth, with the entire trilogy streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

The Lord of the Rings: A Timeless Epic

The ‘The Lord of the Rings’ film trilogy stands as one of the most beloved cinematic achievements in history. Numerous scenes and quotes have transcended the screen, becoming iconic within pop culture and inspiring countless memes. A memorable moment comes from King Théoden of Rohan (played by Bernard Hill) when he poses the poignant question: ‘Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell?’

The Context of Théoden’s Plea

In this scene, Théoden urgently calls upon Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) to seek Gondor’s assistance in their battle against Saruman (Christopher Lee). His frustration stems from Gondor’s apparent inaction during the crisis faced by Rohan, particularly when the Westfold was under siege. But what exactly happened, and is Théoden’s anger truly warranted?

The Westfold, a region within Rohan, lies to the northwest, perilously close to Saruman’s stronghold at Isengard. At the onset of ‘The Two Towers’, Éomer (Karl Urban) alerts his fellow warriors that Uruk-hai are on the loose, wreaking havoc and bloodshed. These assaults represent Saruman’s initial strategies to dominate Rohan, leading to scenes of the Westfold engulfed in flames.

During the tumultuous battles that resulted in the Westfold’s demise, Théoden’s son, Théodred, tragically loses his life. At that point in the narrative, Théoden is under the insidious influence of Saruman and Gríma Wormtongue (Brad Dourif), rendering him ineffective in defending his land. It’s not until later that Théoden regains his clarity, thanks to Gandalf’s intervention.

By demanding to know where Gondor was during the Westfold’s fall, Théoden implicitly holds Denethor accountable for not providing assistance while Rohan was leaderless. However, it’s crucial to note that Rohan never formally requested support or informed Gondor of their peril. Denethor was left in the dark about Théoden’s incapacitation.

Additionally, Gondor was grappling with its own crises during this time. While Saruman was attacking the Westfold, Gondor was engaged in a fierce battle against the forces of Mordor in the city of Osgiliath. This city, split by the Anduin River, presented significant challenges in terms of defense.

The section of Osgiliath adjacent to Minas Tirith was relatively secure, but the area shadowed by Mordor quickly fell to orc forces. Just before the council of Elrond in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring’, Boromir (Sean Bean) managed to recapture the city, but soon after, his brother Faramir (David Wenham) was left to defend it against relentless attacks.

In ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’, Faramir leads Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) into Osgiliath, where the chaos of battle is palpable. Tensions escalate, and by the time of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’, the city ultimately succumbs to orc overrunning, forcing Gondor into retreat.

In conclusion, the question of ‘Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell?’ serves as a reminder of the complex web of battles and allegiances in Middle-earth. The entire ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, along with the prequel series ‘The Rings of Power’, as anticipation builds for its upcoming third season.