As a lifelong cinephile with a penchant for all things Middle-earth, I must say that “The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power” has been an intriguing journey, to put it mildly. While it may have divided some fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s literature, there is no denying its visual and narrative prowess in expanding the rich lore of Middle-earth.
The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power has sparked varying opinions among fans captivated by J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, but it has undeniably excelled in its visual narrative style. The show has strived diligently to explore the rich lore of the Lord of the Rings universe, giving equal attention to the Elves, Dwarves, Harfoots, Orcs, and Humans within it.
The Amazon Prime Video series also manages to evoke nostalgia by featuring characters like Gandalf (The Stranger) and Sauron (Charlie Vickers), who exhibit a youthful vigor, but remain steadfast in their fight for good and evil, much like in the Lord of the Rings movies. Furthermore, the series delves into events happening in Middle-earth and Valinor, while also introducing us to a notable name: Forodwaith.
In the original trilogy, Forodwaith was not depicted, but the Amazon series The Rings of Power has integrated it significantly into both its first and second seasons. Yet, one might wonder, what exactly is Forodwaith? Is it akin to Mordor or does it possess a distinct, enigmatic nature that warrants further exploration?
The Forodwaith Represents Both the Region and the People Living There
As per J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings, the term “Forodwaith” translates to “Northern Waste” or more expansively, “Northernland”. A glance at the map of Middle-earth reveals Forodwaith situated in the most northern region, characterized by a polar environment. The territory extends beyond Mount Gundabad and is marked by a protruding mountain range along its backbone. Essentially, Forodwaith encompasses the frigid, frozen expanses of the far north, with an average temperature dipping to -50 degrees Fahrenheit.
The chilly region is due to its close vicinity to the ruins of Utumno, an ancient fortress once ruled by the Dark Lord Morgoth, who was Sauron’s former master. Though Utumno was destroyed much earlier than the series’ timeline, the persistent coldness can be attributed to Morgoth residing there for a thousand years, leaving behind a perpetual frost that makes it uninhabitable for most beings.
Conversely, Forodwaith is a term used to denote inhabitants of the northern district of Middle-earth, commonly called the ancients of distant times. However, their exact timeline in the lore of The Lord of the Rings is unclear, likely predating the events of The Rings of Power. Although details about the people of Forodwaith are scarce, Tolkien’s earlier works described them as resembling Vikings, with their homeland, Ponorir, depicted as Scandinavia. Moreover, it is noted in his writings that the desolate lands beyond the mountain range close to Forodwaith are inhabited by dragons who do not exhale fire.
The Significance of Forodwaith in Rings of Power
The extensive history of Forodwaith in the books highlights its significant role in the lore of The Lord of the Rings. Yet, Forodwaith is not featured in the trilogy, and it’s only been closely depicted in Rings of Power. This leaves viewers wondering about the importance of Forodwaith within the ongoing series, Rings of Power.
In both seasons of The Rings of Power, Forodwaith has been a key location, often revisited in the opening scenes – this icy, treacherous fortress is difficult to maneuver through. In the first season, Galadriel leads an elite group of elf warriors on a mission to capture Sauron and they attempt to storm Forodwaith, but fail. On the other hand, the second season’s opening depicts Sauron making efforts to build an Orc army and take over as the Dark Lord from his former master Morgoth. In this endeavor, he tries to sway the Orcs, yet Adar, who initially accepts his offer, later deceives him and sets a trap, ultimately ambushing Sauron with his offspring.
These are the words Sauron uses while trying to convince the Orcs to join his side:
Be wary of questioning my word, for there is no other refuge left for you. The Valar will never pardon you, Elves will never welcome you, and men will only gaze upon you with fear and loathing.
Although Orcs relentlessly attacked and stabbed Sauron, he didn’t perish; instead, a massive explosion erupted within him, covering all of Forodwaith in frost, much like the blast that occurred when Morgoth vanished from there. Forodwaith isn’t just a current stronghold for Orcs but was previously governed by Morgoth, and it may continue to be under his control in future conflicts. Even if a prequel series portrays events where Morgoth is still alive, Forodwaith will remain significant in the upcoming battles between Sauron and Galadriel, as Sauron aims to conquer Middle-earth while Galadriel stands firm against his oppression.
The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power is now available on Prime Video.
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2024-09-08 01:31