Arwen: Difference between revisions

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{{sources}}
{{sources}}
{{half-elf infobox
{{half-elf infobox
| name=Arwen
| name=Arwen
| image=[[File:John Howe - Arwen.jpg|250px]]
| image=[[File:John Howe - Arwen.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Arwen" by [[John Howe]]
| caption="Arwen" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| pronun=
| othernames=''Undómiel'' ([[Quenya|Q]], "Evenstar")
| othernames=''Undómiel'' ([[Quenya|Q]], "Evenstar")
| titles=Queen of Gondor
| titles=Queen of Gondor
| location=[[Rivendell]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| location=[[Rivendell]], [[Lothlórien]], [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| position=
| position=
| affiliation=
| affiliation=
| language=Primarily [[Sindarin]]<ref name="Languages">{{App|Elves}}</ref>
| language=Primarily [[Sindarin]]<ref name="Languages">{{App|Elves}}</ref>
| birth={{TA|241}}
| birth={{TA|241}}
| birthlocation=
| birthlocation=
| rule={{TA|3019}} - {{FoA|120}}
| rule={{TA|3019}} - {{FoA|120}}
| death={{FoA|121}}
| death={{FoA|121}}
| deathlocation=[[Cerin Amroth]], [[Lothlórien]]
| deathlocation=[[Cerin Amroth]], [[Lothlórien]]
| age=2,901
| age=2,901
| notablefor=
| notablefor=
| house=
| house=
| heritage=[[Half-elven]] father, [[Elves|Elf]] mother
| heritage=[[Half-elven]] father, [[Elves|Elf]] mother
| parentage=[[Elrond]] and [[Celebrían]]
| parentage=[[Elrond]] and [[Celebrían]]
| siblings=[[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]]
| siblings=[[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]]
| spouse=[[Aragorn]]
| spouse=[[Aragorn]]
| children=[[Eldarion]] and several daughters
| children=[[Eldarion]] and several daughters
| gender=Female
| gender=Female
| height=
| height=
| hair=Dark<ref name="Many">{{FR|Meetings}}</ref>
| hair=Dark<ref name="Many">{{FR|Meetings}}</ref>
| eyes=Grey<ref name="Many"/>
| eyes=Grey<ref name="Many"/>
| clothing=Grey raiment with girdle of silver leaves;<ref name="Many"/> silver and blue mantle<ref name="Tale">{{App|A1v}}</ref>
| clothing=Grey raiment with girdle of silver leaves;<ref name="Many"/> silver and blue mantle<ref name="Tale">{{App|A1v}}</ref>
| weapons=
| weapons=
| steed=
| steed=
}}
}}
{{quote|[[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] saw her whom few [[mortals]] had yet seen; '''Arwen''', daughter of [[Elrond]], in whom it was said that the likeness of [[Lúthien]] had come on earth again; and she was called [[Undómiel]], for she was the Evenstar of her people.|''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Many Meetings]]<ref name="Many">{{FR|II1}}</ref>}}
{{quote|[[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] saw her whom few [[mortals]] had yet seen; '''Arwen''', daughter of [[Elrond]], in whom it was said that the likeness of [[Lúthien]] had come on earth again; and she was called [[Undómiel]], for she was the Evenstar of her people.|''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', [[Many Meetings]]<ref name="Many">{{FR|II1}}</ref>}}


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== History ==
== History ==
[[File:Anna Lee - Evenstar.jpg|thumb|left|Anna Lee - ''Evenstar'']]
[[File:Anna Lee - Evenstar.jpg|thumb|left|Anna Lee - ''Evenstar'']]


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Elrond insisted that Arwen could not marry Aragorn until he became king of both [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]]. Whether Arwen chose to marry him and become mortal, or remain with her kin as one of the Elves, she would be parted from either Elrond or Aragorn for ever.<ref name="Tale"/>  
Elrond insisted that Arwen could not marry Aragorn until he became king of both [[Gondor]] and [[Arnor]]. Whether Arwen chose to marry him and become mortal, or remain with her kin as one of the Elves, she would be parted from either Elrond or Aragorn for ever.<ref name="Tale"/>  
[[File:Stephen Hickman - Aragorn and Arwen.jpg|thumb|left|Stephen Hickman - ''Aragorn and Arwen'']]
[[File:Stephen Hickman - Aragorn and Arwen.jpg|thumb|left|Stephen Hickman - ''Aragorn and Arwen'']]
It was not until they met many years later in Lórien that Arwen returned Aragorn's love, and in {{TA|2980}} they plighted their troth on [[Cerin Amroth]]. Aragorn gave her the [[Ring of Barahir]].<ref name="Tale"/>
It was not until they met many years later in Lórien that Arwen returned Aragorn's love, and in {{TA|2980}} they plighted their troth on [[Cerin Amroth]]. Aragorn gave her the [[Ring of Barahir]].<ref name="Tale"/>


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Arwen wove the [[Livery of Elendil]] for Aragorn from black cloth, decorating it with [[mithril]], gems and gold. She sent the banner with her brothers and a group of [[Rangers of the North]] to Aragorn before he took the [[Paths of the Dead]], thereby inspiring him to take the difficult path.<ref>{{RK|V2}}</ref> The banner was unfurled at the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] to triumphantly announce the King's return.<ref>{{RK|V6}}</ref>
Arwen wove the [[Livery of Elendil]] for Aragorn from black cloth, decorating it with [[mithril]], gems and gold. She sent the banner with her brothers and a group of [[Rangers of the North]] to Aragorn before he took the [[Paths of the Dead]], thereby inspiring him to take the difficult path.<ref>{{RK|V2}}</ref> The banner was unfurled at the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] to triumphantly announce the King's return.<ref>{{RK|V6}}</ref>
[[File:Janka Latečková - King and his Queen.jpg|thumb|right|Janka Latečková - ''King and his Queen'']]
[[File:Janka Latečková - King and his Queen.jpg|thumb|right|Janka Latečková - ''King and his Queen'']]
Arwen wed Aragorn after the War of the Ring when Aragorn became King of the new [[Reunited Kingdom]]. Arwen chose a fate different from her father's and did not sail to the [[Aman|West]]. Instead, she gifted Frodo, as the [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]], passage in her stead, as she foresaw that his burden would not be lifted. She also gifted him with necklace with a white gem. <ref>{{RK|Partings}}</ref>
Arwen wed Aragorn after the War of the Ring when Aragorn became King of the new [[Reunited Kingdom]]. Arwen chose a fate different from her father's and did not sail to the [[Aman|West]]. Instead, she gifted Frodo, as the [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]], passage in her stead, as she foresaw that his burden would not be lifted. She also gifted him with necklace with a white gem. <ref>{{RK|Partings}}</ref>


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== Genealogy ==
== Genealogy ==
[[File:Abe Papakhian - Lord of Rivendell.jpg|thumb|Arwen in Rivendell]]
[[File:Abe Papakhian - Lord of Rivendell.jpg|thumb|Arwen in Rivendell]]
Arwen was actually a very distant relative of Aragorn, being his first cousin sixty-three times removed. By their marriage, the long-sundered lines of the [[Half-elven]] were joined.<ref>{{App|A1}}</ref> Their union also served to unite and preserve the bloodlines of the Three Kings of the High Elves ([[Ingwë]], [[Finwë]], and brothers [[Olwë]] and [[Elwë]]) as well as the only line with [[Maiar]]in blood through Arwen's great-great grandmother, [[Melian]].
Arwen was actually a very distant relative of Aragorn, being his first cousin sixty-three times removed. By their marriage, the long-sundered lines of the [[Half-elven]] were joined.<ref>{{App|A1}}</ref> Their union also served to unite and preserve the bloodlines of the Three Kings of the High Elves ([[Ingwë]], [[Finwë]], and brothers [[Olwë]] and [[Elwë]]) as well as the only line with [[Maiar]]in blood through Arwen's great-great grandmother, [[Melian]].


<div style="overflow-x: scroll; overflow-y: hidden; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: 3px; background: #EEEEEE;">
<div style="overflow-x: scroll; overflow-y: hidden; border: 1px solid #AAAAAA; padding: 3px; background: #EEEEEE;">
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| FIN |y| EAW | | GLN | | TUO |y| IDR | | DIO |y| NIM | |FIN=[[Finarfin]]</br><small>''b. {{YT|1230}}''</small>|EAW=[[Eärwen]]</br><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|GLN=[[Galadhon]]</br><small>''b. {{FA}}''</small>|TUO=[[Tuor]]</br><small>''b. {{FA|472}}''</small>|IDR=[[Idril]]</br><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|DIO=[[Dior]]</br><small>''{{FA|470}} - {{FA|506|n}}''</small>|NIM=[[Nimloth]]</br><small>''d. {{FA|506}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| FIN |y| EAW | | GLN | | TUO |y| IDR | | DIO |y| NIM | |FIN=[[Finarfin]]</br><small>''b. {{YT|1230}}''</small>|EAW=[[Eärwen]]</br><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|GLN=[[Galadhon]]</br><small>''b. {{FA}}''</small>|TUO=[[Tuor]]</br><small>''b. {{FA|472}}''</small>|IDR=[[Idril]]</br><small>''b. {{YT}}''</small>|DIO=[[Dior]]</br><small>''{{FA|470}} - {{FA|506|n}}''</small>|NIM=[[Nimloth]]</br><small>''d. {{FA|506}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| | | |!| | | | | |!| | | | | |!| | | | | | | |!| | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | |!| | | | | |!| | | | | |!| | | | | | | |!| | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | GAL |~|y|~| CEL | | | | EAR |~|~|y|~|~| ELW | | | |GAL=[[Galadriel]]</br><small>''b. {{YT|1362}}''</small>|CEL=[[Celeborn]]</br><small>''b. {{FA}}''</small>|EAR=[[Eärendil]]</br><small>''b. {{FA|503}}''</small>|ELW=[[Elwing]]</br><small>''b. {{FA|503}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| | | GAL |~|y|~| CEL | | | | EAR |~|~|y|~|~| ELW | | | |GAL=[[Galadriel]]</br><small>''b. {{YT|1362}}''</small>|CEL=[[Celeborn]]</br><small>''b. {{FA}}''</small>|EAR=[[Eärendil]]</br><small>''b. {{FA|503}}''</small>|ELW=[[Elwing]]</br><small>''b. {{FA|503}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | |,|-|-|^|-|.| | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | |!| | | | | | | | | |,|-|-|^|-|.| | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | CLB |~|~|~|y|~|~|~| ELR | | | ELS | | | | | | |CLB=[[Celebrían]]</br><small>''b. {{SA}}''</small>|ELR=[[Elrond]]</br><small>''b. {{FA|532}}''</small>|ELS=[[Elros]]</br><small>''{{FA|532}} - {{SA|442}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| | | | | | CLB |~|~|~|y|~|~|~| ELR | | | ELS | | | | | | |CLB=[[Celebrían]]</br><small>''b. {{SA}}''</small>|ELR=[[Elrond]]</br><small>''b. {{FA|532}}''</small>|ELS=[[Elros]]</br><small>''{{FA|532}} - {{SA|442}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.| | | | | |:| | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.| | | | | |:| | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | ELL | | ELO | | ARW |~|y|~| ARA | | | | | | |ELL=[[Elladan]]</br><small>''b. {{TA|130}}''</small>|ELO=[[Elrohir]]</br><small>''b. {{TA|130}}''</small>|ARW='''ARWEN'''</br><small>''{{TA|241}} - {{FoA|121}}''</small>|ARA=[[Aragorn|Aragorn II]]</br><small>''{{TA|2931}} - {{FoA|120}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | ELL | | ELO | | ARW |~|y|~| ARA | | | | | | |ELL=[[Elladan]]</br><small>''b. {{TA|130}}''</small>|ELO=[[Elrohir]]</br><small>''b. {{TA|130}}''</small>|ARW='''ARWEN'''</br><small>''{{TA|241}} - {{FoA|121}}''</small>|ARA=[[Aragorn|Aragorn II]]</br><small>''{{TA|2931}} - {{FoA|120}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | EDN | | DAU | | | | | | | |EDN=[[Eldarion]]</br><small>''b. {{FoA}}''</small>|DAU=''unknown<br/>daughters''}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | EDN | | DAU | | | | | | | |EDN=[[Eldarion]]</br><small>''b. {{FoA}}''</small>|DAU=''unknown<br/>daughters''}}
{{familytree/end}}
{{familytree/end}}
</div>
</div>


== Etymology ==
== Etymology ==
{{Pronounce|Arwen Undomiel.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{Pronounce|Arwen Undomiel.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''''Arwen''''' means "Noble Maiden" in [[Sindarin]] (from ''[[ara]]-'' = "noble" and ''[[gwenn]]'' = "maiden").<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 205</ref> Tolkien remarked that it also means "greatly blessed" in Welsh.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Mr Joukes|Letter to S.E.O. Joukes, 28 August 1967]]"</ref>
'''''Arwen''''' means "Noble Maiden" in [[Sindarin]] (from ''[[ara]]-'' = "noble" and ''[[gwenn]]'' = "maiden").<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 205</ref> Tolkien remarked that it also means "greatly blessed" in Welsh.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Mr Joukes|Letter to S.E.O. Joukes, 28 August 1967]]"</ref>


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==Portrayal in adaptations==
==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
{{Gallery
|title=Arwen in adaptations
|title=Arwen in adaptations
|height=150
|height=150
|width=250
|width=250
|lines=2
|lines=2
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Arwen.JPG|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Arwen.JPG|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Arwen 3.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Arwen 3.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
|File:Arwen-LOTRO.jpg|[[Arwen]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
|File:Arwen-LOTRO.jpg|[[Arwen]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}
}}


'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:Arwen does not appear.
:Arwen does not appear.


'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:Arwen is voiced by [[Sonia Fraser]].
:Arwen is voiced by [[Sonia Fraser]].


'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Arwen appears in Rivendell after the [[Council of Elrond]]. She has a brief dialogue with Aragorn, and recites several lines from the [[The Riddle of Strider|Riddle of Strider]]. No voice actress is specified, but it is likely [[Kath Soucie]].  
:Arwen appears in Rivendell after the [[Council of Elrond]]. She has a brief dialogue with Aragorn, and recites several lines from the [[The Riddle of Strider|Riddle of Strider]]. No voice actress is specified, but it is likely [[Kath Soucie]].  


'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:Arwen is played by [[Liv Tyler]]. Various additional scenes pertaining to Arwen are inserted, some of which deviate from the books and some of which seem inspired by ''[[The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen]]''.


Arwen is played by [[Liv Tyler]]. Various additional scenes pertaining to Arwen are inserted, some of which deviate from the books and some of which seem inspired by ''[[The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen]]''.  
:In the first film, she rescues [[Frodo Baggins]] from the [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] at [[Bruinen]], thwarting them with a sudden flood, summoned by an incantation. In the book, it was [[Glorfindel]] who put Frodo on horseback and sent him alone to flee the Black Riders, and Elrond and [[Gandalf]] arranged the flood. Also, in the book, Frodo defends himself against the Black Riders, whereas in the movie Arwen defends him.  Arwen wields the sword [[Hadhafang]],a non-canonical sword that belonged to her father.  


In the first film, she rescues [[Frodo Baggins]] from the [[Nazgûl|Black Riders]] at [[Bruinen]], thwarting them with a sudden flood, summoned by an incantation. In the book, it was [[Glorfindel]] who put Frodo on horseback and sent him alone to flee the Black Riders, and Elrond and [[Gandalf]] arranged the flood. Also, in the book, Frodo defends himself against the Black Riders, whereas in the movie Arwen defends him.  Arwen wields the sword [[Hadhafang]],a non-canonical sword that belonged to her father.  
:There are  scene in which Aragorn has a dream about Arwen in which they kiss, a scene where Arwen has an argument with her father about leaving for [[Valinor]], and a scene where she actually departs for Valinor and then changes her mind and returns when she sees a vision of her future son, Eldarion.  


There are  scene in which Aragorn has a dream about Arwen in which they kiss, a scene where Arwen has an argument with her father about leaving for [[Valinor]], and a scene where she actually departs for Valinor and then changes her mind and returns when she sees a vision of her future son, Eldarion.
:In addition, towards the end of the cinematic trilogy she apparently becomes sick with grief possibly over Aragorn's seemingly hopeless cause and his impending death. Elrond takes the reforged [[Narsil]], now [[Andúril]], to Aragorn at Dunharrow, and tells him that her fate has become bound with [[the One Ring]], and that she is dying. However, no explanation is ever given for these statements. Later, after the Ring is destroyed, Arwen is present at Aragorn's coronation without any signs of illness.
 
In addition, towards the end of the cinematic trilogy she apparently becomes sick with grief possibly over Aragorn's seemingly hopeless cause and his impending death. Elrond takes the reforged [[Narsil]], now [[Andúril]], to Aragorn at Dunharrow, and tells him that her fate has become bound with [[the One Ring]], and that she is dying. However, no explanation is ever given for these statements. Later, after the Ring is destroyed, Arwen is present at Aragorn's coronation without any signs of illness.


'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Arwen is a non-playable character and can be found in a gazebo overlooking the path from Rivendell into the Misty Mountains. She was not involved in the main storyline - or any side-quests for that matter - until 2010, when she passed Halbarad the banner she had made for Aragorn during the Epic Book [[Oath of the Rangers]].
:Arwen is a non-playable character and can be found in a gazebo overlooking the path from Rivendell into the Misty Mountains. She was not involved in the main storyline - or any side-quests for that matter - until 2010, when she passed Halbarad the banner she had made for Aragorn during the Epic Book [[Oath of the Rangers]].


'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Arwen resides in Rivendell, where players can discuss with her both historical and present subjects. While spotting appearance of [[Liv Tyler]], her role is closer to the book that in the movie: for example, she provides Halbarad and the Grey Company the banner she had made for Aragorn, an event omitted from movie adaptation. She is voiced by [[Courtenay Taylor]].
:Arwen resides in Rivendell, where players can discuss with her both historical and present subjects. While spotting appearance of [[Liv Tyler]], her role is closer to the book that in the movie: for example, she provides Halbarad and the Grey Company the banner she had made for Aragorn, an event omitted from movie adaptation. She is voiced by [[Courtenay Taylor]].


== See Also ==
== See Also ==
* [[:Category:Images of Arwen|Images of Arwen]]
* [[:Category:Images of Arwen|Images of Arwen]]


{{references}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Feminine names]]
[[Category:Feminine names]]
[[Category:Fourth Age characters]]
[[Category:Fourth Age characters]]
[[Category:Half-elven]]
[[Category:Half-elven]]
[[Category:House of Finarfin]]
[[Category:House of Finarfin]]
[[Category:Gondorians]]
[[Category:Gondorians]]
[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:Noldor]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[Category:Quenya names]]
[[Category:Quenya names]]
[[de:Arwen]]
[[de:Arwen]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:elfes:semi-elfes:arwen]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:elfes:semi-elfes:arwen]]
[[fi:Arwen]]
[[fi:Arwen]]

Revision as of 07:33, 28 April 2018

"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.
Arwen
Half-elf
John Howe - Arwen.jpg
"Arwen" by John Howe
Biographical Information
Other namesUndómiel (Q, "Evenstar")
TitlesQueen of Gondor
LocationRivendell, Lothlórien, Reunited Kingdom
LanguagePrimarily Sindarin[1]
BirthT.A. 241
RuleT.A. 3019 - Fo.A. 120
DeathFo.A. 121 (aged 2,901)
Cerin Amroth, Lothlórien
Family
HeritageHalf-elven father, Elf mother
ParentageElrond and Celebrían
SiblingsElladan and Elrohir
SpouseAragorn
ChildrenEldarion and several daughters
Physical Description
GenderFemale
Hair colorDark[2]
Eye colorGrey[2]
ClothingGrey raiment with girdle of silver leaves;[2] silver and blue mantle[3]
GalleryImages of Arwen
"Frodo saw her whom few mortals had yet seen; Arwen, daughter of Elrond, in whom it was said that the likeness of Lúthien had come on earth again; and she was called Undómiel, for she was the Evenstar of her people."
The Fellowship of the Ring, Many Meetings[2]

Arwen Undómiel (Arwen is S, pron. [ˈarwen]; Undómiel is Q, pron. [unˈdoːmi.el]), often called Arwen Evenstar, was one of the half-elven, married to Aragorn II. She was the daughter of Elrond and Celebrían. [3]

She was considered to be the fairest of the Children of Ilúvatar, resembling Lúthien of the First Age who would never again appear in Middle-earth. Her romance with Aragorn was reminiscent of that between the Man Beren and the Elf Lúthien. Like Lúthien, she rejected her Elven immortality to marry Aragorn and die with him.[3]

History

Anna Lee - Evenstar

Arwen was born in T.A. 241 and was the younger sister of Elladan and Elrohir. From her mother she inherited the Elfstone.[4] As one of the half-elven, she shared the right of her father to choose her fate. She lived most of her life in Imladris, or in Lothlórien with her grandparents.[3]

Her father fostered the sons of the Chieftains of the Dúnedain, who were the exiled Heirs of Isildur.[5] It was in T.A. 2952 when she returned from Lothlórien to Rivendell when she met a young foster-son of her father, Aragorn. The young Dúnadan fell in love when he first saw her, though as he was still a youth, Arwen did not return his love.[3]

Elrond insisted that Arwen could not marry Aragorn until he became king of both Gondor and Arnor. Whether Arwen chose to marry him and become mortal, or remain with her kin as one of the Elves, she would be parted from either Elrond or Aragorn for ever.[3]

Stephen Hickman - Aragorn and Arwen

It was not until they met many years later in Lórien that Arwen returned Aragorn's love, and in T.A. 2980 they plighted their troth on Cerin Amroth. Aragorn gave her the Ring of Barahir.[3]

Arwen was later reunited with Aragorn when he brought the Hobbits to Rivendell, during the War of the Ring. She was present at a feast attended by Frodo. Later that night, she and Aragorn spoke together.[2] When the Fellowship departed and Galadriel offered them her gifts, Arwen's Elfstone, given from Galadriel to Celebrían, and Celebrían to Arwen, was the gift for Aragorn. He would wear the Elfstone ever after. [6] This giving held the function of a wedding gift from the family of the bride to the groom, foretelling his marriage to Arwen.[7]

Arwen wove the Livery of Elendil for Aragorn from black cloth, decorating it with mithril, gems and gold. She sent the banner with her brothers and a group of Rangers of the North to Aragorn before he took the Paths of the Dead, thereby inspiring him to take the difficult path.[8] The banner was unfurled at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields to triumphantly announce the King's return.[9]

Janka Latečková - King and his Queen

Arwen wed Aragorn after the War of the Ring when Aragorn became King of the new Reunited Kingdom. Arwen chose a fate different from her father's and did not sail to the West. Instead, she gifted Frodo, as the Ring-bearer, passage in her stead, as she foresaw that his burden would not be lifted. She also gifted him with necklace with a white gem. [10]

As Queen of Gondor, Arwen maintained a close connection with Gondor's allies, as did her husband. In Fo.A. 22, she took as a maid of honour Elanor Gardner, daughter of Samwise Gamgee. [11] She was mother of one son, Eldarion, and several unnamed daughters. After Aragorn's death, Arwen departed from Minas Tirith and returned to the abandoned Lothlórien. There she stayed for a time until she gave up her life in Fo.A. 121 at Cerin Amroth, and was buried there.[3]

Genealogy

Arwen in Rivendell

Arwen was actually a very distant relative of Aragorn, being his first cousin sixty-three times removed. By their marriage, the long-sundered lines of the Half-elven were joined.[12] Their union also served to unite and preserve the bloodlines of the Three Kings of the High Elves (Ingwë, Finwë, and brothers Olwë and Elwë) as well as the only line with Maiarin blood through Arwen's great-great grandmother, Melian.

Finarfin
b. Y.T. 1230
 
Eärwen
b. Y.T.
 
Galadhon
b. F.A.
 
Tuor
b. F.A. 472
 
Idril
b. Y.T.
 
Dior
F.A. 470 - 506
 
Nimloth
d. F.A. 506
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Galadriel
b. Y.T. 1362
 
 
 
Celeborn
b. F.A.
 
 
 
Eärendil
b. F.A. 503
 
 
 
 
 
Elwing
b. F.A. 503
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Celebrían
b. S.A.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elrond
b. F.A. 532
 
 
Elros
F.A. 532 - S.A. 442
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Elladan
b. T.A. 130
 
Elrohir
b. T.A. 130
 
ARWEN
T.A. 241 - Fo.A. 121
 
 
 
Aragorn II
T.A. 2931 - Fo.A. 120
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eldarion
b. Fo.A.
 
unknown
daughters
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Etymology

Arwen means "Noble Maiden" in Sindarin (from ara- = "noble" and gwenn = "maiden").[13] Tolkien remarked that it also means "greatly blessed" in Welsh.[14]

The Quenya form of her name is not entirely certain, but in his Quenya greeting, Aragorn refers to her again as "Arwen" (Arwen vanimelda, namárië!).[15] This suggests that the form Arwen itself is also coincidentally a valid, or at least understandable, Quenya calque (using ar-, stem Arwend-).

Her epessë, Undómiel, means "Evenstar", from Undómë "evening twilight" and el "star".

Portrayal in adaptations

Arwen in adaptations

1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):

Arwen does not appear.

1981: The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series):

Arwen is voiced by Sonia Fraser.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):

Arwen appears in Rivendell after the Council of Elrond. She has a brief dialogue with Aragorn, and recites several lines from the Riddle of Strider. No voice actress is specified, but it is likely Kath Soucie.

2001-03: The Lord of the Rings (film series):

Arwen is played by Liv Tyler. Various additional scenes pertaining to Arwen are inserted, some of which deviate from the books and some of which seem inspired by The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen.
In the first film, she rescues Frodo Baggins from the Black Riders at Bruinen, thwarting them with a sudden flood, summoned by an incantation. In the book, it was Glorfindel who put Frodo on horseback and sent him alone to flee the Black Riders, and Elrond and Gandalf arranged the flood. Also, in the book, Frodo defends himself against the Black Riders, whereas in the movie Arwen defends him. Arwen wields the sword Hadhafang,a non-canonical sword that belonged to her father.
There are scene in which Aragorn has a dream about Arwen in which they kiss, a scene where Arwen has an argument with her father about leaving for Valinor, and a scene where she actually departs for Valinor and then changes her mind and returns when she sees a vision of her future son, Eldarion.
In addition, towards the end of the cinematic trilogy she apparently becomes sick with grief possibly over Aragorn's seemingly hopeless cause and his impending death. Elrond takes the reforged Narsil, now Andúril, to Aragorn at Dunharrow, and tells him that her fate has become bound with the One Ring, and that she is dying. However, no explanation is ever given for these statements. Later, after the Ring is destroyed, Arwen is present at Aragorn's coronation without any signs of illness.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Arwen is a non-playable character and can be found in a gazebo overlooking the path from Rivendell into the Misty Mountains. She was not involved in the main storyline - or any side-quests for that matter - until 2010, when she passed Halbarad the banner she had made for Aragorn during the Epic Book Oath of the Rangers.

2011: The Lord of the Rings: War in the North:

Arwen resides in Rivendell, where players can discuss with her both historical and present subjects. While spotting appearance of Liv Tyler, her role is closer to the book that in the movie: for example, she provides Halbarad and the Grey Company the banner she had made for Aragorn, an event omitted from movie adaptation. She is voiced by Courtenay Taylor.

See Also

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age", "Of the Elves"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Many Meetings" Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Many" defined multiple times with different content
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen"
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn"
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings", "Eriador, Arnor, and the Heirs of Isildur"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Farewell to Lórien"
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Laws and Customs among the Eldar"
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Passing of the Grey Company"
  9. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields"
  10. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Many Partings"
  11. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "Later Events Concerning the Members of the Fellowship of the Ring"
  12. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A, "The Númenorean Kings"
  13. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 205
  14. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Letter to S.E.O. Joukes, 28 August 1967"
  15. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Farewell to Lórien"