I Go to My Fathers - The Heroic Masculinity of King Theoden

Master Samwise
Master Samwise
230,870
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Published 2023-12-16
King Théoden is one of my (many) favorite characters from The Lord of the Rings, from both book and movie, and his story is an incredibly beautiful lesson on the power of hope. At the beginning of the story, the king of Rohan is despondent and despairing, but he is, through the counsel of others, able to regain his hope, to once again find the will to fight. In the end, he dies as good a death as any of us could hope to die, laying down his life in service of a greater good, assured that he has completed his mission.

Wait, what about masculinity? You don't even say the word in the video. Masculinity is nothing less than being the man we are called to be - that is, growing in virtue and acting as we ought to act. Theoden learns to do just that, and so serves as an incredible example of redemptive, kingly masculinity.

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0:00 - 1:11 What Does It Mean to be a King?
1:11 - 2:59 Dueling Théodens
2:59 - 6:06 In the Midst of Despair
6:06 - 12:28 Beginning to Hope
12:28 - 17:30 The Struggles of Movie Théoden
17:30 - 22:09 Choosing to Fight
22:09 - 32:30 Mercy and Humility
32:30 - 34:04 The Decision
34:04 - 39:32 Hope for Others
39:32 - 43:46 THIS is why We Love Fantasy
43:46 - 47:23 I Go to My Fathers
47:23 - 48:52 Outro
All Comments (21)
  • @master_samwise
    This video was made possible by my undying love for medieval fantasy. If it gets 7,500 likes, I’ll stream myself playing Dark Souls and doing 10 pull-ups every time I die. 15,000 and I’ll do the whole DS trilogy. 25,000 and I’ll throw in Demon Souls and Bloodborne. I’ve already beaten Sekiro and Elden Ring, sorry. Honestly I’m probably gonna do that DS stream eventually anyway. Sounds like a fun way to entertain myself during the harsh Siberian winter.
  • @cyberdan42
    RIP Bernard Hill, you now travel proudly to the Halls of your Forefathers. You need not be ashamed.
  • @machomandalf2893
    “I go now to my fathers. In whose mighty company, I shall now not feel ashamed.”
  • @mrswb
    Book Theoden is who we strive to be. Movie Theoden is an example of how to reach who we should be.
  • @user-en3jp5qe5y
    I came here today to pay my respects to the man who portrayed the king of Rohan May he rest in peace. May he go to this fathers, his head held up high.
  • @robwalsh9843
    "No parent should have to bury their child..." That broke everyone in the audience.
  • @luxintenebris1776
    "My body is broken. I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall not now be ashamed." Let us raise a glass and drink together my friends, in honor and in respect for Bernard's passing. Hail the victorious dead!
  • @guardiandaytona8454
    Fun fact, the horn of helm hammerhand wasn't just a normal horn, but also a gift as well as a weapon. Built by the dwarves as a gift for the old king of Rohan, when sounded it would strike fear into the hearts of those attacking the fort. On top of whatever magical effects it would cause, the raw intensity and volume of the sound was debilitating. When blown, its sound would echo off the cliffs and valley it was built into and bombard assailants for as long as someone was blowing the horn. Truely a legendary piece of dwarven engineering.
  • @georgethomas4567
    Theoden is one of the best characters ever made. And even if it's an unpopular opinion I think the films actually did him better. I loved watching him reach where he's at in the book before the end. Still gives me chills screaming "Death!" As both a war cry and acceptance of his fate.
  • @kenle2
    "We cannot defeat the armies of Mordor." "No. We cannot." "But we will meet them in battle, nonetheless." Death is lighter than a feather; Duty is heavier than a mountain.
  • @makatsa1247
    video essays about LOTR are dangerous because i am now legally obligated to rewatch the trilogy
  • @LethalOwl
    Rest in piece, Bernard Hill. The King of Rohan has passed. Long live the King. "Where now the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? Where is the helm and the hauberk, And the bright hair flowing?"
  • @dominicdevore2570
    “The Beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid.” “And Rohan will answer” That dialogue hit hard for me
  • @mileau7578
    "I don't think anyone spoke Tolkien's words as great as Bernard did." ~Billy Boyd, Pippin December 17, 1944 - May 5, 2024. Rest in peace, Bernard Hill. A phenomenal actor, a monolithic performance. Thank you for all the legendary moments and memories. May you enter those gilded halls with your head held high, and may the memories you gave us inspire us toward the same heights. Hail, Théoden King! Hail the victorious dead!
  • @kirkistief
    I cannot ever get through Theoden's charge on Pelennor without crying. That speech...I would have followed Theoden into battle. That scene from the movie is so emotional. Even the scene in the book hits hard.
  • @TheBitingBat
    I always said the Aragorn was the perfect example of a one true king, the pinnacle of what a good man and ruler should be. But Théodenking showed what a normal man can truly be. He weeps for his son, his despair palpable in the face of such darkness. But he rises up all the same, knowing the weight of the lives at stake and that it is up to him to fight. Not because he can win, but because it is right. "Now I go to the halls of my ancestors, in who's mighty presence I will no longer feel ashamed"
  • @stfuinc.202
    I got choked up hearing Theodens last words. So beautiful and sad!
  • @pippinisawesome52
    Théoden has become such an inspiration for me. His sickness and renewal remind me of my own fight with mental illness and how it is to rise up with the help of your loved ones and push on despite overwhelming odds and despair. Ednew, an epithet well-deserved. Westu Théoden hál.