J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings is a complex story made up of countless layers, but occasionally, a fan theory comes along and shifts the whole thing. Of course, this series has been around for nearly a century, so those who love Tolkien’s work have had a long time to ruminate about the goings on within the various tales and adventures. With dozens of characters and happenings, there are countless opportunities for developing theories. Some are rather outrageous, while others are entirely plausible. Other Lord of the Rings theories can change how we perceive the overarching stories.

I have been a Lord of the Rings fan for 25 years, and I, admittedly, turn my nose up at a great many fan theories. For one, Tolkien himself disproved popular theories through his various responses to letters. However, a few are worth entertaining for a few moments, if only to consider how they shift our perspectives. This often comes down to the unspoken intentions of certain characters or the various ways that the narrators of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are unreliable. Sure, not all of these are likely to be true—but what if they were?

5

Gollum Killed Frodo’s Parents

A Theory That Adds Even More Irony To Gollum & Frodo’s Destinies

This theory is one that I can buy into far more readily. Frodo’s parents, Drogo and Primula Baggins died about 20 years before the events of The Lord of the Rings when they suffered a boating accident. Little is known about the details of this, but it’s confirmed that the couple drowned. This fact inspired the theory that Drogo and Primula were attacked by Gollum, who was looking for his precious Ring.

Gollum is an adept swimmer, and his general history with water makes Drogo and Primula’s deaths right up his alley. If the creature truly was responsible, it makes Bilbo sparing Gollum and Frodo later taking pity on him even more ironic. Had Bilbo killed Gollum, then Frodo would never have been orphaned. Then again, Gollum also wouldn’t have been there to destroy the One Ring, either.

4

Gandalf Wanted To Take The Eagles To Mordor

A Theory That Completely Changes Gandalf’s “Final” Words

One of my least favorite arguments against the general story of The Lord of the Rings is that the Fellowship should have ridden the Eagles to Mordor. This isn’t much of a plot hole since stealth was the entire point of the Fellowship’s mission. However, the idea becomes more interesting when considering that the Eagles might have fit within Gandalf’s original plan.

In The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Gandalf initially wanted to get to the other side of the Misty Mountains—the big question was whether they would go over or under the range. A theory has developed that he intended to head North to meet up with the Eagles and request that they take Frodo on the next leg of his journey. Of course, Gandalf couldn’t share his plan since he died in Moria. This theory suggests that Gandalf’s final words, “Fly, you fools,” was actually a hint.

3

Sam, Merry, & Pippin Were “Backup” Hobbits

A Theory That Puts A Darker Spin On Gandalf’s Tough Decisions

It’s clear throughout The Lord of the Rings that Gandalf saw a lot of potential in Hobbits. This is generally considered a good thing, but there is a bit of a darker angle to observe here as well. Gandalf was a servant to the will of Eru Ilúvatar and was clever enough to realize that the god of Middle-earth had created beings uniquely capable of managing Sauron’s evil weapon. Gandalf recognized that Hobbits were meant to be Sauron’s downfall.

Of course, Gandalf would also have recognized that any Ring-bearer would be doomed. He hated that this fell to Frodo, but Gandalf could only follow Eru Ilúvatar’s plan as best he could. It’s a bit heartless to think of it this way, but when considering the darker side of Frodo’s fate, it certainly seems that Gandalf agreed to bring Sam, Merry, and Pippin along just in case Frodo failed. If this is true, then the Hobbits were essentially disposable soldiers.

2

Gandalf Only Pretended Not To Understand The Doors Of Durin

A Theory That Changes Frodo’s Clever Solution

I will admit that Gandalf’s inability to solve the “speak friend and enter” riddle on the Doors of Durin was a bit hard to swallow. He sat outside the doors for a rather long time in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, but he seemed unable to sort it out. Thankfully, Frodo was there to suggest that the pᴀssword was the Elvish word for “friend,” encouraging Gandalf to literally “speak friend” to enter the Dwarven kingdom.

In answer to the ridiculousness of this situation, a fan theory developed suggesting that Gandalf hadn’t been trying to get inside Moria. After all, the wizard had repeatedly stated that he wanted to avoid the dark caves. Gandalf left it up to Frodo, but perhaps he hoped the Fellowship would turn back if it took too long to enter. While I don’t think Gandalf would give Frodo the choice if he didn’t mean it, it’s still interesting to consider the wizard’s character from this angle.

1

The Lord Of The Rings Is A Lie Written By Sam

A Theory That Completely Changes Frodo & Sam’s Ending

Tolkien didn’t approach The Lord of the Rings as a story he wrote himself. Instead, he treated it like an ancient text he discovered and translated, publishing it as The Lord of the Rings. In Middle-earth, the story is kept within the Red Book of Westmarch, which was initially written by Bilbo before Frodo and Sam added their own stories to it.

It has been considered by some Lord of the Rings fans that Frodo actually died during his adventures, falling prey to the One Ring and his injuries. To make Frodo sound better (and to will a happier ending for his friend), Sam wrote Frodo’s adventures in the Book of Wesmarch—but the vast majority of it was a lie. This is quite tragic to consider, and while this theory isn’t great for Frodo, it only further encourages what a devoted friend Sam was in The Lord of the Rings​​​​​​.

The Lord of the Rings

Movie(s)

The Lord of the Rings (1978), The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

Created by

J.R.R. Tolkien

First Film

The Lord of the Rings (1978)

Cast

Norman Bird, Anthony Daniels, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Sean Bean, Ian Holm, Andy Serkis, Brad Dourif, Karl Urban, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, James Nesbitt, Ken Stott, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Morfydd Clark, Mike Wood, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Charlie Vickers, Markella Kavenagh, Megan Richards, Sara Zwangobani, Daniel Weyman, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Lenny Henry, Brian Cox, Shaun Dooley, Miranda Otto, Bilal Hasna, Benjamin Wainwright, Luke Pasqualino, Christopher Guard, William Squire, Michael Scholes, John Hurt

TV Show(s)

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Character(s)

Frodo Baggins, Gandalf, Legolas, Boromir, Sauron, Gollum, Samwise Gamgee, Pippin Took, Celeborn, Aragorn, Galadriel, Bilbo Baggins, Saruman, Aldor, Wormtongue, Thorin Oakenshield, Balin Dwalin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Fili, Kili, Oin, Gloin, Nori, Dori, Ori, Tauriel, King Thranduil, Smaug, Radagast, Arondir, Nori Brandyfoot, Poppy Proudfellow, Marigold Brandyfoot, Queen Regent Míriel, Sadoc Burrows

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