Gimli: Most reproached character in Middle-earth

© New Line Cinema

It’s a tough life in Middle-earth for Gimli the Dwarf…

This is something I’ve noticed whenever re-reading The Lord of the Rings. I find myself thinking that he is the most reproached individual out of all the characters. He often serves as the audience’s bridge to the story, speaking the reader’s mind when interacting with other characters. For that reason, he finds himself reprimanded, sometimes quite severely.

I really empathise with Gimli and his fruitless attempts to try and win an argument or a conversation. His statements and questions are constantly put down by the other characters he finds himself with.

Take for instance this first example before the Fellowship leaves Rivendell.

‘Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens,’ said Gimli.
‘Maybe,’ said Elrond, ‘but let him not vow to walk in the dark, who has not seen the nightfall.’
‘Yet sworn word may strengthen quaking heart,’ said Gimli.
‘Or break it,’ Said Elrond.

The Fellowship of the Ring, Chapter 3 – The Ring Goes South

Elrond may be wiser than the Dwarf, but Gimli tries his best to impress the Elf and offer some encouraging words. It’s a shame that he’s outwitted at every turn.

 

Another instance occurs when the Fellowship attempts to cross over the Misty Mountains.

‘Caradhras was called the Cruel, and had an ill name, said Gimli, ‘long years ago, when rumour of Sauron had not been heard in these lands.’
‘It matters little who is the enemy, if we cannot beat off his attack,’ said Gandalf.

The Fellowship of the Ring, Chapter 3 – The Ring Goes South

 

Or even when they journey towards Moria:

‘It was not the fault of the Dwarves that the friendship waned,’ said Gimli.
‘I have not heard that it was the fault of the Elves,’ said Legolas.

The Fellowship of the Ring, Chapter 4 – A Journey in the Dark

 

And how can Gimli beat the knowledgeable mind of Gandalf? The wizard seems to know a lot more about dwarves and their ways than Gimli himself. Poor, poor Gimli.

‘Dwarf-doors are not made to be seen when shut,’ said Gimli. ‘They are invisible, and their own masters cannot find them or open them, if their secret is forgotten.’
‘But this Door was not made to be a secret known only to Dwarves,’ said Gandalf …

The Fellowship of the Ring, Chapter 4, A Journey in the Dark

Ouch!

 

In addition, following the tragic encounter between Gandalf and the Balrog, Gimli is almost forbidden from finding some much needed solace.

‘That is Durin’s Stone!’ cried Gimli. ‘I cannot pass without turning aside for a moment to look at the wonder of the dale!’
‘Be swift then!’ said Aragorn, looking back towards the Gates.

The Fellowship of the Ring, Chapter 6 – Lothlórien

 

At least he gets an outright apology from Celeborn, following some pretty nasty accusations from the Elf Lord. Tsk! Tsk!:

‘Let Gimli forget my harsh words: I spoke in the trouble of my heart.’

The Fellowship of the Ring, Chapter 7 – The Mirror of Galadriel

 

Yet, reproaches become harsher as we move into The Two Towers.

‘S is for Sauron,’ said Gimli. ‘That is easy to read.’
‘Nay!’ said Legolas. ‘Sauron does not use the Elf-runes.’

The Two Towers, Chapter 1 – The Departure of Boromir

Meanwhile, the one question we the readers, and all members of the Fellowship, are desperately seeking an answer to, is put forward by poor Gimli…

‘Come, Gandalf, tell us how you fared with the Balrog!’
‘Name him not!’ said Gandalf, and for a moment it seemed that a cloud of pain passed over his face …

The Two Towers, Chapter 5 – The White Rider

 

Once more, Gimli attempts some wise wording in front of Gandalf … and  fails.

‘Deep is the abyss that is spanned by Durin’s Bridge, and none has measured it,’ said Gimli.
‘Yet is has a bottom, beyond light and knowledge,’ said Gandalf.

The Two Towers, Chapter 5 – The White Rider

Finally, who can forget the exchange between Gimli and Aragorn when the latter decides to look into the Palantír, the Seeing Stone, in The Return of the King?

‘You have looked in that accursed stone of wizardry!’ exclaimed Gimli with fear and astonishment in his face. ‘Did you say aught to – him? Even Gandalf feared that encounter.’
‘You forget to whom you speak,’ said Aragorn sternly, and his eye glinted. ‘Did I not openly proclaim my title before the doors of Edoras? What do you fear that I should say to him?’

The Return of the King, Chapter 2 – The Passing of the Grey Company

Jeez Aragorn! Give poor Gimli a break. Yes, we all know you’re called Elessar, the Elfstone, Dúnadan, the heir of Isildur Elendil’s son of Gondor, but he only expressed a rational fear we all felt, following those terrible events with Pippin.

There are many other such instances throughout the novel, but I have not the heart to continue going through all these reproaches. It’s just too much.

However, it speaks volumes on the character of Gimli. It is probably in the nature of a dwarf to be inquisitive and perhaps occasionally not be as subtle in his speech as others; but there’s a intriguing simplicity in his directness and way of conducting conversations.

So next time you sit down to read some The Lord of the Rings chapters, think of poor old Gimli and support him in his plight of Middle-earth conversations!