Original artwork, not a still
The Fellowship of the Ring · 1954
Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Gandalf makes mercy a response to the limits of judgment. Frodo cannot undo every undeserved death, so he should be slow to impose another.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for The Fellowship of the RingShow the scene
In “The Shadow of the Past” in The Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo wishes that Bilbo had killed Gollum. Gandalf answers in Bag End by questioning Frodo’s certainty about who should live or die. A related exchange takes place in Moria in the film adaptation.
Sources (2)
- Book I, ch. 2 'The Shadow of the Past'; also in the film — reference 1Book I, ch. 2 'The Shadow of the Past'; also in the film; wording and sceneReference checked
- Book I, ch. 2 'The Shadow of the Past'; also in the film — reference 2Book I, ch. 2 'The Shadow of the Past'; also in the film; wording and sceneReference checked
Context reviewed
