Original artwork, not a still
The Fellowship of the Ring ‧ 1954
The love of the Elves for their land and their works is deeper than the deeps of the Sea, and their regret is undying and cannot ever wholly be assuaged.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
It is Tolkien's elegy for the Elves in one sentence: a people whose love for a place cannot be taken away and cannot stop hurting, because everything they have made is fading. Galadriel is explaining herself, and why she will let Lothlorien go if that is the price of ending Sauron. Fans quote it for any love of a place that is half grief.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for The Fellowship of the RingShow the scene
The sentence comes from "The Mirror of Galadriel", chapter 7 of Book Two of The Fellowship of the Ring (1954), set in Lothlorien. Galadriel speaks it to Frodo after she has invited him and Sam to look into her Mirror, as she explains how the Elves feel about their fading realm. She says they would give up everything before bowing to Sauron, now that they know him, and that Frodo is not to blame for what befalls Lothlorien. Then she turns to his task, and adds that she wishes the One Ring had never been made.
Sources (2)
- Marquette University Tolkien text archive (Book Two, ch. 7 passage)Book II ch. 7 passageReference checked
- Lord of the Rings Wiki: The Mirror of Galadriel (chapter)SummaryReference checked
Context reviewed
