The Orcs, The Ents, and the Question of Peace on THE RINGS OF POWER

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As a scholar of Middle-earth’s lore and a long-time observer of its inhabitants, I find myself deeply moved by the portrayal of the orcs in The Rings of Power. Growing up among the Elves, I have always been taught that the orcs are the embodiment of darkness and chaos, but watching their story unfold in this series, I can’t help but feel a sense of empathy towards them.

As the fourth episode of season two in The Rings of Power unfolds, it presents a touching and profound scene that delves into thought-provoking themes. Characters such as the elf Arondir, an Ent, and an Entwife come together, offering each other forgiveness for past wrongs. A sense of tranquility settles amidst the ominous tone of the series as gentle rain showers grace them. This sequence is one of the most authentic to J.R.R. Tolkien’s work that the series has produced thus far. However, lurking behind this momentary respite, one might argue, is the looming darkness. In this case, the embodiment of darkness is The Rings of Power’s orcs, who have inflicted pain on both the Ents and Arondir in their past and present. This contrast between forgiveness and serenity with the presence of the orcs raises some of the most intricate questions that The Rings of Power has posed: Are the orcs worthy of healing? Can they find forgiveness? And is it just for them to experience peace?

It’s evident that we sympathize deeply with the Ents as they sorrowfully lament the devastation of their forest. Their sorrow encompasses a broader sense of loss for nature, as well as a more personal grief over the loss of kin. This pain is profound and strikingly relatable on both counts. It’s hard not to share their distress as they recount the acts of severing, fellings, burnings, and snappings. Winterbloom, the Entwife, cries out in pain when Arondir speaks of the orcs to her. And Snaggleroot, her spouse, asks Arondir not to ask her for more details about it, suggesting that they grieve as parents might over lost children. In essence, Winterbloom and Snaggleroot appear to us as deeply mourning parents who have suffered loss.

Despite the narrative’s intent, the presence of children in the scene stirs feelings of sorrow for another group of young ones – the orcs. The series, “The Rings of Power,” has made a significant effort to portray the orcs, or Uruk, as we should refer to them, as beings linked with childhood. Characters like Adar, whose name means ‘Father’ in Elvish, repeatedly remind us of this connection. Thus, when the topic of progeny and orcs arises together, it becomes particularly poignant. This scene featuring the Ents creates a thought-provoking contrast: trees symbolizing children and orcs also portrayed as children.


In times of deep sorrow, as a weeping Ent laments its charred offspring, it’s simple to perceive trees as if they were children and to feel the grave injustice inflicted upon the forest by the orcs. However, it appears more challenging to hold this perspective when only one tear trickles down Adar’s weathered face. Yet, The Rings of Power poses an intriguing question: Is the act of an elf cutting down an orc any different from an orc felling a tree?

According to the Ents, the orcs were brutalizing and killing as they advanced, which is quite disturbing. However, it seems likely that the orcs were saying similar things about Galadriel and the elves not so long ago. At the start of season one of The Rings of Power, the elves appeared confident they had successfully wiped out the orcs. Galadriel even states, “We pursued Sauron to the ends of the earth.” (Implying the orcs.) Elrond questions Galadriel, “Do you genuinely think hunting him down will be enough for you? That slaying another orc would bring you tranquility?” This suggests that many orcs have already been killed by Galadriel and the elves. And it’s clear that some of Galadriel’s peace comes from the spilling of the blood of Adar’s offspring, a great deal of it.

Despite Galadriel and the Ents no longer experiencing tranquility, they’ve both felt it in the past. This shared history allows them to mourn its loss. The Ents lament the devastation of their forest, their sanctuary. They yearn for it to remain unspoiled; they long for it to be left undisturbed. They aspire for it to recover fully, along with themselves. However, unbeknownst to them, the orcs on The Rings of Power are also seeking this peace. Their entire odyssey has been about finding a place where they can settle, find respite, and end their long-lasting struggles – a haven where they believe they will finally be safe. They embark on a quest for a serenity they have never known before.

In a more simplified and conversational manner: Even though orcs have caused harm to nature, they themselves are still part of nature, just like Galadriel. Adar argues that both orcs and Elves were created by The One, and thus share the same worthiness of life and a home. This implies that orcs also possess feelings, much like a heart and a name. In season two of The Rings of Power, we see orc babies, which suggests they are not inherently destructive towards nature. However, it’s unlikely that an orc baby would want to cut down trees from its first breath. Instead, the sun, the symbol of life and nature, seems to reject orcs, causing them harm instead of nurturing them. As a result, perhaps orcs find it hard to truly appreciate and care for nature because they have never experienced peace themselves. It can be argued that their lack of understanding of peace might make it difficult for them to comprehend the pain they inflict on nature.

In the world of The Rings of Power, the orcs carry a deep, intergenerational burden of suffering and abuse. Sauron makes this clear in the first episode of season two when he tells Adar and the orcs that they are unwanted and reviled by all other races in Middle-earth. He further demonstrates his words by killing an orc himself. However, Sauron’s words ring true as the other races do indeed treat the orcs with hostility and violence. The orcs are violent themselves, but this is all they have ever learned and experienced. It seems that their fate is to continue suffering at the hands of others, for there is no peace offered to them – not even in The Rings of Power, save for the peace that Adar tries to bring. But this peace cannot be achieved peacefully, as the other races refuse to accept it.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel a deep sorrow for the Ents, who are guarded by their pure hearts and the loyalty of their allies. It’s heart-wrenching to see the destruction they endure at the hands of the orcs. Yet, it’s crucial to remember that the orcs have never experienced such protection. Only Adar has ever extended a promise of a brighter future to an orc. This narrative invites us not only to grieve for the Ents but also for the orcs, who may have acted differently if they had a sanctuary of their own. The Rings of Power suggests that perhaps the orcs would not have caused such devastation if they too had a place to call home.

Although it seems unlikely, Adar buries a seed in the earth and implores Yavanna, the guardian of all growing things, including the Ents, created by the Valar, to safeguard his offspring. But aren’t orcs also a form of growth? Shouldn’t these beings be granted the same protection as trees? If so, wouldn’t the orcs, who are descendants like Adar and his kin, also be entitled to experience tranquility? Their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren share the same lineage – should they not then know peace too?

In a different phrasing: Isildur queries the Ents about their understanding of peace, but they are already aware of it and this awareness is vital to them. It provides them with valuable hope and enables them to show mercy. Conversely, Orcs have yet to grasp what peace means. If they did, perhaps the situation would be altered. If The Rings of Power maintains its resolve, we might see the growth of new growth covering old wounds for the orcs (and Adar) throughout the series.

We’ll keep our fingers crossed. Forgiveness, as they say, takes an age, but eventually it arrives.

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2024-09-11 17:33