If you know The Lord of the Rings (and I am sure that you do), you’ve probably heard of the ‘eagle plot hole.’ The basis of this supposed plot hole is this:
Why didn’t they just get the eagles to fly the ring to Mount Doom in the first place?
While this would have made for a much shorter book series (and movie), this guy throws down a solid case:
Mind. Blown.
What do you think of this Lord of the Rings theory?
And do you know which Lord of the Rings personality type you are?
Since reading this got me all juiced-up on The Lord of the Rings, I swapped out my desktop wallpaper for this beauty:
[via Tickld | Top image via Toby Carr and the wallpaper is from here]
Jonathan Ober says
Did you know that in the original theatrical release Gandalf says “Run you fools” instead? Apparently it was an oversight that got fixed in time for the DVDs and some outcry by fans. I believe in the Eagle theory.
Eric Dye says
You are right, you Eagle theory believing friend of mine. 😀
Jim says
The idea that it would have been “easy” to have the eagles fly them to Mount Doom is misguided. Saruman and Sauron had all kinds of flying spies, along with a formidable air defense (the Nazgul). The only reason the eagles could fly into Mordor for the rescue mission was because the Ring had already been destroyed, the watchful eye of Sauron had crumbled, and Mordor’s defenses were in disarray. Plus, the success of the mission was entirely dependent on secrecy, staying under the radar. A group of eagles carrying wizards, hobbits, dwarves, humans, and elves would have been rather attention-grabbing! If, perhaps, that was Gandalf’s original plan, it was a terrible plan and never would have worked. No plot hole here – Tolkien wins!
Eric Dye says
Tolkien always wins in my book. 😉
Bronte says
Tolkien writes in The Hobbit, and in the Appendix of LOTR that the Eagles are a proud race, and it was only because of the Eagle lord’s indebtedness to Gandalf that they allowed him to get a ride the first times. Also it was a long journey, even for giant eagles, 3 days from Rohan to Minas Tirith flying, so double that to get from the Eagle’s home. Tolkien does a pretty good job a disproving this whole argument! I’m glad he does too! It’s fun to show your nerdiness when other people try to argue it.
Eric Dye says
LOL! Nice. 😀
Tony Whittaker says
Although it is a theory that has occurred to me in the past, we must remember that Gandalf did not trust himself to carry or even touch the Ring, right at the beginning of the first book. Likewise Galadriel knew there was no way she could safely possess it for long, as would be corrupted by it. Sam, through his short period of carrying it, seemed to cope. But even Frodo showed himself unable to dispose of it in the end. Why would eagles have not been corrupted.
Matthew says
Well, there is a significant plot hole in your plot hole conspiracy. If we refer to the book, Gandalf did in fact intend to go through the Gap of Rohan. It was Gimli, not Gandalf that originally wanted the group to go through Moria. Only after an attack by wolves, making it apparent that trying to attempt the Gap of Rohan would be a battle the whole way, making it not practical, did Gandalf agree to go through Moria. If Gandalf had truly planned on going through Moria in the first place, he would not have been against Gimli’s suggestion. (In fact, being able to say Gimli was the one that had convinced them to go through Moria would’ve played into the secrecy you propose.)
But I will admit your theory is quite interesting.