Realism and the Lord of the Ring 3 Movie - Essay Example

Realism and the Lord of the Ring 3 Movie Introduction Realism is notably one of the main forces dominating international relations and therefore influencing such activities as foreign policy. Realism has continued to gain ground especially following the events of the Second World War. Realism, according to political scientists may be defined as the belief that reality essentially exists without respect to observers (Ashley 214). Politically, realism is seen at play in international relations whenever national or territorial interests and security are given higher priority over social reconstructions, ideology and moral concerns (Barkin 147). Ideally, the growing interest in realism comes about with the view that competitive self interest is the main driver of world politics. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) is one movie that demonstrates the application of realism in its true nature. This paper seeks to discuss the connection between realism and the events of third series of The Lord of The Rings. Nature of Realism Political realism attempts to explain why political entities act in certain ways toward their counterparts - whether foes and allies. One of the core tenets of realism is the assumption that power either is or should be the focal point of political activity whether locally or across the territorial border (Lebow 56). At the local scene, political bigwigs tend to desire to maximize their power. Across the territorial border on the other hand, the nation state is the main agent that seeks to maximize its power. As such, the nation or politician or whichever relevant actor in the scene will always seek to increase its political power mainly for its self interest. The two main factors that the agents have at heart at all times in this case include their interests and security. The political-ethical principle is essentially reduced by political realism to the notion that might is right. Political realism is closely associated with social Darwinism, the belief that social and political growth is a struggle that involves the survival of the fittest and the destruction of the unfit. Political realism presupposes that through power exercise, interests are maintained in a world of two or more competing bases of power. As such, the agents involved are in a constant antagonism state (Booth 528). Yet again, the absence of a regulating body makes the agents relate with one another on their own without being directed by a higher authority according to Crawford (45). It is also noted that since the players in the realism pitch do so in an environment that is unstable as they scramble for the same resources. As a result, sometimes the players engage in war in which case they have themselves to depend on. Before nationalism came into being as a political doctrine, realism in the political scene involved such jurisdictions as ruling dynasties and kingdoms (Mearsheimer 87). Generally, the realist ideology demands that the relevant agent ensures its own interests and survival before it can extend a glance to others’ needs. Connection between Realism and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) The epic fantasy film The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King which is based on the preceding volumes of the The Lord of the Rings trilogy. In brief, Sauron has been seeking to launch his conquest of Middle-earth. On the other hand, Theoden King of Rohan and Wizard Gandalf join forces to defend Minas Tirith (the capital of Gondor) from the impending danger. In the end, Aragorn claims Gondor’s throne and seeks the help of an army of ghosts to battle against Sauron. Even with the massive and remarkable force behind them, they realize that their lot is bound to be defeat. Sam, Frodo and the Hobbits have to shoulder the Ring’s burden and deal with Gollum’s treachery. A long journey sees them arrive in Mordor, a land that is quite full of danger. They desire to destroy the One Ring where it was created – using Mount Doom’s volcanic fires. The Lord of the Ring: The Return of the King is an epic-fantasy movie that starts off with the evil Sauron launching the final phases of his take-over of Middle-earth while Gandalf and Theoden assist in defending Minas Tirith. The film starts with Legolas, Gimpli, Aragorn, Gamling, Eomer and Theoden meeting with Pippin, Isengard and Treebeard after which they all go back to Edoras. While there, Pippin decides to look into a palantir and Sauron appears and enters his mind, however Pippin does not disclose to him anything about the Ring or Frodo. Gandalf manages to deduce that Sauron is actually planning on an attack on Minas Tirith. Pippin and Gandalf both then ride to find Denethor who is Gondor’s Steward and Pippin swears to serve him. When Gandalf tells Denethor to ask Rohan for assistance, Denethor refuses since he fears athat Gandalf and Aragorn only want to oust him. In the mean time, Nazgul’s Morgul army invades Osgiliath and the out the Gondolians. Denethor decides to send Faramir, his son, to reclaim he city while Pippin signals Theodon and Aragorn of battle. Aragorn is informed by Elrond that Arwen is dying as he failed to go to the Undying Lands. This information leads the two to believe that they are outnumbered by Sauron’s men. Aragorn then gets the Anduril sword so that he can obtain assistance from the Army of the Dead whose allegiance lies with the heir of Isidur. Later he and Eowyn reaffirm their love for each other before he heads off for battle. Legolas and Gimli accompany Aragorn to the Amry of the Dead where they acquire the king’s loyalty after brandishing the Anduril, thereby proving that he is Isidur’s heir, to whom the army owes allegiance. At minas Tirith, Sauron’s troops are commanded by the Witch King. Denethor tries to burn Faramir and himself since he believes that his son is dead. However, he is stopped right on time by Gandalf who save faramir while Denethor commits suicide. Theodon then reaches the battlefield with his army. They charge forcefully into the Orc troops and they almost defeat them. The Orc army is saved in the nick of time by the Haradrim whose arrival changes the tide against Theoden and his men. Theoden does not retreat even when he is almost on the verge of defeat. The Witch King kills him on the battle field. However, the Witch King himself is killed by Eowyn and Merry. Rohirrim is almost being defeated but Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli come to its rescue when they arrive accompanied by the Army of the Dead. Together, they tear apart Sauron’s forces and the battle comes to an end. Afterwards, Aragorn liberates the Army of the dead and the free souls finally go to the afterlife. In the meantime, Samwise Gamgee, Gollum and Frodo Baggins go to Minas Morgul. While they are there, Samwise overhears Gollum planning to kill him and Frodo and then taking the ring for his own selfish use. Gollum lies to Frodo that it is Sam who wants to keep the ring for himself. Frodo becomes angry and sends Sam home. Sam leaves, but it is not too long before he realizes Gollum’s treachery and he decides to go back. Frodo believing that Gollum told him the truth follows him blindly. However, Gollum betrays him and leaves him in the trap of Shelob, a gigantic spider. The spider paralyses Frodo but fortunately Sam comes and manages to save him on time. Frodo’s woes are not yet over as he is captured by an Orc army and taken to the fortress where Sauron is staying. Once again, Sam acts as Frodo’s savior and together they travel to Mount Doom, closely followed by Sauron and his men. However, Aragorn and his army are waiting at the Black Gate of Mordor from where they create distractions for Sauron and his army, thereby making it possible for Frodo and Sam to get into Mount Doom. Frodo, who is much weakened at this point, is helped up the volcano by Sam, but before they can get to their destination, Gollum attacks them from nowhere. When they reach the Crack of Doom, the Ring’s power overpowers Frodo and he refuses to destroy it. Gollum sees his chance and seizes the ring for himself by biting Frodo’s finger off. A fight between the two ensues, and this results in both of them falling over the edge. However, Frodo manages to grab onto the ledge, thus saving his own life, while Golum, who still has the Ring, plunges to his death below. The Eagles, led by Gandalf charge in and rescue Sam and Frodo from the rising hot lava. Afterwards, Aragorn becomes King and is reunited with Arwen. In the movie, several scenes of conflict are shown with parties mainly seeking to retain power or get more power. On the other hand, some players fight off the urge to get more power even as they consider the welfare of the other people. Gollum, a former hobbit by the name Smeagol engages several people at war to retain power or to get what he wants. In order to achieve his goals for example, Gollum kills or seeks to kill his preys. He kills his cousin Deagol so as to have the One Ring (Jackson 2003). Gollum who may be assumed to represent realist ideals also seeks to destroy Frodo and Sam. Sam on his side fights off the urge to become powerful and avoids wearing the Ring on his finger. People’s actions in the movie also depict how they can be ill-natured, jealous, suspicious and self centered. Frodo for example offers Gollum a lot of trust in spite of the latter’s evil characters without notice. This he does to an extent that he puts his fellow hobbit Sam in danger. Conclusion The application of realism or realist notions and perspectives is prevalent across the world. The main characteristics of realism include the desire for agents to secure themselves against threats and to protect their interests first before considering those of other players or agents. In the movie The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, realism is beyond doubt in existence. The various battles that are fought in the movie are aimed at protecting the interests of particular jurisdictions or individuals. Yet again the security of the jurisdictions is considered whenever threats seem to emerge from external forces. The absence of a governing body makes the playing field open to conflict as the fight for resources becomes evident. In spite of the above facts, it cannot be ignored that some players overcome the temptations associated with seeking power in a move that downplays the ideals of realism. Works Cited Ashley, Richard. "Political Realism and the Human Interests," International Studies Quarterly (1981) 25: 204-36. Barkin, Samuel. Realist Constructivism: Rethinking International Relations Theory. Cambridge University Press. 2010. Booth, Ken. "Security in anarchy: Utopian realism in theory and practice", International Affairs 67(3), pp. 527–545. 1991. Crawford, Robert. Idealism and Realism in International Relations: Beyond the Discipline. 2000. Lebow, Richard. The Tragic Vision of Politics: Ethics, Interests and Orders. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2003. Mearsheimer, John. The Tragedy of Great Power Politics. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. 2001. Jackson, Peter. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. 2003. Movie. Read More