Why Aragorn Didn't Take the Army of the Dead to Mordor

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Discover the reasons why Aragorn chose not to take the Army of the Dead to Mordor. Let’s solve one of the mysteries from The Lord of the Rings.

#tolkien #lotr #middleearth #tolkienlore #aragorn #mordor

[Pubk]

In the movies, Aragorn wasn’t originally planning to go to Mordor. Going to Mordor was an afterthought designed for the sole purpose of creating a diversion so Frodo and Sam could get to Mount Doom.

[ARFirstRaptor]

1. Aragon gave his word thinking to get these traitors to fight one last time
2. What If Sauron controlled the dead when they are near the black gate
3. Traitors cannot be trusted who can turn against them anytime
4. Aragon saw these traitors suffered long enough and being a compassionate man, he let them find their peace, which brought satisfaction to Aragon

[darylwilliams]

In the movie it looked like the army of the dead could do physical damage, but in the book their only real weapon was fear. Useless in Mordor against the power of Sauron. Aragorn knew this from the get-go.

[richarddeese]

Aragorn didn't have the right to ask more of them than that they redress their original sin. tavi.

[andrewhaman]

Mostly thought it was honor based. Oath was fulfilled thus they deserved there rest. Also not wise to fight someone who knows necromancy with the dead.

[gregwilson]

The Army of the Dead never went to Minis Tirith - they helped free the southern fiefdoms who were controlled by the Easterlings and Southrons - then Aragorn took their ships and with the added recruits from the southern cities, released the dead from their oath, and then went to battle on the Pellenor Fields.

[Adam-dvje]

I like this idea of Sauron potentially turning and using the Army of The Dead. That's cool.

[Supercheeseburger]

I would have to agree with this presentation. The risks far outweighed the benefits.

[midnightflyer]

This compels me to read the books again cause I didn’t remember this at all and I’ve watched the movies more times than I can remember only reenforcing Hollywood fallacies! Thank you 🙏🏼

[sowhodecidedthat]

From what I could tell, the Army of the Dead were scaredy cats and would not go to Mordor. They were quaking in their boots. So Aragorn just sighed and said 'Go to sleep'.

[bullgravy]

In the movies, the sudden rush of fear that takes hold of the orcs in the face of the Rohirrim is the single greatest cinematic scene and liberty ever done.

Also, at least to my understanding, the horses of Rohan were indirect descendants of Shadowfax while Theoden’s horse was a direct descendent and were much sturdier than the average horse of middle earth. I may have made all of that up though

[daviddrew]

Fun fact : “ The army of the dead” were not actually dead. They could not die until they fulfilled their oath. They became quite insubstantial due to their long deathless state and very much wanted the peace of death which could only come when they could fulfill their oath to a true king of Gondor .

[steveg]

they fulfilled their oath and Sauron could control the dead.

[ainiel]

I agree with the ones saying Aragorn gave his word and couldn't change his decision. And that was for both his honour as a King and what bad consequences that would lead to.The dead fought that battle with the promise they would be set free. If he had taken that promise back and they believed they would never be set free and the one thing they were hoping for was lost forever, they could have turned against him as revenge. That promise was all that was holding their allegiance.

[jeffreytaylor]

So the undead army was not physically dangerous. That’s way different from the movies interpretation of them actually having swords and no fear of death. If Aragorn did require them to face Mordor it would have sucked the suspense out of the final chapter of the film. That’s what I believed the reason was for years. Thank you for enlightening me on the proper reason. 🇨🇦👍

[DEVUNK]

the artwork included in this video is stunning

[justrusty]

Yes, I would have brought them to Mordor, and realized my mistake after it was too late. (There was no youtube in Middle Earth to point out the mistake to me.)

[TTTTTIIAAGGOO]

I thinked that was just because Sauron was once a necromancer in Dol Guldur and he is able to control a bunch of undeads like all necromancers probably would in fantasy rpg necromancer class

[angharadhafod]

You've answered a question I've long pondered, ever since I first read the books (way before I saw the film). I can well see why he didn't take the oathbreakers to Mordor; that was a mission of a different nature. But to Minas Tirith, that made sense to me. It was one of very few changes I approved of in the films. Now you've explained it, you're clearly right.

[erichbrough]

I still get the full body chills whenever I read Aragorn's address to the Dead. I can hear his voice ringing out across the hill country.