As the party prepares for the inevitable arrival of the Riders, Strider
provides the most detailed description of them so far:
“They themselves do not see the world of light as we do, but our shapes cast
shadows in their minds, which only the noon sun destroys; and in the dark they
perceive many signs and forms that are hidden from us; then they are most to be
feared. At all times they smell the blood of living things, desiring and
hating it…”
1 – What monsters of literature and folk lore did Tolkien drew upon to create
these hideous creatures? They almost sound like vampires: desiring blood
and being most fearful at night, although that could also describe a number of
other undesirable creatures. They have zombie-like qualities in that they
are ‘undead,’ as well as the qualities of garden-variety ghosts in that are in
the real world and the spirit world at the same time. Having said
that, I can’t quite think of anything else like them (pre-Tolkien that
is). How about you?
Later, during the attack, we witness one of the most terrible aspects of The
Riders: their ability to make people literally freeze with fear and
despair. This is one of the things that makes them so effective as
villains, IMHO. They don’t dominate or threaten through exceptional size,
strength or use of force: but through sheer terror.
2 – A few people in the story are either able to control their fear of the
Black Riders, or have no fear of them: Gandalf (a Maia), Glorfindel (one of the
Firstborn) and Strider! Why would Strider be immune to their ability to
freeze the blood; or rather, was he able to control his fear out of a sense of
duty? Would being the heir of Elendil and/or having Elvish blood have
anything to do with
it?
"I don't suffer from insanity...I enjoy every minute of it!"
