Summary
- The popular Lord of the Rings theory about the eagles doesn't hold up to scrutiny and isn't necessary to explain the trilogy's plot hole.
- Using the eagles to fly the fellowship directly to Mordor would go against the element of secrecy that is crucial to their mission.
- The eagles in Lord of the Rings are not versatile enough to carry the entire fellowship on the long journey to Mordor, and Gandalf is the only one who can communicate with them effectively.
A vastly popular Lord of The Rings had left many with the impression that the book series was unfilmable, Peter Jackson’s transcendent effort proved them wrong, delivering a work of unparalleled craftsmanship, artistry, and ambition that remains deeply loved to this day. Jackson’s adaptation transformed the already-popular series into one of the most ired and discussed works of fiction of the 21st century.
With such cultural focus, discourse is bound to follow. When it comes to inevitable discussions of the trilogy’s failings, one of the most popular talking points is the eagles plot hole. The argument that the eagles could have flown the fellowship directly to Mordor has been the subject of years of online debate; one of the most well-known responses to the argument is a fan theory that the eagles were indeed part of Gandalf’s plan. However, the theory doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. What’s more, a closer examination of the Lord of the Rings books provides ample explanation for the eagles controversy, negating the need for complex theorizing.
LOTR's "Fly, You Fools!" Eagles Theory Explained
Gandalf’s seemingly arbitrary use of the eagles in the Lord of The Rings trilogy has caused numerous fans to question why the eagles can’t simply fly the fellowship all the way to Mount Doom, saving them the arduous, months-long journey. After all, Gandalf summons the eagles twice for himself, once from Saruman’s tower to Rohan, and again from Zirak-zigil to Lothlorien after fighting the Balrog. What’s more, the wizard even sends them to bring Frodo and Sam back from the mountain at the ending of The Return of The King. One fan theory suggests that using the eagles was indeed Gandalf’s plan all along.
According to a theory popularized on the Balrog of Moria. Nevertheless, his parting line “Fly, you fools!” is a last-ditch attempt to tell the fellowship to take the eagles.
Why The Fellowship Couldn't Fly The Eagles To Mordor
It’s a neat theory, one that fills the apparent plot hole of why Gandalf ignored the eagles. However, the theory ignores the far more obvious reason that the eagles weren’t consulted; they simply weren’t a viable option for getting to Mount Doom. For one, using the eagles would go against the whole point of the fellowship, which is secrecy. The reason only nine people are sent to destroy the ring is to maintain the element of surprise. Were the party to approach Mount Doom on a convoy of enormous birds, Sauron would see them from miles off and send the Nazgul on their flying mounts to dispatch them.
What’s more, Lord of The Rings’ eagles are not flying horses. In the books, it’s explained that Gandalf’s ability to negotiate eagle rides comes from his friendship with an eagle named Gwaihir, who owes Gandalf a debt. When Gandalf asks Gwaihir how far he can carry him, the beast replies “Many leagues, but not to the ends of the earth.” While Gwaihir agrees to bear Gandalf, and later Sam and Frodo, on short journeys in times of great need, this doesn’t equate to a whole company of eagles agreeing to carry the entire fellowship on the long journey to Mordor.
What Gandalf's "Fly, You Fools!" Line Actually Meant In Lord Of The Rings
The Reddit theory that Gandalf always intended to use the eagles is flimsy on closer inspection. Much of the evidence is circumstantial, after all, and it relies on Gandalf forgetting the plan after being resurrected. The only claim to hard evidence is Gandalf’s “Fly, you fools!” line. However, since Gandalf hadn’t told the fellowship anything about his alleged plan, a single, cryptic line would be meaningless to them. What’s more, Gandalf is the only one who can deal with the eagles; they wouldn’t take the fellowship without him. The face meaning of “Fly, you fools!” in The Lord of The Rings is its true meaning: Gandalf is simply telling the group to run.
Source: Reddit
