Why Does Isildur Want to Go West?
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Isildur wants to go west to Andustar, the westernmost kingdom of Númenor, to explore his ancestral heritage and understand his roots, as his brother Elendil did, by visiting their ancestral home. This journey is driven by a mix of grief, a sense of not belonging on the island, and a desire to become a warrior, ultimately leading him to the path that will shape him into the Isildur seen in The Lord of the Rings.
Understanding Isildur’s Journey
To delve deeper into Isildur’s motivations and the world he inhabits, let’s explore some frequently asked questions about his journey, his lineage, and the significant events that define his character.
FAQs About Isildur and His Journey
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What does going west mean to Isildur? Going west to Isildur means going to Andustar, the westernmost kingdom of Númenor, not to Valinor. This distinction is crucial as it highlights Isildur’s connection to his Númenórian roots.
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Why does Isildur want to go to Middle Earth? Isildur wants to go to Middle Earth as part of fulfilling a dream and becoming a warrior. This journey is significant for his personal growth and his eventual role in the history of Middle Earth.
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Why did Isildur become a Nazgûl? Isildur became a Nazgûl after Sauron revived him with one of the nine rings and then tortured him until his spirit was broken. The specific power of his ring allowed him to raise the dead and have them fight by his side as mindless minions.
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Why does Isildur want to defer? Isildur wants to defer the sea trial, possibly to spend time finding himself, but the context suggests a deeper internal conflict related to his sense of belonging and purpose.
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Why does Isildur not destroy the Ring? Isildur does not destroy the Ring because he is too power-hungry to throw it into the fires of Mount Doom as Elrond instructs him. This decision is pivotal in the storyline of The Lord of the Rings.
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Why didn’t Elrond just push Isildur? Elrond didn’t push Isildur because the moment never happened in the way it might have. Elrond had a flashback remembering how Isildur cut the Ring from Sauron’s finger.
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Is Isildur half-elf? Isildur is not half-elf, but his ancestor Elros was half-elven, which granted Isildur and his descendants a longer lifespan than other men.
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Is Isildur Aragorn’s father? No, Isildur is not Aragorn’s father. Aragorn is a descendant of Isildur, being the thirty-ninth heir in the right line from Isildur.
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Why is Isildur special? Isildur is special because he became the High King of both Arnor and Gondor, and he was the one who cut the One Ring from Sauron’s hand.
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Why aren’t Elves welcome on Númenor? Elves are not welcome on Númenor due to a historical buildup of jealousy towards their immortality, as outlined in The Silmarillion.
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Is Isildur a Nazgûl? Yes, Isildur became a Nazgûl after being revived and tortured by Sauron.
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Why was Isildur the last king of Gondor? Isildur was not the last king of Gondor in the sense of ruling at the end of its existence, but he was a significant king who ruled after the defeat of Sauron and the loss of his father and brother.
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Why is Aragorn called the heir of Isildur? Aragorn is called the heir of Isildur because he is a direct descendant of Isildur and reunites the Kingdoms of the Dúnedain in Middle Earth.
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How did Isildur lose the Ring? Isildur lost the Ring when it slipped from his finger as he tried to swim across the Anduin, after putting it on to escape.
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How far descended from Isildur is Aragorn? Aragorn is the thirty-ninth heir in the right line from Isildur, making him a direct but distant descendant of Isildur.
Conclusion
Isildur’s desire to go west is deeply intertwined with his personal journey, his connection to his Númenórian heritage, and the events that will shape him into a pivotal character in The Lord of the Rings. Understanding his motivations and the world he inhabits provides a richer context for the epic story that unfolds in Middle Earth.