HUM 305
J.R.R Tolkien and Fritz Leiber are renowned writers who deserve full recognition in the fantasy genre to develop fully imagined realms. The prose of their writings is imaginative and swift, making them to look entirely unique. Their plays have a lot of dramatic set pieces that bring a whole new experience to a reader’s mind. Although their writing styles exhibit some differences, they share some themes that help readers find the relationships between various characters and their struggles. Tolkien’s play the Lord of Rings and Leiber’s story of Swords Against Death share a common theme of acceptance. The theme of acceptance presents a character’s assent to facts or reality of a context, recognizing a condition or process whether it is negative or positive without trying to protest or change it.
Swords Against Death is contemporary dark science-fantasy cantered around the present lifestyles featuring the theme of acceptance. Gray Mouser and Fafhrd are two antiheroes who adventures and stumbles deep inside remarkable caves of the earth’s interior. These two characters wandered and wondered until they explored all the edges of the outer sea throughout every cranny and nook of gothic lankhmar, including the land of Nehwon, a place that is mystically corrupt. Mouse and Fafhrd are not innocent either as a lot of unrighteousness and dishonor also surround their world. They get involved in many violent actions, and human complexities in the play to try to discover miseries of sorcery and swords. However, the Gray Mouser and Fafhrd embark on their real journey after their hearts got changed when they lost their first true love. Although at some point, they engage in womanizing and debauchery acts to a point when they cross lines with Ningauble and Sheelba. At this point, the most fierce and violent encounter ensues. Moreover, they move into the thieves’ house to find backstabbing skill developed by the Lankhmar thieves and their hostile society who were the slayers’ brotherhood. These characters display the theme of acceptance when they stroll along the bleak shore up to the howling tower demonstrating how murder brings rise to fear and not vice versa.
The Lord of Rings play presents a war story occurring in the Middle-Earth, a fictional world. The story revolves around the supernatural one ring possessing dark powers, which makes the men, Dwarves, elves, and Hobbits to start a war and ensure they destroy its ability. These free people of the lands accept the reality and decide to fight regardless of the consequences to ensure they end the dark power of Sauron and ensure its people are protected. When the most renowned hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, retires, he leaves the magical ring to his nephew, who guards it until he attains middle age. At first, both Bilbo Baggins and his nephew believe that the ring possessed powers that could protect rather than destruct. However, the wandering wizard, Gandalf the Gray, discovers the real facts of the ring and asks Frodo Baggins, the hairier of the ring, to take it to Elven, where the right decisions regarding it will be made. After realizing that the ring holds dark forces, he accepts the facts and takes the responsibility of taking the ring to Elven. Therefore, he journeys to Elven in the company of his friends Pippin Took, Samwise Gamgee, and Merry Bradybuck. Besides, while at Elven, the council comprising wise men and other divisors agree to the facts and decide that the magical ring must be demolished. All the parties accept the responsibilities of protecting their lands by destroying the ring. To achieve the intended objectives or goals aimed at ensuring that victory is achieved for the benefits of all, it requires courage and relentless efforts to be able to pursue the right actions. Individuals must be prepared to face any impediments that are capable of deviating them from the right path.
The theme of acceptance presents the intended lesson, message, conclusion, and the author’s point of view. It expresses a direct connection between the storyline, problem, characters, events, and setting. This theme is inherent to the storyline and the character’s struggles. The theme influences shifts in behavior of the character’s as the play unfolds, thereby enabling them to present their views and act towards ensuring that they keep the storyline flawless. The play’s setting is also a vital aspect that defines the place and time where the drama occurs. This theme ensures the existence of an atmosphere that supports the setting and characters’ behavior to ensure the play presents the required picture. For example, when it comes to the destruction of the magical ring, the council decided to pursue the action at mount Doom. This a place they believe the Sauron will be destroyed completely and prevented from repossessing or reclaiming his power. Hence, the theme played a primary role in ensuring that the writers convey the intended message more explicitly while attracting the readers’ attention.