Lord of the Rings: 5 Reasons Gandalf was the Best Member of the Fellowship (& 5 Why it was Aragorn)

The Lord of the Rings films are renowned for a number of reasons – their stunning visual effects, their captivating and fun adventure story, and their rich worldbuilding.

This is certainly the case when it comes to Peter Jackson’s first LOTR film, with its dynamic and charming characters. The Fellowship, in particular, serves as an appealing focal point of this epic film, with its slew of unique and likable members.  Each of the 9 participants served their purpose and proved inspirational in their own way.

Yet, aside from the main protagonist, Frodo, there are 2 that tend to stand out in terms of significance – Gandalf and Aragorn. Despite the differences between this wise wizard and renegade ranger, both have the commonality of being key players in the Fellowship’s (eventual) success. But which of these memorable characters proved more impactful and strong?

This list will attempt to make sense of it all, highlighting 5 ways in which Aragorn was the key player in this fantasy task force. It’ll also balance the scales and explore 5 reasons it was Gandalf who reigned supreme.

10 Gandalf: His Ethereal Powers

As Pippin states at Minas Tirith – “we have the White Wizard. That’s got to count for something.” Indeed it does. Having this powerful sorcerer at one’s side is useful – if not downright devastating to the opposition.

Gandalf is able to fend off a gargantuan, god-like monster in the Balrog, (somewhat) stave off a brewing storm from Saruman, and single-handedly take out gaggles of Orcs with his staff and sword. He can conjure powerful forces, summon his steed at will, and create fireworks seemingly out of thin air.

It’s certainly tough for a mere ranger to go up against that, even one as skilled and charismatic as Aragorn.

9 Aragorn: Stepped Up To Aid Frodo And Sam When Gandalf Was Held Captive

When Gandalf seemed to be in dire straits, it was Aragorn – then known to the Hobbits as Strider – who stepped up and carried the torch, so to speak. Without the bold move of this stranger to escort the Hobbits to Bree, this quest to destroy the One Ring may have been stopped dead in its tracks.

Indeed, Aragorn is a significant reason – along with Sam – that Frodo was even alive and able to help this Fellowship take shape in the first place. It certainly took bravery and ambition for him to take charge and lead the way in this dark and uncertain circumstance.

8 Gandalf: His Uncorrupting Of King Theoden

Gandalf’s other-worldly powers go great lengths in helping to fight the forces of Mordor and Isengard in more ways than one. In the case of The Two Towers‘ second act, it’s King Theoden who gets pulled from the depths and saved by Gandalf the White.

Despite Saruman’s attempt to corrupt the mind of this weakened king, Gandalf takes charge and wills the evil presence right out of him. This turns out to be a key turning point for the saga’s heroes, as they now have a real chance to defend one of the last bastions of men, Rohan – with a strong king at the helm.

7 Aragorn: Prominent In The Battle Of Helm’s Deep

Aragorn is established as quite the fighter by the time The Two Towers gets into gear. Yet, viewers don’t really get to see just how tough a warrior he is until he fights in the chaotic Helm’s Deep battle.

During this battle in the darkness and rain, where all hope seems lost, Aragorn takes command along with Theoden, fighting tooth and nail on the frontlines with the remnants of the Fellowship, Gimli and Legolas.

He issues orders, staves off the wall assaults, and even fends off the Uruk-hai on the crossway to the gate with no backup other than Gimli. This is certainly an example of Aragorn in “beast mode.”

6 Gandalf: Led The Way At The Minas Tirith Seige

In much the same way that Aragorn was a key player and leader of Helm’s Deep, Gandalf served that role in the early phases of the Minas Tirith battle. And unlike Aragorn, Gandalf didn’t have a competent king at his side – only a Steward who had essentially lost his mind and given up.

More impressive than this is that he managed to lead and rally a group of largely frightened Gondor soldiers against a massive army of Orcs. His fighting spirit and bravery helped the city stave off the initial attack before the cavalry from Rohan and the dead army sealed the deal.

5 Aragorn: Helping To Heal Frodo After Being Stabbed By A Morgul Blade

This ranger-turned-king always seems to step up for the Fellowship when things are at their darkest and most hopeless. In the first film, Frodo is seemingly minutes from death after being stabbed brutally by the blade of a Ringwraith.

But with the help of Arwen, Aragorn helps to slow the inevitable descent into the shadow and sends him on an emergency trip to Rivendell. There, the elves are waiting with superior medicine, which is able to fully-heal Frodo (minus the scar) and allow him to fight another day.

It’s this event that really establishes Aragorn as a crucial ally – and one on a comparative level to Gandalf.

4 Gandalf: His Seemingly Infinite Wisdom

Let’s face it, anyone who’s been around for centuries is bound to have a degree of smarts by way of experience. Still, this wizard holds a particular wisdom that few in Middle-earth seem to possess.

His speech to Frodo in the mines of Moria is both profound and heartfelt, as is his calming sermon to Pippin at Minas Tirith. But on a larger scale, Gandalf has the foresight to sense things like the Gollum’s usefulness, and the needed call to action at the start of The Two Towers. Gandalf is truly a force of stability, clarity, and wisdom.

3 Aragorn: His Relationship With The Elves

As they say, “it’s all about who you know,” and this certainly comes into play during the LOTR saga with Aragorn. His Elven relationships prove useful in Fellowship with Arwen’s last-minute heroism, in addition to the harboring of the Fellowship in Lothlórien when the group is in need of protection.

Then, of course, there’s the Peter Jackson-exclusive event involving the aid of the Elves in Helm’s Deep. And of course, Aragorn’s bond with Legolas proves beneficial too, as he’s another key player in the Fellowship’s victory.

2 Gandalf: His Self-Sacrifice In Moria

Gandalf proves to be a strong and loyal companion, but this truly becomes apparent midway through Fellowship, when he commits self-sacrifice (or seemingly does so) in order to buy the rest of the group some time to escape Moria.

Even though Gandalf eventually returns, his treacherous skirmish with the massive Balrog shows he’s willing to do anything to protect the Fellowship and save Middle-earth. It’s one of those iconic, heroic acts that really shines as a memorable moment in the saga.

1 Aragorn: Becoming King And The Significance In Saving Middle-Earth

When it comes down to it, Aragorn is really the hero of not just the Fellowship, but largely of Middle-earth. Of course, Gandalf plays a major role, and Frodo casts the One Ring into the fire.

Still – Aragorn is there basically from beginning to end, setting things in motion and leading to this eventual triumph. And by accepting the mantle of king, he’s able to usher in a new era of peace and stability. It’s impressive how influential Aragorn became given his relative limitations as a man.

About The Author

Stephen Lagioia
(250 Articles Published)

Stephen is an avid Nintendo, Indie, and retro gamer who dabbles in Xbox on occasion, mainly in the form of binge sessions of Overwatch. He’s a history buff, an aspiring writer of short fiction, and a devout metalhead who enjoys poorly drumming along to Black Sabbath on his cheap drum set. When his beloved Chicago Cubs or Bulls are not playing, he typically likes to watch random documentaries or campy horror films.

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