Davem wrote:
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Merry seems to put a higher value on his oath than Theoden. Theoden attempts to release Merry from his obligation of service, but Merry will not accept this - an oath is a 'covenant', & cannot be simply set aside by one or other party. Merry, technically doesn't disobey Theoden by going into battle - Theoden has set the oath aside, & from that point Merry is a free agent, free to go into battle if he will. Merry, on the other hand, is in a strange position - if he considers himself still bound by his oath he should obey Theoden & remain behind. But his oath was an oath of service to his lord to fight with him if it came to it - why offer his sword to Theoden otherwise. Merry is attempting to fulfil the oath he swore.
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I'm not so sure about this. Yes, from a certain point of view Merry is fulfilling his oath, or at least the spirit of it. But Theoden does not release him from service, and Theoden commands him to stay at Edoras. Merry violates that command. When you swear fealty to a lord, you are swearing to do as that lord commands - not to do whatever
you think would be of the most use to him.
And Eowyn's similar oath-breaking is interesting, for good comes of it. The Witch-king is killed. So here is an example of an oath-breaker doing well. But of course she did not willingly vow to stay behind.