LotR -- Book 5 - Chapter 02 - The Passing of the Grey Company

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by Lhunardawen

Éowyn emphasized the return of their ceremonial respect for and relative unfamiliarity towards each other by using the word ‘thee’ (thanks to Aldarion for pointing it out and Encaitare for the quote), but, ironically, coupled it with the explicit revelation of her feelings.

The next day, we see that Aragorn has once again maintained his respect towards Éowyn as he called her “Lady of Rohan,” but Éowyn made a final act of desperation: she called him by name and knelt before him, but still referred to him as ‘thee’ or ‘thou’. Aragorn refused, but this time, moved by his emotions, he "[took] her by the hand and raised her." We can see that saying ‘nay’ to such a lady was no easy thing for him, perfectly gentlemanly as he is. *swoons, and falls over*

Actually, my understanding of the thou/you shift, and the bottom of the above quote provided will bear me out, is that in a conversation where the usage of you/thou shifts back and forth, "you" is a more respectful, more 'distant' usage, while "thou" is more familiar, the sort of thing a husband and wife would use when talking to each other.

[Lhunardawen]

Originally Posted by Formendacil

Actually, my understanding of the thou/you shift, and the bottom of the above quote provided will bear me out, is that in a conversation where the usage of you/thou shifts back and forth, "you" is a more respectful, more 'distant' usage, while "thou" is more familiar, the sort of thing a husband and wife would use when talking to each other.

Why, indeed the quote says that! Maybe only this part of the previous quote stuck to me:

Since this pronoun is now unusual and archaic it is employed mainly to represent the use of ceremonious language

[Lathriel]

In this chapter we get to see more of Eowyn and we get to know more of her feelings. Of course we already know that she cares for Aaragorn but now we also learn what she fears

"A cage,-to stay behind bars, untill use and old age accept them, and all chance of doing great deeds is gone beyond recall or desire."

(This is exactly what would happen if Sauron won.) Already Eowyn is stuck in one place and she is not given the freedom that she craves. She wants to be known because she hopes that this way she will also have more freedom and more of a say with what she wants to do, not what others want her to do.
But I do understand why Theoden wants her to stay behind at Edoras. He knows he can trust her and he knows that she will make the right desicions.
Those are som short thoughts for now. I'll probably post some more later.

[Kuruharan]

But I do understand why Theoden wants her to stay behind at Edoras. He knows he can trust her and he knows that she will make the right desicions.

Well, actually, evidence suggests that Theoden only thinks he can trust her and that she will do the right thing. What she did was not what he was expecting, to say the least.

[Lhunardawen]

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

Well, actually, evidence suggests that Theoden only thinks he can trust her and that she will do the right thing. What she did was not what he was expecting, to say the least.

Interesting...

I think Theoden really trusted her from the beginning. After all, he agreed to Hama's(?) suggestion of putting her into position without a shadow of a doubt. And I do think that Eowyn had every intention of remaining in Edoras, though it is certain that she has entertained the thoughts of leaving her responsibility behind every once in a while. But Aragorn's 'visit' she did not expect, and that was the final nudge that made her set aside her uncle's charge. Correction: will make her.

[Kuruharan]

It certainly put the temptation in mind.

I think that her belief that Aragorn was going to his death in the Paths of the Dead probably spurred her as well.

My point was more that Theoden was ultimately mistaken in his belief in the reliability of Eowyn's behavior. She may have intended to remain behind, but then she was exposed to pressure.

Pressure made her behave in a way that was perhaps a little...*hoom-hoom*...hasty.

[Celuien]

'Too often have I heard of duty,' she cried. 'But am I not of the Houseof Eorl, a shieldmaiden and not a dry-nurse? I have waited on faltering feet long enough. Since they falter no longer, it seems, may I not now spend my life as I will?'
'Few may do that with honour,' he answered.

Theoden seems to have strongly impressed duty onto Eowyn. With the high value placed on duty and honor, he would have had no reason to think that Eowyn would abandon her charge, even if te thought had crossed her mind. I agree that her belief that Aragorn was going to his death helped spur her on to the decision; perhaps it was also related to the realization that Aragron did not return her love.

At any rate, it was fortunate that she did finally choose to leave Edoras.