Aragorn's Age - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

symestreem · 01-03-2004, 07:11 PM

In TTT EE, Aragorn tells Eowyn that he is 87. However, his birthday is on March 1st, which occurs on the day he meets Gandalf again, so isn't he actually 88?

Lindolirian · 01-03-2004, 07:56 PM

Yes. Ah, so there are people out there who can count better than PJ. Thank you!

The Dark Elf · 01-04-2004, 01:04 PM

I would go with what Gandalf said. he is the wisest. maybe aragorn forgot his birthday?

Silmiel of Imladris · 01-04-2004, 01:14 PM

I thought that in the books he was only in his 60's or am I mistaken?

mollecon · 01-04-2004, 01:54 PM

I think you are mistaken - I seem to recall that his age IS given as 87 in the books

Lord of Angmar · 01-04-2004, 03:05 PM

Actually, at the time that Aragorn says that in the movies (which would be between March 2-3), Aragorn has just had his 88th birthday. I wonder why they didn't have a party?

HCIsland · 01-04-2004, 03:10 PM

Well, to get really picky, the date given by Bilbo at the beginning of the Extended Edition Fellowship is September 22, 1400 (3000 by the Gondorian calender) - which is wrong because Bilbo's 111 birthday was in 1401. Aragorn was born on March 1, 2931, so for him to be 87 it would have to be 3018. <P>In the book, Aragorn and company are in Rohan in early March of 3019, which would make Aragorn 88, but the implication at the front of Fellowship is certainly that far less than 17 years goes by between Bilbo's party and Frodo leaving Bag End. The funny thing is, with the starting year being given 3000, plus 17 years before Frodo leaves, plus this being the new year, Aragorn being in Rohan in early March of 3018 would be right, using the identical timelines from the book, making Aragorn 87 at that time.<P>Frankly, I think this is a coincidence. I don't think math is Jackson's strong suit (or geography - northeast to Isengard?) and he likely just picked Aragorn's age from the book when he enters the story.<P>H.C.

Finwe · 01-04-2004, 03:16 PM

PJ is probably a very good guesser. Or, either Fran Walsh or Philippa Boyens knew what they were doing. I trust a woman taking care of LotR, I don't trust a man.

01-03-2004, 07:11 PM	#1
symestreem Face in the Water Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 728	Aragorn's Age In TTT EE, Aragorn tells Eowyn that he is 87. However, his birthday is on March 1st, which occurs on the day he meets Gandalf again, so isn't he actually 88? __________________ A Gandalf-uncloaking-free zone.

01-03-2004, 07:56 PM	#2
Lindolirian World's Tallest Hobbit Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Where the view is long Posts: 2,117	Yes. Ah, so there are people out there who can count better than PJ. Thank you! __________________ 'They say that the One will himself enter into Arda, and heal Men and all the Marring from the beginning to the end."

01-04-2004, 01:04 PM	#3
The Dark Elf Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Angmar Posts: 74	I would go with what Gandalf said. he is the wisest. maybe aragorn forgot his birthday? __________________ "Fool of a Took!"

01-04-2004, 01:14 PM	#4
Silmiel of Imladris Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Looking into a crystal ball- still see nothing Posts: 395	I thought that in the books he was only in his 60's or am I mistaken? __________________ Legolas 20 ales later: I feel something, a slight tingling in my fingers. I think it's affecting me. Figwit on his name: Are you suggesting that I have the wit of a fig?

01-04-2004, 03:05 PM	#6
Lord of Angmar Tyrannus Incorporalis Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: the North Posts: 833	Actually, at the time that Aragorn says that in the movies (which would be between March 2-3), Aragorn has just had his 88th birthday. I wonder why they didn't have a party? __________________ ...where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own defence.

01-04-2004, 01:54 PM	#5
mollecon Wight Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 188	I think you are mistaken - I seem to recall that his age IS given as 87 in the books

01-04-2004, 03:10 PM	#7
HCIsland Zombie Cannibal Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,000	Well, to get really picky, the date given by Bilbo at the beginning of the Extended Edition Fellowship is September 22, 1400 (3000 by the Gondorian calender) - which is wrong because Bilbo's 111 birthday was in 1401. Aragorn was born on March 1, 2931, so for him to be 87 it would have to be 3018. <P>In the book, Aragorn and company are in Rohan in early March of 3019, which would make Aragorn 88, but the implication at the front of Fellowship is certainly that far less than 17 years goes by between Bilbo's party and Frodo leaving Bag End. The funny thing is, with the starting year being given 3000, plus 17 years before Frodo leaves, plus this being the new year, Aragorn being in Rohan in early March of 3018 would be right, using the identical timelines from the book, making Aragorn 87 at that time.<P>Frankly, I think this is a coincidence. I don't think math is Jackson's strong suit (or geography - northeast to Isengard?) and he likely just picked Aragorn's age from the book when he enters the story.<P>H.C. __________________ "Stir not the bitterness in the cup that I mixed myself. Have I not tasted it now many nights upon my tongue, foreboding that worse yet lay in the dregs." -Denethor

01-04-2004, 03:16 PM	#8
Finwe Deathless Sun Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Royal Suite in the Halls of Mandos Posts: 2,609	PJ is probably a very good guesser. Or, either Fran Walsh or Philippa Boyens knew what they were doing. I trust a woman taking care of LotR, I don't trust a man. __________________ But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.