If You Fail This Lord Of The Rings Quiz, Sauron Wins
- by Theo Kogod
- – on
- in Movies and TV
The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien is among the greatest works of literature in the English language. It has been turned into an animated trilogy, a spellbinding live action trilogy, and is currently being turned into a series on Amazon Prime with a billion dollar budget. The Lord of the Rings is a classic of modern fantasy. In fact, it is the reason the modern fantasy genre exists, as Tolkien took the folklore and mythology elements usually associated with children's stories and made a tale suited for adult audiences. With subjects such as modernist critiques of mechanized warfare, Victorian value sets, linguistics, and explorations of chivalry, the series definitely dealt with heady material not meant for children to comprehend. But what made fans love this series was its rich lore, its brilliant characters, and the magic of Middle-earth all coming together in a tale of infinite stakes and personal growth.
So how well do you know The Lord of the Rings? Can you tell an orc from an uruk? Are you able to remember which race has three rings and which has seven? Can you find your way through the narrow mazes and twists of lore that this quiz will invoke like the caverns of Khazad-dûm, or will you falter at the last as Boromir did on the shores of the River Anduin? If you can answer these questions, then you will be worthy of bearing the One Ring!
Who is the protagonist of The Lord of the Rings?
He is one of the most iconic characters in fantasy literature and the protagonist of The Lord of the Rings. He is both the first and second cousin of Bilbo Baggins (once removed either way (which makes it all the more confusing that this character calls his cousin "Uncle Bilbo")). The protagonist may be short in stature but he is big of heart. Through books and learning from Bilbo, he became worldly before ever setting foot into the world, yet he manages to preserve a purity of goodness despite what he encounters. Who is he?
Where must the ring be destroyed?
"The ring must be destroyed!" This quote more or less sums up the plot of the entire trilogy of The Lord of the Rings. But, it can only be destroyed in one place in particular. In the Land of Mordor, the Ring was made and only there can it be unmade. But Mordor is a big place and one that cannot simply be walked into by just anybody. To destroy the Ring, do you know where you must have to go?.
Where do most Hobbits live?
The home of the Hobbits in The Lord of the Rings (and in the conveniently-named book/unnecessarily long movie trilogy The Hobbit), this is the start of the great journey, an idyllic pastoral landscape of villages based on Tolkien’s England. This was a land geographically separated from much of Middle-earth (just as England had been separated from most of Europe’s conflicts by a great body of water). As a result, the land here prospered with people enjoying drink, good cheer, merry songs, and a pipe of fresh herb at the end of a long day. Can you name this place?
Théoden is the King of...
Théoden, son of Thengel, is one of those epic characters most fans will never forget. When we first encounter him, he is a broken old man mourning the loss of his son and expecting to be the last of his great line. But when Gandalf removes an enchantment from him, he rises to the call to action to lead his people into battle. Inspired by the epic heroes of the Old Norse sagas and other old Germanic tales, he is among greatest of warriors and kinds in Middle-earth? But can you name the kingdom over which he rules?
The Hornburg has never…
Speaking of Théoden and his epic victories, let us not forget the Battle of Helms Deep where he and a band of his retainers fought off the hordes of Saruman’s battle-hungry Uruk-hai. Helm’s Deep is technically the name of the great gorge across which stretched Helm’s Dyke, a massive wall fording the gorge. Behind this wall was a tower--the Hornberg—built in years past by the mighty king Helm Hammerhand. But there is a saying among the Rohirrim about the Hornberg, that it has never fallen under a very specific condition…
What does Gollum call the Ring?
Every great hero needs a villain, and there are few villains more important to a story than Gollum. What makes him so important is how similar he is to Frodo. Both know the seductive lure of the Ring, as Gollum himself was a Ringbearer of sorts once upon a time. Both know the joy of riddles and of good food (though Gollum tends to like his fish a bit rarer). Gollum is what Frodo could become if he gives into the power of the Ring. But to Gollum, the Ring is his, his own, his…
Where does Elrond live?
Elrond Half-elven is one of the most important characters in the history of Middle-earth. He was born in the First Age and took part in the War of the Elves and Sauron during the Second Age. It was also during the Second Age that Elrond built the realm over which he would rule for millennia, a sacred place of artful beauty and ancient knowledge protected by Elrond’s power and the magic of the waters surrounding it. Can you name this Elven refuge?
What is the Dark Land called?
In the Dark Land where the shadows lie, there are great armies massed of orcs and men, of ancient evil spirits and the fallen kings who became the Nazgûl, and all of it overseen by the watchful gaze of the Great Eye of Sauron. As in times past, it is this land that darkness has crept into throughout the Third Age as Gondor’s vigilance failed, but even with Sauron’s return to power there is hope. By bringing the Fellowship of the Ring here, the Ring can be destroyed.
What is Isildur’s Bane?
At the end of the Second Age, a Last Alliance of Men and Elves marched against the forces of the answer to the last question. There, Isildur, son of the king, watched as his father Elendil was killed by Sauron. Elendil’s sword Narsil broke. Isildur took up Narsil and cut the Ring from Sauron’s hand with the broken sword’s hilt-shard. Thus was Sauron defeated. But Isildur did not have what it took to destroy the Ring. After the battle, he left Gondor in the care of his steward, then was killed by orc arrows. But arrows were not his Bane…
Finish this sentence: “One does not simply…
Most of the questions in this quiz are based on Tolkien’s Legendarium. This is too, but more than that, it is based on a meme. This line from the Council of Elrond was spoken by Boromir about the perils of the journey that would be faced by anyone venturing forth to destroy the Ring. If you have struggled with the obscure lore thus far, this is your time to shine like the light of the Evenstar. So, finish the sentence. “One does not simply…”
How many rings did the Elves make?
The One Ring may be the most powerful item in Middle-earth, but it was the last of the Rings to be made. The other races also had their own Rings. The only other Rings we see in the Trilogy are those belonging to the Elves, most notably the one on the hand of the Lady of the Wood, Galadriel, who has Nenya on her hand, a ring wrought from Mithril with a white stone upon it. But can you tell us how many Rings the Elves had?
How many Ringwraiths were there?
Another question about a number, this deals with the Ringwraiths, those fallen Men who in their day were given Rings by Sauron that they used to become great kings, warriors, and sorcerers. The Ringwraiths have many names: Shriekers, Black Wings, Black Riders, and Nazgûl—a word which in the Black Speech of Mordor literally translates as “Ring Wraith.” These Riders harried Frodo and the Hobbits, harassing them from the Shire to Rivendell. Then they joined in the battle against Minas Tirith in The Return of the King. But how many were there?
What spirit did Gandalf fight in the Mines of Moria?
When the Fellowship of the Ring was forced to enter into the Mines of Moria, they encountered many perils. There was the creature Gollum who followed them through the Mines and the hordes of shrieking Orcs who beset them in Balin’s Tomb. But there was something else down there that was awoken in the darkness of Khazad-dûm when the Dwarves delved too greedily and too Deep-- a spirit of shadow and flame. It has been called Durin’s Bane and he Flame of Udûn. Can you identify this ancient demon?
Name the Dragon who invaded the Lonely Mountain.
In The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins goes on a series of adventures all leading up to his confrontation with the dragon who has taken the Lonely Mountain from the Dwarves. Tolkien viewed Dragons as great mythic beasts that bespoke the magic and mystery of a fantasy world. He was inspired by Norse mythology where Dragons like Fafnir and Jormungandr were powerful beasts of legendary importance and so he tried to make the Dragons of Middle-earth equally impressive Can you name this particular Dragon?
What animals rescued Frodo and Sam from Mount Doom?
Okay, this question has spoilers, but since you should be an expert on The Lord of the Rings, that won’t be a problem for you, right? At the end of the Trilogy, Sam and Frodo stand on the slopes of Mount Doom after having successfully destroyed the Ring. The volcano is erupting in this scene as lava gushes down the mountainside. At the Black Gates, their friends are engaged in battle with the armies of Sauron but cannot break away and cross the distance to rescue them in time. Who comes to their aid?
Which famous Lord of the Rings character was NOT in the films?
Whether a fan of the books or the movies, this character should be conspicuous—either for his presence of for his absence from the films. He is one of the most powerful spirits of Middle-earth. He rescued the Hobbits from both Old Man Willow and from the Barrow-wights. He sings whenever he can, often self-descriptively. To quote Tolkien (and the character himself) “Bright blue his jacket is and his boots are yellow” though Gandald might speak more aptly of the character, calling him the eldest being in existence. His Sindarin name is “Iarwain Ben-adar” or “Eldest and Fatherless.”
Why was Éowyn able to kill the Witch King of Angmar?
Éowyn of Rohan is one of the greatest heroes of the War of the Ring. She might come off as problematic to modern audiences since Tolkien saw her as a classic wild woman and in his Victorian value set he thought she needed to be civilized with a proper man to marry her. However, despite this, her supposed wildness harkens back to the shield-maidens and peace-weavers of the Anglo-Saxons who inspired the people of Rohan. She even killed the Witch-King of Angmar. But how did she manage this when no one who had previously fought the Witch-King could do so?
What was the capital city of Gondor?
Gondor is perhaps the greatest of the remaining kingdoms of Men. Since the fall of Arnor, Gondor has been the kingdom which most important connection to the past. Gondor kept watch over Mordor after Sauron was cast out during the Last Alliance of Men and Elves, but eventually, Gondor let their vigil lax after a Civil War disrupted the kingdom. Since the death of Elendil, the kingdom has been ruled by the Stewards of Gondor who keep watch from the great capital city that lies at the heart of the Pelenor Fields.
What was the meeting at Rivendell over the fate of the Ring called?
In The Fellowship of the Ring there is a great scene at the midway point in the story that helps to smoothly transition the story of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy from a personal narrative of some Hobbits and their Wizard into a massive epic set within a huge rich world with a broad expanse of cultures and history. This meeting brought characters like Legolas, Boromir, and Gimli into the story. What was this important meeting at Rivendell called?
Who is Aragorn’s true love?
Aragorn, the son of Arathorn is a Ranger, one of the Dúnedain, and heir to the throne of Gondor is not just one of the most important characters in The Lord of the Rings, but also one of the most influential characters in all of fantasy literature. And not to make light of his many struggles, accomplishments, and layers of depth, but in the standard narrative of western storytelling, the series ends in many ways as he “gets the girl.” And the romance between him and an Elven woman was one said to last beyond the ends of the Earth.
What was Gandalf’s name in Elvish?
Gandalf has many names. He was a Wizard and a member of the ancient Maiar, supposedly being the wisest of all the Maiar. But in his time wandering Middle-earth, he befriended many peoples, forming an identity among each of them. Stormcrow and Greyhame were among his names, as were titles like Gandalf the Grey and (later) Gandalf the White. But the Elves had a name for him which Legolas used frequently throughout the series. This name meant “Grey Pilgrim” and was notable also used for him by the people of Gondor.
What weapon did Legolas predominantly fight with?
Legolas as one of the deadliest warriors of the Fellowship of the Ring, often claiming the highest toll of the dead in battles. He frequently kept track of his kills with his friend Gimli, each of them counting aloud the number they have slain in combat. These elements were even further enhanced in the films by Peter Jackson, where the actor Orlando Bloom often stole the show with great stunts as performed acts of heroism that numerous felled foes at a time. What was his weapon of choice?
What was the name of Saruman’s castle?
Saruman the White was Head of the White Council of Wizards and presided over them and his subjects from a great castle. The main tower of the castle, Orthanc, was build in the Second Age by Númenóreans in exile to guard along the territory of Rohan. The tower is encircled by a massive ring of stones, one that Treebeard and the other Ents would dismantle when they went to war with Saruman. But the castle as a whole had a name famed throughout Middle Earth which any scholar of the legendarium should be able to identify.
Who was the Lady of Lothlórien?
The forests of Lothlórien comprised the fairest and most beautiful of all the territories of the Elves in Middle-earth. The woods spanned a great distance and at their heart was the city of Caras Galadhon. The Lord Celeborn ruled over the Elves with his wife, who herself had one of the Elven Rings of Power. In one of the more intense scenes in The Fellowship of the Ring, she showed Frodo visions of things that were, that are, and that had not yet come to pass. Can you name the Lady of the Wood?
What was a common nickname for the people of Rohan?
The Riders of Rohan had a rich culture. Inspired by the Anglo-Saxons, their language and poetry can be directly translated from the same Old English that Tolkien spent his life studying and teaching. But Tolkien lamented all that had been lost of the Anglo-Saxon myths when their culture was wiped out by the Norman Invasion. As such, Tolkien made one major adjustment to Anglo-Saxon culture in his creation of the Rohirrim: he gave them the horses that the Normans used in their conquest of England. This has lead to their nickname.
What’s the Elvish word for friend?
In The Fellowship of the Ring, the Fellowship tried to enter Moria from the West-gate after their failed attempt at crossing the Misty Mountains at the Pass at Caradhras. The Doors of Durin were inscribed with a message that could only be read by the light of the stars and moon. The inscription in the stone was made from Ithildin, a metal made from mithril that glowed by moonlight and starlight. But to any friends, they may speak the password and enter. What’s the Elvish word for friend?
How many rings of Dwarves were there?
The Dwarves had their own Rings of Power. Great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls, these rings reflected their industriousness and their arts. What became of the Rings is a mystery but some were said to be lost to Dragon fire and others were lost when the Dwarves were driven into exile. Durin had a Ring of Power, but after Moria was overrun by the Orcs—and by Durin’s Bane—the Ring is rumored to be among a number that passed into Sauron’s grasp. How many rings did they have?
Who was Boromir’s brother?
Boromir was the son of Denethor, the Steward of Gondor, and as the firstborn son he often undertook major responsibilities. This was what lead to him being tasked with going to Rivendell where he was part of the Council of Elrond. While he was journeying with the rest of the Fellowship, his younger brother led a group of Rangers into Mordor to perform guerrilla attacks against the armies Sauron was amassing. Probably the stronger and more honorable brother, he was every bit as valiant as Boromir. Who was Boromir’s brother?
What weapon did Gimli wield?
Gimli, son of Gloín, was a member of the Fellowship of the Ring who had traveled to Rivendell to take part in the Council of Elrond where he and his father told of the recent events with the Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain and those who had tried to retake Moria. He also proved to be a fierce fighter who helped defend Frodo and protect the Ring, slaying many Orcs. Do you remember the weapon he used to dismember his enemies in combat?
What relic did Boromir carry with him?
Boromir traveled far from his home in Gondor to meet with the other great lords at the Council of Elrond in Rivendell. With him be brought his sword and shield, the weapons of his trade, but also brought a relic from Gondor that contained great magics in it. In the climax of The Fellowship of the Ring (or at the start of The Two Towers, if one is a purist and goes by the books), he used this relic alongside both weapons in the last moments of his life as he fought of hordes of Uruk-hai.
How did Gondor call for aid in their hour of need?
During the events of The Return of the King, the White City of Minas Tirith called on others to come to their aid as Sauron’s forces advanced to besiege them. The Men of Gondor were facing massive numbers of Orcs and of Men—Easterlings and Southrons and the Corsairs of Umbar, as well as the great siege weapons, trolls, and the battering ram named after the hammer fo the underworld. This isn’t even counting the Ringwraiths. No force of men then assembled in all of Middle-earth could defeat such a force unaided. How did Gondor call for aid?
Which of these was used to celebrate Bilbo’s birthday?
Bilbo’s birthday party is the opening chapter of The Fellowship of the Ring. Over the course of this party, we gain a sense of who Bilbo and Frodo are and of the significance of the One Ring as Bilbo uses it to turn invisible and then refuses to give it away to Frodo as he had promised. It is also in this scene that we are allowed to join in the characters’ jubilation as various revels are brought out to entertain the guests.
What is the name of Frodo’s sword?
The short sword Frodo takes on his quest is one of the most iconic weapons in all of fantasy literature. It might be the most important item on his person were he not walking around with the One Ring on a chain around his neck. The blade was forged by Elves in ages past, the blade was designed to be a dagger or knife of some kind for the much larger hands of the Elves. It glows blue when Orcs are near and was a gift from Bilbo to Frodo.
Who does Sam marry?
While Samwise Gamgee came from humble origins as a gardener in the Shire, he managed to rise to prominence and traverse the whole of Middle-earth. He is the only person ever recorded to have successfully taken up the One Ring, used it, and then relinquished it of his own will without any outside interference. The personal strength required to achieve that task makes him one of the most important characters in the history of Middle-earth. But at the end of the long journey, he came home again to settle down with the woman of his affection. Can you name her?
What name does Aragorn go by as a Ranger in the North?
Aragorn was the last of the exiled kings of Gondor, heir to Isildur’s throne. He was one of the most important Men of the Third Age of Middle-earth and was so essential to the story of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy that the entire third book is named after him (which is even more impressive when one contrasts it with the meaning of the first two titles). He was the King, the Dúnadan, Longshanks, Wingfoot, and Elessar Telcontar. But he had another name that his friends the Hobbits referred to him as.