When it comes to the fantasy epic that is The Lord of the Rings, fans tend to remember the rich, majestic environments and dynamic world-building above all else. Yet, there's also the inspirational element of strength, victory, and overcoming adversity which resonates with fans.
This triumph over the forces of evil comes to pass largely thanks to the unlikely Hobbit hero Frodo Baggins. Yet, it's also the strong, likable, and inspirational leaders in Middle-earth who contribute to the destruction of Sauron and the Ring.
They manage to band together and lead the people to victory, even when all hope seems lost and the factions are scattered and divided. Throughout this saga, Theoden and Aragorn particularly stand out and step up to lead this charge against Mordor and Isengard. Both tend to be fan-favorites when it comes to Peter Jackson's thrilling trilogy. But which man proves the stronger and more effective leader?
This list will cover 5 points that make the case for each.
Theoden: His Influence And Knowledge Of Rohan
It's heavily implied that Aragorn will make a great new leader for the people of Gondor - almost certainly better than the tepid Steward Denethor. Still, even with his extended life as a Dúnedain, Aragorn has spent much of his time as a ranger traveling about Middle-earth, meaning his wisdom of the region doesn't likely measure up to Theoden's knowledge of Rohan.
With decades of experience as king, and much of that time spent in Rohan, Theoden would seem to be better equipped to lead his people and deal with the issues of his realm.
Aragorn: His Knowledge Of Middle-Earth As A Ranger
One benefit of Strider traveling the far reaches of Middle-earth is that he has a wisdom and knowledge that comes with soaking in the various landscapes and cultures.
This proves useful early in Fellowship, as he leads Frodo and Sam to Rivendell, and is instrumental in the Fellowship's quest thereafter. Any good leader should have a good grasp of the lands and sociopolitical happenings within them, and Aragorn certainly seems to.
Theoden: His Military Knowledge
Theoden isn't just a king, he's also quite the military tactician. This is made apparent in both The Two Towers and Return of the King, where he plots and executes his clearly thought-out battle plan. The decision to hole up in Helms Deep and position the various units accordingly, as well as his stampede charges in the Pelennor Fields shows this is a man who has a sense of military strategy.
At least in the films, Aragorn doesn't quite indicate he has this same level of tactical sense - despite being a dangerous fighter.
Aragorn: The Heir To The Throne Of Gondor
Of course, bloodlines alone aren't enough to determine one's character or effectiveness as a leader, but one can't deny the significance of Aragorn's heritage. After Gondor's relative decline in power following the rule of Denethor and the Stewards of Gondor, it would seem to be destiny that the rightful king would return at this ultimate time of crisis in the Third Age.
Not only does Aragorn come from a family of royalty, but he's a Dúnedain and descendent of the great Isildur, who ruled Gondor and cut the One Ring from Sauron's finger - before being corrupted by it.
Theoden: His Inspirational Speeches And Rallying Cries
If there's one consistently-strong trait of Theoden's that stands out, it's his impressive ability to motivate and inspire the troops with his epic rallying cries. There are glimpses of this in The Two Towers, when he and Aragorn get ready to charge the attacking Uruk-hai at Helm's Deep.
But Theoden's truly powerful speech takes place during the Battle of Pelennor Fields, when he fires up his thousands of Rohirrim before charging directly into tens of thousands of Orcs. His conclusion of this speech, which simply involves roaring the word "DEATH!" still brings chills down the spines of viewers.
Aragorn: His Relationship With Other Races
While Theoden is an astute and strong military leader, he may not be the greatest diplomat. His relative isolation and his scoffing at the idea of getting aid from Elves, Dwarves, or the men of Gondor tends to support this idea.
Aragorn, on the other hand, seems to have a pretty strong relationship with the men of other nations, in addition to Elves and Dwarves. His kinship with figures like Elrond, Legolas, Gimli, and his relationship with Arwen make this apparent. And of course, it doesn't hurt that he has a friendship with Gandalf, one of the more powerful beings of Middle-earth.
And of course, diplomacy is crucial when it comes to leadership.
Theoden: The Influence Of Éomer And Éowyn
Aragorn may have friends and allies in high places, but Theoden has the benefit of having strong, influential family members at his ready.
While his son Théodred met his end early in The Two Towers, his niece and nephews both prove to be influential figures of Rohan who make for great rulers as well as fighters. Éomer manages to be one of the most prominent commanders of the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, while Éowyn almost singlehandedly slays the ominous Witch-king of Angmar.
It would most certainly benefit a leader to have such fighters in their own family.
Aragorn: His Impeccable Skills With A Blade
Let's face it, at least from what we see in the films, Aragorn is one of the strongest and most practiced living swordsmen in Middle-earth. Such an offensive prowess is sure to come in handy for any leader wishing to exude strength and stability.
The LOTR saga is rife with scenes of Aragorn slicing and dicing countless Orcs, men, and even Trolls. He's essentially a one-man army, who seems to shrug off countless onslaughts throughout the films.
Theoden: His Bravery And Skill In Battle
Military strategy is one thing, but if one doesn't possess the courage or skills that go with it, it tends to diminish the value of this somewhat. When it comes to King Theoden, he essentially has all of these traits. Like Aragorn, he manages to defeat and fend off countless Orcs in battle, and devises tactics to maximize the effectiveness of the Rohirrim.
Not only this, but he also has an unshakable bravery, as demonstrated by his head-on charge into a line of Haradrim sitting atop the towering Mûmakil.
Aragorn: The Power And Wisdom Of The Dúnedain
Given the power, wisdom, and long life that the Dúnedain men hold, Aragorn would almost surely have the potential to be a great leader. The significance of his family is one thing, but the direct power that comes from his Dúnedain blood adds an aura of strength and knowledge that Theoden can't quite match.
These descendants of the Númenóreans posses a level of power and influence that lays the foundation for a great leader, and Aragorn definitely fulfills this role.