One The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power character is giving me major Hermione Granger vibes—and this could be very telling regarding their arc. There have always been significant thematic and character crossovers between The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, which makes sense considering the standard that J.R.R. Tolkien set for the fantasy genre. I love seeing the tropes and archetypes the legendary author established popping up in other works, and as a Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings fan, comparing the two is a favorite pastime of mine. Now, Rings of Power has presented a chance to do this in reverse.
Tolkien’s twist on the traditional hero’s journey in Lord of the Rings easily carried over to Harry Potter. Gandalf is a clear inspiration for Dumbledore, Sam’s loyalty to Frodo is evident in Ron’s friendship with Harry, and so on. Morality, destiny, oppression, and the cost of evil are all foundational to both stories, though explored differently from one to the next. The similarities are fun to explore, and now, I feel that Rings of Power created a Númenormean Hermione equivalent.
I Can’t Look At Eärien In The Rings Of Power Without Thinking Of Hermione Granger
Eärien & Hermione Come From A Similar Mold
Eärien has begun to stand out in Rings of Power season 2 since she played a significant role in Queen Miriel being usurped by Pharazôn following the devastating battle in the Southlands. Though she is highly intelligent and knowledgeable about the laws and history of Númenor, her passionate belief that Miriel is leading the kingdom in the wrong direction has caused a great deal of damage. Despite this, she continues to stubbornly push against her father, Elendil, and turns her nose up to those who remain faithful to the old ways of Númenor.
While there are some major differences, I can’t help but see Hermione Granger when I see Eärien on screen. The Harry Potter character is also extremely clever and passionate and can be considered a bit of a judgemental snob—especially early on in her arc. Of course, Hermione was ultimately led in the right direction by her friendship with Harry and Ron, and as a character cut from a similar cloth, it’s possible that something comparable will happen for Rings of Power‘s Eärien.
Eärien Is Becoming Very Hard To Like In The Rings Of Power Season 2
Hermione Proves There May Be Hope For Eärien
Hermione has long been an extensively debated character in Harry Potter since fans tend to either love or hate her. I can’t necessarily say the same thing about Eärien at this point in the game. While she wasn’t bad in Rings of Power season 1, her attitude in season 2 (and that smug look on her face as the Faithful were arrested) has made her pretty hard to like. I imagine that this is how Hermione might have turned out if the version of her character in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone hadn’t been humbled by the event with the troll and, therefore, never became friends with Harry and Ron.
After all, themes of love are something else that Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings share, especially in how it can transform a person’s story.
The character and plot formulas of one fantasy story can often be used to predict that of another. So, as horrible as Eärien is, her similarities with Harry Potter‘s Hermione could indicate that future events in Rings of Power will turn things around for her. She isn’t yet irredeemable, and the love she holds for her brother and father could yet be her moral salvation. After all, themes of love are something else that Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings share, especially in how it can transform a person’s story. All we can do is wait and see just how much Rings of Power has adopted from another story Tolkien himself inspired.
