Is Hèra’s Hero’s Journey in ‘The War of the Rohirrim’ Inspired by Éowyn’s Arc?

Fans were taken aback when Hèra, a new figure who had only been referenced in passing in J.R.R. Tolkien’s literature, was revealed in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’. Although she was Helm Hammerhand’s daughter, there wasn’t much information about her in the source material, so the movie made up a new backstory for her. Because they thought Hèra’s character development would be too similar to Éowyn’s, several fans made analogies between the two characters. But as the narrative progresses, it becomes evident that Hèra has a distinct journey of her own.

When Éowyn first appeared in ‘The Two Towers’, she was grieving over the death of her parents and was constrained by social norms, making it impossible for her to fight on the front lines. A potent feminist narrative accompanied her trip to the Battle of the Pelennor Fields and her eventual triumph against the Witch-King. Though somewhat similar, Hèra’s tale is rougher and darker. Following her father’s death, she finds herself leading her people during a blood feud after turning down a marriage proposal. Hèra is more concerned with freedom and adventure than Éowyn is with love; she rejects leadership and romance in favour of travelling the world.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

Hèra’s quest for freedom defines her, in contrast to Éowyn, who found serenity in family and healing. Her character is further complicated by the fact that her story, which is full of sorrow and loss, is set in a limited setting. Despite the fact that both women are driven to achieve, Hèra’s path is characterized by loss and the urge to reject conventional roles.

The War of the Rohirrim does not mark the end of Hèra’s tale, leaving room for more character development. Hèra’s arc is about looking for a larger purpose for Middle-earth, whereas Éowyn’s was about self-empowerment. Hèra’s story is just getting started, but despite their similarities, the two protagonists are unique.

–Farheen Ali