Why Galadriel Turns ‘Evil’: Unravelling Her Dark Form in ‘Lord of the Rings’

‘The Lord of the Rings’ by Peter Jackson substantially resembles J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary masterwork, however, there are moments when the characters are portrayed differently.

Galadriel’s relationship with Frodo in ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ is one instance of a significant shift. Galadriel briefly changes into a horrifying dark shape as Frodo offers her the One Ring, signifying the great power she may wield with the Ring. Even though this sequence is visually striking, it deviates from Tolkien’s more subdued approach, in which Galadriel’s metamorphosis is explained as something Frodo experiences on an interior level rather than as a shift that is physically apparent to others.

In the movie, Galadriel’s black shape stands in for her temptation and serves as a stark reminder of the Ring’s corrupting power. Although Tolkien calls her “beautiful and terrible as the dawn,” Peter Jackson highlights the importance of her decision with special effects, allowing the viewer to feel her internal conflict. Her final refusal of the Ring demonstrates her dignity and fortitude, reaffirming her position as a symbol of defiance against evil.

Image Courtesy: Times Now

Galadriel’s past enhances this moment. She experienced immense hardships as a Noldorin Elf, like exile and the horrific wars against Morgoth, but she also saw the beauty of Valinor. By the time the ‘Lord of the Rings’ story takes place, Galadriel has gained millennia of experience and is a strong and wise leader. Because she had one of the three Elven Rings of Power, Nenya, she was able to protect Lothlórien from Sauron’s influence. But she was also exhausted from years of battling evil and yearned for Valinor’s tranquillity.

By emphasising Galadriel’s fight against temptation, Jackson’s portrayal is consistent with Tolkien’s intentions. Her black appearance symbolises the possible corruption that even she, one of the most influential people in Middle-earth, would experience if she were to take possession of the Ring. In the end, her rejection of it demonstrates her dedication to faith and hope over dominance.

–Farheen Ali