TGON’s Monday Motivation: Middle-Earth Edition

Season 3 of The Rings of Power arrives on Prime Video this Wednesday, November 11, which makes this the perfect week to head back to Middle-earth. We pulled one quote from five different corners of Tolkien’s world: a street in Hobbiton, a Harfoot caravan, the road to Mordor, a bridge in Moria, and a battlefield outside Minas Tirith.

Hobbits, a wizard, and a shieldmaiden, all of them facing something far bigger than themselves, and not one of them waiting for a better moment to start.

1. “I’m going on an adventure!” — Bilbo Baggins, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Bilbo has spent the whole evening insisting that he cannot possibly go running off into the blue, because he is a Baggins of Bag End. Then he changes his mind. He sprints through Hobbiton toward the dwarves, and when a neighbor asks why he is in such a hurry, he shouts this over his shoulder.

Notice that nothing about his situation has actually gotten safer. He just decided. If there is a yes you have been circling all month, this is your sign to stop over planning it and start running.

2. “And we just keep walking.” — Largo Brandyfoot, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

This is the close of Largo’s rallying speech in Season 1, Episode 7, “The Eye.” The Harfoot caravan has lost supplies and the mood is low, so he reminds everyone to stay true to each other and keep going. Then he ends it with the line above.

It is the least flashy quote on this list and maybe the most useful one. There is no destiny speech and no grand plan, just the next step and the one after that. Some Mondays are not won with heroics, they are won with miles.

3. “That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.” — Samwise Gamgee, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Late in The Two Towers, Frodo hits his lowest point and tells Sam he cannot do this. Sam does not promise him it will be fine. He talks about the great stories, the ones where the heroes could have turned back and did not, and when Frodo asks what they are holding onto, Sam answers with this.

Sam’s version of motivation is not about winning. It is about knowing what you are protecting and letting that carry you when the energy runs out. Figure out what your “good in this world” is for this week, and keep it in front of you.

4. “You shall not pass!” — Gandalf, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

The Balrog blocks the Fellowship’s escape on the bridge of Khazad-dûm. Gandalf sends everyone else across, plants himself alone in the middle of the bridge, stomps his staff, draws his sword, and delivers the line. In Tolkien’s book he says “You cannot pass,” and the film’s rewrite is the version everyone remembers.

He is not saying he will definitely win. He is picking the spot where the line gets drawn and standing on it. Decide what you will not let through this week, whether that is a meeting that should have been an email or somebody else’s emergency landing on your desk for the third time.

5. “I am no man!” — Éowyn, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Éowyn has been told her whole life to stay home. She disguises herself, rides to the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, and ends up facing the Witch-king, who has been told that no man can kill him. She takes off her helmet and answers with these three words.

Everyone had decided where she did and did not belong, and she found the one place their rule did not cover. If someone has told you that you are not the right person for something you want, this is your closing line.

Which Middle-earth Quote Is Your Monday Motivation?

Five quotes, five corners of Middle-earth, and not one of them is staying in the Shire. Drop your pick in the comments and tell us what you are hoping to see in Rings of Power Season 3. If your favorite Middle-earth line did not make the list, we want to hear what it is.