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“There are many evil and unfriendly things in the world that have little love for those that go on two legs, and yet are not in league with Sauron, but have purposes of their own. Some have been in this world longer than he.”
Aragorn delivers this line to Boromir as the Fellowship fights through a storm in the mountains. Boromir becomes suspicious of the storm and thinks that agents of Sauron are at play but Aragorn is not convinced, claiming that there are powerful entities in the natural world that predate Sauron and exist outside of his influence. This line contributes to Aragorn’s overall characterization because it reveals his wise and worldly outlook on Middle-earth.
"If I am still to lead this Company, you must do as I bid. It is hard upon the Dwarf to be thus singled out. We will all be blindfold, even Legolas."
Aragorn delivers this line to the Fellowship after Gimli is outraged that the Elves wish to blindfold him on the walk to Lothlórien according to their custom because he is a Dwarf. Aragorn resolves the issue by saying that all of the company will be blindfolded so as not to single Gimli out. Here, Tolkien demonstrates Aragorn’s natural leadership skills as he efficiently halts the conflict before it even begins. Additionally, this moment reveals just how much the Fellowship sees Aragorn as a leader because they immediately do as he says.
“Arwen vanimelda, namárië!... Here is the heart of Elvendom on earth… and here my heart dwells ever, unless there be a light beyond the dark roads that we still must tread.”
Frodo catches Aragorn in a moment of quiet reflection during their stay at Lothlórien. In this line, Aragorn expresses his love for Arwen, the daughter of Elrond that Frodo and the Fellowship meet during their stay in Rivendell. This moment is crucial to the reader’s understanding of Aragorn because it provides an important part of his backstory. It also reveals the depth of his heroism; he is willing to potentially never see her again if it means that he can defeat Sauron and save Middle-earth.
“In the stern sat Aragorn son of Arathorn, proud and erect, guiding the boat with skilful stokes; his hood was cast back, and his dark hair was blowing in the wind, a light was in his eyes: a king returning from exile to his own land.”
Here, Frodo observes Aragorn as the Fellowship sails past the Argonath, or Pillars of Kings, which are two massive statues representing the kings of Gondor located on either side of the River Anduin. Frodo notes that Aragorn resembles a king as opposed to the humble ranger that Frodo first met in Bree. Here, readers can see that Aragorn is beginning to accept his destiny and see himself as the rightful king of Gondor.
