Aragorn Is The Ultimate Representation Of Healthy Masculinity

It’s been said, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, that a woman has truly matured when her Lord of the Rings crush shifts from Legolas to Aragorn. As a young lass, she may have preferred the willowy, elven son of Thranduil, but as she becomes a young woman, her heart throbs for the tall, dark, and handsome Aragon, son of Arathorn and heir to the throne of Gondor.

Well, that phenomenon isn’t just some meme spread in jest, as Aragorn may be the best representation of healthy masculinity ever to grace the silver screen. J.R.R. Tolkien’s lived experiences in war, as well as his deep inspiration drawn from medieval fantasy, combined to create a bonafide hero and role model for authentic masculinity. When it came time to cast for Peter Jackson’s iconic film trilogy, Jackson made one of cinema’s best decisions by skipping over Nicolas Cage (yeah, I’m not kidding) and giving the role of Aragorn to Viggo Mortensen.

Really, what’s not to love? 

He’s a Man of Duty – No Credit Needed

As Chieftain of the Dúnedain of the North, Aragorn has unique duties that set him apart from other men in Middle Earth. A bloodline descendent of Isildur, King of Gondor and Arnor during the Second Age, Aragorn was blessed with a long lifespan (though not immortal) and lived it out as a Ranger. This meant that he wandered throughout the fallen land of Arnor and lived a somewhat secretive life, but defended inhabitants from evil.

Though the Jackson film trilogy does touch on the role of a Ranger, Aragorn’s identity as “Strider” is better understood with more context from the books. Aragon and his other Rangers were unseen protectors of the lands around The Shire, taking out Orcs or any other threats to the little, utopian region.

Prior to the formation of the Fellowship at the Council of Elrond, Aragorn gives a speech explaining this role of his and how the people of Bree thrive in safety because of the Rangers watching over them. Most importantly, Aragon doesn’t want credit for it. Like Aragon, a good man should strive for a selfless sense of duty and social responsibility. 

He’s More Concerned with Virtue Than Vanity

The way Aragorn treats the hobbits gets me beyond emotional. Instead of patronizing them for their size and stature, he respects their differences, understanding how their qualities make them unique heroes in their own regard. 

Aragorn has no ego over the hobbits. After (spoiler alert!) Boromir’s death in the first of Jackson’s films, Aragorn catches Frodo before the hobbit departs on his own to destroy the One Ring. You’d think, with classic models of masculinity, that Aragorn would rise to the role of the ring bearer, but he instead kneels, holds Frodo’s hand in deference, and tells him, “I would have gone with you to the end.”

Aragorn knew how to play his cards right. It would be all too obvious to send Isildur’s heir to the Black Gate with the Ring. No ego gets in the way – he defers the duty to a man much smaller than him (to slip into Mordor unseen by the Eye of Sauron, literally) and instead takes a sacrificial role as a distraction for Sauron. A real man knows that he doesn’t always have to be in the limelight. A masculine man can tap into his heroic side when it’s necessary, but he also knows when he’s better suited to play a supporting role.

And the icing on the cake? Once Aragorn is crowned and the hobbits motion to bow to him, he says in a moment of true humility, “My friends, you bow to no one.” Aragorn knew that the crown couldn’t be on his head without the unprecedented heroism of the hobbits, and he made it clear in front of everyone that he would give credit where credit was due.

Film Aragorn also exemplifies the archetype known as the reluctant hero. Tolkien’s character wasn’t originally so relatable to a broad male audience because he more resembled esteemed knightly characters such as Beowolf or Gawain. When making the film trilogy, Jackson took some creative liberties by expanding Arargorn’s depth as a hero and, therefore, making the character more relatable for a modern man.

Jackson may not have had this motivation, but while writing Aragorn to be a more relatable, reluctant hero, he actually gave Aragorn’s character a more Western disposition. Aragorn wanders; he could be seen as somewhat of a vigilante, but he’ll always step up to the plate when he’s needed. We see this archetype with popular male leads from American Westerns and in other media inspired by that genre, like Japanese samurai stories from Akira Kurosawa or Kazuo Koike.

Aragorn lets Gandalf lead the Fellowship until he actually has to take over following Gandalf’s “demise” after battling the Balrog. He had already lived much of his life in the shadows and would continue to do good deeds without seeking credit or glory if not for his destiny. It’s not as though he was some ordinary individual before beginning his hero's journey (like Frodo, for example). Still, because he shows humanity, male audiences can better connect with him emotionally and draw inspiration from his vulnerability.

He’s a Healer

Aragorn isn’t just brawn; he’s also brains. In Tolkien’s original mythos, a prophecy says: “The hands of the king are the hands of a healer.” The role of a healer aligns with real masculinity because the healer must protect people from harm, make quick decisions in a crisis, show strength in emotionally or physically challenging situations, and amass high intellectual strength.

When Frodo is wounded by a Morgul blade on Weathertop, Aragorn rushes to use kingsfoil to treat Frodo’s wounds, ease his pain, and slow the poison from spreading throughout the hobbit’s body – successfully evading an early demise of the Ring’s journey. During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, he tended to Éowen and Faramir, among the other wounded.

But Aragorn is also a symbolic healer, a sign of hope for Middle Earth. He ushers in a new era of unity and hope for a world threatened by dark forces by reclaiming the throne. He doesn’t take this role of a healer for granted, however. Aragorn doesn’t even enter Minas Tirith until the people recognize his abilities, and he works to actually earn their respect. His tenderness, empathy, and knowledge shouldn’t be mistaken as strictly “feminine” traits – this well-rounded roster of traits makes him quite a dynamic man.

His Stoicism Shows Self-Control

When Gandalf falls at Khazad-dûm, the Fellowship could be in peril. Many members, from the hobbits to Aragorn himself, had unique relationships with the grey wizard, so emotions were running high. Gandalf was their guide and leader, so Aragorn shares in the collective grief with the members of the Fellowship but then realizes his immediate responsibility.

If left leaderless in Moria and beyond, the Fellowship could potentially fail. Aragorn adopts a stoic mentality and urges everyone to continue the journey with him at the helm. He allows himself to feel frustration but then keeps his composure to motivate the entire group and be a model for resilience.

Stoicism is a quintessential element of masculine leadership. No matter where a man is leading – whether it’s in a family unit, a board room, or on a team – a cool and collected leader makes all those following feel secure. Of course, he can’t be entirely detached from human emotions and empathy because that can lead people to feel less confident and more fearful. He doesn’t ignore his feelings (a trait of “toxic” masculinity), but he endures them and perseveres.

Aragorn isn’t only stoic; he’s also a master of self-control. One moment guaranteed to make you shed a tear or two (can’t just be me, right?) is at the end of the first film when Frodo offers the Ring to Aragorn, but he turns it down. This scene occurs right after Boromir has become corrupted by the power of the Ring. Despite the Ring being right in front of his face, Aragorn closes Frodo’s hand around it and reminds him that he must be the one to bear its burden.

Frodo had offered him the Ring once before, but Aragorn refused on the principle that it could corrupt him – even if his intentions were noble. The fact that he did not waver in his convictions exemplifies self-control and a balanced understanding of the task at hand for the greater good. Then, of course, he delivers the “I would have gone with you to the end” line, and the whole audience is close to tears. 

Aragorn demonstrates time and time again that he knows his place and that it’s not in the business of seeking glory. He’s loyal to Frodo and to Middle Earth above all else.

He’s Literally Super Strong

It should go without saying that strength is an innately masculine trait, but in today’s backward culture, there are conflicting ideals for what makes a man and what makes a woman. In any case, Aragorn is a perfect picture of physical strength and athletic ability. Look no further than one of the most badass lines delivered by Mortensen when Frodo and Sam have departed from the Fellowship and Aragorn joins forces with Legolas and Gimli, closing out the first film by saying, “Let’s hunt some orc.”

Hordes of Uruk-hai barely stand a chance against him, and he knows it. He’s not blindly confident; he’s a skilled fighter. During the Battle of Helm’s Deep, Aragorn fights on the walls to prevent a siege but also strategizes tactical defense of the fortress. With King Théoden, he rides out on a final cavalry charge to disrupt the enemy before reinforcements (a.k.a. Gandalf and the Riders of Rohan) can help save the day.

While he shares that epic moment with King Théoden, Aragorn gets his own time to lead a charge into battle when he’s buying time for Frodo and Sam to make it up the slopes of Mount Doom. He gives a rousing speech, delivering the “For Frodo” line, but then puts his life on the line by leading at the front of his troops to storm the Black Gate.

There are countless moments that showcase his physical prowess, but even the thought of his brute strength is enough to change minds in Middle Earth. When Aragorn travels the Paths of the Dead to bolster support in the fight against Sauron, he finally has the re-formed shards of Narsil – a blade held by his predecessor and now forged into his own sword, Andúril – and confronts the Army of the Dead. He stands his ground and uses the proof of his physical power as Isildur’s heir to recruit the Dead – even when challenged by their leader.

Modern men don’t need to be bodybuilders or MMA fighters, but because women are genuinely the weaker sex (it’s not sexism, just biological truth), it’s wise for a guy to at least be able to stand on his own and defend not only himself but the people he loves if, God forbid, there was ever a moment he needed to.

He’s a Certified Woman Respecter

Even though Aragorn could appear to be a rogue and has a rugged, stoic side to him, he is no stranger to real, positive chivalry. Chivalry often gets a bad rep in our current climate, but it’s not such a bad thing when you actually understand what it means. Men are better suited to do certain things than women, and it’s just part and parcel of a natural, sacrificial dynamic from which humans have learned to benefit. Authentic chivalry isn’t toxic, nor is it infantilizing. 

Aragorn has a way of speaking and acting toward women that is respectful no matter the situation. When tasked with evacuating the city of Edoras to Rohan’s fortress of Helm’s Deep, he offers comfort, reassurance, and morale boosts to the women and children of Rohan. 

"We will make safe the women and children,” he says. “Then we will go back to the main gate. I shall give you nothing to despair. Our people are safe. Take heart."

During this time, King Théoden’s niece Éowyn develops feelings for Aragorn and also tries to join in battle, but he responds pragmatically and with kindness and respect. Not only does he have immense personal responsibilities to the people of Middle Earth, but Aragorn is deeply loyal to Arwen, his first love. He rejects any fleeting desires to act on Éowyn’s feelings. He’s faithful – a trait that, sadly, some men have not mastered and has led to the demise of their careers and families.

But Éowyn also tests him in other ways. She doesn’t want to stay behind and be a caretaker because she knows she’s strong in her own way. While Aragorn recognizes her own sacrificial bravery, he tries to guide her away from danger, saying, "You are a shieldmaiden of Rohan. What is it that you fear?" He knows that a woman’s place isn’t on a bloodied battlefield, but he also doesn’t want to disempower Éowyn from being a strong leader in her own unique way. (She doesn’t listen to that advice, but that’s neither here nor there.)

Aragorn’s aforementioned devotion to Elrond’s daughter, Arwen, is another incredible model for modern men. 

"I would rather spend one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone,” Arwen famously says to Aragorn, denying her immortality to be his wife.

Despite his quest posing many dangers, he promises Arwen he will come back to her. At the same time, however, he puts that quest first and temporarily places their romance on the back burner because he knows that the overall safety of the people of Middle Earth is much more important than his own personal desires. Ultimately, Aragorn marries her, fulfilling his promise to one – and only one – woman. 

He Embodies Christ-Like Traits

Many of the things I’ve gushed about may seem somewhat familiar. This is because the depictions of masculinity that Tolkien crafted are derived from his faith as a Christian. While many of the male characters have Christ-like comparisons, Aragorn’s similarities to Jesus Christ are numerous. A masculine man leads through his service to others.

Jesus Christ did this by serving the needy, empowering his followers, redefining authority, washing his disciples’ feet, and ultimately laying down his own life for others. Sounds familiar, right? Aragorn served the people of Middle Earth without seeking glory, gave them hope as a new type of leader, was deferential to others despite his own status, and put himself in physical, nearly fatal danger to see the Fellowship’s plan through to fruition.

Sure, there are several Christ-like characters, such as Frodo and Sam or even Gandalf, but I’d be remiss not to mention the many similarities in Aragorn’s character. Men look up to Jesus Christ as a profound role model of unwavering integrity, compassion, servant leadership, sacrificial love, wisdom, advocacy for the oppressed, and more. So, it’s really refreshing to see many of these same traits reflected in a modern action hero.

Closing Thoughts

Aragorn is a true Renaissance man who understandably captures the hearts of female audiences and inspires male audiences. He gives a refreshing take on leadership as a provider and protector who isn’t afraid to be vulnerable but never lets his emotions get in the way of the task at hand. I’m sure there are plenty of sufficient action heroes for men to look up to, but all of them pale in comparison to Aragorn’s perfect image of masculinity.

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