The Rings of Power: The Stranger's Language May Give Away Who He Is
The Rings of Power has kept much under wraps concerning its characters and storylines over its first season. Maybe no more so than for the character simply known as 'The Stranger'.
With a name that couldn't be more mysterious and secretive if it tried. Clearly, the series has something significant planned for this character's presence in the show. Since his first appearance at the beginning of the season, viewers have been attempting to guess who his identity may be. However, some subtle clues hidden within the episodes may now have revealed exactly who The Stranger is after all.
What are the hints to The Stranger's true identity?
From his very entry into Middle-Earth crashing to the ground as a ball of fire, it has been clear that The Stranger is not only a character of prominence but one likely of great power. Normal people don't fall from the sky after all. Yet his abilities have seemed consistently restrained and uncertain. Even his ability to speak has been limited. This is a sign either of him being not familiar with the language or forgetting it altogether. The first word he learns during his acquaintance with Nori is 'peril'. According to Twitter user archaeologist and Tolkien enthusiast @FlintDibble, the association specifically with this word may have a more significant meaning concerning his identity. In an assessment of all characters who use the word 'peril' throughout the entirety of the LoTR, Gandalf the Wizard says it by far the most. Could this be a sign of Gandalf's entry into the series?
Although this may seem irrelevant or coincidental, understanding that Tolkien was a keen wordsmith and lover of language, suggests such an observation could have much further prominence than initially recognised. The show's writers have clearly made an effort throughout the season to reference the specificity of language used within the original books. From the use of words from the black speech of Modor to some fantastically Tolkien-esque lines, including Durin's "There can be no trust between hammer and rock". Such minimal dialogue therefore from one of the show's most mysterious characters has not likely been chosen carelessly.
Other indications about The Strangers
If his use of one of Gandalf's favorite words hasn't sold you concerning his identity, then maybe some other clues supporting the theory might. It is clear that 'The Stranger' has some magical abilities. Which limits the likelihood of him being any character apart from a wizard as unlikely. Of course, he could represent one of the other four wizards which are present within the LoTR lore. Some fans have suggested he is more likely to be Radagast the Brown, who will be most recognisable from 'The Hobbit'. However, The Stranger's entrance into the lives of the Harfoots, plus the close relationships he is forming with them seems important. Gandalf was always particularly fond of Hobbits, and this seems like further compelling evidence for the theory.
However, some fans point out that the evidence does not completely fit. Gandalf is not officially meant to appear in Middle-Earth until the start of the Third Age according to the lore. Other wizards within the lore could also fit the character more accurately, such as the 'Blue Wizards' of which little is already known. Whoever the identity of The Stranger is eventually revealed as we can be sure that his language is a significant aspect of his character. We'll just have to wait to see if this theory is correct and if this really is the beginning of Gandalf's story.