After Legolas and Aragorn, it’s Gimli’s turn. The proud dwarf serves as the comic relief in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, adding levity to the epic and dramatic narrative. However, readers familiar with J.R.R. Tolkien’s original works know that the son of Glóin differs significantly from his cinematic counterpart, as the author portrayed him with far greater sensitivity.
The Divergent Personality of Gimli
Gimli is beloved by fans of the Lord of the Rings films, and for good reason; he embodies nearly all the comedic elements of the trilogy. Whether it’s his humorous one-liners or his rivalry with Legolas, he provides some of the most amusing moments, serving to lighten the dark tone of the story. The character often tips into the realm of a caricatured, grumpy, beer-drinking dwarf.
While he retains his pride in Tolkien’s novels, his personality traits shift dramatically: he speaks less, boasts less, and his contributions are more thoughtful. He symbolizes the dignity of the dwarf race, always demonstrating humility.
A Poet at Heart
Portrayed as the pride of the dwarven people, Gimli is also depicted as highly cultured, often infusing his words with poetry. Familiar with dwarven songs, he highlights the beauty of the world around him. For instance, he recites a poem glorifying the realm of Khazad-dûm as the Fellowship enters Moria. Later, upon arriving in Lothlórien, he praises Galadriel in poetic terms and even requests a lock of her hair. Ultimately, she grants him three strands, a gift reflecting his pure heart and the beauty through which he perceives the world.
In contrast, the Gimli portrayed in the films is considerably different. There is little, if any, traces of poetry in his speech, as he is primarily depicted as a comical and clumsy warrior aimed at appealing to mainstream audiences.
The Evolution of Gimli and Legolas’s Relationship
The friendship between Gimli and Legolas stands as a symbol of reconciliation between Elves and Dwarves after centuries of hostility. However, this bromance evolves differently in the films compared to the literary trilogy. Film fans notice that after a period of strong animosity, the two proud representatives of their races quickly reconcile, becoming allies through shared adventures filled with danger, often accompanied by humor. A peak moment of this camaraderie is their contest of kills in The Two Towers.
In Tolkien’s work, however, Gimli and Legolas maintain a greater distance initially, and their relationship develops more gradually, evolving into a mutual respect, marked by more restraint. The reconciliation between their peoples is further emphasized, with Gimli showing fascination for the beauty of Lothlórien and Galadriel, which moves Legolas to defend him against the mistrust of Haldir and the Galadhrim—scenes notably absent from The Fellowship of the Ring. The most poignant moment occurs after the fall of Sauron, when Legolas offers to show Gimli the forest of Fangorn, even giving him his ticket to the Undying Lands.
A More Humble Warrior
While Gimli lightens the battles for cinematic effect, Tolkien always portrayed him as a humble dwarf warrior characterized by discipline rather than boasting about his achievements. He does not tally his kills and often undertakes significant feats alone without seeking admiration.
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