The Dead Marsh Is The Largest Obstacle In Life

In the Lord of the Rings, Frodo and Sam overcome a great many obstacles. All of which are physical with deeper meanings and metaphors to be had. I’m sure it can be debated whether done on purpose, personally I think it was. The Dead Marsh may be his best one.

Tolkien made the first fantasy world as we know it today, one with many different kinds of themes, real world connections and fantastical beasts. Or so it seems. 

Many regard Tolkien as the greatest fantasy writer of all time, since he laid the groundwork, but did so in a sublime way. 

Though, I’m not here to expand on this, since many other and more talented writers have done so.

I’m here to expand on a part that stuck with me to the core, one that deeply resonates with me and I hope will spark a similar realisation in you as well. 

The Dead Marsh

This was near the tail end of Frodo and Sam’s journey to destroy the ring. Where they had to put their trust into Gollum, a devious character and archetype to say the least.

As well as this, they had to navigate the marshes, follow the lights, avoid the ring wraiths whilst being stuck in a deep fog. 

On the surface, this is a cool build up to the challenges they would face in Mordor. But also great character building and a different aesthetic, one not seen before. 

With this said, I believe there is a deeper meaning to the Dead Marshes and it was the hobbit’s hardest trial out of everything; including Mordor. 

Why I think so

Mordor is the final hurdle, true, but it isn’t the largest one. 

As the hobbit’s arrive in Mordor, they witness a huge expanse of ash, brimstone and blood. Death and violence everywhere to be seen for miles upon miles. And in the distance, stands their goal. 

In other words, this goal is now manifest. They can see what needs to be done and how to get there. All the hard work and strife wasn’t for naught. They didn’t become like the others, lost. 

When all your hard work amounts in a physical, sight that you can touch, see, smell etc. it comes out of the realms of a dream and into the physical. 

This visual bolsters one to the point where they can achieve impossible acts of bravery and commitment. 

Just like the hobbits show. Two country bumpkins, all the way from the safety of the shires. Make it through Mordor and destroy the ring. Not even the great heroes of old could achieve this feat. 

But enough about Mordor. The Dead Marshes metaphor awaits.

The largest hurdle 

As the trio enter the marshes, they descend down into the murk and mire. The atmosphere changes instantly, with a tinge of sinister darkness. 

Gollum quickly warns them not to stray from the path; never stray from the path. 

In this sense, the lights are what we must do as people. Checkpoints and mini goals that bring us closer to what we want; be it a goal, dream or purpose. 

You know what has to be done, the lights are dimly lit. But self perpetuating, they never fade, only flicker. 

This light can represent the soul too. If you get lost in the marshes, you are lost in real life and maybe too far gone to be recovered. And thus, as the lights in the Dead Marshes come to an end, your life becomes like what Frodo sees.

Pale, glazed over, with an uncanny hue. Sound familiar? 

The Dead Marshes represent the hardest part of the heroes journey. 

You’re already far extended, so much so, going back is no longer an option. The realisation of how the world works, what forces are at play or just simple life itself reveals part of Herself to you. 

Going back to your old life is impossible and yet you haven’t found the thing that inspires you. Hence the foggy landscape. 

Before the marshes, it seemed so clear. You could see your “goal” and had a direction. But as you descend further, it becomes hard to trust. The sky blackens and steps become treacherous. 

You’ve got to keep going and if you stop for too long, you lose yourself. The goal becomes a memory, a distant and impossible task. 

The Devil Wants You To Drift

Straying from the path, is the same as losing sight of the goal. Losing the control over your life and drifting into a nothingness state; limbo. 

Once you leave the flames and spot a fake goal or vision, you become entranced. The devil has you in his grips.

Just as Frodo was going to join the dead. 

Luckily for him, he had companions to help him through. But the Dead Marshes claims many victims, all through different ages, countries and peoples. 

It’s littered with the remains of the people who could’ve made something of themselves. Those who has potential but couldn’t navigate the murk and caught sight of a false goal. 

Those who found out too much and went hollow. Got lost. Became drifters. With glazed over eyes and no life force left. 

The marshes claims it’s victims through inaction, false vision, dreamers, and a fog of the mind. 

It is subversive, manipulative, eerie and deceitful. 

It’s the way the devil claims people as his drifters. It’s the easy habits that make you comfortable. That person who puts you down; or the voice in you head telling you to take the easy route. It’s the lack of action and people to understand. 

Mordor is a place where the fight is in front and obvious. 

The Dead Marshes is a place where the only fight is in your mind, with a trickster who knows no rules. 

In real life

Think back to the hardest parts of your life, I would bet they were parts when you felt most alone. 

Not the part where something physical went wrong. 

Look at natural disasters, they’re events where livelihoods get reduced to rubble. And yet there is an undeniable spirit that gets called upon. 

People endure and move on. They build and rebuild.

Yet, put a man alone for more than a few hours and he starts to go mad. Put him alone for a few days and he’ll beg to be released. 

I know this is an odd comparison, but it serves the point.

I know for me, the worst feeling is that of stagnation and feeling lost. When you lose sight of what is real or not.

Having no direction, when previously you knew the path that had to be walked. 

Contrary to the Dead Marshes, look at Mordor and apply the metaphor to you life:

You know what must be done, and you will get there at all costs. 

The pressure at this point should be unbearable. But because you made it through the hardest part, you can carry on whatever. 

It’s point and shoot here.

Not guess and second guess. 

Conclusion

When dealing with the Dead Marshes in your own life, realise it for its true form.

It will try and tempt you away from the lights: your soul’s goal. Will tempt you with the peaceful nature and honeyed words of other victims. It will make you look out for the watchers in the sky, keeping you eyes away from the lights and the destination. 

The Dead Marshes is a very real place and the best of us get to a shot at defeating it. 

Yet how many make it out? 

Only Frodo and Sam can tell that story – and they’re far away. Somewhere of eternal beauty and sunshine.

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Good Weather.

Soulsurfer.