In The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Galadriel, played by Morfydd Clark, is a fan favorite. She is known to be a fierce warrior, but she is also here with quite a somber past. Known to fans of Tolkien's world as one of the most powerful elves ever seen in his mythology, she is famously married to Celeborn, an Elven prince who oddly disappears from the show's storyline.
Although in the lore of Tolkien, Galadriel is married only once to Celeborn. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power hints at a different type of narrative and makes viewers ask questions about her relationship status and whether she should have any new love interests.
As mentioned in the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien on Elven customs, typically, elves get married only once in a lifetime, and remarriage is rare. But, if their spouse is truly lost, they marry another. The absence of Celeborn in the show makes the audience wonder whether the meeting with Halbrand (later revealed as Sauron) can revive love in Galadriel.
Who does Galadriel marry in Tolkien’s world?
Galadriel was married to Celeborn, who was described as the wisest and strongest of the Elves. Galadriel met him in the First Age and shared a bond many would call quite committed. They ruled Lothlórien throughout The Lord of the Rings, and one can see quite a balance of strength and wisdom in partnership.
As Tolkien describes in Morgoth's Ring, the marriage customs of Elves hold a deep spiritual quality that binds body and soul. For an Elf, the first s*xual contact with their partner is a sort of form of marriage, binding him to her for his life.
As Tolkien puts it,
“The Eldar wedded once only in life, and for love.”
It shows a monogamous tendency. As Celeborn is said to have been murdered in the War of the Jewels, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has been inventive enough to keep him away for Galadriel to have a past with Halbrand.
What happened to Celeborn in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power?
In Season 1 of The Rings of Power, Galadriel briefly mentions her marriage to Celeborn, and that he had not returned from a battle long ago, so she assumes he's lost. This opens up the possibility that her alleged widowhood might shape her interactions, at least in some manner, with the mysterious Halbrand.
A deepening vulnerability in the countenance of Galadriel and perhaps tension building between Galadriel and Halbrand is what ultimately leads to an unexpected twist: Halbrand is Sauron. He's the greatest enemy that she has.
This turn of events ignited massive outrage from fans since it crossed the prime Tolkien canon, in which Galadriel and Celeborn were shown to be strong devoted partners. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power might have plans to bring Celeborn back in later seasons. As of now, he is still missing.
Will Galadriel find love again in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power?
While all other Elves of Tolkien traditionally do not seek new relationships when their spouse is lost, this case could be an exception. According to Tolkien's lore, Finwë, father of Feanor, only remarried with the death of his wife, Míriel.
But The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power leaves much open to interpretation, what more since the way the Elves live out their marriage life is complicated and full of nuances.
In this respect, Cristina Trujillo, a scholar of Tolkien, maintains:
“Galadriel, unsure of what happened to Celeborn and with possible contraceptive ability, wouldn’t have written off a new romance.”
This ambiguity allows The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power to present Galadriel's muddled feelings regarding Halbrand and reveal her inner turmoil.
Although it makes for much debate among fans (not to mention offering The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power a chance to give Galadriel a new romance) this has been inserted into its narrative and stayed somewhat faithful to Elven lore.
Trending
Catch Galadriel's journey and possible romances on The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on Amazon Prime Video.
Next: Why did Sauron cry in Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power?
Reply
