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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Desdichado" data-source="post: 2038645" data-attributes="member: 2205">The fact that there were prophecies saying that the hands of the king would be the hands of the healer does not in any way indicate that Aragorn was some kind of magical healer.  The reason nobody else could heal them was because nobody else was familiar with the Black Breath except Aragorn, and he was also the only one who recognized the value of that herb for that particular ailment.  Also, Aragorn was clearly an accomplished "field medic" type of guy.  The fact that he also happened to be fulfilling prophecy that identified him as the true king also doesn't indicate or even suggest magical power of any kind; Tolkien used that kind of coincidence/Divine Providence all the time.  But it's not magical.Another of Tolkien's conceits, if you will, was that being a true king, good ruler, or even just wise was bound up with understanding and valuing ancient lore.  Hence the superiority of Faramir to Boromir when it came right down to it.  Of course, Aragorn would have a knowledge of the esoteric and unique properties of kingsfoil when other men would not; because as the true king, he was a living repository of wisdom.  This particular wisdom; the use of a plant associated with the Numenoreans so intimately as this was, was a key aspect of that.  I completely disagree with both points, as stated above.  In fact, I'm somewhat shocked that you can say that either of those points are "clear" from the text.  I'd like to know why you think so.He's also said he's an analogue of King Arthur, and that case can, in fact, be made more easily.  He also said that he disliked allegory and clear mapping of analogues such as this.  I don't think you can successfully press that analogy as far as you are trying to.I don't believe he had any.  If that list asked for at the beginning of the thread pops up, you'll see what I mean, though -- there are other instances in which folks have interpreted something Aragorn does as "magical" such as speaking with Bill before going into the mines, etc.  I've never paid too much attention to the listing of them because I reject that interpretation of the books.</blockquote>

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