Cate Blanchett - Galadriel
‘It sounds ridiculous,’ jokes Cate Blanchett, ’but the only reasons I wanted to play Galadriel was for the ears: I’ve always wanted pointed ears!’
Blanchett, the actress who won a Golden Globe and Bafta Awards and received an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth 1 of England, is cast in ‘The Lord of the Rings Trilogy as Galadriel the beautiful queen of the Elves, who gives gifts and council to the fellowship when they come to her city in the Golden Wood of Lothlorien.
Galadriel – whose name, in translation, means ‘Lady of Light’ – is a character of power and wisdom. ’She is very mercurial,’ says Blanchett. ‘There is a sadness about her that comes from her knowledge that the age of the Elves in Middle-earth is coming to an end, but there is also an edge of danger to her character because she, too, is a ring-bearer and has potential – were she to take the One Ring – to become a force as terrible as the dark Lord Sauron himself.’
Within a year of graduating from Australia’s National Institute of Dramatic Art, Blanchett was receiving critical praise for her theatrical performances in plays by David Mamet and Caryl Churchill. Blanchett made her feature film debut as a member of a string female cast headed by Japanese during World War II.
Her second film, ‘Thank God He Met Lizzie’ won her Australian Film Critic’s Circle award and Afi Awards for Best Supporting Actress and was followed by Oscar and Lucinda, co-starring with Ralph Fiennes, and her acclaimed performances in the title-role of ‘Elizabeth’.
Subsequent films have included a film version of Oscar Wilde’s ‘An Ideal Husband’, ‘The Talented Mr Ripley, ‘Pushing Tin’ and ‘A man Who cried’. Most Recently, she starred in ‘The Gift’, directed by Sam Raimi.
The invitation to play Galadriel was one that Blanchett was eager to accept: ‘I love the book, I wanted to work with Peter Jackson and I was interested in being part of a story that had a fantastical element to it, but which was being told in a way that was absolutely “real”.’
Since filming her scene for ‘The Lord of the Rings’, Blanchett has played the heroine in ‘Charlotte Gray’, as well as completing ‘Bandits’ along side Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton, ‘Heaven’ co-starring Gioranai Ribisi, and ‘The Shipping News’ with Kevin Spacey.
Reflecting on the film adapting of J R R Tolkien’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’, Blanchett observes: ‘This book has had a powerful influence on people for almost fifty years and to have had the opportunity to work on these has been a privilege: as if we were handling on the torch of our admiration for this book to generations to come.’
Names: The Lady Galadriel
Nerwendë Artanis Alatáriel
(maiden crowned with a garland of bright radiance)
Date of Birth: unknown
Parents: Finarfin, Eärwen
Race: Elven
Weapon: Nenya
"I passed the test. I will diminish and go into the West and remain Galadriel"
Galadriel: "And you, Sam Gamgee, do you wish to see Elf-magic?"
Sam: "Eh...I'll have a peep if you are willing."
Galadriel: "Come, you shall look and see what you may."
Aragorn: "Speak no Evil of the Lady Galadriel. You know not what you say. There is in her and in this land no evil unless a man bring it hither himself. Then let him be ware."
"Galadriel is one of the oldest legendary figures of Middle-Earth. Together with her husband Celeborn she founded Lothlorien using the power of her Elvenring: Nenya, the Ring of Water. After the Fellowship escaped from Moria they went to Lotlorien where they were led blindfolded to meet Galadriel and Celeborn. They stayed for some time in Lorien enjoying its amazing beauty. Galadriel offered both Sam and Frodo a look in her mirror and it showed them events that they could not comprehend yet. Galadriel also had to withstand the temptation not to accept the One Ring that Frodo offered to her. If she would have accepted it, she would have become all powerfull like a queen of dark power. She passed the test however and accepted her faith. When The Fellowship left Lorien, Galadriel gave them all presents of great value such as the Phial of Galadriel that would help Sam and Frodo in Mordor. After the War of the Ring, Galadriel left Middle-Earth. "
Galadriel is the queen of the elves and the founder of Lothlórien. She was created before the sun and moon took shape, and her beauty is unmatched in all of her people. She is the most wise among them; her eyes can see into the very soul and mind of all who enter her domain.
Desiring a realm of her own in Middle Earth, she was the only Elven-woman to participate in the Rebellion. She lived for a time with her brother in Middle Earth but met and married Celeborn in Doriath. After the fall she was banned from returning to her homeland as the last surviving rebellion leader. While dwelling in Eregion, she was given one of the Three Elven Rings of the Power -- Nenya.
In the Third Age, she used the power of the Ring to strengthen her realm of Lothlórien, which she named after the gardens of her homeland. Galadriel was regarded warily by the surrounding peoples of Middle Earth and her realm was effectively shut off from the outside; she was given the title of "The Lady of the Wood," a sorceress by the outside who feared her beauty and power. She also created effectively the Mirror which allows her to see into the past, present, and future; it is this that keeps her wise to the Dark Lord's movements in Middle Earth.
We are first introduced to Galadriel in The Fellowship of the Ring when the theater darkens. It is her melodious voice we hear recounting the sorrows of Middle Earth; speaking painfully of the decent of the elves and the rise of Mortal Men. We see her receive Nenya, one of the Elf Rings... and then she fades away for a time until at last the Fellowship arrives in Lothlórien. Captured on the outskirts, they are led to meet her and her husband Celeborn. Descending the staircase with the surrounding bluish white haze reflecting in her bottomless blue eyes, she leaves quite the impression.
Power. Majesty. Control. Her voice is toned and careful, speaking with knowledge and fortitude. Her eyes seek out each member of the Fellowship, reaching deeply into their soul, somehow knowing their future. She gives them shelter and offers Frodo the opportunity to look into her Mirror. She is also freely offered the Ring and is tempted to take it but refrains. She speeds them on their way with a blessing and many gifts, including the Elfish garments that will protect them from evil eyes. To Frodo she gives the Phial, a light of protection.
Galadriel is described as being very tall -- perhaps the tallest amongst her race -- and excessively beautiful. Her hair is a golden-hue like no other, its radiance dazzling with deep shades of golden light. Cate Blanchett personifies the role with a surprising aura of confidence, making Galadriel both beautiful and dangerous. Like her people, the elf is capable of great good... but also of great evil. With each passing year, Galadriel becomes more powerful and more wise; it is she who will eventually decide the destiny of her people... to move into the Undying Lands across the sea and relinquish Middle Earth to Mankind.
Galadriel is a prime example of the power of forgiveness. She was found guilty in the Rebellion but eventually returned to favor. She used her powers for good... and built up an empire that seeks goodness rather than darkness. What one among us is not capable of great things, if only we choose the path of good over evil? And yet who among us is never tempted? We are all bound by Sin and the forces of evil constantly reach out grasping tentacles to ensnare us and pull us down. Even Galadriel with all her power, goodness, purity, and light, was not above temptation.
The Ring used pride as her weak spot... pride and the desire to do great good with something forged for evil. Perhaps Galadriel's pride in herself was a belief that as a forger of the original rings, she might be able to bend this One Ring to her will. She knew of the potential and the power but as all wise creatures know, power does not come without a price. Her price would have been her soul... the Ring would have corrupted her all the more swiftly with its using and eaten away at her heart. She would have become a great force of evil. It would have destroyed not only herself and Lothlórien but her people as well.
Rather than give in to the desire of the moment, Galadriel refuses to accept the Ring.... and is freed. "I have passed the test," she says breathlessly, almost drained from the experience. "I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel."
Things to Watch For:
Watch the expressions on the faces of the Fellowship when they are forced to look into Galadriel's eyes, to feel her reading their thoughts and intentions. Do they meet her eyes with confidence? shame? fear? How would you feel if you knew that someone was probing your innermost thoughts and predicting your future? God knows all of your innermost desires and intentions; and like Galadriel he will acknowledge them. Galadriel showed Frodo the dark side of his companions without revealing their intentions. How often does God reveal your darker side to someone without quite shaming you completely... but gives away just enough for you to check yourself?
Galadriel sensed her fate; she knew beforehand that her temptation was near -- and what's more, that she would be tempted! She lead Frodo purposely to the Mirror to not only test him but to test herself... to see if she could remain pure in mind and heart when faced with a desirable power. Watch her eyes. She never lifts them from Frodo... are they gazing upon the Ring? Does her face change at all when the ring tries to pull Frodo down toward the mirror?
She comes just short of touching it but the power of the ring itself transforms her. Notice how exhausted she is when she has beaten the dark side; how tremulous this powerful monarch is. Resistance is never easy but as Galadriel knows, it is always worth more than the temptation itself. And she has returned to normal thereafter -- perhaps even more powerful because of her temptation as she bids the Fellowship farewell.
Lastly, note the ring on her hand when Galadriel waves to them from the docks of Lothlórien. It is Nenya... the ring entrusted to her at the beginnings of time. With both Nenya and the One Ring, she would have been a mighty match for the Lord Sauron... and yet lost everything. On her face is an acceptance, perhaps even a look of pride. For Galadriel has triumphed.
[in thought-speak to Frodo] "You bring a great evil into Lothlórien, Ring Bearer."
[of Gandalf] "He has fallen into the land of the shadow."
[to Frodo] "The mirror shows many things -- things that were, things that are, and things that have not yet come to pass."
[of the ring] "I do not deny that my heart has long desired this."
[of her fate] "I have passed the test. I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel."
[of the Phial] "May it be a light to you in dark places where all other lights go out."
