Various religions and cultures take differing views of self-sacrifice, some considering it a positive trait and others considering it a negative one.
According Altruism ethic self-sacrifice is good moral accordant. In The Lord of the Rings, many characters do sacrifice. This novel tells about struggle of
Fellowship of the Ring and many races. Several races do struggle to survive their own and against enemies of Sauron such as Hobbit, Human, Elf,
Wizard, Dwarf. The people of these races do sacrifice for against the enemy. But there are two characters do self-sacrifice in fighting. They are Boromir
and Gandalf. Other self-sacrifice is showed by Arwen, the Princess of Elves. She does self-sacrifice for one the greatest thing of her live, it is love.
4.2.1 Gandalf
In the journey to Mordor, Gandalf as the leader of Fellowship of the Ring guides his companion to pass Mining of Moria. But they pursue and
surround by many orcs there. They encounter with Balrog, a horrible enemy. Gandalf tells them that Balrog is too powerful for them to fighting. So
Gandalf commands his companions run as quickly as they can do. Every companions realizes to help each other, they are one unity. But in this time,
Gandalf knows enemy well than everyone. So Gandalf takes it upon himself to battle this fire-breathing demon himself. Gandalf do this in order his
companions could escape of Balrog and others orc. “A Balrog,” muttered Gandalf. “Now I understand.” He
faltered and leaned heavily on his staff. “What an evil fortune And I am already weary.” “Over the bridge” cried Gandalf,
recalling his strength. “Fly This is a foe beyond any of you. I must hold the narrow way. Fly” .The others halted just within
the doorway at the halls end, and turned, unable to leave their leader to face the enemy alone. Tolkien, 2002:578
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That quotation explains Gandalf actually feel worried of Balrog. But he keeps to stay while let his companions pass Mining Moria.
During the battle, Gandalf stood his ground on the bridge as he faced the gapping hell-mouth of the demon. Actually Gandalf has been weary because
he has fight against many orcs before meet Balrog but he chooses to fight against Balrog by himself. The quotation below explains:
The Balrog reached the bridge. Gandalf stood in the middle of the span, leaning on the staff in his left hand, but in his other hand
Glamdring gleamed, cold and white. The wizard swayed on the bridge, stepped back a pace, and then again stood still. “You cannot
pass” he said. With a bound the Balrog leaped full upon the bridge. Its whip whirled and hissed. “He cannot stand alone” cried Aragorn
suddenly and ran back along the bridge. The bridge cracked. Right at the Balrogs feet it broke. With a terrible cry the Balrog fell forward,
and its shadow plunged down and vanished. But even as it fell it swung its whip, and the thongs lashed and curled about the wizards
knees, dragging him to the brink. He staggered and fell, grasped vainly at the stone, and slid into the abyss. “Fly, you fools” he cried,
and was gone. The fires went out, and blank darkness fell.
Tolkien, 2002:579
Gandalf commands his companion to pass bridge soon and he keep staying in the bridge to block the path. When Balrog almost reaches the
bridge, Gandalf uses his magic to against Balrog. Gandalf is a wizard, he hope his magic can against Balrog because he knows sword is not important
to fight with Balrog. He also knows this is hard but he try to fight with his magic. Gandalf knows Balrog is one of the most dangerous evil in Moria.
After Gandalf spells magic word, the bridge breaks so Balrog cannot reaches him. Balrog is falling down to the gap. But unfortunately, when Balrog fall
down, he pulls Gandalf with him to the gap. Gandalf try to keep stay but he cannot. Gandalf realizes that sacrifice should be done by himself so the others
companions can stay to continue the journey. He has decides to do more than
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sacrifice because he do self-sacrifice. Gandalf finally fall down to the gaps with Balrog. Gandalf left his companions but he has done the best of him.
By analyzing Gandalf character, the writer finds two good moral of Gandalf. Those are compassion and self-sacrifice. Before the writer
investigates about self-sacrifice, the writer analyzes sacrifice first. In The Lord of the Ring absolutely has been found sacrifice trait. The writer finds it
in many characters. Specifically, based on altruism, the writer investigates the self-sacrifice, Gandalf is one of the characters that has showed this trait. The
writer evaluates Gandalf as the wise wizard so he can be a leader of Fellowship of the Ring. self-sacrifice is done by Gandalf because his love and
responsible to his companions. As a wise wizard, Gandalf should choose a wise chosen. So Self-sacrifice is his decision.
Self-sacrifice can be considered as good moral or bad moral. Self- sacrifice absolutely takes risk of people who do self-sacrifice as like Gandalf
did. This is so hard decision therefore some religions and culture disagree to put self-sacrifices as good moral, Egoist ethic even put this to bad moral.
However, the writer focuses to analyze The Lord of the Rings novel. The writer investigates self-sacrifice as good moral. Because the purpose of self-
sacrifice to save others companions. Gandalf hope his companions can reach the mission. This self-sacrifice is done for the certain purpose. Self-sacrifice
is also good moral accordant with Altruism ethic.
4.2.2 Boromir
