The Two Towers
Updated: 12/11/2025, 5:04:26 PM Wikipedia source
The Two Towers, first published in 1954, is the second volume of J. R. R. Tolkien's high fantasy novel The Lord of the Rings. It is preceded by The Fellowship of the Ring and followed by The Return of the King. The volume's title is ambiguous, as five towers are named in the narrative, and Tolkien himself gave conflicting identifications of the two towers. The narrative is interlaced, allowing Tolkien to build in suspense and surprise. The volume was largely welcomed by critics, who found it exciting and compelling, combining epic narrative with heroic romance. It formed the basis for the 2002 film The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, directed by Peter Jackson.
Infobox
Author
J. R. R. Tolkien
Language
English
Series
The Lord of the Rings
Genre
Fantasy
Set in
Middle-earth
Publisher
George Allen & Unwin
Publication date
11 November 1954
Publication place
United Kingdom
Pages
352 (first edition)
OCLC
936070
Dewey Decimal
823.914
LC Class
PR6039.O32 L6 1954, v.2
Preceded by
The Fellowship of the Ring
Followed by
The Return of the King
Tables
Towers considered by Tolkien as candidates for the two mentioned in the volume's title[2][3][4] · Meaning of title
Orthanc
Orthanc
Tower
Orthanc
Status
Chosen
Owner or inhabitant
The Wizard Saruman
Notes
Saruman was leader of the White Council, but fell in the desire to get the One Ring for himself, and is now an adversary, though less powerful than Sauron.
Barad-dûr
Barad-dûr
Tower
Barad-dûr
Status
Considered
Owner or inhabitant
Sauron
Notes
Sauron is the Dark Lord or "Lord of the Rings", the chief adversary; he made the One Ring and seeks to get it back to dominate Middle-earth from his realm of Mordor.
Cirith Ungol
Cirith Ungol
Tower
Cirith Ungol
Status
Considered
Owner or inhabitant
Orcs of Mordor
Notes
Frodo is held captive by the Orcs of the tower; he is freed by Sam Gamgee
Minas Tirith
Minas Tirith
Tower
Minas Tirith
Status
Considered
Owner or inhabitant
Kingdom of Gondor
Notes
The Kingdom has not had a King for many centuries, but remains free, the principal realm opposed to Mordor. The tower's name means "Tower of Guard".
Minas Morgul
Minas Morgul
Tower
Minas Morgul
Status
Chosen
Owner or inhabitant
The nine Nazgûl
Notes
The tower, as Minas Ithil, Tower of the Rising Moon, was once part of Gondor; it guarded Gondor from the threat of Mordor, but has now been occupied by the nine Ringwraiths, powerful servants of the Dark Lord, and renamed to Minas Morgul, the Tower of Sorcery. Their leader is the Witch-King of Angmar, like the others enslaved by a Ring of Power given by Sauron.
| Tower | Status | Owner or inhabitant | Notes |
| Orthanc | Chosen | The Wizard Saruman | Saruman was leader of the White Council, but fell in the desire to get the One Ring for himself, and is now an adversary, though less powerful than Sauron. |
| Barad-dûr | Considered | Sauron | Sauron is the Dark Lord or "Lord of the Rings", the chief adversary; he made the One Ring and seeks to get it back to dominate Middle-earth from his realm of Mordor. |
| Cirith Ungol | Considered | Orcs of Mordor | Frodo is held captive by the Orcs of the tower; he is freed by Sam Gamgee |
| Minas Tirith | Considered | Kingdom of Gondor | The Kingdom has not had a King for many centuries, but remains free, the principal realm opposed to Mordor. The tower's name means "Tower of Guard". |
| Minas Morgul | Chosen | The nine Nazgûl | The tower, as Minas Ithil, Tower of the Rising Moon, was once part of Gondor; it guarded Gondor from the threat of Mordor, but has now been occupied by the nine Ringwraiths, powerful servants of the Dark Lord, and renamed to Minas Morgul, the Tower of Sorcery. Their leader is the Witch-King of Angmar, like the others enslaved by a Ring of Power given by Sauron. |
References
- "The Lord of the Rings: The Tale of a Text"https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231904/http://www.tolkiensociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/LOTR-The-Tale-of-a-Text.pdf
- Carpenter 2023, #140 to Allen & Unwin, August 1953
- Carpenter 2023, #143 to Allen & Unwin, January 1954
- Tolkien 1954a, Book 2, ch. 10 "The Breaking of the Fellowship". Note at end: "The second part is called The Two Towers,
- The Two Towershttp://images.harpercollins.co.uk/hcwebimages/hccovers/032800/032878-fc170.jpg
- Noel 1974, p. 170.
- Tolkien 1954a, Book 2, ch. 2 "The Council of Elrond".
- West 1975, pp. 81–83.
- Shippey 2005, pp. 181–190.
- Sturgis 2013, p. 389.
- Holmes 2014, p. 137.
- West 1975, pp. 83–84.
- West 1975, p. 89.
- Shippey 2005, pp. 170–174.
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/1955/05/01/archives/shadowy-world-of-men-and-hobbits-the-two-towers-being-the-second.html
- The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
- The Times Literary Supplement
- Mythlorehttps://dc.swosu.edu/mythlore/vol11/iss3/11
- Irish Press
- Egyptian Gazette
- The Observer
- Director/Writers Commentary
- From Book to Script: Finding the Story
- Box Office Mojohttps://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2002/