The video discusses the popular "Fly You Fools" fan theory, which suggests that Gandalf planned to use the Eagles to fly Frodo and the One Ring to Mordor. The theory proposes that Gandalf flew to the Eagles' Eyrie to hatch a plan with the king of the Eagles, but the Fellowship never received the message due to their decision to go through the mines of Moria.
MatPat argues that this theory is incorrect, citing Tolkien's lore and the characteristics of the Eagles. As powerful, immortal beings created by the gods, the Eagles would be too powerful to resist the influence of the One Ring, potentially becoming the most powerful Dark Lords in the series. Additionally, using the Eagles for a stealth mission would be impossible due to their massive size.
Tolkien himself criticized the overuse of Eagles in a script, stating that they are a "dangerous 'machine'" that should be used sparingly. MatPat concludes that the "Fly You Fools" theory is flawed and that Tolkien intentionally avoided using the Eagles as a plot device to make the story more compelling.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The text discusses the "Fly You Fools" theory, a popular fan theory regarding the Lord of the Rings.
2. The theory proposes that Gandalf planned to use the Eagles to fly the Ring to Mordor.
3. The theory was popularized by an infographic on the website tickld and a Reddit user named VulcanDeathGrip.
4. The theory suggests that Gandalf flew to the Eagles' Eyrie to meet with the King of the Eagles and plan the flight to Mordor.
5. The theory claims that Gandalf's last words to the Fellowship, "Fly, you fools," were a hint to use the Eagles to fly to Mordor.
6. The text's author disputes this theory, citing the Lord of the Rings books and other sources.
7. The author notes that the Eagles are powerful, immortal creatures in the Lord of the Rings universe.
8. According to Tolkien, the Eagles have a wingspan of 30 fathoms, equivalent to half the size of a football field.
9. The Eagles are capable of seeing through walls and are more powerful than most other creatures in Middle-earth.
10. The author argues that giving the Eagles the One Ring would make them too powerful and potentially create a new Dark Lord.
11. The author cites a letter from Tolkien, in which he criticizes the overuse of the Eagles in a proposed film treatment.
12. Tolkien wrote that the Eagles are a "dangerous 'machine'" that should be used sparingly.