Aragorn solemnly took Minas Tirit, saved from siege, appeared as a specific savior, surrounded by ghosts. Tolkin is also prone to irony. Next comes the military council, the elves, the magician Gandalf, all over the world, they decide what will happen next, and it turns out that the maximum that they are able to do and the only thing that is required of them - is to play the role of bait for Sauron, to divert attention from the two little hobbits that go through the scorched desert to this mountain to destroy the center of power. Aragorn understands perfectly well what he is going to do, unlike the hero of the film. He stands at the Black Gate and realizes that now he will die here and the promised rule will not take place, but he can't do otherwise. This is a very English theme, unlike the American theme of Peter Jackson.
Two other things that aren't always noticed. The first is who Saruman and Gandalf are. The second is who Denetor is. Saruman and Gandalf, as we remember, are not people, they are magicians, and not just magicians, but mayors who came from across the sea. It is much more interesting what role Saruman plays in Tolkien. He appropriates the role of totalitarian ruler of minds. The whole concept of propaganda and public opinion management was embodied in Saruman. It is said that he possessed a unique voice, and when any reasonable being listened to him, he immediately agreed with him and forgot what that voice had said to him, after the voice had quieted down. This is a real embodiment of totalitarian propaganda. Moreover, Saruman in a conversation with Gandalf broadcasts collaborationist sentiments, when he explains to him that a new force is coming, that it is useless to resist it, but this force pursues cruel methods of "correct" goals, and we will formally, Saruman says, not to agree with the cruelty of force, but to approve the law and order that this force carries. Here Tolkin was in the context of his modernity.
The second interesting point is Denetor. The most interesting, dramatic figure. This is the future Ned Stark "Game of Thrones". As we remember, there is an empty throne in Minas Tirita. And Denetor sits on a chair, he does not occupy this throne. Can we say that Denetor is a fair ruler? Yes, you can. Can we say that he is a strong ruler? Yes, you can. Something between Ned Stark and Tywin Lannister.
Moreover, he never claims this throne, time after time explaining to his sons and above all to Boromir, when he asks how long he can be viceroy and not the king, that for this kingdom will not be enough for a thousand years. That is, a generation will not be enough for the viceroys to become kings. This is a man who is a holy man who observes the spirit and the letter of the law. It is Danitor who reproaches Gandalf for using Gandalf as a shield against Mordor, but at the same time with the other hand raises to the throne the "upstart from the north". Is Denitor right? Yes, but it's not a myth, it's not an epic, it's a 20th century truth. It is this detail that has caught George Martin in such a way that he does not hide it, that he is polemicking with Tolkien, but, as we can see, he continues his ideas in something.
Tolkin is a pretty tough writer, though we may not see it in Peter Jackson's sweet pictures. This is the author who believes that maybe there are higher powers that rule the world of Middle-earth, but everyone saves his own world to the best of his ability. The true power of this world is not with Sauron, Saruman, not even Gandalf, but the essence of this world is based on two things. The first is on Sam's choice. Few people notice this moment when Sam holds the Ring of Omnipotence. He is wearing it, he now rules the world in a short moment, and the Ring invites him to take power and turn Mordor into a blossoming garden. And the common sense of the hobbit says to him: "Why do I need the whole world? I have my garden. Why should I turn the whole world into my garden? I have what I am personally responsible for. It's a moment of saving the world because everything else is a consequence of Sam's choice.
The second point is Aragorn's choice, which too few people notice. Aragorn lives a long time, and he ruled, if my memory serves, for 120 years. Then he calls his beloved Arwen, tells her: "Our son has grown up, he is already able to rule himself. Next, he says he has been given not only a great life, but also the right to return the gift. Aragorn is an absolutely legitimate ruler, a projection of King Arthur, who will return. This unique ruler, the best of the rulers, finds the strength to give up power. He lies down and dies, passing on the kingdom. It is a moment of personality when Aragorn becomes a truly serious ruler, when he realizes that he has to rule over another. This is not in the text, but is in the appendix, and it is part of the "Lord of the Rings".