Richard Armitage: Philologist, interpreter, anthropologist, psychologist





Armitage speaking on his favorite scene (at that moment), the one with Thranduil where Thorin gets to give his anger over Thranduil’s abandonment back to Thranduil, “and he says, ‘Imri dam’ … which means, die a death of flames, which from a dwarf to an elf is a really serious curious curse, he’s saying, I hope a dragon wreaks havoc on your people also …”

First, the line, with the pronunciation. The painstaking quality of getting it right. The need to say it exactly and pronounce it correctly.

Second, the explanation of the contrast in contexts and linguistic frameworks between dwarves and elves. The seriousness of understanding and explaining and living in all these atmospheres.

Then, the choice to use of the verb “wreak,” with its Germanic and Old English roots. Unconscious immersion in a meta-world.

Finally, his explanation of Thorin, that he’s able afterwards to show some joy …

How well you understand this, Mr. Armitage. How badly you want to interpret it and explain it. How grateful I am for you, and that you were cast in this role.