In The Lord of the Rings: In the Rings of Power, Prince Durin IV, portrayed by Owain Arthur, becomes one of the central characters in the Middle-earth web. Being a prince of Khazad-dûm, he is a character with strong Dwarven background and at the same time, he is a leader who has to confront many issues of the modern world. He is a man of principles and a man of his word, who is loyal to his people and has many layers to his personality that makes him an interesting character in the series. Right from the beginning the reader is introduced to Durin IV as the kind of leader who is not only concerned with the welfare of his kingdom but also with the consequences of his actions on the global arena. His relationships with other characters, especially with his father, Durin III, and Elrond reveal the conflicts between the old and new, responsibility and the self, and the burden of power. This introduction serves as a foundation for understanding his character and the problems he faces in the series and his development in the course of the show and in the context of The Rings of Power as one of the main characters.
Durin IV is a character who is so deeply rooted in the Dwarven culture, but is not a prisoner of that culture. His morality and values are depicted when he deals with his father, Durin III where there is both honor and conflict. This is the very essence of his character as he has to deal with all the pressures that come with being the prince and the heir to the throne. He has great loyalty to his people, and his leadership skills are best seen by his concern for the welfare of the people of Khazad-dûm. But this commitment comes with its shares of problems: the pressure of tradition and the necessity to change. The character is also developed by his interpersonal relationships especially with his wife and father which reveal him as a man with feelings and an inner battle. These relationships enrich his character, presenting him as a man who struggles with the traditional family values but at the same time tries to build his own life. Another one of his character is his sense of justice and integrity which is another defining trait of his character as he is often in conflict with other characters because of his principles. This kind of principled character is the reason behind many of his doings throughout the series, making him an ethical hero amidst the chaos of Middle-earth.
One of the key aspects that play an important role in the series and define Durin IV’s character is the father-son conflict between him and Durin III. This relationship is one of mutual respect and yet there is always tension, which defines his leadership. Durin III is the embodiment of the legitimate power and conventional morality of the Dwarves, while Durin IV is rather situated in a rather ambiguous relation to this legacy. His job is to manage the responsibilities which come with the father’s rule, thus having the feeling of duty to follow the father’s plan for Khazad-dûm, even if it is different from his own values. Nevertheless, the young man does not shy off from confrontation with his father, though he respects him a lot. Durin III has rather conservative views, which contrast with Durin IV’s more liberal attitudes especially when he is in a position to decide whether to stick to traditions or go with the flow. This conflict is reflected in the character of the protagonist who tries to assert himself as a good leader, capable of maintaining respect for his father’s authority and, at the same time, pursuing his own plans for change. The relationship provides a new layer of emotion, which includes love and respect between two characters as well as their arguments and conflicts in the series.
The biggest problem that Durin IV faces is the conflict between the old and the new. Being a prince of Khazad-dûm, he is supposed to be the guardian of traditions and traditions of his people. However, the conditions have changed and new threats appear in Middle-earth, which requires a different strategy. He struggles in how he can be loyal to his traditions and still live in the ever-changing society. This is an internal conflict, as he has to constantly weigh the need to preserve traditions while at the same time implementing changes that are needed for progress. This challenge is made worse by the fact that he has a bad relationship with his father, and their generational difference is a factor that contributes to their conflict especially on issues to do with leadership and management of the nation. Durin III’s conservatism is a stark opposite to Durin IV’s liberalism, and this creates tension in the story that affects his position and actions. This state of affairs forms a rather intricate context, in which he has to establish his leadership and ideas for Khazad-dûm and navigate through the demands and power of his father.
Durin IV is a king who has to fend off external threats that challenge his reign. The series presents different threats and foes which threaten the existence of Khazad-dûm and its inhabitants. These threats make him to show strategic planning and perseverance as he has to defend his kingdom from rebellion and invasion. It is thus significant to see how he is able to address these challenges in order to define his character and the fate of Khazad-dûm. Another issue is the political setting of Middle-earth as the political relationships and allegiances of various nations and factions are constantly in a state of flux, so he has to take into account the personal interests of the rulers and leaders of the respective nations. His job is to interact with other leaders and characters, who all have certain goals and plans. This aspect of his character makes the series more interesting and complex since he has to operate in a political environment of a world that is set for major transformation. At the individual level, it is about handling one’s own phobias and doubts that are quite characteristic of him. He has internal conflict arising from the fact that he has to succeed his father and the pressure that comes with being a leader of a tribe.
Over the course of the first season of The Rings of Power, Durin IV experiences a lot of character development as well as the change that occurs within Khazad-dûm and Middle-earth. His experience is characterized by several points that define the change in his position and the events in the plot. First of all, it is essential to understand that his function is determined by his position of the heir who has to face all the corresponding pressures and obligations. In his relations with the father and the rest of the characters, one gets an impression of a devoted prince who values traditions and stability of his people. But this commitment also creates the conflict within him and around him as the season continues to unfold. In the course of the season, his position gradually changes depending on the new problems that appear in Khazad-dûm. New threats and the necessity to respond to the shift in political processes make him realize the inefficiency of classical strategies. The fact that he is open to new ideas and thinking about the different approach is a major change in his character. This transition can be observed most clearly when interacting with Elrond and other characters outside of the Fellowship, where he starts to realize the need for diplomacy and the state of the world outside the Shire.
The friendly interaction between Durin IV and Elrond is one of the important aspects that affect the characters and the main story of the series. Their relations perform a function of an important plot tool that exposes some facets of their characters and shapes the political and social processes within Middle-earth. First of all, the parties are rather hostile and have no trust to each other because of past conflicts and different perception of the problem. Although they start off on a hostile note, they later become professional adversaries. Towards the end of the series, the two characters are able to comprehend the other’s point of view. Elrond’s politeness and concern for the fate of Middle-earth begin to influence Durin IV, and the latter begins to understand the importance of cooperation against enemies. This shift is important as this means that there is a change from the past hostilities that were present between the two parties. Thus, the importance of their relationship is in how it affects the overall story and the characters’ growth. In the case of Durin IV, an encounter with Elrond is a chance to question and develop one’s thinking and worldview. This is why Elrond’s thoughts and past events assist him in looking beyond the problems of Khazad-dûm and the conflict with the orcs and consider the general issues of Middle-earth.
The character of Durin IV is quite important in the context of the main arcs of The Rings of Power and contributes to the formation of the show’s main themes. His actions and decisions affect different aspects of the story and characters’ relationships during the first season of the show. Among his main contributions one can identify his role as a political and social figure in the world of Khazad-dûm. Being a prince, he is right in the middle of the conflict within the Dwarven kingdom and their internal politics. His relations with his father and other leaders show the challenges of managing the society and attending to the needs of the people. His position as the bridge between the old world and the new one is highlighted in the story as the main character and the plot revolves around the problems of leadership. Furthermore, the friendship between him and Elrond and the Elves adds a new aspect of politics and cooperation into the story. The progressive change of the relationship between him and Elrond is one of the major elements that define the fight against the external dangers threatening Middle-earth. It also shows that in order to face the common adversaries, it is essential to form the alliances and cooperate.
In conclusion, the character played by Owain Arthur in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is a complex character who has multiple layers to her development, struggles and achievements, and relationships. His position of the Prince of Khazad-dûm is developed through the concept of responsibility, sense of honor, and commitment to his people as well as the relations between characters that make the personality more profound. In the series, he struggles with the conflict between the conservative values and the modernization as he tries to follow the rules of the kingdom as the crown prince but at the same time, he wants to be an individual. The relationship with other characters such as his father and Elrond shows the difficulties of being a leader and the need for diplomacy in a world that is changing. This is an aspect that shows how the character undergoes a transformation from being a loyal son to a strong willed leader and how this transformation affects the overall picture. Since he is one of the main characters in the story of The Rings of Power, his character brings shades of grey to the show, which makes him an interesting character in the chaotic world of Middle-earth.
