Though for the most part The Lord of the Rings is very serious, there are a number of quotes that are actually very funny out of context.
There’s no question that The Lord of the Rings is one of the most successful and influential fantasy movies ever made, and it’s a trilogy that stands the test of time. For the most part, it is a sober and serious movie, but there are moments where its inner humor shines through, particularly in the things that the characters say to each other.
While there are many intentionally funny moments, there are also many quotes that, when taken out of their proper context, become even more hilarious, revealing just how layered this series remains.
Gandalf:
“When In Doubt, Follow Your Nose.”
In the movie, this is spoken by Gandalf in Moria as he is trying to find his way out. It shows that, in addition to being one of the most powerful beings in Middle-earth, he also has a great deal of common sense.
However, it is a truly humorous statement by itself, echoing as it does the toucan from the Froot Loops commercial. It may not be the most dignified way of thinking about Middle-earth’s preeminent wizard, but that’s what makes the quote so funny.
Sam:
“Potatoes. Boil ’em, Mash ’em, Stick ’em In A Stew.”
Sam is one of the best and most likable characters in the Lord of the Rings movies, and he has an earthy wisdom that is one of his key character traits. Of course, one of his most notable moments is when he goes on and on about the merits of potatoes.
It’s a funny moment in the movies, but it becomes even more hilarious when removed from the scene itself. It has a certain rustic nature to it that can’t be denied, which may help explain why it is also the subject of many Lord the Rings memes.
Eomer:
“What Office Of Less Honour Would You Accept? To Carry A Sack Of Meal Up Into The Mountains—If Any Man Would Trust You With It?”
Eomer is one of the most heroic characters in the movies, and he has no patience for fools or those that he looks at (rightly) as traitors to his country. His contempt for Wormtongue is especially sharp, and this line is one that he utters in the books.
Obviously, it has quite a lot of bite to it but, when taken out of context, it is actually far funnier, since it is humorous to think about a person being compared to a sack of meal.
Merry and Pippin:
“Put It In The Ground!” “It Is In The Ground!”
The friendship between Merry and Pippin is one of the best in the entire movie series, and it’s clear that they care a lot about each other. However, they are also prone to getting into trouble, as they demonstrate with the firework at the beginning of Fellowship.
Their exchange about what to do with the firework becomes even more humorous on its own, in particular because it highlights how utterly ridiculous they are in the days before they become a part of the Fellowship.
Gimli:
“Nobody Tosses A Dwarf!”
Though he can be stubborn and proud, Gimli is also a source of comic relief in the movies, and this emerges most clearly when his height becomes a problem. This line is delivered in the Mines of Moria, and it is funny at the time.
Outside of the scene itself, however, it becomes even more so, as it leads anyone hearing it to inevitably wonder just why one would feel the need to toss a dwarf in the first place, and why they would be so resistant to the process.
Legolas:
"You Look Terrible.”
Even today, Legolas remains one of Orlando Bloom’s best roles, and he has come to be seen as the definitive Legolas. He is known throughout the movies for his ability to deliver a withering line, as when he remarks to Aragorn that he looks terrible.
It’s a quote that would be devastating coming from anyone, which is what makes it so funny in its own right. Given that Legolas is not known for being tactful, it becomes even funnier.
Merry:
“Why Did You Look? Why Do You Always Have To Look?”- Merry
In the movie, this particular line is actually a rather somber one, since it comes about after Pippin foolishly looks into the palantir and is briefly held captive by Sauron.
However, taken out of context, the quote becomes much more light-hearted, as it could refer to any number of things. Indeed, it’s easy to see a situation in which Merry would say this to Pippin regarding many things that the other hobbit would have been illicitly seeing.
Merry and Pippin:
“It Was Just A Detour...A Shortcut..." "To Mushrooms!”
Book readers know that this line is actually a reference to one of the chapter titles, but in the movie, it passes by without a great deal of attention. Seen outside of its context in the movie, however, it becomes a humorous play on words, and it raises a number of questions that contribute to the humor. Who, after all, would be seeking a shortcut to mushrooms?
And, for that matter, who would be using the word “detour” in a place like Middle-earth?
Gandalf:
“Throw Yourself In Next Time And Rid Us Of Your Stupidity!”
Pippin is prone to doing foolish things during the trilogy, including knocking a suit of armor into a well and awakening the Orcs of Moria (and the Balrog).
Gandalf’s reprimand is funny at the moment, but it becomes even funnier when taken out of its original context. It’s one of those lines that could definitely serve as an effective insult in the real world, any time that someone does a foolish thing or makes a great deal of noise.
Sam:
“Hey, Stinker! Don't Go Getting Too Far Ahead.”
The antipathy between Sam and Gollum is one of the most enduring rivalries in the movies, as Sam makes clear with this casually cruel comment. In the movie, it earns him a reprimand from Frodo, who doesn’t like the way that he treats the pitiful creature.
Without that context, however, it’s actually a very funny line, since it is almost impossible to read of someone being called “Stinker” without at least smiling.
NEXT: Every Lord of the Rings & Hobbit Movie Ranked, Worst to Best
