Were Any of the Nazg?l Gay? Exploring the Limitations of Tolkien’s Universe

Robert Jordan was once asked whether any of his characters, Rand al'Thray, Perrin Aybara, and Egwene al'Vere, had a sexual orientation. His query was met with the response, “If they had been, Tolkien would have mentioned it.” Similarly, one may ponder about the Nazg?l, the terrifying figures from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Did any of them possess a sexual orientation, specifically, could they have been gay?

The Nazg?l: Unquestionable Obedience and Total Devotion

The Nazg?l, known as the Ringwraiths, were not human in the traditional sense. They were the servants of Sauron, the Dark Lord, who had been enslaved by the One Ring and its great power. The Nazg?l were not merely "kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old" seeking power over others. Rather, they were beings of such purity of malice that their sole purpose was to obey Sauron’s commands. Their bodies were either destroyed or transmuted into wraiths, rendering them almost incorporeal and focused solely on their master’s will.

The Witch-King of Angmar, also the leader of the Nazg?l, was the only one who spoke in full sentences throughout the Lord of the Rings saga. His dialogue, such as his contempt toward Gandalf and his declaration that no mortal man could defeat him, confirmed the rest of the Nazg?l being silent and emotionless. They served their master with utter unification, and such a purpose left them devoid of any personal desires, let alone sexual ones.

Tolkien’s Catholic and Conservative Views on Sexuality

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, the creator of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, was a devout Catholic and adhered to extremely conservative values, especially concerning sexual matters. It is highly unlikely that Tolkien envisioned any of his characters, allies or villains, regardless of their backgrounds, as gay. His worlds were deeply rooted in traditional and often repressive societal norms, making it improbable for such characters to exist within the context of his work. Moreover, if Twitter had been available during the time he was writing, he likely would have repainted the stories (a retcon) to align with his conservative views.

Historical and Societal Taboos

The society of Middle-earth was steeped in medieval and neo-medieval values. The concept of sexuality, particularly homosexuality, would have been taboo. The lack of names and detailed descriptions for most of the Nazg?l before their transformation further adds to the reinforcement of Tolkien’s restrictive view on sexuality. By the time Tolkien wrote the Lord of the Rings in the mid-20th century, homosexuality was still considered anathema in much of the Western world. The era in which the narrative was written ensures that the Nazg?l were, without a doubt, nightmares devoid of personal liberties.

Conclusion: An Amoral, Yet Desires Restrained State of Existence

While the Nazg?l held no moral compass due to their amoral nature, the assumption that they could have had any personal desires, let alone be gay, is a stretch. Their focus on fulfilling Sauron’s desires meant that any such desires were secondary to their primary function. Their transition into wraiths further constrained their ability to express any personal tastes or inclinations. Thus, it is safe to conclude that, in Tolkien’s moral universe, the Nazg?l were not only devoid of sexual orientation; they were also devoid of much else beyond their complete devotion and obedience to their master.