Warning: This article contains minor SPOILERS for The Rings of Power season 2, episodes 1-3.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerignited a debate over whether female dwarfs should have beards, butseason 2 settles this discourse once and for all. Amazon’sLord of the Ringsshow digs deeper into the history of all the races of Middle-earth, and it’s the first adaptation of Tolkien’s work to feature female Dwarfs. Durin IV’s wife, Disa, plays a significant role in the series, and she isn’t the only female Dwarf shown during its run. Disa doesn’t have a beard inThe Rings of Power’s first season, and thissparked controversy amongLOTRfans.
J.R.R. Tolkien’s booksdon’t reference many female Dwarfs, as male dwarfs are more prominent — and according to his writings, women were more likely to remain in their mountain homes.Tolkien’sWar of the Jewelsdoes make the claim that all Dwarfs have beards(viaTolkien Gateway), which is why so many fans believeThe Rings of Powerseason 1 should have included this detail. However, Tolkien writes inThe Nature of Middle-earththat allmaleDwarfs have beards, leading fans to debate whether he ever intended for female Dwarfs to have facial hair.
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The Rings Of Power Confirms It - Female Dwarfs DO Have Beards
Disa Has Facial Hair In Season 2
The Rings of Powerseason 2 confirms that female dwarfs do, in fact, have beards, settling the heated debate over the topic. Although Disa doesn’t have a lengthy beard to match her husband’s, she sports noticeable facial hair in season 2’s three-episode premiere.The Rings of Powerseason 2, episode 2 also sees her interacting with other Dwarf women. One of them has sideburns, confirming that facial hair isn’t out of the ordinary for them. It’s possible they groom theirs more than their male counterparts do, but their appearance still lives up to Tolkien’s claim inThe War of the Jewels.
By showing female Dwarfs with beards,The Rings of Powerfinally takes a stance when it comes to theLord of the Rings’beard debate.
Whether this is what the author intended is anyone’s guess. But by showing female Dwarfs with beards,The Rings of Powerfinally takes a stance when it comes to theLord of the Rings’beard debate. Some might feel this is inconsistent with Disa’s portrayal in season 1. However,The Rings of Powerseason 1’s endingoffers a possible explanationfor why her facial hair is more perceptible in season 2.
Why Disa Has Facial Hair In The Rings Of Power Season 2
It Might Be Due To Durin IV’s Falling Out With His Father
Disa suddenly having a beard inThe Rings of Powerseason 2 makes sense when you consider Durin IV’s falling out with his father in season 1.Durin IV and Disa appear to be living in poverty nowthat King Durin III is at odds with his son. This means they won’t be able to keep up appearances as well as when they were considered royalty.
AlthoughThe Rings of Powerseason 2 never confirms this is the reason for Disa’s facial hair, it’s the most logical explanation for its sudden appearance. Perhaps the series will address the topic further in the coming episodes. However, the inclusion of this detail is sufficient to settle the debate that cropped up in the wake of season 1.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Cast
Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.
