In the previous post, I talked about two meanings of “we”, the inclusive and exclusive readings. There are other ways of cutting up “we” that can be found in the text. This is a short comment about one of those ways.
At the Council of Elrond, Glóin gives a report about Sauron’s efforts to influence Erebor. As part of his background explanation, he begins talking about Moria. Consider his use of “we” in this sentence.
‘Moria! Moria! Wonder of the Northern world! Too deep we delved there, and woke the nameless fear.’
It goes without saying that Glóin was not including the other members of the Council in his “we”. Elrond, Gandalf, Bilbo–none of them had any role whatsoever in the delving of Moria. Significantly, though, Glóin also had no role in the delving of Moria. He was born 800 years after Moria had been abandoned. He was not saying to the Council “I and others delved too deep”. He was saying, “The Dwarves, of whom I am one, delved too deep.” Glóin used the word we to show his inclusion with the group, but not to show his inclusion in the action. He was a spokesman. He was not a participant.
This kind of “spokesman we” shows up in other people’s speech, but never as clearly as it does here. Aragorn, for example, talks about how the Dúnedain have defended the North.
For here the heirs of Valandil have ever dwelt in long line unbroken from father unto son for many generations. Our days have darkened, and we have dwindled; but ever the Sword has passed to a new keeper. And this I will say to you, Boromir, ere I end. Lonely men are we, Rangers of the wild, hunters – but hunters ever of the servants of the Enemy; for they are found in many places, not in Mordor only.
The Fellowship of the Ring, The Council of Elrond
Aragorn is one of those Dúnedain, so his use of we is not as clearly in the spokesman category as Glóin’s; but his speech does not feel like it is focused on himself. He isn’t saying: This is what I and others are doing. He seems to be closer to: This is what the Dúnedain have been doing for many generations (and I am one of them, a recent addition to a long line). I would classify Aragorn’s use of we in this speech as a spokesman reading.
A Hobby for the Tome 