In 'The Lord of the Rings,' the quote 'All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us' is an anchor for the Hobbits' journey. Howard Shore used the hammered dulcimer to represent the rustic life of The Shire. The hammered dulcimer is a stringed instrument that the player strikes with small wooden hammers, creating a bright, folk-like sound. This choice gave the Shire a sense of peace and ancient tradition, contrasting with the dark brass of Mordor. The dulcimer's rhythmic quality helped ground the fantasy world in something that felt like a real European folk legend. This use of specific instruments to build a world is one reason why the trilogy’s music is considered a masterpiece, helping audiences instantly identify the locations of the movie legends and the wisdom of their words.