The Greatest Warrior...
Right, this has probably been done countless times before - but the search button wasn't working, so that is my excuse.
Who, in your opinion is the greatest warrior in Middle Earth... discluding Gods and Demigods (Valar and Maiar) :) I'm interested to know what the range of charcters is like. |
Greatest warrior?
Hmm... hum... (no, not Treebeard:))... The range is indeed quite wide. I am sure there is somewhere mentioned who was considered the strongest, at least of some time... that can help us... But the people I can think of now are Húrin, Túrin, Fingolfin... maybe even Fingon... I'd say someone among these. I will maybe even go more for one of the Men than for one of the Elves... short-lived but maybe... well, what do you mean by "greatest"? If it also means "famous", then the short-living are in certain disadvantage... but then I'd say Fingolfin. I can't think of anyone else who fought (and hurt!) a Vala (except for Finwë in self-defense, and he just fought, not hurt). |
It's quite hard to judge who would be the best isn't it, given that they all fought and fell to different people.
I think i'd probably back Húrin, Fingolfin, Ecthelion, Turgon (in his younger days) or maybe Tuor. I think the Dwarves are underrated as far as brawling goes, there a couple that seem to be pretty clued up for battle. "Greatest" here means the most capable of destroying their opponant. It's tricky... i never thought of Ents, lol i would imagine Treebeard would be pretty lethal, as we read in the Two Towers! |
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But, here we are, apart from the rare occassion of Isengard, I don't remember any moment when the Ents would be drawn to such a situation. Hm, interesting now... I never thought how rare and significant the attack on Isengard was... never before and never after anything like that happened, if I'm not gravely mistaken... If it's "the most capable of destroying their opponent" as you say, then I stick with Fingolfin. Vala is the most dangerous opponent, and yet he managed to wound him quite enough... |
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I'm sure you know what i mean when you have attractions to different characters for different reasons - and i don't mean in a science fiction lust sort of way - example, Húrin's slaying of the 70 trolls, just to defy Morgoth and give Turgon time to withdraw. The death of Huor in that scene was a kick to the crotch, but Húrin's unwavering effort forces you to admire him. Fingolfin in his rage Vs Morgoth, need i say any more? Ecthelion because he was the one to slay Gothmog and was reputed to have fought valiantly alongside his men not only at Nirnaeth Arnoediad but at the fall of Gondolin also. I don't know why but i've always favoured the charcter of Cirdan... not that i think he would get particularly far with a sword. |
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:p |
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Well, I of course assumed, that the words
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Though, when we speak of it, Éowyn is a good choice. I believe she could be able to stand maybe even up to Glaurung, or Sauron (though in both cases with some difficulties, no doubt). But I don't believe she would (in contrary to my nominated champion Fingolfin) even scratch Morgoth. |
I am surprised to see that no one mentioned Feanor. I wonder if this is due to the fact that he doesn't come out as a favorite character for everyone, to be polite. However, he is described as the "mightiest of the Noldor", or, more generally, "mightiest in all parts of body and mind, in valour, in endurance, in beauty, in understanding, in skill, in strength and in subtlety alike, of all the Children of Iluvatar". True enough, we ought to take into consideration that he is not the brightest commander ever.
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As an opinion topic, this has been moved to the Novices and Newcomers forum, where similar threads are located. Please continue to read and write there - thanks!
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Well, Fingolfin is described as the "strongest, the most steadfast, and the most valiant". These two statements seem to go head to head, unless Tolkien was referring to Feanor's fire, when talking about his strength - and thus considering a spiritual potence, which might or might not translate into physical/combative aptitude, depending on how hot-headed he was at the moment. So, it may be that the answer is Feanor, if he keeps his cool, otherwise it's Fingolfin.
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Hmm, the trouble with Tolkien is that he sometimes makes similar statements about two (or more) different characters, and both in superlatives. The best it is generally with the "fairest" people, since there are at least twelve people who are "fairest in Middle-Earth", though with looking at more details we learn that they were "fairest of their house" or "fairest among Elven-lords" (meaning that some peasant may be better than them); sometimes it's even more complicated like that someone was "fairest of his house", but "his house was fairest of the other houses"... with the strength and so on, it's less clear... but considering what you have mentioned, I'll probably go for Fingolfin - you see - the description of him is "clear", not only in understanding it (with Fëanor, as you said, we don't know if the "fire" is not meant by it - personally, I realize that I always - sort of subconsciously - thought so; that's probably the reason why I haven't nominated him), but also in that Fingolfin is described as being superior in only these skills, and nothing more - which sort of calls for taking it as his specialization; something that is his own, in which he is a champion. Fëanor is more "universal", but less focused on one thing; and one assumes that such a person does not reach the qualities of the specialist.
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I think Feanor is perhaps not viewed as a "warrior" because of the fact that he died, simple as. I think that if he had killed one of the Balrogs and then proceeded to die, it would be completely different. He dies quite early in the story, therefore we don't manage to see a transformation or adaptation of the character. All we know is that it took several Balrogs to stay him... more than most people can take on - but it's only speculation about how he would have fared in the wars, being that he wasn't mentioned much in relation to battle previously.. the kinslaying of the Teleri i think was the bit just before. But undoubtedley Feanor has to be in the Top Ten of "conventional" warriors ;) - i believe. However, on sheer favouritism, i have to go with Fingolfin :p Though the thought of a Feanor Vs Morgoth would have been absolutely fantastic. Place your bets now! |
The fact that Turin takes on and defeats Morgoth in the final battle rather suggests to me that, in the scheme of things, he is the greatest warrior.
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Note please, that even Fingolfin ended dead - but nevertheless his deed is seen more as victorious than as defeat. Even you, Hammerhand, said that Fëanor is not seen as warrior "because of the fact he died"... but of those nominated, all did! At least Fingolfin, Túrin... but subconsciously, you see them dying a glorious death, technically a victory (in Túrin's case it is a victory, after all, without question) - but Fëanor's death was not victorious in any way. That's probably what we face here: we think of his failure - he did not reach his goal, even though he said that not even a Vala would stop him... hmm... also one thing influencing our minds without us noticing it in the first place. |
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Or are we just talking most powerful warrior ...? ;) |
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Aye, but didn't Turin return from the Halls of the Dead to vanquish Melko? It confuses me the amount of endings!
So we are in a majority of Fongolfin being in the top... as with Turin. Are there any backers for Fingon? Hurin? or Ecthelion? or any others you feel we need to discuss? |
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I think Turin is the epitome of a 'warrior', who fights, continues to fight, seems undefeatable and dies tragically. Though he only ever achieved the slaying of Glaurung, he did this with a Man's body and a Man's wisdom.
I think Hurin is a big contender. I don't have the Sil on me right now but I think the words were "and he threw himself into the sea, and thence passed the greatest mortal warrior in Middle-Earth", or something along those lines, which seems pretty definitive. Feanor and Fingolfin, and Treebeard etc. if we include those, were born with abilities far surpassing those of Men, but Hurin through the steadfastness of his will held the full might of Morgoth at bay. Admittedly he broke eventually, but not as a result of the direct clash of wills, which he won. |
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Are stupid, stubborn and prideful required characteristics for this macho competition or are they simply assumed qualifications? |
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I am not familiar with all of the characters from the earlier ages that most of you are speaking of, so I am going to answer with my obvious choice. A Man who was definitely not "stupid", although perhaps stubborn and prideful-
Boromir of the Nine Walkers, of the Third Age. The most renowned warrior of his time, and the greatest Gondor had seen in many years. Defending Gondor on countless occassions from the growing might of Sauron, in specific his defense of Osgiliath, Boromir proved vital to Gondor's survival during the last years of the Third Age. In addition to being the Captain of the White Tower, Boromir's death was a truly heroic one...one of a true warrior. Sacrificing himself and fighting on against ridiculous odds, only falling when numerous arrows reigned on him, shot by cowardly orcs who would not dare face him sword to sword. I know most here will not agree, but in my opinion as far as my knowledge streches at this time, Boromir was Middle-earth's greatest warrior. |
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Turin by and large does not learn from his mistakes. However, the comparisons being made here are among characters in very different texts, with very different styles. Eowyn differs from most of Tolkien's characters in that her characterisation appears closer to those in 'realist' fiction, with some degree of psychological motivation, while many of Tolkien's other characters operate in a very different style of characterisation. Turin, for example, would not be so tragic if he learned from his mistakes. Boromir on the other hand does learn, but he learns too late. Maybe he's Turin 'upgraded' ('downsized'?) for a different literary style. |
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Turin is 'unlucky'. The choices he makes are all meant to bring about the Good. He isn't stupid at all. He is very smart, very cunning & a master strategist. He becomes a real threat to Morgoth's plans & in the end destroys his most powerful weapon. His strategy is, basically, 'the best defence is a good offence'. If Eowyn is driven by frustration & despair so is Turin most of the time. Quote:
And I think Turin & Eowyn are a lot closer than you imply - what if Niniel hadn't turned out to be Turin's sister - & what if Eowyn had been married before she rode to war &, after killing the Witch King it had turned out her husband was really her long lost brother? Eowyn is 'lucky', & has a chance to learn from her mistakes, & find a new, meaningful life. Turin is 'unlucky' & doesn't. 'Call no man (or woman) lucky until he is dead' & all that. If we're talking about greatest hero here we can't limit it either to being a nice guy, or to being lucky, or always winning. Turin is a great hero because he never gives in, always fights on, against insurmountable odds (even when he knows they are insurmountable. Being a hero doesn't mean being a nice guy who always wins. It means doing heroic things, facing the Dragon & standing your ground & not running. |
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And that's not simply a throwaway line. It was impossible for Turin or anyone else to defeat Glaurung in a fair fight - which was Morgoth's intention. Turin's approach was the only one that had any chance of success. Of course, this wasn't a Beowulf vs the Dragon, 'St. George vs the Dragon' or even a 'Marduk vs Tiamat' 'fair fight'. It is, incidentally, very like the way Sigurd killed the Dragon Fafnir: Quote:
This is what I meant about Turin being smart & learning from his experiences - sometimes he does learn the right thing - he faced Glaurung before in the ruins of Nargothrond & learned from that experience. Hurin would not have climbed the cliff & stabbed Glaurung in the guts, he would have faced him like Fingolfin faced Morgoth - & he would have lost in the same way. Turin defeats Glaurung by not behaving like a classic 'Hero' facing his mortal enemy, but by seeing & treating him as a bloody pest, as destructive vermin who needs eradicating to protect decent folk. Turin, in that act displays total contempt for Morgoth. Glaurung is Morgoth's greatest weapon, designed to be awesome, to inspire terror, & Turin dispatches him like Indy dispatches the swordsman in Raiders of the Lost Ark. The killing of Glaurung is not the culmination, let alone the 'point' of the story - any more than the destruction of the Ring is the point of LotR. The point of both stories is what happens to the characters, not what they 'do', but the effect on them of what they do. |
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Umm.:confused: |
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