[Lush]

The problem with Aredhel, from a man's point of view at the least, is that her desires seem frivolous. Without knowing it, she sets great events in motion because she wants a little spice in her life, or whatever. Many of Tolkien's females defy other's standards, but almost all seem to have a good reason for it. Lúthien runs away because she is trying to save the man she loves, Galadriel wants to rule her own territory, Haleth is trying to save her people...At first glance, Aredhel really does seem like a brat.
But for me, she is one of the most interesting characters Tolkien ever created. Why? Because she a female who is neither here nor there, wavering, stubborn, who makes bad choices in love (did she even love Eöl? What do you think?), and ends up paying dearly for them. Most of Tolkien's prominent females are saved by the love of a man (or Elf), this one is destroyed by it. I find that intriguing.
I also sometimes wonder if Aredhel's restlessness was in part caused by the power of Morgoth himself. You know, the breath of unhappiness that seeps in the tiniest crack, and finds a victim. In order to get at Gondolin, Morgoth needed dissent and betrayal to occur. What better place to start than with Aredhel, the sister of the leader?

[ August 16, 2002: Message edited by: Lush ]