Welcome to the Downs, Legolas Greenleaf and Morgoth the Great! I must say I'm more on Morgoth's side here! (How did THAT sound? [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img] )
Anyway, to your argument, Legolas:
Quote:
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I consider the fire of Feanor to be a virtue only because of what the Silmarils represented. If it was a beautifully wrought sword that caused this vow and arrogance I would think otherwise.
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I believe you are narrowing the focus on the evil that came of Fëanor's actions, rather than on the fire within his soul which produced not only the Silmarils, but the Palantiri, the Fëanorian system of writing, and much more! He was, in a word, unequalled, in every way. The Silmarils were not only significant for their being the last of the Light of the Two Trees, but also they were part of Fëanor himself, as were all his creations. He erred in being possessive of them, but his creative fire is admirable in every way, and is in no way equal to the Kinslaying at Alqualondë. Everything he did was born of fire, but this later misdeed was the fire twisted by Morgoth, not the true spirit and fire of Fëanor. He was marred; the Kinslaying was a rash and firy misdeed, but not what I would remember Fëanor for, for he was no longer himself, although true to his firy nature, if that makes sense.
He was the greatest of the Noldor, and to be the greatest, there must be an encompassing fire, not just a drive for a thing. The drive to regain the Silmarils consumed the rest of Fëanor's life, but it is folly to limit the view of his life to that unhappy occurence to the exclusion of his other great works. There is not an Age of the World til the end of the War of the Ring (that we know of...) that does not feel the touch of Fëanor and his works. That is the mark of a great elf! OK, rant over! Now back to your regularly scheduled madness! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]
Cheers,
Lyta (teller of the alternate tale of Fëanor, the Exploding Elf, the unauthorized Quenta Silmarillion, unexpurgated and unbearable...)