Random thoughts:
Obviously it all depends on your definition of “tragic”. Mhoram has stated his definition carefully, and it seems almost the opposite of the original definition with Lush’ amendment (a great man brought low by a single “tragic flaw”, has a realization before death). Mhoram’s list definitely raises some interesting questions. Mhoram, if your list is for ppl whose “moment of tragedy is brought on by little or no fault of their own”, I guess you blame Morgoth wholly or almost wholly for Turin’s troubles, which is reasonable. Still, you have to wonder - if Turin’s pride didn’t prevent him from accepting Thingol’s pardon, would he have ended the way he did? I put Turin on the list because I think he
was a good man “deep down”, but afflicted like many tragic heroes with a fatal dose of hubris, and in effect doomed himself. He has a little Coriolanus in him.
On the other hand, I’m not sure Hurin would fit under the original definition - as sad as his life was, what was his tragic flaw? Should he not have gone to the Nirnaeth?
Gollum is certainly a pathetic character but putting him on the list raises the whole question of whether he was evil from the start or undone by the One Ring. I lean toward the first view.
Lush - Mhoram did a [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] but red did a [img]smilies/mad.gif[/img] . Now if they BOTH smile in one thread we’ll surely know that day has come again.
P.s. just noticed red's winkie - CLOSE ENOUGH
[ March 21, 2002: Message edited by: Turambar ]