[Bêthberry]

Well, I guess we can respond to characters based on many things. Some of us dislike the bad guys because they are bad, I guess. Makes sense I guess.

Me, though, I tend to dislike characters not based on their role or their moral orientation, but upon how well they are crafted, from my point of view. From this perspective, I find Saruman unsatisfying. Hmm. maybe I can find a different word.

I would have liked to see how his studies drove him to the dark side, and how he became so eager for his ideas that he succumbed to bullying and manipulating the freedom of others. Even more "telling" if not showing would have satisfied my curiosity in just how Tolkien sees the pursuit of knowledge leading to evil.

I don't revere the elves either because I think they are too wrapped up in nostalgia for the old days. Alas my view of art is not towards stasis. In this regard I probably think better of Elrond than I do of Galadariel or Legolas.

This is my sense, anyway, whether it is worth it or not.