[mormegil]

In this thread there has already been a good amount of discussion on Turin and Feanor. I would like to discuss a little of both and give my opinions.

First I must say I disagree whole-heartedly with Gurthang and TGWBS about their view of Feanor. He is no hero. He was a great and mighty elf. I would agree that he was one of the greatest, if not the single greatest elf in Middle-earth. But greatness doesn't equate to being a hero. I have always thought of him more as a villain.

It is true that he was great in art and craft, so much so that he made the silmarils; however couldn't one argue that Sauron was also great in craft. Being on the 'good' (elf) side doesn't make a character good. Firefoot brings up a good point about characterizing different races automatically. We assume all orcs to be evil and it seems that they stereotype is for elves to be wholesome and pure. This is not a completely accurate stereotype.

Some of Feanors actions will illustrate my point. He threatened Fingolfin at sword point with his life merely because Fingolfin spoke to their father and gave his council. This was done while in Aman. This act helped to give a window, in which evil could enter Aman which name means free from evil or blessed. The kin slaying! What a nefarious act of cowardice that was! I know what will be used as a rebuttal: that Feanor didn't act alone. That is true but Feanor had a great power of influence and he used that to stir up his people into open rebellion of the Valar and the slaying of the Teleri for not allowing them to use their ships. Ironic, isn't it that Feanor won't give the silmarils to help save the trees, yet he would take by force the objects the Teleri hold as dear to them as he holds his Silmarils. This is the last example I will currently use, though not the last that could be used. Leaving his kindred near Helcaraxe to either perish or return in shame. Again what great cowardice is demonstrated.

Turin on the other hand was cursed, as has been said. But what evil did he actually do? He slew Beleg; that of course was unintentional and caused him great grief. He fled Doriath, but under what he perceived was injustice and would bring him death. He built the bridge in Nagrathond and wouldn't listen to Ulmo. This is one that is a bit more difficult to reconcile, however he did have the desire to rid the region of orcs and thought open warfare was the solution. Not a great remedy but again he is not perfect.

I think the greatest difference between Turin and Feanor is their motives. Seemingly, at least to me, Feanor did everything he did driven simply by egotistical motives. He truly didn't care about his wife or her grief. He persuaded his sons into taking an oath that would destroy them in the end. He brought a great downfall upon his people and killed innocents for reclamation of his creation. Basically his motives were self-centered and he lived his live and manipulated others to do his will and to serve him. Turin wasn't as self-centered. He truly thought that he was doing the best and attempted to work for others benefit and not merely his own. Also Turin had the curse of Morgoth on him and Feanor was free from such a taint.