[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Nikkolas

Hello everyone. I just finished reading The Silmarillion for the first time and the thing that struck me as "the moral of the story" is that good guys are really, really dumb and selfish.

First of all, I must say that the title of this piece is rather over the top. I would say that it might be wise to lighten the tone (saying "suck" is a bit much) before someone does it for you.

Originally Posted by Nikkolas

The Valar of course are "the goodest" and their bias towards Elves is plain from moment one. They actually go so far as to aid the half-elven Eärendil while letting the equally brave and selfless Amandil to die.

I'm not altogether sure Amandil was left to die. I don't have the Sil nearby, but if you'd provide the quote it may prove helpful. From my recollection, I believe Amandil's fate was unknown.

Originally Posted by Nikkolas

In fact, it seems they are so lazy and egotistical that they demanded someone come begging their assistance. Even as Morgoth threatened to subjugate and destroy all teh Children of Iluvatar, they didn't move until someone came crawling to them.

Never been a fan of the Valar's actions, but I can't assume they were "lazy". The Doom of Mandos played a large part in their inaction.

Originally Posted by Nikkolas

And what of their servants, the Maiar? No less selfish and unhelpful. In regards to Morgoth, let us not forget Queen Melian. Remember how she protected the Kingdom of Doriath and provided haven for those who wished to escape Melkor's evil?

Well, once her husband died, she said "screw you everyone" and left. With her magical protection gone, the entire kingdom and its helpless populace were left at the mercy of the Dark Lord. Can you say worst queen ever?

Hmmm..."screw you everyone"? Again, laying it on a bit thick, aren't you? The only reason she shed her Maiaric persona and appeared in mortal raiment was because of her love for Thingol. Has it ever occurred to you that Melian was deep in mourning and perhaps incapable of retaining her protection around Doriath? The traumatic death of a husband or wife can be debilitating, perhaps even for a Maia.

Originally Posted by Nikkolas

Speaking of her husband, this really just enforces the idea of "good is stupid". With the threat of Morgoth dominating the lands, the Elves and Dwarves go to war among themselves. Even as the shadow of death lays on their doorstep, they insist on petty squabbles.

I have never perceived Thingol as being particularly "good" in the sense of having unassailable qualities. In fact, I don't believe Tolkien was interested in the Eldar being one-dimensional and above reproach. Thingol was greedy, petty and at times evil. A well-rounded character, not some cardboard cut-out.

Originally Posted by Nikkolas

Getting back to the Maiar, we can't forget Sauron. Remember him? One of the strongest, most dangerous beings on Middle-earth? Second-in-command to Morgoth? What did the Host of the Valar do? Why, they left him behind! And never once attempted to send someoen to recapture him.

If I remember, Sauron repented of his evil ways for a time and then felt that old black magic draw him back in. The Valar also forgave Morgoth before he destroyed the Two Trees and murdered Finwe. It seems to me that the Valar could not comprehend true evil -- it was beyond their comprehension. They never considered rebellion as did Morgoth, nor did they isolate themselves in near solitary confinement as Morgoth did, he who nursed grudges and plotted alone.

Originally Posted by Nikkolas

It seems tha the idea that the Fall of Númenor is all Man's fault is a blatant misdirection. It is the Valar's continued failing that doomed them. They left Sauron on the world. They left The Enemy here to poison helpless Men, Elves and everything else.

The only thing I fault the Valar in is making the same mistake twice. Just as they convinced the Eldar to travel to Valinor (ostensibly for their own protection), so too did they hallow a place for the Edain, and separated Numenor from the rest of Arda. It was an error the first time, and they learned nothing from it. But again, as angelic beings, they perhaps did not comprehend mortal failings like greed, vanity, hatred and envy. This type of information was not revealed to them by Eru.

Originally Posted by Nikkolas

So...yeah. I'm just rather embittered by the story's attempt to make the Valar seem noble and pure and good. They were anythg but. In fact they seem scarcely less flawed than Melkor or Feanor.

I think you've let your hyperbole run amok. The Valar were indeed not perfect, but they did have good intentions and never tried to actively harm the Children of Eru. But as you may have heard, the path to hell is paved with good intentions.