Quote:
Originally Posted by Aiwendil
Certainly, Aredhel seems to be a prisoner; but there is a hint of something stranger than mere captivity. Perhaps something like "Stockholm syndrome" was at work.
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Reminds me more of this thing about marriage and love mentioned in a number of novels: "Marry him now, and in time, you'll get used to him and come to love him...eventually". I doubt that Aredhel
appreciated that Eol didn't make it worse for her; she probably got too used to hi being around to hate him. She still
disliked him, but not enough to suppress soe affection for his presence.
Strange thing that Aredhel "accepted" Eol at all, considering her pride and stubbornness.
The weird thing is that sometimes you wish that another person would be gone forever, but when he leaves, it doesn't feel right. The same thing happens vice versa. I wouldn't go as far as saying that Aredhel actually
missed Eol when he went on his journeys (she was probably relieved to see him go
), but she didn't mind his presence that much anymore. She asked Turgon to spare his life, when she had the chance to be rid of him once and for all without any work on her own account. However, that could just be an act of pity to someone who is on a lower level, or in a bad situation, or simply someone pathetic - and not affection or feeling of duty to her husband.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aiwendil
Indeed - and one wonders what may have been in Maeglin's thoughts as he watched his father cast over the Caragdur and ignored his plea to intercede on his behalf.
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Whatever he thought, it was the first "fruit" of the "dark seed of evil". I understand that Maeglin didn't think much of his father, but he must have had
some respect for Eol. And even if all respect was gone, there's still
duty: if not duty to a parent, then at least to a teacher. Gondolin didn't fall because of Maeglin's treachery, but because of his desire for evil - or undesire for resisting evil.
Interesting how Maeglin seems to inherit the worst qualities from his parents. He got Aredhel's willfulness, rashfulness, and stubborness, but not her tiny drop of pity and tolerance. She also knew something about the concept of honour - which Maeglin didn't really percieve.