Speaking of a Silly Poll

[drigel]

agreed Khuru
that was an attempt to counter the misguided personality sniping of poor old T.

[Lalaith]

One expects to encounter advocates of cold-hearted realpolitik in all too many places these days, but among Tolkien fans....

*shakes head sorrowfully*

[Kuruharan]

One expects to encounter advocates of cold-hearted realpolitik in all too many places these days, but among Tolkien fans....

Romantic gestures and impulses do not a realm maintain.

For Exhibit A I give you Turin.

[the phantom]

"Cold-hearted" is often used in place of "rational" and "right" by people who can't stomach such things.

[Lalaith]

Bah. Go back to your Machiavelli fansites.

[the phantom]

Oh, honey, it hurts when you're so cold-hearted towards me.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Hey, wait a minute everyone, hold on, what's that I see on the horizon? It's coming toward the thread very quickly indeed almost as though it were flying with wings of Balrogian capabilty....wait a minute.....I see what it is now......oh no, NO!

THE CHAT SKWEREL!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH!

[drigel]

Originally Posted by Lalaith

*shakes head sorrowfully*

Like I said, I dont mind being a dissapointment, just as long as I dont dissapoint myself...

I have to say, in the Silmarillion, Tolkien lays out all these tales and leaves us to judge whether the characters were right or wrong; such distinctions can be more clear cut in LotR than in the Sil. Is this due to the style? Or is it that LotR goes into more narrative detail so we have more chance to learn motives etc?

True words. Its all about the exposition. The Gondolin story, like Earendil, Numenor etc., all had legs of their own, so to speak. The Silm after all is an unfinished work.

This does cause me to ponder legacy, because there's a legacy of Turgon's that most assuredly had an impact in TH and LOTR (and my initial reading impressions/perceptions) that is both subtle and wonderful: The blade aquired by Olorin.