The mis-interpretation of dear Gimli - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Rikae · 02-14-2007, 10:49 AM

I wonder whether PJ and/or Rhys-Davies didn't succumb to stereotyping in Gimli's case. Dwarves have been "comic relief" characters since the 11th century, at least; Tolkien takes his dwarves more seriously than they usually are taken, as he does with his elves - he gives them a dignity and gravitas you don't really see elsewhere. They remind me more of the smith-gods of Greek and Norse myth than of the typical dwarves of, say, medieval romances. PJ is said to have "captured the spirit of Tolkien", and with regard to some characters and settings that's justified; but with Gimli I would say the problem was precisely that he completely failed to even perceive the "spirit".

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02-14-2007, 10:49 AM	#18
Rikae Mellifluous Maia Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: A glade open to the stars, deep in Nan Elmoth Posts: 3,489	I wonder whether PJ and/or Rhys-Davies didn't succumb to stereotyping in Gimli's case. Dwarves have been "comic relief" characters since the 11th century, at least; Tolkien takes his dwarves more seriously than they usually are taken, as he does with his elves - he gives them a dignity and gravitas you don't really see elsewhere. They remind me more of the smith-gods of Greek and Norse myth than of the typical dwarves of, say, medieval romances. PJ is said to have "captured the spirit of Tolkien", and with regard to some characters and settings that's justified; but with Gimli I would say the problem was precisely that he completely failed to even perceive the "spirit".