Favourite Part of Unfinished Tales?

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

The Children of Hurin has long reminded me of a strange cross between Oedipus and Elric of Melnibone (possible only in the hindsight of when UT was first published, since Elric obviously was written after Tolkien wrote his first drafts of the Hurin tale, and I doubt very much that either author was any influence on the other). At lot of Tolkien's tales are like a lot of classic mythology in general -- not too many light and happy tales out there, when you stop to think about it (awe-inspiring, perhaps, like the Ainulindale, but not light-hearted). Which is appropriate, since myths, I think, often come about to explain and give meaning to what seem like the eternal burdens and difficulties and mysteries of life.

I imagine that given the "weight" of Tolkien's tales, it explains why, when I first read LotR as a child, I liked the hobbits, as I became an adult, I was fascinated by Aragorn, and now that I'm "over the hill," I'm intrigued by the Ainur. First the (comparatively) child-like, then the heroic, and then the angelic. Sheesh, I feel like I'm sticking one foot in the grave, here... Not ready for that by a long shot.

[Eönwë]

Originally Posted by Ibrîniðilpathânezel

Sheesh, I feel like I'm sticking one foot in the grave, here... Not ready for that by a long shot.

Maybe Mandos, perhaps.
Sorry

But as you say, most legends are powerful, full of evil, suffering, but also heroics and brave deeds. They're about people confronting the evil, the bad thigs that happen to them and in life. I sound a bit too happy here I think, like someone commentinng on the moral of a story

[Gwathagor]

Tuor, the anti-Turin. Everything Turin does, Tuor does as well, only differently.

He deserves his own thread.

[Lindale]

yes, yes, mithalwen, Aldarion and Erendis was such a good sketch, wasn't it? The subtitle was even catchy. The Shadow of the Shadow. Funny how something as trifle as the divorce of the Heir and his wife should help bring the shadow of the Shadow.

[Snowdog]

Battles for the Fords of Isen, Cirion and Eorl, & Disaster in the Gladden Fields all helped flesh out parts of the Lord of the Rings story. But the most touching was Aldarion and Erendis where it showed that all marital unions in Middle Earth are not the fairy tale sorts. This tale had me thinking of other marriages mentioned where no depth was ever discussed ... Arvedui & Firiel, Arathorn & Gaelrian, Faramir & Eowyn, and even Aragorn & Arwen. I mean, imagine the "discussion" when Aragorn tells Arwen he has decided to lay down his life. We get a glimpse of it, but still...

[Tuor in Gondolin]

There are any number of the tales that are interesting and
bear rereading. Tuor's is quite enlightening but also
frustrating...with the tale ending just as he enters
Gondolin. His journey there has so many neat bits:
his "chance" meeting with the two elves, his meeting
with (Ulmo?), and his almost encounter with Turin.
A continuation of the tale with his encounters with
Maeglin and "Escape from Gondolin!" would have been
fascinating.

But then again there's the great elucidating on the Rohirrim
organization and the Battles of the Fords of Isen.
And the runup to TH "An Unexpected Party" with Gandalf's
difficulty with Thorin.

Also one other bit, it strikes me that the way JRRT presents
both sides plusses and minuses in the Erendis/Aldarion
disfunctional relationship is not unlike the various arguments
for elves, men, dwarves (and a hobbit) to the treasure of
Erebor after the slaying of Smaug.

[Gordis]

I agree with Snowdog, Eldarion and Erendis is an awesome tale. As to character development, it is probably Tolkien's best. Reading other stories it would seem that Men in Tolkien World were as "holy" as Elves in "domestic matters". Well now we know they were not. *feels relieved*
I especially like Erendis's words:

Men in Numenor are half-Elves (said Erendis), especially the high men; they are neither the one nor the other. The long life that they were granted deceives them, and they dally in the world, children in mind, until age finds them – and then many only forsake play out of doors for play in their houses. They turn their play into great matters and great matters into play. They would be craftsmen and loremasters and heroes all at once; and women to them are but fires on the hearth – for others to tend, until they are tired of play in the evening. All things were made for their service: hills are for quarries, river to furnish water or to turn wheels, trees for boards, women for their body's need, or if fair to adorn their table and hearth; and children to be teased when nothing else is to do – but they would as soon play with their hounds' whelps. To all they are gracious and kind, merry as larks in the morning (if the sun shines); for they are never wrathful if they can avoid it. Men should be gay, they hold, generous as the rich, giving away what they do not need. Anger they show only when they become aware, suddenly, that there are other wills in the world beside their own. Then they will be as ruthless as the seawind if anything dare to withstand them.

I would have loved to see the LOTR Numenoreans a bit more like the above - and not so holy and wooden as Aragorn and Faramir.