Were all the Sons of Feanor really that bad? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

skip spence · 06-08-2008, 07:13 AM

Credit should go to Tolkien for not depicting these guys in an entirely bad light. All of them have their redeeming moments within the tales, and none of them were "evil".

I don't belive evil was a word Tolkien used much (or at at all) in his books, and not by accident. Evil is an absolute concept. In order to be evil, one must clearly recognise Good and reject it. The problem is that not even the Valar can do this with absolute certainty, and Feanor much less so. Most of us do our best to be good, but it isn't easy, and some do more than others. Feanor and his sons certainly made some poor decisions, but I belive they all did what they though they had to do. Some, like Maglor and Maedros, were better than others, but none of them were all bad, far from it.

Instead of evil, which is an unsuitable word, we should speak about pride and greed. These are ever the deadliest sins in Arda, and the downfall of the Feanorians together with many others.

Thinlómien · 06-08-2008, 07:52 AM

No, none of them was evil. Macalaure pretty much said it all, but there remains one thing I'd like to say. There was gentleness and pity even in Caranthir, when he rode to offer aid to Haleth's people when he heard of their sorrows and valiant fight. But Haleth and her people proudly ignored this. (Ooh, this is one of my favourite scenes in the whole Sil. So very powerful.)

Elmo · 06-08-2008, 10:12 AM

I thought Haleth was a stupid old croan that caused her people a lot of unnecessary hardship...but that's a different topic

Maedhros_the_Tall · 06-08-2008, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elmo

I thought Haleth was a stupid old croan that caused her people a lot of unnecessary hardship...but that's a different topic

Ha, yeah I've always thought that! Especially when she moves them for the second time!!

06-08-2008, 07:13 AM	#1
skip spence shadow of a doubt Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Back on the streets Posts: 1,125	Credit should go to Tolkien for not depicting these guys in an entirely bad light. All of them have their redeeming moments within the tales, and none of them were "evil". I don't belive evil was a word Tolkien used much (or at at all) in his books, and not by accident. Evil is an absolute concept. In order to be evil, one must clearly recognise Good and reject it. The problem is that not even the Valar can do this with absolute certainty, and Feanor much less so. Most of us do our best to be good, but it isn't easy, and some do more than others. Feanor and his sons certainly made some poor decisions, but I belive they all did what they though they had to do. Some, like Maglor and Maedros, were better than others, but none of them were all bad, far from it. Instead of evil, which is an unsuitable word, we should speak about pride and greed. These are ever the deadliest sins in Arda, and the downfall of the Feanorians together with many others. __________________ "You can always come back, but you can't come back all the way" ~ Bob Dylan

06-08-2008, 07:52 AM	#2
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	No, none of them was evil. Macalaure pretty much said it all, but there remains one thing I'd like to say. There was gentleness and pity even in Caranthir, when he rode to offer aid to Haleth's people when he heard of their sorrows and valiant fight. But Haleth and her people proudly ignored this. (Ooh, this is one of my favourite scenes in the whole Sil. So very powerful.) __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris

06-08-2008, 10:12 AM	#3
Elmo Pittodrie Poltergeist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: trying to find that warm and winding lane again Posts: 633	I thought Haleth was a stupid old croan that caused her people a lot of unnecessary hardship...but that's a different topic __________________ As Beren looked into her eyes within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies he saw there mirrored shimmering.

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