The Middle Earth Popularity Cup

[Tuor in Gondolin]

It's tempting to follow Lalwende's vote (but for Skip's
picking Glaurung instead of the noble Smaug ), however,
we must choose + + Gollum, who only wants to
help and get back his own from hobbits, who not only
steal the Precious but spoil nice rabbits! Granted, there
was that Deagol affair...but that was sooo long ago
and it was poor Smeagol's birthday.....

[Nogrod]

An interesting choice indeed.

Well they both share some common traits, first and foremost the fact that they were both lured by something larger than themselves and were corrupted by that - and finally destroyed by it.

Asking why Gollum was lured by the craft of Sauron is a no-brainer - even if Gollum's story is touchy and tragic.

But with Saruman things get a bit more intersting. First he was lured by curiosity and knowledge (which I personally value much higher than just some dull shiny objects ) but then somehow Sauron managed to twist him. Now how come that be as they were both of the maiar? What really happened there between the two an what were they thinking? Of these Tolkien doesn't but give a few little hints...

Though Saruman's downfall I have always found a bit anti-climatic. Not that every major character should exit the scene with a loud bang and some stupenduos fireworks, but somehow that whole "Sharkey" -episode with his personal revenge to the hobbits is just bad looking it from the point of view of Saruman's character. (From the hobbit POV it's different; they needed the final trial for the story to end)


Heh, the classical choice between the intellectual excitement vs. the emotional "being moved"...

I may need to abstain from voting this day. Let's see.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

But with Saruman things get a bit more intersting. First he was lured by curiosity and knowledge (which I personally value much higher than just some dull shiny objects ) but then somehow Sauron managed to twist him. Now how come that be as they were both of the maiar? What really happened there between the two an what were they thinking? Of these Tolkien doesn't but give a few little hints...

Sauron? What? No, no, good mister! Now you are being unjust to poor Saruman! It was all only his own fault, his own achievement to fall! He met Sauron only much, much later!

Though Saruman's downfall I have always found a bit anti-climatic. Not that every major character should exit the scene with a loud bang and some stupenduos fireworks, but somehow that whole "Sharkey" -episode with his personal revenge to the hobbits is just bad looking it from the point of view of Saruman's character. (From the hobbit POV it's different; they needed the final trial for the story to end)

I actually find his end really great, this Sharkey-thing. Being completely destroyed, losing everything this way? Fascinating, I say. "A little mischief in a mean way", that summed it pretty well, and it's just great!

Oh my, this got me really to think again about Saruman. I have never possibly seen a more complex and more fascinating character than him. I like Gollum (the original one, whenever I happen to discard the movie imagination of him), but against Saruman, simply nobody stands a real chance.

[Gollum the Great]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

Oh my, this got me really to think again about Saruman. I have never possibly seen a more complex and more fascinating character than him.

While Saruman is in and of himself interesting, what I really find enthralling (as an addition to perfection, if you know what I mean) is the whole of Isengard and Orthanc as a stronghold, base of operations, and center of doings for Saruman. The aura of production and breeding, the design and craftswork of the Numenoreans' unbreakable tower now being used by this ultimate character completely carries me away.

Originally posted by Legate
but against Saruman, simply nobody stands a real chance.

All the way no one could dream of standing within about 50 miles of Saruman.

The word "cool" understates him.