Do the Ringwraiths feel pain?

[alatar]

Interesting. The Ringwraiths would have to be able to feel 'something,' as if they couldn't, they would not be able to sit on/control their horses/fell beasts, use their real world (ME) swords, or accurate swing a mace at a maiden's head.

That said, the one Aragorn sets ablaze at Weathertop seems more annoyed that he will have to sit in wardrobe for a few hours than if he really felt the fire.

[mormegil]

I always figured it was more of a mental pain than an actual physical pain but I haven't contemplated it much either. As Alatar points out if they have not sensory ability how could they wield weapons, ride a horse, etc...

I would think that their pain would be different from that of normal man. How though I'm not exactly sure, like I said I think it would be more of mental anguish than an actual physical pain.

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by mormegil

I would think that their pain would be different from that of normal man. How though I'm not exactly sure, like I said I think it would be more of mental anguish than an actual physical pain.

Why not physical? Their bodies were invisible, but they still existed. If fire did not physically affect them, why would they fear it?

[Blind Guardian]

"Ow! That hurts my eyes!" They don't have to fear it, it might just look weird or annoying.

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Blind Guardian

"Ow! That hurts my eyes!" They don't have to fear it, it might just look weird or annoying.

Aragorn made the comment in the FOTR book (which I don't have handy) that the Black Riders 'did not love fire', and 'fear those who wield it'.

[mormegil]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

Why not physical? Their bodies were invisible, but they still existed. If fire did not physically affect them, why would they fear it?

Because it could harm them, and as such they would fear it. If your hand feels no pain you would do well to fear cutting it off though you didn't feel the pain of it, correct.

[Blind Guardian]

But them that wouldn't answer them on the battlefield. Everyone would be trying to hit them, right? (I would! Even though I cheer them on till the end) Why was it that Eowyn was able to kill the Witch-King?

[mormegil]

Originally Posted by Blind Guardian

But them that wouldn't answer them on the battlefield. Everyone would be trying to hit them, right? (I would! Even though I cheer them on till the end) Why was it that Eowyn was able to kill the Witch-King?

Merry's sword helped quite a bit if I recall.

So passed the sword of the Barrow-downs, work of the Westernesse. But glad would he have been to know its fate who wrought it slowly long ago in the North-kingdom when the Dúnedain were young, and chief among their foes was the dread realm of Angmar and its sorcerer king. No other blade, though mightier hands had wielded it, would have dealt that foe a wound so bitter, cleaving the undead flesh, breaking the spell that knit his undead sinews to his will.

I don't think normal weapons were as effective so to speak and that is why fire is made mention in particular and the blade of Westernesse as well. There are particular weapons that are more effective than others. Plus how would one get close to the W-k is probably the better question. Most were terrified of them and ran from them; one of their chief weapons was fear.

[alatar]

Originally Posted by mormegil

I don't think normal weapons were as effective so to speak and that is why fire is made mention in particular and the blade of Westernesse as well. There are particular weapons that are more effective than others. Plus how would one get close to the W-k is probably the better question. Most were terrified of them and ran from them; one of their chief weapons was fear.

As this is in the Movies part of the forum, I'm restricting myself to Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings. We see the one Ringwraith get burned by Aragorn, and all Nine drowned by Arwen. They next appear in TTT by doing a Fell Beast flyover of the Dead Marshes.

This seems to indicate that while the Nine may or may not have felt any physical pain, they may be sensitive to being uncloaked. Fire does this, and water and boulders might do just as well. The uncloaking may be an inconvenience, or somewhat painful, so they avoid things that could remove their wrappings.

I never did figure out where the torched Nazgul got his new cloak between Weathertop and the Ford...

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by mormegil

Because it could harm them, and as such they would fear it. If your hand feels no pain you would do well to fear cutting it off though you didn't feel the pain of it, correct.

But the WK's cry when struck by Merry indicates he felt something, be it physical or spiritual pain.

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

It does rather come down to a "define pain" issue, doesn't it? For myself, I would say that they do. If they felt no pain, I would also think they would feel no fear, and we do have some evidence that Sauron used the fear of pain to get what he wanted (the torture of Gollum, if nothing else). The Nazgûl might have built up a tolerance to it, whether it's physical or psychological, but I suspect Sauron wouldn't want them to get so used to it that he can no longer use it against them. And they do fear him.

One could also ask if they feel pleasure,but that's another kettle of fish.

[Blind Guardian]

Originally Posted by Ibrîniðilpathânezel

It does rather come down to a "define pain" issue, doesn't it? For myself, I would say that they do. If they felt no pain, I would also think they would feel no fear, and we do have some evidence that Sauron used the fear of pain to get what he wanted (the torture of Gollum, if nothing else). The Nazgûl might have built up a tolerance to it, whether it's physical or psychological, but I suspect Sauron wouldn't want them to get so used to it that he can no longer use it against them. And they do fear him.

One could also ask if they feel pleasure,but that's another kettle of fish.

They feel pleasure when they kill someone!

As this is in the Movies part of the forum, I'm restricting myself to Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings. We see the one Ringwraith get burned by Aragorn, and all Nine drowned by Arwen. They next appear in TTT by doing a Fell Beast flyover of the Dead Marshes.

This doesn't have to be just movies, I guess.

[mormegil]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

But the WK's cry when struck by Merry indicates he felt something, be it physical or spiritual pain.

I never said they didn't feel mental or spiritual pain. I think the anguish of his demise was terrible and would cause a cry. I just can't see a stubbed toe causing the W-K to jump up and down cursing at his misfortune.