Dragon appreciation thread

[Raynor]

No, I was using myself as an example of an arrogant and evil person, and pointing out that dragons fall for something I (like to think I) don't.

Well, I don't know how much credibility we should lend to someone admitting to be on the side of evil himself

On the whole, each and everyone in Ea has a weakness:

Every finite creature must have some weakness: that is some inadequacy to deal with some situations. It is not sinful when not willed, and when the creature does his best (even if it is not what should be done) as he sees it - with the conscious intent of serving Eru.)

If everyone carries a software bug, why should we qq about this or that one? Some have great inherent strength, other good persuasions, charisma, foresight, craftmanship, good moral values, faith etc, etc, and nobody has all of the good qualities, that is, nobody is perfect. Are we really in a position to judge a fault, on the grand scheme of things (could any finite being have that capacity, given that each one has an inherent weakness)? And comparing ourselves in the process with, excuse me, a dragon?

[The Might]

Where is the last picture from, Raynor?

Looks like Dol Amroth in the background.

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by The Might

Where is the last picture from, Raynor?

Looks like Dol Amroth in the background.

To be honest, I had a saved gallery.

Depending on your free time, you could use TinEye to track it down

http://www.tineye.com/search/be687d7...a851943bf3515/

Meanwhile... where were we? Oh yeah, more dragons!

[Aganzir]

Okay, Tolkien dragons might be different with their flaws and all (however, not many have a very distinct personality). It's most fantasy dragons (that are supposed to be perfect) that I can't stand. But I still think they all are quite boring. I mean, what's so fun about a talking lizard?

[Raynor]

however, not many have a very distinct personality

Well, I pretty much doubt that even the most erudite ant in the entire history of the ants could understand/evaluate the likes of Einstein, Gauss, Tolkien, Plato - or maybe even Jackie Chan, Angelina Jolie or Rudolf Nureyev. But we have the ant to blame for that

that are supposed to be perfect

I don't quite subscribe to this tbh though. Majestic, imposing, maybe superior? Yes

what's so fun about a talking lizard?

A being with more knowledge, power and range of perceptions than most of all the creatures ever imagined? :P Indeed, let's find something more bite-sized, they are more cute :P

[skip spence]

Tolkien's dragons are indeed nice and savoury and I love both Glaurung and Smaug. I've yet to see a detailed and convincing painting or image of one of Middle Earth's dragons though. Has anyone else?

The tendency among artists seems to be guana/dinosaur-like creatures that walk upright with strong legs even though Tolkien clearly described long and slithering serpent-like dragons.

Well, I quite like Alan Lee's Glaurung in CoH but the shape of the father of Dragons is only hinted in that one (which is probably for the best to be honest).

[Pitchwife]

Dragons rock. They rock really hard. Bestial ferocity, elemental firepower, cunning intelligence and magic all rolled into one - how much cooler can it get?
I'll have to come back to this once I'm no longer distracted by WW. Great thread, Raynor, and great pics (I love the white one best)!

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by skip spence

The tendency among artists seems to be guana/dinosaur-like creatures that walk upright with strong legs even though Tolkien clearly described long and slithering serpent-like dragons.

That's.. a matter of contention (emphasis added):

Originally Posted by Tolkien, St . Andrews, and Dragons, page 9

The original impression of The Hobbit in 1937 had contained no colored pictures, but the second English impression of the same year and the first American edition in 1938 included five colored pictures by Tolkien, one of which was entitled “O Smaug, the Chiefest and Greatest of Calamities,” Bilbo Baggins’s words to the dragon in chapter 12—an illustration now more familiarly known as Conversation with Smaug and completed by Tolkien in July 1937.

In this familiar picture we see the dragon lying on his heap of treasure, with his belly toward the top of the pile, so that he is lying curled downwards, with his head resting on the hoard, smoke issuing from his nostrils and his ears pointed and alert, his right clawed foot extended.