Psychological depth in Tolkien's characters

[Orofaniel]

Psychological depth in a character can be a mystery to us, which makes us curious what's behind it. So the psychological depth becomes a mystery within certain characters? Yeah, I think so.
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On the contrary, Orofaniel, mystery in a character, to me, indicates a certain lack of psychological depth. But, as I have said, that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Maybe I was a bit unclear... [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] I think that the psychological depth, and the hunt for the readers to find it within certain characters, can be a mystery for us. But when I think about what you said, Saucy, I realised that it can be both ways. That's what I think.

As I hope is clear from what I have said above, I do not feel that psychological depth is necessary to make us care about the characters and what happens to them. We do not necessarily need to know the inner workings of their minds in order for them to resonate with, and appeal to, us.

Wow...You don't think it’s necessary?

I would say that the psychological depth is a very important factor. I think they do have to have psychological depth so that we, the readers, will find the characters interesting. I think the psychological depth in the Tolkien's characters (and for that matter, other characters) is important also because we can compare ourselves with them. If they had no psychological depth, I don't think we could. And I also think we do care about them, just because they are deep, and much developed psychological, and the fact that we feel that we have something in common with the character(s).


Cheers,
Orofaniel [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]