Did Tolkien find the idea of war honourable? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 02-02-2004, 02:27 PM

Quite often when the enemy is human, Tolkien implies that they have been duped or coerced into fighting. Certainly this is true of the Dunlendings; and Sam's thoughts on the dead Man of Harad in Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit provide an interesting counterpoint to the skirmish itself, which takes place almost entirely out of sight. I think that this scene is absolutely typical of Tolkien's portrayal of war between Men or Elves: that it is neither natural nor desirable for the Children of Ilúvatar to kill one another. In fact that this can only be the work of Morgoth and his servants.

02-02-2004, 02:27 PM	#23
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	Quite often when the enemy is human, Tolkien implies that they have been duped or coerced into fighting. Certainly this is true of the Dunlendings; and Sam's thoughts on the dead Man of Harad in Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit provide an interesting counterpoint to the skirmish itself, which takes place almost entirely out of sight. I think that this scene is absolutely typical of Tolkien's portrayal of war between Men or Elves: that it is neither natural nor desirable for the Children of Ilúvatar to kill one another. In fact that this can only be the work of Morgoth and his servants. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?