Awesome deaths!!! - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lalaith · 05-12-2004, 04:55 AM

*nods in agreement*
Yes, I thought of the Middlemarch quote too when I read Bethberry's post.
And let's not forget Tolkien's own take on the issue:
"Many a man of arms misreads patience and quiet. She did much good among us at much cost."
Aerin's death was pretty awesome, now that I come to think of it.

mark12_30 · 05-12-2004, 12:46 PM

I was going to reply at length to the Arwen thought-- but I think I should start a new thread) on it.

In the meantime, I'll have to vote for Fingolfin. I gasped, I protested, I wept, I put the book down and walked away.

Feanor of the Peredhil · 05-12-2004, 02:20 PM

I was just thinking of Eomer's death... There's something to be said for dying at peace in the autumn, amongst friends, and after living a long and good life.

Fea

Maédhros · 05-12-2004, 02:34 PM

Echtelion's death is really good. The way he sacrificed himself over Tuor being himself previously wounded in the battle.
From Book of Lost Tales II: The Fall of Gondolin

Quote:

But now the men of Melko have assembled their forces, and seven dragons of fire are come with Orcs about them and Balrogs upon them down all the ways from north, east, and west, seeking the Square of the King. Then there was carnage at the barriers, and Egalmoth and Tuor went from place to place of the defence, but Ecthelion lay by the fountain; and that stand was the most stubborn-valiant that is remembered in all the songs or in any tale. Yet at long last a drake bursts the barrier to the north -- and there had once been the issue of the Alley of Roses and a fair place to see or to walk in, but now there is but a lane of blackness and it is filled with noise.
Tuor stood then in the way of that beast, but was sundered from Egalmoth, and they pressed him backward even to the centre of the square nigh the fountain. There he became weary from the strangling heat and was beaten down by a great demon, even Gothmog lord of Balrogs, son of Melko. But lo! Ecthelion, whose face was of the pallor of grey steel and whose shield-arm hung limp at his side, strode above him as he fell; and that Gnome drave at the demon, yet did not give him his death, getting rather a wound to his sword-arm that his weapon left his grasp. Then leapt Ecthelion lord of the Fountain, fairest of the Noldoli, full at Gothmog even as he raised his whip, and his helm that had a spike upon it he drave into that evil breast, and he twined his legs about his foeman's thighs; and the Balrog yelled and fell forward; but those two dropped into the basin of the king's fountain which was very deep. There found that creature his bane; and Ecthelion sank steel-laden into the depths, and so perished the lord of the Fountain after fiery battle in cool waters.

Sirithheruwen · 05-12-2004, 03:08 PM

Well, what do you mean by "awesome"?

If you mean "awesome" as in "Cool!" then I'd have to say the Witch-king's death. I have to admit, I'm a huge Eowyn fan!

If you mean "awesome" as in "awe-inspiring" then I have quite a few. Theoden's death was so moving, I cry time after time. And I have to agree with everyone else, Arwen's death is very moving too.

Legolas · 05-12-2004, 11:32 PM

heh...I got a negative reputation with no comment for my last post on this thread. For asking a question of clarification? I was wondering whether or not Lush intentionally included the "woman's" part of the sentence...seemed to me that the significance of her death (as discussed here) was really (at the least, largely) independent of her gender.

Lhunardawen · 05-14-2004, 01:25 AM

I might be stoned to death for saying this, but it seemed to me that a woman's death is quite more sorrowful than a man's. It's just that in all the ages of Middle-Earth, the death of men are given more emphasis, especially in battles. But it is quite unusual to tell of a woman dying, so hearing of it makes me uneasy, not really because I am a female myself.

05-12-2004, 12:46 PM	#2
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	I was going to reply at length to the Arwen thought-- but I think I should start a new thread) on it. In the meantime, I'll have to vote for Fingolfin. I gasped, I protested, I wept, I put the book down and walked away. __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve. Last edited by mark12_30; 05-12-2004 at 01:01 PM.

05-12-2004, 02:20 PM	#3
Feanor of the Peredhil La Belle Dame sans Merci Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: perpetual uncertainty Posts: 5,517	I was just thinking of Eomer's death... There's something to be said for dying at peace in the autumn, amongst friends, and after living a long and good life. Fea __________________ peace

05-12-2004, 03:08 PM	#5
Sirithheruwen Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2003 Location: Wind's Road Posts: 467	Well, what do you mean by "awesome"? If you mean "awesome" as in "Cool!" then I'd have to say the Witch-king's death. I have to admit, I'm a huge Eowyn fan! If you mean "awesome" as in "awe-inspiring" then I have quite a few. Theoden's death was so moving, I cry time after time. And I have to agree with everyone else, Arwen's death is very moving too. __________________ "My name is Mallard, but you can call me Duck." ~Random Saying, compliments of Sirith and her best friend, concerning a book.

05-12-2004, 11:32 PM	#6
Legolas A Northern Soul Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Valinor Posts: 1,847	heh...I got a negative reputation with no comment for my last post on this thread. For asking a question of clarification? I was wondering whether or not Lush intentionally included the "woman's" part of the sentence...seemed to me that the significance of her death (as discussed here) was really (at the least, largely) independent of her gender. __________________ ...take counsel with thyself, and remember who and what thou art.

05-12-2004, 04:55 AM	#1
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	nods in agreement Yes, I thought of the Middlemarch quote too when I read Bethberry's post. And let's not forget Tolkien's own take on the issue: "Many a man of arms misreads patience and quiet. She did much good among us at much cost." Aerin's death was pretty awesome, now that I come to think of it.

05-14-2004, 01:25 AM	#7
Lhunardawen Hauntress of the Havens Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: IN it, but not OF it Posts: 2,538	I might be stoned to death for saying this, but it seemed to me that a woman's death is quite more sorrowful than a man's. It's just that in all the ages of Middle-Earth, the death of men are given more emphasis, especially in battles. But it is quite unusual to tell of a woman dying, so hearing of it makes me uneasy, not really because I am a female myself.