Elrond, why? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Nurumaiel · 07-20-2004, 07:45 PM

I could be terribly short and nasty and say that a very good reason to explain why Elrond didn't kill Isildur is because then there would be no story. However I realize that isn't the point, and I will express my opinion on the matter.

It seems to me that Elrond didn't kill Isildur because he was honourable. It isn't very honourable to kill a comrade, especially one who has just won a battle through heroic courage in facing an ultimate evil. Honour is defined often as virtue, or nobleness, and it is neither virtuous nor noble to ditch someone into a fire to put an end to all problems. Frankly, it isn't good. Elrond never struck me as one who would really agree to, 'The ends justify the means.' Somehow it seems to me that such an action would defeat the whole purpose... to prevent Sauron murdering by murdering yourself? It doesn't seem to fit. It isn't honourable.

07-20-2004, 07:45 PM	#7
Nurumaiel Vice of Twilight Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: on a mountain Posts: 1,121	I could be terribly short and nasty and say that a very good reason to explain why Elrond didn't kill Isildur is because then there would be no story. However I realize that isn't the point, and I will express my opinion on the matter. It seems to me that Elrond didn't kill Isildur because he was honourable. It isn't very honourable to kill a comrade, especially one who has just won a battle through heroic courage in facing an ultimate evil. Honour is defined often as virtue, or nobleness, and it is neither virtuous nor noble to ditch someone into a fire to put an end to all problems. Frankly, it isn't good. Elrond never struck me as one who would really agree to, 'The ends justify the means.' Somehow it seems to me that such an action would defeat the whole purpose... to prevent Sauron murdering by murdering yourself? It doesn't seem to fit. It isn't honourable.