Turin Turambar

[Finwen]

It is inappropriate to call Turin insane; he as is well stated above, cursed.

This doesn't mean he wasn't insane. It's my view that Turin wasn't exactly in his right mind towards the end of the 'Narn,' namely when he discovers that Niniel is actually his sister.

When Mablung confirmed his thoughts that Niniel may be his sister, "Turin laughed loud and shrill" and then begins to ramble (his "I am blind!" speech). Mablung even says that Turin "is fey and witless."

His conversation with the sword may have something to do with this, i.e. he thought he heard the sword speak, because he wasn't entirely sane.

There's also the fact that he killed himself at that moment. The only people (please correct me if I'm wrong) who kill themselves willingly in Middle Earth are those in a less then stable state of mind for whatever reason (Turin, Niniel, Maedhros). It just shows how bad it was for him.

And I don't think there's anything wrong with saying that Turin was insane, especially towards the end. You can see how he could be; having a life like he did wouldn't exactly help, and such a curse would be enough to drive anyone to insanity.

(Quotes from Unfinished Tales)