Character Analysis Thread

[MatthewM]

No offense Nazgûl-king, but that sounds like I'm taking a test. Where's my blue book?

[Beanamir of Gondor]

Hmm, yes. It does feel sort of like we're being quizzed on how well we can go back and check through facts, and apply them to character development, or something... (Not that I wouldn't do this for fun, being an English major and all though I think your questions are a bit too broad.)
But I think MatthewM's frustration could carry over to other 'Downers. Is there any way to restructure this thread so it feels a bit more like discussion? Unless, of course, Nazgul, you actually do want your thread to be run like a literary criticism forum? I'd be up for that, but a lot of other people might not...

[ArathornJax]

What are your general impressions of Merry and Pippin and their role in the story?

I have always thought that Merry and Pippin were extra baggage until they were seized t the Falls of Rauros and taken by the Uruk's there. I think that journey began the transformation of them as characters, or let us as readers see them more in depth. I also think that at this point the wisdom of Gandalf in trusting to friendship proved itself over a great Elf Lord in the company. Here Merry and Pippin allowed Frodo and Sam to be able escape with the Orcs and Uruk's taking Merry and Pippin and high tailing it towards Fangorn.

However, I don't think Merry and Pippin changed that much yet. They have a lot of fun at Isengard and the foolishness of Pippin the Orthanc Stone shows that they are still kinda of treating this as a journey.

I think the other area where they really grew up there experiences from when Pippin looked into the Stone forward. Merry's relationship with Theoden and with Dernhelm climaxing with the stabbing of the Witch King brought tenderness and the horrors of war to him. I think this experience changed Merry and his exposure to Theoden and the army of Rohan brought him leadership experience that he personally needed.

Pippin had his moments in Minis Tirith, especially in saving Faramir. His experience before the Black Gate in killing the Troll and coming to terms with what he thought was his own end, rounded him off.

I think both reflect the sense of a solider going off to war treating it like a holiday or an adventure. Then the realities of it begin to hit and they begin to take their toll on the individual. This can be devestating or refining depending on the support and healing they receive. Merry and Pippin were able to heal and be tempered from their experiences and exposures.

However, one thing that I really like about Merry and Pippin is that though they mature in the story, their base character traits stay the same. The retain their sense of humor and who they are. They are tempered, but they are themselves and that is refreshing I think to see. People go through major struggles yet still remain their positive and refreshing outlook (and humor).

Not sure if that is what people have in mind, but I just kinda of went with what I know of the story, the characters and my own inferences. Overall, I enjoy Merry and Pippin and the role they play in the story.

Edit: I will answer one question that is specific. Thain and Master of Buckland were inheirited positions, and so Merry and Pippin would have received those positions when their fathers passed away. I think their experiences in the War of the Ring refined them and made them ready for their roles. Anything else would be speculation as Tolkien never touched on that aspect.

[Eönwë]

Originally Posted by ArathornJax

I think both reflect the sense of a solider going off to war treating it like a holiday or an adventure. Then the realities of it begin to hit and they begin to take their toll on the individual. This can be devestating or refining depending on the support and healing they receive. Merry and Pippin were able to heal and be tempered from their experiences and exposures.

Isn't this what it was like for Tolkien?

[ArathornJax]

Indeed I think that Tolkien's experiences in war provided for him a depth that he was able to use with his characters, including Merry and Pippin. An interesting view is too look at how the experiences of each of the Hobbits in terms of how the deal with the after affects of war is similar yet different.

As for he Nazgul, I think their smelling of blood was a catch 22 for them. First, it reminded them of what they were orginally, human and mortal, and for that,they desired blood because they wanted or desired to be human or at least mortal again with all their power and glory back. I think they desire it most of all because they wanted their individual freedom or independance back.
Yet they also hated the smell of blood because it reminded them of what they had given up to obtain the power, wealth and control that they had had while mere mortals. Imagine obtaining everything that the world says you should want, power, wealth, dominion, strength and glory, and then becoming a mere servant to the one who gave it to you. Living in servititude and living between life and death. I also think they hated it because they had rejected this life and had become purly in the control of Sauron. That would gall someone who in the past had been a formidable leader, even one of the key leaders of their day and they eventually fell, one by one under the dominion and control of Sauron. Imagine Ar-Pharazon as the Witch-King. There would have been some desire to have that power back independant of Sauron, and also hatred that he was in servititude to Sauron. Not sure I am making sense as it is late so I'll stop and retire.

Cheers!

[Groin Redbeard]

I love Aragorn's description of the Nazgul on Weathertop, so much is revealed to us about them.

The one thing that I find most interesting about them is that they do not see very well in the daylight, and that they do well in the darkness, in fear. This I thought was a major draw back to them, and possibly one fault that they had in battle, since they can smell better than see.