The Middle Earth Popularity Cup - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Thinlómien · 11-21-2008, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

Now I am exaggerating it, of course, but intentionally: he can be summed into a few words for me, and I have to work hard to see a real character behind him.

Your sight is just limited...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morth

Like Judas, his committing suicide rather than repenting is a mortal sin (even though I gave up being Catholic decades ago).

Oh but you must understand that's not an argument that will convince everybody - for example I think that Judas is very fascinating as a character...

Legate of Amon Lanc · 11-21-2008, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Your sight is just limited...

Gah. I could say the same about your view of Tuor

Groin Redbeard · 11-21-2008, 10:24 AM

I have got to run to class here in a moment so I'll make it short and sweet.

Bilbo- a nobody who is found by destiny to go on a great journey (the greatest journey in my mind) and unintentionally finds the greatest evil in the world and keeps it from being found by the enemy. He is the forerunner of the great Ring bearer. Over all a delightful character.

Maedhros- an alright character, he was still foolish to follow his fathers example. Overall, not much a character, and is grossely overated because he lost his poor little hand.

++Bilbo

Aganzir · 11-21-2008, 10:43 AM

++ Maedhros

Shouldn't all you lefties vote for him?

My reasons for liking him are pretty much mentioned already (nothing beats the pride of the sons of Fëanor), although he's nothing like one of my favourite characters. Mostly it's just that Bilbo annoys me, in a way. Well yes he's an alright old chap but I don't like his.. greed. Laziness. Ignorance. Selfishness. All those traits were visible in the Bilbo of The Hobbit, and I possess all of them to some extent, myself, so maybe I shouldn't complain about them.
I don't even really know why, I just prefer Maedhros.

Aganzir · 11-21-2008, 11:05 AM

Oh and I also want to add that while Frodo grew up during his journey, Bilbo didn't. At all. Which annoys me.

Legate of Amon Lanc · 11-21-2008, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aganzir

Oh and I also want to add that while Frodo grew up during his journey, Bilbo didn't. At all. Which annoys me.

Speaking of that, that is perhaps something I like on him, to a certain extent... (Although of course, he did grow up at least in some way... or rather... he didn't grow up, he merely found out some traits of his he already had, only did not come into a situation where they would show, that is it. So indeed, he didn't seem to grow up.)

skip spence · 11-21-2008, 11:33 AM

The interesting thing about the Oath is what would have happened if someone broke it. Fëanor and his sons were said to have named the One and calling everlasting darkness upon them if they didn't keep it. Is that just saying that they really really promised, honest to God! or was there something more to it? The former, I think. I've a feeling Eru wouldn't strike them down in anger if they broke the Oath, nor would Manwe call everlasting darkness over them, although they named him as witness. No, they would applaud it.

It's probably more the case of them not wanting to break a promise and not do what they said they would. Not break their word, no matter what. Even though Meadhros knew that breaking the Oath would be the good thing to do, probably the only possible path towards healing and salvation, he still chose to stay true to his word and follow the darker path, however grim and evil end it led to.

Bilbo? I like him alright. It's just hard to compete with the poetic grandeur of Maedhros.

++Maedhros

Groin Redbeard · 11-21-2008, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aganzir

My reasons for liking him are pretty much mentioned already (nothing beats the pride of the sons of Fëanor)...

Wouldn't this be a bad thing? There is an old (and I do mean oold) saying in my country: "Pride has hurt, starved, and killed than all the other injustices in the world combined." This remark certainly fits Feanor and his sons, their petty pride causing the death of many a good man, elf, and dwarf alike.

skip spence · 11-21-2008, 12:11 PM

The deadline has passed and Maedhros won it by six votes to five. We say bye bye Bilbo, close but no cigar!

The next encounter promises to be as exiting as the previous one. The leader of the Dwarven expedition to the Lonely Mountain versus the father of dragons:

Glaurung vs. Thorin Oakenshield

mormegil · 11-21-2008, 12:19 PM

Glaurung's breath stinks really bad...just trust me.

++Thorin

Nogrod · 11-21-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Groin Redbeard

Bilbo- a nobody who is found by destiny to go on a great journey (the greatest journey in my mind) and unintentionally finds the greatest evil in the world and keeps it from being found by the enemy.

Isn't this just a banal fantasy of the nerds? "One day I will also rule the world with my might even if nobody pays attention to me in this RL of mine"?

11-21-2008, 10:24 AM	#3
Groin Redbeard Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Facing the world's troubles with Christ's hope! Posts: 1,635	I have got to run to class here in a moment so I'll make it short and sweet. Bilbo- a nobody who is found by destiny to go on a great journey (the greatest journey in my mind) and unintentionally finds the greatest evil in the world and keeps it from being found by the enemy. He is the forerunner of the great Ring bearer. Over all a delightful character. Maedhros- an alright character, he was still foolish to follow his fathers example. Overall, not much a character, and is grossely overated because he lost his poor little hand. ++Bilbo __________________ I heard the bells on Christmas Day. Their old, familiar carols play. And wild and sweet the words repeatof peace on earth, good-will to men! ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Last edited by Groin Redbeard; 11-21-2008 at 01:59 PM.

11-21-2008, 10:43 AM	#4
Aganzir Woman of Secret Shadow Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: in hollow halls beneath the fells Posts: 4,511	++ Maedhros Shouldn't all you lefties vote for him? My reasons for liking him are pretty much mentioned already (nothing beats the pride of the sons of Fëanor), although he's nothing like one of my favourite characters. Mostly it's just that Bilbo annoys me, in a way. Well yes he's an alright old chap but I don't like his.. greed. Laziness. Ignorance. Selfishness. All those traits were visible in the Bilbo of The Hobbit, and I possess all of them to some extent, myself, so maybe I shouldn't complain about them. I don't even really know why, I just prefer Maedhros. __________________ He bit me, and I was not gentle.

11-21-2008, 11:05 AM	#5
Aganzir Woman of Secret Shadow Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: in hollow halls beneath the fells Posts: 4,511	Oh and I also want to add that while Frodo grew up during his journey, Bilbo didn't. At all. Which annoys me. __________________ He bit me, and I was not gentle.

11-21-2008, 11:33 AM	#7
skip spence shadow of a doubt Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Back on the streets Posts: 1,125	The interesting thing about the Oath is what would have happened if someone broke it. Fëanor and his sons were said to have named the One and calling everlasting darkness upon them if they didn't keep it. Is that just saying that they really really promised, honest to God! or was there something more to it? The former, I think. I've a feeling Eru wouldn't strike them down in anger if they broke the Oath, nor would Manwe call everlasting darkness over them, although they named him as witness. No, they would applaud it. It's probably more the case of them not wanting to break a promise and not do what they said they would. Not break their word, no matter what. Even though Meadhros knew that breaking the Oath would be the good thing to do, probably the only possible path towards healing and salvation, he still chose to stay true to his word and follow the darker path, however grim and evil end it led to. Bilbo? I like him alright. It's just hard to compete with the poetic grandeur of Maedhros. ++Maedhros __________________ "You can always come back, but you can't come back all the way" ~ Bob Dylan Last edited by skip spence; 11-21-2008 at 11:43 AM.

11-21-2008, 12:11 PM	#9
skip spence shadow of a doubt Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Back on the streets Posts: 1,125	The deadline has passed and Maedhros won it by six votes to five. We say bye bye Bilbo, close but no cigar! The next encounter promises to be as exiting as the previous one. The leader of the Dwarven expedition to the Lonely Mountain versus the father of dragons: Glaurung vs. Thorin Oakenshield __________________ "You can always come back, but you can't come back all the way" ~ Bob Dylan

11-21-2008, 12:19 PM	#10
mormegil Maundering Mage Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,651	Glaurung's breath stinks really bad...just trust me. ++Thorin __________________ “I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo. "So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”