What is your heroic ideal?

[ecthelion]

One of Middle earths biggest heros to me would definetly be Ecthelion (bet you didnt see that coming). He fought at the nirnaeth, bravely defended Gondolin, and killed Gothmog which saved Tuors life but cost him his own.

[Gothbogg the Ripper]

I think the fate of Gollum kind of exemplifies how I see herosm. Above all, the adulation of others is fickle. They cast you as hero and villain often in the same breath. So quick to laud you when times are good, so eager to doubt you when things go wrong.

Gollum destroyed the ring, by accident. He did something heroic purely by fluke. And I feel that's what heroism is, a fluke. People may read selflessness into actions that were done without any thought or consideration beyond self-preservation.

Heroes and madmen are often one and the same in my opinion.

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Gothbogg the Ripper

I think the fate of Gollum kind of exemplifies how I see herosm. Above all, the adulation of others is fickle. They cast you as hero and villain often in the same breath. So quick to laud you when times are good, so eager to doubt you when things go wrong.

Gollum destroyed the ring, by accident. He did something heroic purely by fluke. And I feel that's what heroism is, a fluke. People may read selflessness into actions that were done without any thought or consideration beyond self-preservation.

Heroes and madmen are often one and the same in my opinion.

Eh? I don't think anyone, ever, read "heroism" into Gollum's destroying of the Ring, or "lauded" him for it.

And I have personally known many perfectly sane people do brave and/or selfless things intentionally. In fact– not to boast– but I believe I may claim to have pulled off a few myself, in my time. So there.

Besides, bitter, cynical misanthropy is getting a little, well, boring, don't you think? *yawns*

[Morthoron]

Bravery takes an extraordinary effort; cynicism takes none.

Wait a minute, did I just say that?