Farmer Maggot's Dogs

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Moonraker

He gives that impression strongly with Merry after the encounter with the Nazgul. I think he obviously misunderstood that your average trespasser was never going to be as formidable as a Nazgul.

Yes, well, that was precisely the part I was talking about, that "didn't give me the impression". Honestly, I think you're reading into it.

As for the Nazgul- well, I know others have said this already, but he didn't know he was dealing with a Nazgul (or even what one was, presumably).

[Moonraker]

Originally Posted by Nerwen

Yes, well, that was precisely the part I was talking about, that "didn't give me the impression". Honestly, I think you're reading into it.

As for the Nazgul- well, I know others have said this already, but he didn't know he was dealing with a Nazgul (or even what one was, presumably).

The Nazgul sent his dog sprinting as though he was stung, so Maggot may have realised this was no ordinary trespasser. Also the Nazgul would have radiated a foul presence of fear and coldness that he would have sensed.

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Moonraker

The Nazgul sent his dog sprinting as though he was stung, so Maggot may have realised this was no ordinary trespasser. Also the Nazgul would have radiated a foul presence of fear and coldness that he would have sensed.

He did, in fact he was thoroughly creeped out by the stranger, hence his stepping up precautions. However, it seems clear from the passage in question that Maggot had no idea he was actually dealing with a supernatural being rather than just a sinister weirdo.

[Moonraker]

Originally Posted by Nerwen

He did, in fact he was thoroughly creeped out by the stranger, hence his stepping up precautions. However, it seems clear from the passage in question that Maggot had no idea he was actually dealing with a supernatural being rather than just a sinister weirdo.

Maggot was friends with Bombadil, and may have heard of Gandalf (not sure). These are what I would describe as supernatural creatures. The Nazgul was just an old man turned wraith, poisoned by one of the Nine Rings of Power.

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Moonraker

Maggot was friends with Bombadil, and may have heard of Gandalf (not sure). These are what I would describe as supernatural creatures. The Nazgul was just an old man turned wraith, poisoned by one of the Nine Rings of Power.

It's undead. I wouldn't call that "natural", would you? Besides, how does this help your case? I don't get it.

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Moonraker

The Nazgul was just an old man turned wraith, poisoned by one of the Nine Rings of Power.

Ummm....the word "understatement" would, in this case, be an understatement. I cannot begin to construe how profoundly you have misjudged the Nazgul. This dialogue just keeps getting stranger.

[Moonraker]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

Ummm....the word "understatement" would, in this case, be an understatement. I cannot begin to construe how profoundly you have misjudged the Nazgul. This dialogue just keeps getting stranger.

I was, of course, generalising. And I am broadly correct in what I said. The Nazgul that Maggot met was indeed once an ordinary man (a king) turned wraith, a transition brought about by being consumed to evil by one of the Nine Rings of Power given to him by Sauron. Obviously a Nazgul would have other powers to protect him, with the power of Sauron being in him. Nevertheless I don't see a Nazgul elevated to the level of a ''supernatural'' being as with Sauron.

[Morthoron]

You have profoundly misjudged the Nazgul, and the entire discussion thus far certainly has an air of absurdity.

Originally Posted by Moonraker

I was, of course, generalising. And I am broadly correct in what I said. The Nazgul that Maggot met was indeed once an ordinary man (a king) turned wraith, a transition brought about by being consumed to evil by one of the Nine Rings of Power given to him by Sauron. Obviously a Nazgul would have other powers to protect him, with the power of Sauron being in him. Nevertheless I don't see a Nazgul elevated to the level of a ''supernatural'' being as with Sauron.

The Nazgul had, by the time of the War of the Ring, existed for thousands of years. They were men of power before they succumbed to the lure of the Rings -- sorcerors, warriors and kings -- and invested with Rings of Power, their innate abilities were enhanced to the point that the WitchKing destroyed the Northern Numenorean kingdoms, and felt inherently powerful enough to challenge Gandalf himself (whether he was, in fact, powerful enough is improbable but never proven). If that isn't supernatural enough for you, I would suggest you look up the definition of said word.