Aragorn's assertiveness - Page 2 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

William Cloud Hicklin · 10-16-2016, 10:32 AM

Let's keep in mind that Tolkien was drawing on a much older mode of narrative art than 20th or even 19th century literature. In the classical and Germanic and medieval legends which formed most of Tolkien's leaf-mould, false modesty (or any modesty) was not a component of the heroic character: Achilles and Sigurd and Beowulf and Gawaine are quite open and proud about their own rank and badassery.

10-16-2016, 10:32 AM	#41
William Cloud Hicklin Loremaster of Annúminas Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,324	Let's keep in mind that Tolkien was drawing on a much older mode of narrative art than 20th or even 19th century literature. In the classical and Germanic and medieval legends which formed most of Tolkien's leaf-mould, false modesty (or any modesty) was not a component of the heroic character: Achilles and Sigurd and Beowulf and Gawaine are quite open and proud about their own rank and badassery. __________________ The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it.