thought of a better example: Arien the Maia of the Sun was single and far more powerful than Tilion
RugbyPlayingAshaman Send a noteboard - 09/04/2010 09:17:34 PM
Gandalf learned pity from a single woman? See, this proves my point: she is only pitiable because she is single and without some man lovin' to make her complete. 

I think you were joking, but for those not in the know, she has a strange gift of mercy and foresight, so she could see that when the world was created there would be things that would change and that the greatest works could be marred. She argued for the punishment and not destruction of Melkor the first time he was defeated. It turned out wrong, but it is out of pity and mercy that the world is enriched and takes on a different type of grace from that of prettiness. I'm not quite sure what sort of statement Tolkien was making with her - I tend to think she is an archetype more of a nun or Virgin Mary rather than single.
I agree with you about the gods though. The prowess in battle only becomes important when you talk about the Eldar.
I think it's understood that none of the monsters created by Melkor could stand against any of the gods. Arien, with the power to withstand great heat, and Tilion, whom loved silver, were both Maia, spirits like Gandalf/Olorin, and guided the Sun and the Moon respectively to give the world light after the Two Trees were destroyed by Ungoliant and the Silmaril stolen. When Melkor sent monsters to attack them, they couldn't even get near Arien, because she had greater power and was a fire spirit, so their weapons could not harm her - in her naked form as a fierce flame, it is possible to envision her enemies being burnt away when they tried to come too close. Tilion's charge was damaged, though, because he was less mighty, being a spirit that was a hunter from Orome's entourage - so he had to fight and could not quite protect it.
Sorry, I love "The Silmarillion"
.
"Those who think they have no time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness."
The greatest King in Fantasy
- 09/04/2010 05:18:42 AM
2123 Views
King Arthur. Hands down.
- 09/04/2010 06:40:15 AM
1522 Views
I would argue with you.
- 09/04/2010 06:54:53 AM
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That's the point, though. Arthur's humanity is what makes him so admirable.
- 09/04/2010 06:59:07 AM
1494 Views
I have to agree with Dannymac
- 09/04/2010 02:04:44 PM
1483 Views
But he's not in a modern fantasy novel.
- 09/04/2010 07:37:14 PM
1528 Views
- 09/04/2010 07:37:14 PM
1528 Views
when I read the actual book...
- 10/04/2010 12:08:21 AM
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"The actual character"? Which of the countless different ones? *NM*
- 10/04/2010 12:21:00 AM
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i mean the actual character of Arthur in the actual book.
- 10/04/2010 12:51:44 AM
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There isn't an "actual book." Le Morte d'Arthur is a relatively early compilation of legends. *NM*
- 10/04/2010 03:09:40 AM
755 Views
I'm going with the most likely historical version of King Arthur
- 09/04/2010 06:45:26 PM
1566 Views
My money is still on Aragorn
- 09/04/2010 12:47:43 PM
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Aragorn is so awesome...
- 09/04/2010 02:05:42 PM
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Arwen's character is just never fleshed out, though.
- 09/04/2010 02:18:30 PM
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Re: Arwen's character is just never fleshed out, though.
- 09/04/2010 02:49:45 PM
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Mostly, yes, but there are a few exceptions - Galadriel, Eowyn, and above all Luthien.
- 09/04/2010 03:32:00 PM
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Re: Mostly, yes, but there are a few exceptions - Galadriel, Eowyn, and above all Luthien.
- 09/04/2010 03:45:37 PM
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I can't agree about the goddesses.
- 09/04/2010 04:34:15 PM
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Re: I can't agree about the goddesses.
- 09/04/2010 04:55:34 PM
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If Tacitus and Graves were accurate
- 09/04/2010 05:09:20 PM
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Re: If Tacitus and Graves were accurate
- 09/04/2010 05:26:43 PM
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I rather liked her depiction in Rome.
- 09/04/2010 05:34:37 PM
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Re: I can't agree about the goddesses.
- 09/04/2010 05:02:50 PM
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Nienna, the Valier of Mercy, was single and a wanderer. She's not the most powerful, but...
- 09/04/2010 06:55:23 PM
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Re: Nienna, the Valier of Mercy, was single and a wanderer. She's not the most powerful, but...
- 09/04/2010 07:04:37 PM
1514 Views
thought of a better example: Arien the Maia of the Sun was single and far more powerful than Tilion
- 09/04/2010 09:17:34 PM
1755 Views
Re: I can't agree about the goddesses.
- 09/04/2010 05:06:49 PM
1621 Views
That was my first assumption too, but evidently not. *NM*
- 09/04/2010 05:22:39 PM
689 Views
I changed it to Livia Augusta
Sheesh, you people-- a guy mistypes one time!! *NM*
- 09/04/2010 05:29:03 PM
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Sheesh, you people-- a guy mistypes one time!! *NM*
- 09/04/2010 05:29:03 PM
759 Views
I call bullshit
- 09/04/2010 08:09:49 PM
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Re: I call bullshit
- 09/04/2010 08:31:16 PM
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Re: I call bullshit
- 10/04/2010 08:04:15 AM
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I didn't realize it was fashionable to call Tolkien sexist.
- 10/04/2010 05:12:07 PM
1545 Views
He's good, but then he just doesn't have to face so many things.
- 09/04/2010 02:22:04 PM
1759 Views
Doesn't have to face many things?
- 09/04/2010 07:59:27 PM
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As in, there are many important aspects of being king he doesn't have to face.
- 09/04/2010 08:07:16 PM
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well technically speaking he WAS the king when he did all those things.
- 10/04/2010 12:15:26 AM
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Re: Doesn't have to face many things?
- 09/04/2010 08:38:51 PM
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Re: Doesn't have to face many things?
- 10/04/2010 08:24:33 AM
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I'm sure there are many, but one coming to mind is Prince Josua from Memory, Sorrow and Thorn
- 09/04/2010 02:23:57 PM
1456 Views
I'm going to go with a tie...
- 09/04/2010 04:22:42 PM
1452 Views
Rohan was a whiny hypocritical bitch who failed at the only real test of rulership he ever faced.
- 10/04/2010 02:51:34 AM
1543 Views
Artur Hawkwing
- 10/04/2010 03:34:02 AM
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Alexander the Great?
*NM*
- 10/04/2010 05:08:25 AM
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*NM*
- 10/04/2010 05:08:25 AM
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AH conquered more, did better, & was not a huge d-bag. Alex would have commissioned that big statue *NM*
- 12/04/2010 03:00:39 PM
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And both managed to have their so-called "empires" crumble within a year of their death. *NM*
- 12/04/2010 06:12:20 PM
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Which just reinforces how awesome AH was - no one else could do what he did
- 13/04/2010 11:50:54 AM
1536 Views
???
- 10/04/2010 10:30:13 AM
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Ta'veren is not a power, it is an accomodation with what the Pattern demands of certain people
- 12/04/2010 02:56:57 PM
1462 Views
What's the name of the Lemur-thing that's the King in "the penguins of madagascar"? He gets my vote! *NM*
- 14/04/2010 04:46:42 AM
756 Views
