I've always wondered what RJ was trying to achieve with this character.
Did RJ want to represent the ultimate man? The first thing RJ did to convey this idea was to name him the greatest man of the Age, a title no one could claim in our world, and even if they did, there would be ten thousand men who would challenge it. He also said that Demandred was 'undoubtedly' the second greatest man, meaning that these two men were so awesome that there was no doubt as to who the best men of the Age were.
I've always found this troubling. On what basis were they measured? Is Aviendha greater than Elayne or Egwene... and on what basis? What would she have to do to be 'undoubtedly' greater? What would she have to do to be the greatest person of all compared to anyone in the third Age?
This lends evidence to the fact that LTT was in fact... perfect. Evidence to back this up includes the fact that he is the strongest channeler in the world, was gifted with an amazing intelligence according to RJ, is the most powerful ta'veren around, and is physically superior to other men - being extremely tall, strong and rather good looking. The Forsaken criticize him, but their criticisms seem more like compliments - Be'lal said he could never hurt someone in order to gain power, and Moghedien said he stank of goodness. Even Demandred said he was brilliant.
At the same time, I also think that RJ wanted to present a normal guy who was born with a combination of powerful gifts, and some flaws too. I certainly don't think that Rand is perfect, if he is anything to go by. I can even understand men like Logain finding Rand to be irritating, and even starting to hate him after a while.
What is LTT to you as a character?
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Character discussion 1 : Lews Therin Telamon
- 03/05/2010 05:13:30 AM
1433 Views
A tragic hero
- 03/05/2010 02:44:35 PM
609 Views
I thought that was supposed to be left up to the reader to decide.
- 03/05/2010 03:45:07 PM
553 Views
Re: A tragic hero
- 03/05/2010 04:34:23 PM
578 Views
Re: A tragic hero
- 03/05/2010 04:47:01 PM
544 Views
Not to mention--how old was LTT? He really had no adult children?
- 03/05/2010 11:29:54 PM
498 Views
Re: Not to mention--how old was LTT? He really had no adult children?
- 04/05/2010 05:22:19 AM
518 Views
Re: Not to mention--how old was LTT? He really had no adult children?
- 05/05/2010 03:29:57 PM
520 Views
And even normals had extended lifespans - Mieran's servant was sixty & in his prime.
- 06/05/2010 05:38:43 PM
521 Views
Well, Lews Therin is insane with only brief moments of coherence *NM*
- 04/05/2010 06:42:09 PM
306 Views
How perfect/imperfect was Lews Therin?
- 03/05/2010 04:28:11 PM
607 Views
Re: How perfect/imperfect was Lews Therin?
- 03/05/2010 04:53:22 PM
537 Views
LTT was close to perfect, and he barely managed to eke out a draw with the Shadow.
- 03/05/2010 09:16:29 PM
507 Views
What flaws? Lews Therin HAD no flaws. It's just you average folk being bitter about perfection...
- 03/05/2010 08:39:19 PM
652 Views
Who's bitter?
- 04/05/2010 05:20:36 AM
550 Views
Bitter is too strong a word. More "conditioned" to search for character flaws in literature...
- 05/05/2010 03:48:49 PM
472 Views
A rather unrealistic character in my opinion
- 03/05/2010 11:27:32 PM
531 Views
TGS ought to have put an end to that flawed reasoning
- 04/05/2010 04:31:16 PM
628 Views
I have a question
- 04/05/2010 06:32:16 PM
540 Views
Re: I have a question
- 04/05/2010 11:47:54 PM
524 Views
Overly convoluted theory, in my view...
- 05/05/2010 09:48:11 AM
518 Views
The Pattern can do this, so complicated or not, it happens all the time. RJ already said...
- 05/05/2010 07:14:56 PM
593 Views
the reason you can't find real people as accomplished is no one lives that long in real life!
- 06/05/2010 08:50:58 PM
469 Views
Did the LTT soul exist/reside in TAR as a Hero of the Horn ...
- 04/05/2010 06:22:36 PM
581 Views
Re: Did the LTT soul exist/reside in TAR as a Hero of the Horn ...
- 05/05/2010 12:22:09 AM
515 Views
Lews Therin's funny Talent
- 04/05/2010 06:34:26 PM
527 Views
Wards can detect people.
- 05/05/2010 12:21:02 AM
490 Views

*NM*