ROBEDMERLINTR
Hobbit
Looks fade, Real Beauty comes from within, the Heart, Soul, and Mind
Posts: 33
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Post by ROBEDMERLINTR on Jun 10, 2004 20:14:15 GMT -6
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I wish to know who everyone's Favorite Tolkien Character is and why......I am curious to know who gets the most votes , so I put it here...
RM
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ROBEDMERLINTR
Hobbit
Looks fade, Real Beauty comes from within, the Heart, Soul, and Mind
Posts: 33
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Post by ROBEDMERLINTR on Jun 10, 2004 20:18:06 GMT -6
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My favorite character is ,of course Gandalf...Not only was he enjoyable, but he provided comedy , visual entertainment(fireworks), wisdom and leadership...In addition, The part for him was well written, and he played it too a Tee..PEACE
RM
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Post by Stormrider on Jun 11, 2004 5:32:25 GMT -6
RM: There is a poll started in Elrond's Polls about favorite character! Perhaps if you look there you will find out the answer to your question! Also our members can add a post after they take the poll to explain further.
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Post by Desi Baggins on Jun 12, 2004 7:24:43 GMT -6
There are the polls, but they only allow for 8 choices and there are way more Tolkien characters than that so let's discuss our faves here!
This is a tough question for me. I know my favorite character has to be one of the Hobbits, but which one I don't know. It is hard to decide between Sam, Merry and Pippin. Plus there is Bilbo. Frodo is not my favorite because in the end he is so sad and serious, I need more of a happy ending. I just love what all the little Hobbits accomplished.
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Post by Greenleaf on Jun 12, 2004 17:25:47 GMT -6
I don't think I can decide. There are so many characters I like. But if I have to pick, I'll name three favourite characters: Gandalf, Aragorn and Legolas. I can't choose between them, or maybe I don't want to. They are those who have fascinated me most. Gandalf was wise and kind and just and had a good sense of humour; Aragorn was brave and honourable and humble; Legolas had this elven serenity, was also brave, he valued friendship and he loved forests. Next, I would also add the Hobbits (of course), Elrond, Faramir, Eomer and Eowyn. And Shadowfax. And some others too, but then it would be a very long list...
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Post by MerlintheMad on Jun 12, 2004 17:40:18 GMT -6
I have to go back to the first time I read TLOTR, way back in the mid 70's. I was into all kinds of sword and sorcery novels then, anything I could get my hands on. And along the way I read Tolkien's Trilogy, and marked it down as among the best of what I enjoyed at the time. (Now I simply cannot allow that I have read anything as good, let alone better.) Boromir was immediately the first character to catch my attention; and his death was painful to me: he's still my favorite character, because his story is imperfectly written, and I think what Tolkien gave us only hints at the life which made Boromir what he was. He would have trounced anyone in a fight, but who can survive arrows? My next favorite character was probably Éomer, because I have always had a soft spot for knights, especially the early, mail-clad kind, and his reactions in battle were spot-on to me. I liked Gandalf, for the reasons already expressed: he was funny and fell at the same time, very dangerous but harmless, if that makes any sense: I have always enjoyed the paradoxes of his character. My least favorite character was Gimli, then Legolas, and then the Hobbits: I have never particularly enjoyed Hobbits. But Sam has endeared himself to me, and I agree with the Professor, that Sam is the true hero of the story.
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ROBEDMERLINTR
Hobbit
Looks fade, Real Beauty comes from within, the Heart, Soul, and Mind
Posts: 33
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Post by ROBEDMERLINTR on Jun 12, 2004 19:58:42 GMT -6
The 8 choice limit was exactly why I started this topic......
Hey Stormy ? SORRY i put it in the wrong place..lol
RM
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Post by Hikaru on Jun 13, 2004 23:01:16 GMT -6
I've been reading and re-reading the books since the late 70's. Ever since I was 9 years old I have wanted to be either Gandalf or Galadriel. They are my favorites and even though I lust after Orlando like any other red-blooded Dirty Old Woman, my true favorties will always be the Wizard and the Queen!
Hikaru
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Post by MajahTR on Jun 14, 2004 3:05:14 GMT -6
when i first read the trilogy...Gandalf was clearly my favorite and that started a (almost) life long fascination with the "affairs of Wizards" although i did not find him as much funny as i did mysterious and yes even dangerous....but with a heart packed full of love and dedication to the inhabitants of ME. ( he definately WAS a paradox!!!)
when i re-read the trilogy here with the studies in TR, it was Boromir that struck out at me this time...he was not the clearly defined "hero" and he was more "normal" human in his thoughts and deeds...conflicted and devoted at the same time. i always say i do not feel personally affiliated with the other races of ME as much as i do with the humans and i guess to me the human side is full of contradictions and sometimes lots of pain?
(but with the advent of the movies....Gandalf was clearly my favorite again!)
Majah
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Ninhiisenen
Orc
Elf-Maid of the Misty Blue Water
Posts: 23
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Post by Ninhiisenen on Jun 25, 2004 17:18:08 GMT -6
My absolute favorite character is Gandalf and such characters as Aragorn, Arwen, and Gollum/Smeagol come in on the top of the list. Gandalf was the one in ME who could give many gifts unto others and they would always give back what they could. He brought the hobbits news and views of ME and as he watched them live their lives, he tapped in and discovered more about hobbits than he had ever known. When Gandalf fell into the depths of Moria, the Fellowship lamented, but they pressed on as they felt Gandalf would've wanted them to do. And at the perfect moment in Fangorn Forest, the Fellowship received their reward.
Aragorn and Arwen had an unbroken passion that they felt between them would survive the times. Though others doubted them, they proved the worth of their spirits by binding their hearts and souls to the fate of the ring. Aragorn the compassionate, the skilled, the wise, the sly, the dark, the mysterious, makes up the perfect balance of a perfect king. Arwen, the strong, the beautiful, the persistent, the caring, all the best make-up for a queen.
I really related with Gollum a lot as I tend to reflect on my own inner weaknesses and struggles, as well as reminding myself I have a heart and I can frolick and laugh and be frivolous when times are right, and sometimes when times aren't the best, hehe. I'm the type that once enamored with something, gives it my full devotion, and sometimes that does ruin me and I am willing to let myself fall to my lowest low and somehow there is always triumph and glory when I return. Gollum never returned from his fall in Mount Doom, but his fall brought the ultimate triumph of ME!
Ok, that's enough character analysis out of me.
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Post by Vanye on Dec 11, 2004 12:48:48 GMT -6
Gandalf for me also! He is able to get the rest of them (the Fellowship & the free peoples) to move on, shift their attentions & find the energy &/or determination to fight on even when things look far less than hopeful. He even seems to know many of them better than they know themselves & sets tasks for them that suit their strengths. To me he represents that older relative who's visits I always looked forward to. The one who always brought surprises & exitement that was out of the ordinary into our life & took us on adventures that others in our lives would not have!
Ian Mckellen perfectly personifies Gandalf, The casting is perfect! He looks as if he has stepped out of John Howe's painting "Gandalf comes to Bag End", which I have had set as my desktop wallpaper for a couple of years now!! Vanye
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Post by MerlintheMad on Dec 11, 2004 14:19:47 GMT -6
I think Ian McKellan's Gandalf is *near* perfect. His beard should have been much longer, to fit the description Tolkien gave of him.
Also, why does every artist portray Gandalf's hat with a wide brim? Specifically, Tolkien described Gandalf's bushy eyebrows sticking out BEYOND the brim of his pointy hat; indicating a hat with a very short brim indeed, more like a *duncecap*.
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Post by Desi Baggins on Dec 12, 2004 8:16:41 GMT -6
Very good point indeed! Now for some of our artist to portray Gandalf properly!!!
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Post by jerseyshore on Dec 12, 2004 10:32:57 GMT -6
My favorite character is still Sam. Gandalf is someone I would be in awe of, respect and fear just a little. Aragorn, I feel, is so far above and beyond the average person that I could only admire him from afar. Faramir is accessible, admirable, and I would feel much more comfortable with him. But the character I feel most at ease with, while still having great respect for, is Sam. Good, old, down-to-earth Sam. His practicality and steadfastness make him a perfect companion. And I would not be awed so much by him because we could always talk about gardening and cooking and the beauty of nature. Of all the characters in LOTR, he is the one I would most like to meet.
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Post by Androga Erindalant on Dec 16, 2004 2:59:22 GMT -6
Mine have ever been Gandalf on the unconquered first place, with Aragorn very close on a second place. Gandalf because he's so wise and cares for all living beings. At the same time he's so mysterious. He looks like a nice old man, but has many hidden secrets, and more power than any could guess. And unlike Saruman he doesn't abuse the power he has, nor is he greedy for more. Aragorn because he's so noble. He's a ranger who develops to a King of Men, but at all times he can keep both feet on the ground.
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