Who is your favourite Tolkien character and why?

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

This thread is to discuss who your favourite Tolkien character is and why and maybe who you dislike and why.

This thread is on the book only so please don't say things like

'I realy like Legolas because of the way he killed that mûmak in The Return of the King'

My personal favourite character is Aragorn. I like the way he is so loyal, noble and proud but not to proud.

So fire away.

[Beren3000]

My favorite character (as is obvious from my username) is Beren. I like the theme of the accidental hero in general. But Beren is such a beautiful portrayal of that theme that I was just fascinated with his character. It was said that "great doom" drove him to break the Girdle of Melian. And he only recovered the Silmaril because it was the brideprice of Luthien. This fatalistic heroism is just fascinating to me. Also, his love story with Luthien is a very sweet and romantic one. As one of my e-mail pals would say: "It beats Romeo and Juliet any day. " :)

[Sister Golden Hair]

OH GOODY! I just love these kinds of threads that give me the opportunity to drool over Finrod. :D

Finrod is my favorite character in all of Tolkien. He not only is given a description of great beauty, but his character was so very noble and gentle. I like how Foster describes him in The Guide to Middle-earth: Finrod was very powerful, but wise and just.

Brave and gallant and a true friend, making the ultimate sacrifice.

Then there is the Athrabeth where he is so kind and understanding to Andreth in her bitterness.

Just a super duper fellow.

[brownjenkins]

finrod's always been a favorite of mine too!

but fëanor a bit more so, because he isn't so perfect... a touch more real-to-life in my eyes... an elf with strong passions and desires for his people and family, who loses first his mother, than father, in the land where no one is supposed to die... which leads him in many ways to be the prime mover in all that was to come in middle earth, but also pushes him to rash decisions that ultimately cost him his own life... the tragic hero at it's finest

[BeardofPants]

Bah, none of your namby pampy boyzone elves. Turin's the man for me... he's got a great set of... pants, and he's the perfect tragic hero. My favourite elf is feanor; that man's got fire. ;)

[Sister Golden Hair]

:rolleyes: ^

Btw Telcontar_Dunedain if you would like a few chuckles, go to the Silamarillion forum and look at the thread "Men of the Silmarillion." :D

[Meriadoc Brandybuck]

My favorite character Tolkien made up would have to be none other than that brave hobbit with a stout heart: Meriadoc Brandybuck. He was so courageous, having faced the Nazgûl not once, but twice: the first time, encountering the Black Breath; the second time slaying the Witch-King. But his courage is not the only reason he's my favorite. I just like him because he's Merry. ;) :p :D

[brownjenkins]

i think merry is probably my favorite hobbit too

[ethuiliel]

My favorite character is, without a doubt, Faramir. Tolkien wrote about lots of wonderful characters, and it's hard to choose between them, but Faramir is still better than the rest. He's just so perfect... at least in what's important to me. He's kind, understanding, and compationate. He will stand up for what he believes in, but does not enjoy fighting or killing.

[Beren3000]

I agree, ethuiliel. Faramir is my favorite human. I think that everything (or almost everything) he says is worth quoting.

[Meriadoc Brandybuck]

Favorite Man: Faramir
Favorite Elf: ???
Favorite Hobbit: Merry
Favorite Dwarf: Thorin


Overall (as mentioned before): Merry.

[Lizra]

I'm liking Gandalf. Old, wise, cranky....just a generally groovy dude! :p Feanor! :eek:

[Halbarad of the Dunedain]

My favorite Tolkien character so far is, as my name would show, Halbarad of the Dunedain. I like him because he is of noble blood. Of the same peoples of Aragorn heir of Arnor and Gondor. I like Halbarad because he is a ranger of the north and all the Dunedain rangers have skills beyond normal men. I prefer Halbarad to Aragorn or Elrohir or another similar character because of his enigmatic presence in The Lord of the Rings. He is a character who has few words and few appearences. I can relate to Halbarad and all of his qualities.

Men: 1.Halbarad 2.Faramir 3.Éomer 4.Khamûl
Elves: Fëanor
Dwarves: Balin
Hobbits: Peregrin Took
Maia: Olórin
Vala: Aulë the Smith
Ents: Fangorn
Dragons: Smaug
Orcs: Lagduf & Muzgash

[Haradrim]

Hmmm. My favorite character. That's hard.
Well there's Faramir, Aragorn, Eomer, and of course Merry.
Oh I know. The king of the Eagles. He is so cool, He's always
there right when he is needed and he has saved the lifes of the characters on multiple occasions.I mean he can fly, He can kick but, and he is an egal. He is my favorite character

[Sister Golden Hair]

Hmmm. My favorite character. That's hard.
Well there's Faramir, Aragorn, Eomer, and of course Merry.
Oh I know. The king of the Eagles. He is so cool, He's always
there right when he is needed and he has saved the lifes of the characters on multiple occasions.I mean he can fly, He can kick but, and he is an egal. He is my favorite characterDo you mean Thorondir or Gwaihir?

[Radagast The Brown]

My favourite character is not Radagast, although I started to like him more than I did before I started to use this name on Etmoot... My favourite character is Gandalf, from the reasons Lizra pointed in post number 12. :p Really, I think he's the most impressive character in the LotR. The way he stood in Minas Tirith against the Witch-king... or the Balrog... and the way he talk.
From first Age, I think I liked Fingolfin the most. I'm not sure why, he's just my favourite, always liked him more than any of the Noldor. :)

[Thain Peregrin Took I]

My favorite character is Peregrin Took. He helped Aragorn know he and Merry were still alive by dropping his brooch, and he found out that Grishnakh was looking for the Ring. He was always loyal to his friends, and he could be of much help at some times. Even if he wasn't loyal or anything, he would still be my favorite because he's Pippin. :)

[Haradrim]

Im going with Gwaihir

[Elanor the Fair]

Im going with Gwaihir

I like all the eagles, especially their names!! Gwaihir the Windlord, Meneldor the Swift, Landroval, Thorondir!! They sound so majestic!!

[Haradrim]

Actually Bard is the best.
He killed Smaug with one shot!
How cool is that! How many guys can do that!
How many guys can kill a dragon.
Go Bard! Its your birthday! Get funky! Put your thing down! Go! Go! Go! Go!

[Fewin Greenleaf]

legolas is my favorite lotr character. remember when he, aragorn, and gimli were chasing the orcs who took merry and pippin? aragorn and gimli were already then giving up all hopes. legolas was the only one left hoping that they could still catch up with them.

i hate grima wormtongue the most. he is a disgrace to the race of men!

[Elanor the Fair]

Yes, I like Legolas also. His endurance - needing little sleep or food, his ability to move silently and lightly, his keen sight and his skill with a bow.

I agree with you about Grima - they way he brought down such a kindly old man as Theoden to the level that he did is a disgrace.

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

legolas is my favorite lotr character. remember when he, aragorn, and gimli were chasing the orcs who took merry and pippin? aragorn and gimli were already then giving up all hopes. legolas was the only one left hoping that they could still catch up with them.
I wouldn't say that Aragorn and Gimli had given up hope it's just they thought the risk of not seeing anything important was to high.

[MasterMothra]

Morgoth would be my favorite. I'm sure you all know of his exploits and those same exploits are the reason why he is my favorite.

[Acran Mern]

Gotta be Sam. :)

His simplicity and his loyalty to Frodo are enough to put him at the top of the bracket. But his duel with Shelob, his assault on Cirith Ungol, and his undying optimism in desperate circumstances just put him miles above everyone else.

[emily leonard]

my fav carictor is gandelf as he is so set against the ring jet still knows that if he took it to destoy it himsef it would turn againt him and he would turn out evil :evil:

[Last Child of Ungoliant]

The nobility and beauty of Turgon points to him being the best character ever created by tolkien

[Lotesse]

I wish I had copies of all the other Tolkien books to read; alas, I've only yet read Lord of the Rings. So many great characters, but favourties, hmmm...
Gandalf the Grey, for his sarcasm, wisdom, warmth, superhumanity, etcetera
Samwise Gamgee, who to ME feels like the real hero of the story as opposed to Frodo
Faramir; as written by Tolkien, NOT as interpreted by Peter Jackson
Gollum/Smeagol, truly one of the most compelling studies in what can happen to the human spirit when systematically corrupted by "evil" for too long - he resembles some dope fiends I've known, I kid you not.

[Snowdog]

Its hard to put a finger on just one favorite from the books.
In the Silmarillion, it would be Turin Turambar.
In Lord of the rings, It would be Halbarad and the other Rangers.

[CrazySquirrel]

Turin Turambar
Aragorn
BUT NOT ARWEN!

[Lenya]

Beleg because he is so the perfect guy :rolleyes: He is loyal, helpful, courageous, trustworthy, more than willing to risk his life for his friend and to top it all, he's and Elf!

Second is Faramir. Mostly becouse he is brave, wise, and loyal towards both his unappreciative father and his men.

[EarthBound]

Faramir is my man. He's brave, loyal, a loved leader by his men, and has great 'character' (book version) and is warry of evil and things of power.... :p

[Lenya]

How strange EB, I seem to recall taht bit from another thread I just replied too... :D and I still agree.

[EarthBound]

How strange EB, I seem to recall taht bit from another thread I just replied too... :D and I still agree.


I will not stand for being accused of spamming! Rather I will remain sitting here behind my desk of fortitude contemplating whether I should attempt to stay on topic...... :p


errrrr, I would like to spend the night at Treebeard's home (at least the one that shared with M & P).....I say we bivouac there and have a mooter's campout!

[Lenya]

Sweet :)

[Rían]

Faramir is my man. He's brave, loyal, a loved leader by his men, and has great 'character' (book version) and is warry of evil and things of power.... :pAs far as humans, I like Faramir for the reasons EB listed. Also Eomer has grown on me as I have read LOTR thru the years. And Tuor ROCKS!!!

As far as Elves, Fingon's my man!

(we should resurrect the men of the sil thread ... :D )

As far as women, I've always thought Eowyn was great. I can't read her defiance of the Witch King without crying, even after all these years. I like Idril, too, and Luthien.

[Lenya]

As I read that post, I was thinking the same thing about the men of sil thread :) But I suppose you can only say which guy you like the most so many times before everyone has heard it.

[Rían]

yeah, it was best the first time - after that, it was just kinda repeating things.

[Elenwen06]

My favorite character of them all is Eowyn, because she's not the classic "damsel in distress" that is so common in fantasy novels. I'm glad that Tolkien realized that women have POWER!!! But I also have a favorite character from each book:
The Hobbit: Bard, because of how he killed Smaug. That was so cool!
The Fellowship of the Ring: Pippin. He's so innocent, but he's brave when he has to be and he's really loyal. I admire that.
The Two Towers: Eowyn, obviously.
The Return of the King: The Mouth of Sauron. I know it's weird for my favorite character to be evil, but he was so awesome! He was so calm and so malignant when he let the rest of them believe that Frodo was dead.
The Silmarillion: Luthien and Beren. That's such a beautiful story...

[Lotesse]

Now that I'm finally able to read The Silmarillion:
Feanor, because he's brilliant, a natural leader, full of heart and fury, who experiences terrible grief and loss, and invents the beautiful Silmarils when no one else had the ability or the idea, and he's flawed - not some perfect superhero - and when he died, the fire of his existence was such that his body was consumed by fire as his spirit departed. I would have loved to have been able to have known and spent time with him. Oh, Feanor! *swoon*

[Lenya]

No no no no no. That's all wrong. Feanor is way too hot headed and he doesn't think of any one but himself and his honour.

*Lotesse sees a funny swirley in front of her eyes*
"You do not like Feanor. You are not a Feanor fan. Feanor is bad. Feanor is bad. Feanor is bad..."




No offence meant to anyone's personal taste off course :p

[katya]

Lotesse, I was under the impression that you read the Silmarillion a long time ago. Anyway, now what can I say about Fëanor? I like him because of his pride, and his strength of heart. He wouldn't take any crap from anyone and he was anything but wishy-washy. And he lives for himself. He had a lot of good qualities: might in body and mind, valour, endurance, beauty, understanding, skill, strength- that's taken right from the first page of chapter 11 of the Sil. Plus, he's got sort of the bad boy thing going- "Let the ships burn, hahaha." (even though that was horrible and everything.) And everything Lotesse said.

And, he slammed the door in Morgoth's face. That was absolute coolness. :cool:

Pippin is a close second. He's just funny and cute. And I have grown to like his transformation into a soldier.

I also have sort of soft spots for Faramir, Eowyn, Turin, Fingon, and some others. I guess I like just about all of Finwe's house come to think of it.

[JTB]

Man: Beorn or Faramir
Elf: Feanor
Hobbit: Merry
Dwarf: Gloin
Ent: Beechbone
Wizard: Radagast or Gandalf the Grey
Orc: Uhh, Gothmog?
Ainur: Uhh.., Orome
Evil Dude: MOUTH OF SAURON!!!

Tee hee I'm despicable! :evil:

[Sister Golden Hair]

Orc: Uhh, Gothmog?Gothmog was a Balrog. :)

[Curubethion]

Sam's an awesome character...especially beating Shelob in ROTK. :D

[Lotesse]

Gothmog was a Balrog. :)

SGH, Gothmog is also the name of an orc. There are two gothmogs in LotR.

[JTB]

SGH, Gothmog is also the name of an orc. There are two gothmogs in LotR.

Thanx. Sister Golden Hair, don't feel alone in that puzzle. I was confusled up, too! :D :D

[Elanor]

My very favorite Tolkien character is Bilbo Baggins. He's just great, I think. He saved Thorin's dwarves time after time, and kept doing it even though they didn't appreciate him. The way he used the Arkenstone to avert war was very noble and sweet. And he's the only person to ever willingly give up the Ring, although Gandalf did have to bully him a bit. I just love Bilbo!

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

SGH, Gothmog is also the name of an orc. There are two gothmogs in LotR.
That's not for sure. It doesn'a actually say in LotR, he could be a Black Numenorean.

[clep_web]

Gandalf!

Chosen for
a) his selflessness
b) his bravery
c) his kindness
d) and last but not least, a very great (or should I say sarcastic) sense of humor

He has got to be my favourite character in all the books. But I like Bilbo and Samwise too. Bilbo for being that incredibly courageous hobbit, and Sam for being the real hero of the story.

And he's the only person to ever willingly give up the Ring, although Gandalf did have to bully him a bit.

You forgot Sam. Sam and Bilbo both gave the Ring up willingly.

[Meriadoc Brandybuck]

I've already stated my favorite character (Meriadoc), but now I'll use JTB's thingy to show other favorites. ;)

Man: Faramir or Aragorn
Elf: Galadriel
Hobbit: Merry
Dwarf: Kili and Fili
Ent: Treebeard
Wizard: Gandalf, Grey and White
Orc: I'm not a big fan of orcs.
Ainur: I haven't finished reading the Silmarillion yet. It's not my fault!
Evil Dude: I'm not a big fan of evil dudes, either; but I'd have to say the Witch-King.

[ofthewind]

:) Boromir.. His role in the book is really interesting. Sometimes the good guy, sometimes the bad.

[Spock]

Bilbo deserves another vote! If he hadn't run out of his house after the party, none of the LOTR would have taken place. :)

[Rían]

true! :)

[Gordis]

The Witch-King, of course! ;) :cool:


BTW, Gothmog II was most likely a nazgul :)

[Lady Marion Magdalena]

Out of the ladies: Nerdanel and Lady G. (Galadriel)

Nerdanel because although we don't know much about her we can guess that she must have been an exceptionally strong-minded and unique lady to have captured Feanor's interest and held onto it long enough to have and raise seven kids. She must also have posessed an insane amount of patience to run such a household.

Lady G. just rocks. She survived where all of her male relatives died and held to her defience of the valar as long as she possibly could. And her speeches in LotR are gorgeously eloquent.

And of the boys (of which there are many): Glorfindel and Maedhros

Glorfindel for getting kicked out of Mandos early and going back to Middle Earth for a second round (which I find to be both heroic and hilarious) and because in the short amount of page time that he has he manages to be both charismatic and intriguing.

And Maedhros because the poor guy deserves some respect. And he's the only left-handed elf (even if it was a product of necessity); and in a very strange way he kind of reminds me of one of my uncles (in that he's the eldest of seven, a red-head, and occaisionally slightly disturbed due to stress).

[Lotesse]

Now that you mention those points about Nerdanel, I must say I like her a great deal, too.

Hey you guys, the whole gothmog/gothmog thing got me thinking, so I looked it up in the Encyclopedia of Arda, just out of curiosity. I think I'd like to believe that the Lieutenant of Morgul, Gothmog, was a Black Numenorian like TD says, or better yet - a Nazgul, as Gordis asserts. Could be either way!

Here it is:

" Gothmog is mentioned precisely once in The Lord of the Rings, and we're given absolutely no clues about his race. As second-in-command to the Lord of the Nazgûl himself, he clearly had very great authority over Sauron's forces, and this has led some to suggest that Gothmog was also one of the Nazgûl. This by no means impossible, but it is notable that Frodo and Sam, who saw the Witch-king lead his armies from Minas Morgul, only observed one Nazgûl leading the host.
Others have speculated that Gothmog might have been a Man. We know that the Lieutenant of Barad-dûr was a Man (a descendant of the Black Númenóreans), so it seems perfectly plausible that the Lieutenant of Morgul might come from the same race. What's more, the Witch-king's companions, as seen by Frodo and Sam, do seem to have been Men.

The idea of Gothmog being an Orc seems rather less likely, but even that possibility cannot be dismissed. Ultimately, there's no hard evidence about Gothmog's race.

2 The name Gothmog was originally given to a mighty Balrog of the Elder Days, one of the greatest servants of Morgoth the first Dark Lord. Its meaning is unclear, and several possibilities exist, such as 'Dread Enforcer', 'Voice of Morgoth' or 'Black Master'. For more information on this topic, see the entry for the original Gothmog. "

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

Thanks Lotesse.

My favourite Tolkien character is now Húrin Thalion. He was so brave even when only he was left on the Nirnaeth he still foiught on. Then, when captured by Morgoth, he would not betray his knowledge of Gondolin's whereabouts.
I was delighted when I realised that there was a chapter dedicated to Húrin in HoME 11. It's a really good read.

[Rían]

yes, "The Wanderings of Húrin" was a very cool read, and Húrin's defiance of Morgoth in the Lays continues to be one of my favorite sections.

[Farimir Captain of Gondor]

How could you pick anyone else? :D

I wont bore everyone with repeated reasons. I will only say we should all try to be more like him. :p

[Sam]

Samwise Gamgee, because he is so faithful and heroic
and not to mention, we have the same name :)

[jammi567]

my faverate character is Shelob simply because of this quote:

Originally Posted by Shelob's lair
but behind the glitter [of Shelob's eyes] a pale deadly fire began steadily to grow within, a flame kindled in some deep pit of evil thought.



now, is that scary or what, seeing animal eyes burn with a human malace, capable of that kind of feeling.

[gwilwileth]

Ulfang would have to be my favorite. He slayed those girly elves from behind! :evil:

[jammi567]

Who is you most faverate person or creature? Is it Luthien or Gandalf the White? Or is it Frodo or Morgoth? My faverate person is Feanor because he has such a complex character that is intersting to go through. :)

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

There are already a few threads for favourite characters. :)

[orithil]

The white balrog in the silmarillion

[Tulkas]

Finrod Felagund because he is the most loyal, bravest, and noble elf of all time. My reasons.....read my sig.