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Post by waysoftheearth on Apr 12, 2014 22:40:57 GMT -6
"Dwarves are greedy." Not in the sense of wanting more money for its own sake, but rather for the sake of the beauty they can bring out of stone and metal. Is someone who collects fine art greedy, or rather simply someone with good taste? (The Hobbit p196). (The Hobbit p241). There are other mentions of the lust/glamour of Thror's gold affecting dwarfish judgement, I believe, but I'd have to re-read it to find specific passages. p.s. I have a spell-checker enabled in my browser, and it continually reminds me that "dwarves" is a spelling error
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Post by kent on Apr 13, 2014 12:44:56 GMT -6
I think The Hobbit is the least insightful of Tolkien's books concerning Middle-earth and Tolkien later regretted the tone of it and much of the language. That's not to say it isn't a great read but it stands apart I think and isn't much of a resource.
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Post by Falconer on Apr 13, 2014 21:09:45 GMT -6
There is a mention somewhere that the 7 Rings were not able to turn their Dwarvish wielders to the service of Sauron, but they were able to amplify the lust for amassing treasure (helped along, no doubt, by the fact that those rings tended to gather hoards to them).
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Post by kent on Apr 14, 2014 14:39:16 GMT -6
Some more things I found interesting as I read through The Silmarillion.
1-- Thingol is unimpressed by the arrival of the Noldor and keeps them out of Doriath. Heh ! That is despite not knowing about the kinslaying. It is family that grants you an invitation, Thingol's (Elwe) brother Olwe had a daughter who married Finarfin and her children arrived as the wisest among the Noldor who came back to Middle-earth - Finrod, Angrod and Galadriel. Galadriel decides to reside there mentored by Melian. Remember, Thingol grew in physical stature to become to tallest of all men or elves simply by hanging around with that bird. Galadriel's power as a being is subtly dealt with by Tolkien in LotR. She is probably more powerful than Olorin as manifested in the form of Gandalf. Let me put it this way. She would not have been killed by only a single Balrog in my judgement.
2-- The Orcs issuing from Angband are a perfect match for the Sindar and the other dark-elves in battle, as they should be being corrupted from the same kind, and so they really cause mayhem and fear among the Elves. However the Noldor returning from the blessed land slaughter Orcs every time they meet. There is no contest and no fear. "Get out the mops here come some Orcs" the Noldor say. And so Melkor has to think again.
3-- Balrogs always get what they want. Anytime Balrogs are sent in a group on some mission they always succeed. In D&D a DM uttering the word 'Balrog' should result in dignified players immediately pulling out new character sheets. "Go forth Balrogs and kill Feanor !!" -- "Sure Boss. No problem". Balrogs stroll off to kill Feanor.
4-- When Glaurung first issues half grown from Angband Fingon and Elf cavalry ring him around and rout him with arrows. Elf horse archers are awesome.
First Age >> Third Age
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Post by waysoftheearth on Apr 14, 2014 16:26:55 GMT -6
I think The Hobbit is the least insightful of Tolkien's books concerning Middle-earth and Tolkien later regretted the tone of it and much of the language. That's not to say it isn't a great read but it stands apart I think and isn't much of a resource. But it's still an immensely popular story so its influence on the general perception of dwarves, hobbits, etc. shouldn't be dismissed IMHO.
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Post by kent on Apr 14, 2014 16:35:03 GMT -6
I think The Hobbit is the least insightful of Tolkien's books concerning Middle-earth and Tolkien later regretted the tone of it and much of the language. That's not to say it isn't a great read but it stands apart I think and isn't much of a resource. But it's still an immensely popular story so its influence on the general perception of dwarves, hobbits, etc. shouldn't be dismissed IMHO. No, I think it is powerful and great piece of work but very much at odds with what Tolkien was trying to achieve with his first age stories. The LotR is something of a compromise but The Hobbit while very interesting by itself is not trustworthy when compared with the earlier works. The tone is misguiding.
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