Saddest Part

[PrinceImrahil]

This thread is also in the LOTR section so go there.

What, in your opinion, is the saddest part of the Silmarillion?


For me its Turin's Tale (same for a lot of u i bet). How can one guy have such awful luck.

In second in Fingolfin's Death, very noble and brave.

Third is Finrod Felagund's Death. That idiot Beren had to drag the coolest elf ever off to his death at Sauron's hands.
:thumbs:

[Beregond]

Fingolfin's death. Definately.

[Gil-Galad]

Oh, i do agree.

And when luthien becomes a mortal is also sad.

[Beregond]

Yeah, that too, Gil-Galad.

[Mirkgirl]

Luthien mortal is a free choice and the most beautiful part sounds a bit like the best is what you cannot have... she did what made her happy, it's not sad IMO

Turin is the winner here for sure

[Beregond]

Mirkgirl is right, Luthien did what made her happy. It is not sad, but beautiful.

[Algamesh]

I have to agree with PrinceImrahil ... Turin is the most tragic tale in the book. All those problems because his father's earlier heroism and resistance to Morgoth's will. It's not quite fair...

[Finrod Felagund]

1. Nearly all human-elf interactions turned out bad for everybody
Turin : Beleg, destruction of Nargothrond (stupid bridge)
Tuor and Hurin: Gondolin
Beren: aforesaid Finrod and indirectly:Nirnaith Arnediad, Punks of Feanor and the downfall of Doriath
2. Maedhros: he tried to do right but kept tripping over that damned oath
3. All of them. The good guys win but lose everything to do it

[PrinceImrahil]

I agree that Maedhros is quite a sad character. I liked him and it was sad to read about this guy that can't manage to get anything done for the good of the world because he took an oath that any elf would have taken, were they in his position.
Are you sure you Tour and Hurin, who are both Men. Wouldn't it be Turgon and Hurin.

[Finrod Felagund]

Hurin and Tuor both led to the downfall of Gondolin, Hurin gave Morgoth clues to Gondonlin's location and Tuor and Idril's love drove Maeglin to treason. Maeglin gets most of the credit but Tuor drove the nail in the coffin so to speak.

I think Maedhros regretted the oath.

PS Finrod may give Turin a run because it was his love for Men that brought about not only his death but also the downfall of his people

[Nessa]

I find nearly everything in The Silmarillion sad. Fingolfin's brave death was at least glorious and worthwhile, While Feanor and his sons seemed to cause more harm then good, mostly.

[Finrod Felagund]

Glorious... I agree but worthwhile... Morgoth got embarrassed but he killed on of his most powerful enemies.

Think about it this way: How would history have viewed Patton if he had jumped in a tank, drove to Berlin, challenged Hitler to a duel, pulled out a fencing foil and Hitler pulls out a gun. He might have cut up hitler some but you never bring a knife to a gun fight.
Yeah I know... a stretch but same principles.

Feanor's sons were a bunch of punks, so busy worried about some shiny objects, screwed it up for everybody else

I love The Sil but it is so frustrating.:angry:

[Aragorn Isildur]

Another vote for Fingolfins death. The bravest and most heroic Elf in my opinion. :)

[Orofacion of the Vanyar]

Well if we are looking at most tragic, then I will say that the death of Beleg by the hand of Turin the saddest part of the Silmarillion. I couldn't imagine killing my best friend, personally, that would be utterly unforgiveable on my part. Tolkien wrote that whole scene incredibly well, it literally gave me goosebumps as well as a very wide jaw-drop. I sympathize for Turin's whole life really, but this event just is the most extreme.

I believe Fingolfin and Fingon's death were both tragic, especially Fingon's death (yikes!). But true to the fate of the Noldor, they were bound to die at some point, it was just a matter of how and when. Don't get me wrong though, these two were among my most favorite lords of the Noldor, I just believe that their death was less... sad, but more noble and honorable. And besides, Fingy got a couple good hits on a Vala, his wasn't a total loss.

[The Black Sword]

There are many sad tales but i am also with PrinceImrahil on this.

Turin's tale has got to be the Saddest tale, Makes me wanna read the Sil again.


*go's off tofind his copy of The Silmarillion*

[Gayahithwen]

I vote for Turins death as well.. Though I haven't read the Silmarillion in a while.. For the moment I am just into finding facts about different people and haven't read it all for some months.. Better do so.. ^_^

[Alkarie]

Basically, I think that Beleg's death is the saddest part of the tale. All others had a contribution, no matter how miniscule, to their demise.

Turin was over-proud, Turgon decided not to listen to Ulmo, Fingolfin despaired too early, Thingol lusted after the Silmaril, etc, etc, etc. Beleg, on the other hand did nothing but be a faithful friend.

Some others that make my list are Finrod's death, and the fate of Luthien. Whatever the arguments are about her choosing to be happy, the book does state that "her anguish was greater than any other of the Eldalie has known", AND it all came about by fate, and she could not escape it.

Hurin's fate was quite sad also, especially when he was turned away by Turgon whom he saved.

But overall, I do agree with Nessa. Almost all of that book is sad.

[Daughter of Finarfin]

I always felt bad for Elwing's two brothers! They were just kids and they were lost in that forest, I always wondered what happened to them.
Most of the others were just poor pawns of fate. When I first read the book, I kept hoping that Mhaedros would redeem himself. He kept coming close, but then that darn oath would get in the way. I felt sorry for him.

[Eärendil]

Hail, people of Middle Earth, i am new to these lands, and seek shelter...
but anyway, i would have to say the saddest part is the battle of the unumbered tears.

[Illuvatar]

Hail Earendil! And Welcome to our little corner of Middle Earth!

Glad you've found the place.

You may want to start a thread in the Welcome forum, that way we can welcome you proper!

Have fun!

Illu:cool:

[Elf angel]

Sorry about the late posting,but the saddest part was when the elves slain their own kin...just not right...mecry..
:evilcool:

[Lady Melody]

Kin-slaying is the saddest part... Same for us humans actually...mecry It's just not right... Too bad us human beings can't figure that out 'till now that there's always another way to settle arguments and such......

[Elf angel]

mecry mecry mecry