[Man-of-the-Wold]

I certainly appreciate the strong cases for Húrin and Túrin. Clearly, Tolkien and the Elves recognize them as Great, and lets not forget Faramir's reverence for Húrin more than 6,000 years later.

I also like the points about Isíldur. What he did in Númenor in saving the scion of the Tree, with the Men of Dunharrow, and reaching Elendil in the North are all tremendous, and in contrast to the Film (which does give a defensible portrayal), I see the cutting off of the One Ring to be much less inadvertent, but rather an assertive act, even if Gil-Galad and Elendil had already landed blows. Actually, I've always seen Elendil has having already cut Sauron down, which seems rather unparalleled. As for Isíldur, however, his subsequent failure was so profound that it seems to knock him out of the running, although he is redeemed by his contrition and humility, as shown at the Gladden Fields.

Still, I must say that Beren and Aragorn get a bum rap above. Also, though Eárendil chose the life of the Elves, it was only at Elwing's behest. He felt closest to Men, and seems to have been more like one, before making his choice. So, I count him and Elros as Men. But first let me bring some perspective to Húrin and Túrin.

Húrin showed great wisdom, being more patient than many Elves. Arguably, Gwindor's rashness is the beginning of the problem that day, as much as the Easterling's treachery. Ironically, Gwindor later criticizes the rashness of Húrin's son. Without argument, Húrin is the greatest Warrior, but is the greatest Warrior necessarily the greatest Man?

His courage in front of something like Morgoth is awesome, but I'm sure that like Beren he was afraid. And who's to say that Beren in the same situation wouldn't have been as steadfast. Wisely, Beren was trying to be undiscovered. So, cowering seems quite excusable. Had he no place to hide like Húrin, who can say how he would have done. Húrin finally fell under a spell easily broken by Melian. While again understandable, it remains lamentable that he could not see lies for lies, and was so quick in his pride to assume that the Morgoth's enemies had not actually aided his family at every turn.

Turning now to Túrin, it is rewarding to see others not dismiss this tragic figure, whom Tolkien wisely interprets as incredibly valiant. Although he had opportunities to break from his fate, it was an incomparable burden, under which he could have shown far less nobility than he did. Ironically, though about the Elves, the Silmarillion often comes across casting Men to be better leaders. Nevertheless, Túrin did have chances to not be so rash, not so easily beguiled, and not so prideful; it was not entirely Morgoth’s curse that causes his character flaws, but as with Boromir, who is much like Túrin, he is clearly redeemed in the end, not necessarily by suicide itself, but there I think the morale is that though normally wrong, it is at that point for Túrin an Act of holy catharsis.

Now, we turn to Beren, who is somehow less of a Man because he turns to others for help, because he lets Lúthien do great things, because he listens and trust in others and does not always put his pride first! My, my, my … we seem to be putting old Beren down for rather “Macho” reasons. I don't see why it is necessarily better to go it alone like Túrin or Clint Eastwood!

I agree that Beren's Leadership at the Battle of Sarn Asthad was not necessarily a super great moment, and it is not treated as such in the books. His forces had the element of surprise, and may have been evenly matched with the Dwarves, who may have had a claim to what they stole, but not to the extent that simply attacking Thingol and later Doriath was any way justified, whereas Beren’s attack was. Still, the Green-Elves were not the most formidable of fighting forces, despite the colors of their Berets.

But lets look at a selective list of Beren's accomplishments, which to his credit go far beyond one fine day of axe swinging, and were not all by use of Arms, but entailed matters of character:

1, His deeds among Barahir's companions

2, His rescuing of the Ring of Felagund

3, His deeds as a solitary outlaw

4, His unrivaled traverse over Ered Gorgoroth, through Dungortheb and into Doriath

5, His tireless pursuit of Lúthien

6, His wooing of Lúthien

7, His nobility in front of Thingol

8, His persuasion of Finrod and others to his aid

9, His saving of Lúthien from two sons of Féanor (Leap of Beren)

10, His attempt to go to Angband alone, but willingness to accept Lúthien’s power

11, His unwillingness to give up the quest, because of his and Lúthien's honor

12, His secreting into the pits the Hell

13, Protecting Lúthien from Carcharoth

14, Surviving and returning to Thingol and gaining his blessing

15, The final hunt and saving of Thingol's life.

16, Tarrying in the Halls of Mandos

17, Living a life of peace, in obedience to the Valar, thereafter and siring the first of the great lineage.

Now, there's poor Aragorn who has become a mere baby-sitter of Hobbits, and for which a few moments of indecision in leading the Fellowship are a major problem.

Lets consider how over his long life he not only redeemed his own few failings, but redeemed all the race of Men and the failings of his ancestors through Arnor, Isíldur, the Kings of Númenor and even the tragic Édain like Túrin.

Or, don't forget that he acted prudently but bravely his whole life, resisted the lure of the Ring, was steadfast in his pursuit of the Evil Powers, escaped their attempts to capture him, wooed one nearly as lofty as Lúthien, gave her the Ring of Felagund, acquired the great Elfstone, and through to his dying day exhibited wisdom and humility.

For seventy some years prior to meeting Frodo, he had become the greatest Hero of that Age of Men, traversing the world and foiling works of the enemy. Think if he had not destroyed the forces at Umbar in the raid he led under Denethor's father. If not for that, the forces of Umbar would have been much stronger by the time of War of the Rings. They could have overwhelmed Gondor's coastal navies, and launched a real expeditionary force. As it were, they could only break up the Lower Anduin and engage in a blocking maneuver. (Southern Gondor was not really under threat ruin from them directly, but only unable to aid Minas Tirith sufficiently, because of this diversionary tactic which Aragorn brilliantly countered) And through all that, he found time to be the Chieftain of the Dunédain of the North, which provided selfless and indispensable security to the Shire and other places.

Now, lets look at what he did during the War of the Rings, before becoming the first King of the Fourth Age, and a Lord of all Free Peoples for more than a hundred years, in which he delivered peace and prosperity, and saw to the destruction of Sauron’s military legacy. Túrin and Húrin may not have had such an opportunity, or Elendil for that matter, but I think Aragorn was more than just lucky.

1.He protected four still naïve Hobbits from the Nazgûl, fought them directly, and cured others such as Faramir affected by the Evil Breath

2.Brought back and renamed the Sword that was Broken.

3.Always saw the Ring for what it was, and did not try to claim his crown too quickly

4.Made the right decision in using the Palantír, and seriously weakened Sauron’s confidence and the carefulness of his hitherto plans.

5.Led the three runners across the fields of Rohan

6.Successfully led forces at the battles of Helm’s Deep, Pelargir, and Pellennor Fields, and didn’t just go down in glorious defeat. Sometimes winning is better than losing, and all the more remarkable when outnumbered.

7.But he was prepared to fulfill the ultimate sacrifice before the Gates of Mordor, where he might have equaled Húrin.

8.Oh yeah … the Paths of the Dead.

So, my vote remains with Strider.