[Iarwain]

I see this in Gandalf, but I don't believe the others qualify. Perhaps I forgot to include in my description the key phrase : "against their will". That is, bullies are using coercion to force others into places that they do not wish to be in. Therefore, organized leadership as in Celeborn and Galadriel's "kingship" over the silvan elves in Lothlorien, would not be bullying because there is no sign of displeasure in their leadership, as they were (I believe, though I may be wrong) chosen to lead, as opposed to establishing a dictatorship through an unpopular coup. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Saruman did have unwilling slaves, I'm sure, its just that he was trying to build an army, and he needed to stay on their "good sides".

Ted, you may argue, was just lacking some good self-esteem, but that does not change the way that he proved to use it in the end. He chose to use is ill-founded "high position" as grounds to improve his self-esteem even more at the expense of others.

You make a good point about motive, though. Here are some of my thoughts on the motives of the characters mentioned so far.

-Bill Ferny: he was a greedy sadist
-Morgoth: greed, once again, mixed with jealousy
-Ted Sandyman: low self-esteem
-Saruman: greed, pride, want for power
-Saeros: pride, desire to improve his standing through Turin's shame.
-Sauron: another sadist, want for power
-Celegorm: want for power, desire for Luthien, a small oath... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]
-Ungoliant: gluttony
-Aragorn: urgency (in Gollum's case)
-Gandalf: desire to improve others' situations
-Elrond: superiority in wisdom???
-Galadriel: requested to rule???

I couldn't quite see how the last two fit in, perhaps an explaination is in order? Aragorn's has a pretty weak occurence also, as the bulliness is not coming from his character but from his need.


Iarwain

[ January 21, 2003: Message edited by: Iarwain ]