But to me this doesn't sound like pratfall. There's a cultural difference between the unbelievably ancient Treebeard and the very young hobbits that's about the size of the Pacific and virtually begs to be played upon. This is not about making Treebeard look stupid, but instead about playing with the enormous differences between this trio of characters. They are simultaneously light years apart but in some ways similar of mind and temperament. It's endearing and part of establishing that endearment can be done through comedy.<P>Part of the Ent personality is this malodorous language of theirs. Treebeard says himself that Ents don't say anything unless it is worth taking a long time to say, so having him be somewhat oblivious the very mortal fatigue and haste that Merry and Pippin suffer from is right in character, the way I see it.<P>I know many people were upset by Treebeard's, "That doesn’t make sense to me. But then, you are very small", but I loved it. This doesn't make this character stupid. It just plays upon the vast cultural differences at work here and yes, it is funny.<P>Editted to add: The line even has wisdom to it. The wisdom of knowing that your perspective on the world is not the only one and although it may make no sense to you, it may make every bit of sense from another point of view.<P>H.C.<p>[ April 11, 2003: Message edited by: HCIsland ]
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"Stir not the bitterness in the cup that I mixed myself. Have I not tasted it now many nights upon my tongue, foreboding that worse yet lay in the dregs."
-Denethor
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