[Anguirel]

Child, a fascinating quotation, and one that has improved my estimation of Tolkien's taste in heroes no end! I think your qualification of "as well or better than any other in the Legendarium" rather extreme; but I will admit that there is a case for his admission into La Legion Des Heros Anti-Orthodoxes...

Rune, Mormegil, Formendacil, you are quite right about Maedhros. More than, say, a whole book on the Avari, I would love to see a little more insight from Tolkien into the Sons of Feanor, above and beyond the Shibboleth. It seems to me, though, that both of the elder brothers had potential for being solid, orthodox Elven heroes in the manner of Fingolfin or Finrod had their oath not constrained them. Perhaps their best description would be "unorthodox villains." Or, more truthfully if less enlighteningly, "fascinating, ambiguous and multi-faceted characters"...

But I would add that there are heroic aspects to be found even in Caranthir. Didn't he act as protector to the People of Haleth? I see him as quick to anger but not as black as he's painted, with honesty lacking in Celegorm and Curufin (both of whom I also like, but whom even I find pretty difficult to defend morally!)