I think Turin is the epitome of a 'warrior', who fights, continues to fight, seems undefeatable and dies tragically. Though he only ever achieved the slaying of Glaurung, he did this with a Man's body and a Man's wisdom.
I think Hurin is a big contender. I don't have the Sil on me right now but I think the words were "and he threw himself into the sea, and thence passed the greatest mortal warrior in Middle-Earth", or something along those lines, which seems pretty definitive. Feanor and Fingolfin, and Treebeard etc. if we include those, were born with abilities far surpassing those of Men, but Hurin through the steadfastness of his will held the full might of Morgoth at bay. Admittedly he broke eventually, but not as a result of the direct clash of wills, which he won.
|