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Originally Posted by Ren the Unclean
And I think you guys are right - Tolkien's writing should be interpreted in moral terms rather than medical, as tempting as it is to view his world through scientific eyes. (I like technology. I like machines. I'm guessing I shouldn't try to pick up a Silmaril.)*
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Mildly negative traits that aren't so terrible in an ordinary person could become sources of great evil in a person having significant power. If an ordinary person with character traits not normally considered dangerous (anger, selfishness, impatience, being controlling, etc.) became extremely powerful, all of a sudden their actions, resulting from their character and temperament, could have a lot more impact and a lot more potential for harming others.
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If you are going to consider the moral terms of LotR, then it is not possible to claim that some traits would not be considered dangerous in an ordinary person. Every trait that is a traditional sin is harmful and wrong in every person, regardless of their social or political status. Such traits are wrong because they destroy
charity in the heart of the beholder as well as leading to harm of others. Anger, for instance, is one of the traditional "deadly sins". See
Wikipedia on the seven deadly sins.. (They are in distinction to the main virtues of faith, hope and charity, the last of which is the greatest according to Paul--there are other, "cardinal" virtues as well. See
Wiki on Seven Virtues.).
Characters like Melkor are studies in pride, anger, envy, greed while Gollem appears to be a study in lust, gluttony and envy.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Ren the Unclean
Power is a multiplier, and it seems to multiply the dark side more than the light.
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Mellkor was the most gifted and the least humble. Yet Aule, who was able to sub-create--something Melkor could not do--was also able to admit wrong and apologise.