Yes, I'd say that is somewhat of a recurring theme in Tolkien's works. Often those who are mighty fail. They do some great things and their wisdom goes astray and they fall. Not always - there are some mighty ones such as Gandalf, Aragorn, Faramir, and many more that don't fall - but many times they do. I just thought of another good example - most of the later kings of Númenor were mighty (or could have been) but they turned away from the Valar and trusted in their own strength, eventually resulting in the sinking of Númenor.
Something going along with that is not only that the great fail but those who aren't strong succeed - in Gandalf's words
Quote:
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and help oft shall come from the hands of the weak when the Wise falter.
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It is one of the things that makes the books appeal to us - that it isn't always the superhero who comes in and saves everybody, but those who are not strong that change the course of the future.
Edit: This is my 501st post!!! I'm a Ghost Prince - or rather I would be if the titles were working!!!