Merry or Pippin - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

10-06-2006, 12:34 PM

I can never decide who is the best of these two hobbits. Merry or Pippin.

Child of the 7th Age · 10-06-2006, 12:49 PM

I suppose that depends on what you mean by "best"...

Do you mean most effective in helping in the Ring quest or some personal qualities, or something else entirely?

ninja91 · 10-06-2006, 06:58 PM

Such a broad question begs for a broad answer: Merry.

tar-ancalime · 10-07-2006, 12:28 AM

Definitely Merry.

Boromir_bg · 01-02-2007, 01:43 AM

The fool of a Tuk of course

Selmo · 01-03-2007, 07:23 AM

I have always considered Merry to be the better, most mature and thoughtful of the two

In the early chapters, Merry is the planner. It's Merry who makes the house at Crickhollow available, it's Merry who arranges for Fatty Bolger to stay in the house to give the impression that Frodo stays there and it's Merry who organises transport for the party and provisions for the journey. He gives thought to the little things too, like having three baths ready so that Frodo, Sam and Pippin don't have to wait their turn to get cleaned up.
As shown by his comments after he and Pippin escape from Saruman's orcs, Merry spent time in Rivendell studying maps while Pippin just enjoyed himself.
After Merry and Pippin are separated, Pippin offers his sword to Denethor on impulse; Merry gives his fealty to Theoden only after some thought, because he has come to love the old King.
In the closing chapters, Pippin plays the impetuous Lieutenent to Merry's thoughtful General. Pippin rushes off to gather troops from Tookborough while Merry takes command at Bywater, planning his campaign with Farmer Cotton.

We should not be surprised that Merry shows the most maturity of the four Hobbits of the Fellowship. Sam, before the War, had little responsibility other than looking after the garden at Bag End. Frodo, with his inherited wealth, had nothing to do except study Elvish, write poetry and dream. Pippin was too young (under 33) to take on the burden of being heir to the Thain. Merry, however, was of age and would have been expected to take part in the running of Buckland. He was being trained in organisational and leadership skills in a way the others were not.
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10-06-2006, 12:34 PM	#1
OrcLeaderalpha Guest Posts: n/a	Merry or Pippin I can never decide who is the best of these two hobbits. Merry or Pippin.

10-06-2006, 12:49 PM	#2
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	I suppose that depends on what you mean by "best"... Do you mean most effective in helping in the Ring quest or some personal qualities, or something else entirely? __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.

10-07-2006, 12:28 AM	#4
tar-ancalime Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: abaft the beam Posts: 303	Definitely Merry. __________________ Having fun wolfing it to the bitter end, I see, gaur-ancalime (lmp, ww13)

01-02-2007, 01:43 AM	#5
Boromir_bg Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 16	The fool of a Tuk of course __________________ The Pride of Gondor!

01-03-2007, 07:23 AM	#6
Selmo Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: The Shire (Staffordshire), United Kingdom Posts: 273	I have always considered Merry to be the better, most mature and thoughtful of the two In the early chapters, Merry is the planner. It's Merry who makes the house at Crickhollow available, it's Merry who arranges for Fatty Bolger to stay in the house to give the impression that Frodo stays there and it's Merry who organises transport for the party and provisions for the journey. He gives thought to the little things too, like having three baths ready so that Frodo, Sam and Pippin don't have to wait their turn to get cleaned up. As shown by his comments after he and Pippin escape from Saruman's orcs, Merry spent time in Rivendell studying maps while Pippin just enjoyed himself. After Merry and Pippin are separated, Pippin offers his sword to Denethor on impulse; Merry gives his fealty to Theoden only after some thought, because he has come to love the old King. In the closing chapters, Pippin plays the impetuous Lieutenent to Merry's thoughtful General. Pippin rushes off to gather troops from Tookborough while Merry takes command at Bywater, planning his campaign with Farmer Cotton. We should not be surprised that Merry shows the most maturity of the four Hobbits of the Fellowship. Sam, before the War, had little responsibility other than looking after the garden at Bag End. Frodo, with his inherited wealth, had nothing to do except study Elvish, write poetry and dream. Pippin was too young (under 33) to take on the burden of being heir to the Thain. Merry, however, was of age and would have been expected to take part in the running of Buckland. He was being trained in organisational and leadership skills in a way the others were not. __________________