Who is the Greatest hero of all ages?

[doug*platypus]

My choice for Greatest Hero is still Frodo Baggins, but Finrod was always one of my favourite possibilities, for his nobility and loyalty as much as his bravery. However, I have just finished reading The Silmarillion for about the 6th time (or so). Some extra things come out every time I read that incredible book. In the song written about the duel of Sauron with Finrod, Sauron is able to penetrate the disguises of Finrod and Beren. This is because of an evil deed from Finrod's past: the Kinslaying at Alqualondë.

It is tempting to blame Fëanor for the ruin of the Noldor, and the deaths of so many immortal Eldar. However, each of the Noldor that rebelled and left Aman, and especially those that drew swords against the Teleri, came under the Doom of Mandos for their own actions. Although many of them, Finrod especially, did great deeds to atone for their past mistakes, I would still not consider them among the very greatest heroes. Hey, there's a lot of competition out there (Aragorn, Gandalf, Elrond)!

Sorry to seem like a hater, but I thought it was interesting to note that many of these "heroes" aren't as perfect as they may seem. The Silmarillion is actually a much grittier and more adult book than The Lord of the Rings for exactly that reason. There's a lot going on underneath the glossy exterior of many of the characters.