Do you think the Fourth Age really was worse?

[SamwiseGamgee]

I've always viewed LoTR as a tragedy. At the end, despite all the joy and happiness I have gained from the text, I am left thinking 'but it'll never be the same'. I know the elves' time had passed, but for me ME is elves and dwarves and hobbits and men and orcs, and without one of those races it just wouldn't be the same, at least to write a prolonged story rather than relatively short chapters or essays (lost tales & sil). I'm afraid I would have to agree that man has an awful tendency for self destruction, and I wouldn't think the fourth age as good as the third. Or second or first, for that matter!