Middle-earth Bad Popularity Cup

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

I had a black cat who was actually quite unusual for his kind: he knew who was boss, and he knew it wasn't him.

Ar-Pharazon, on the other hand, reminds me of many people I've known who think the world exists for their greater glory, and all else (greater powers included) are somehow subservient to their will.

Given that, I choose

++The Black Cat of Queen Beruthiel

He (or she?) was one of a kind.

[Andsigil]

Yet another cat? And this time, against the man who led an armada against Valinor?

Bleah.

++Ar Pharazon

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I am not sure about this one at all. Because, there are some things which are quite interesting about Ar-P, however, I am not sure if he "deserves" to win this one. I mean: he is neither any fascinating evil character (rather a misguided fool), nor a great character with some amazing character trait (can't think of any), he was perhaps only a cool conqueror, yes, that is true. I am quite amazed by his victory over Sauron - imagine the massive army he must have had, had to be quite impressive assault - and this monument they raised in Umbar to mark his victory there. It has something quite realistic in itself - it is said that despite all the horrible deeds Ar-P has done, this victory was always held by the Dúnedain in memory as something to be really proud of in their history, and to be proud of Ar-P, that means, consequently. (I am kind of comparing inside my mind - our history/ies are full of characters of kings and leaders like this; the first I now thought of, if I imagine let's say Stalin, it was probably something very similar, he was praised for what he did in turning back the Nazis and eventually beating them on the eastern front. One cannot deny him this, whatever his other deeds were like - of course, another thing are also the uncountable dead even in the war because of the way it was fought...)

Well, seems like I made it clear for myself after all through some reflection on the course of writing this

++Ar-Pharazon the Golden

[Durelin]

I love cats. Ar-Pharazon was an egotistical fool of a Sauron-puppet who ruined it for everyone.

++The Black Cat of Queen Beruthiel

[Groin Redbeard]

Since this is a villain thread, and not a character appreciation thread, I would have to go with:

++Ar Pharazon

I hate what he turned Numenor into because of his pride, but he is the better villain.

[Tuor in Gondolin]

Originally posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

it is said that despite all the horrible deeds Ar-P has done, this victory was always held by the Dúnedain in memory as something to be really proud of in their history, and to be proud of Ar-P, that means, consequently. (I am kind of comparing inside my mind - our history/ies are full of characters of kings and leaders like this; the first I now thought of, if I imagine let's say Stalin, it was probably something very similar, he was praised for what he did in turning back the Nazis and eventually beating them on the eastern front. One cannot deny him this, whatever his other deeds were like - of course, another thing are also the uncountable dead even in the war because of the way it was fought...)

Another example, to me, of questionable admiration is the American for
Andrew Jackson, a rather unlikable, bullyish, duel-happy person,
whose chief military success (The Battle of New Orleans) was irrelevant to
the "tie" result of the War of 1812, and his anti-Native American action,
driving them from the South to the west was compounded by his ignoring
a Supreme Court decision against it.

[Tuor in Gondolin]

+ + Ar-Pharazon