Why cut the whole hand? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 01-11-2002, 04:39 AM

Aside from the other considerations, I think that Tolkien's sense of style played a part here. It's more mythic, heroic and impressive (ie simpler) just to cut off the entire hand with one sword-stroke than to take an arrowhead and start slicing pieces from the hand; besides causing poor Maedhros a great deal more pain, as Mister Underhill has pointed out.

01-11-2002, 04:39 AM	#16
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	Aside from the other considerations, I think that Tolkien's sense of style played a part here. It's more mythic, heroic and impressive (ie simpler) just to cut off the entire hand with one sword-stroke than to take an arrowhead and start slicing pieces from the hand; besides causing poor Maedhros a great deal more pain, as Mister Underhill has pointed out. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?