The diminshing of the characters

[doug*platypus]

Oh, no, an Angry Hill Troll! And in the permanent darkness of the Barrow Downs! Alas! And I am already weary...

in the time in which they lived, Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn etc. accomplished great things.

In response to doug*platypus's comment

I believe they showed equal heroism, given the situation and what they had to work with.

Seems more like an echo than a response to me. But I am heartened to see that you feel the same way I do. And you are absolutely right, this gives us an important lesson on heroism. It is very empowering to think that such a humble creature as Frodo can achieve deeds such as those of Beren and Tuor. It gives hope to all of us, for while we may live in different times, we can still show the same fortitude and morality that Frodo does, and achieve our own quest, whatever that may be.

I loved Lindril Arvilya's uncovering of the different moral fibre of the different ages, as well. This thread has resulted in some really good posts. I think that for the participants in the Wars of Beleriand, the situation became more complicated, as their new homes were under threat. I think that the Silmarils remained the main priority only for the Fëanorians, and that most of the Eldar and the Edain were united in hatred for Morgoth. They wanted to remove him from their world, for revenge and for stability. Sounds disturbingly familiar.