Hurin and despair

[Numenorean]

I mean *what* has Turin done to earn such a privilege? having failed to master himself and his doom

Morwen, I always felt that the core of Turins being was most poingnantly revealed during his childhood. His handing over of his fine Elf-wrought dagger birthday present to Sador the lame woodwright, and his words of justification to Hurin & Morwen offered what I beleive the truest indicator of the kind of man he would have turned into had doom and Morgoth not corrupted his path:
U.T.(P.64)

'Do you then scorn your father's gift?' said Morwen; and again Turin answered: 'No, but I love Sador, and feel pity for him.'
Then Hurin said: 'All three gifts were your own to give, Turin: love, pity, and the knife the least.'

Turins actions and words up to the eve of the Nirnaeth show the foundations of a wise, thoughtful and caring heir to the House of Hador, despite the bitter loss of Lalaith he was still compassionate and uncorrupted at this time.
The effect of the post-Arnoediad situation on Turins character development must have been massive, not just psychologically. Aside from the mental trauma and the utter fall of Hador, maybe the Doom that Morgoth laid on him had a real and physical role to play in Turins mindset aswell?
Perhaps Turins vaunted elevation to be counted amongst the Sons of the Valar at the End, was a sense of natural justice from JRRT? The marring of Turins innocence and potential by Morgoth is a crime so great (reminiscent of Feanors marring?) that maybe there just had to be a reckoning, as it denied not just Turin but all Men a noble and Great Lord. These are just some random thoughts I've had as I've re-read the Narn over the past couple of days, so I apologise if this sound a bit flakey and off-topic.

His death by suicide is apparently a storyteller's guess since it is prefaced by 'it is said'. Personally I've never believed it, not of Hurin Thalion.

Me neither Morwen, he was hardcore, steadfast. I think if he was going to 'do himself in' He would've done it by the graves of Turin and Morwen, but he didn't!

[ May 11, 2003: Message edited by: Numenorean ]