What is your heroic ideal?

[Eorl of Rohan]

Hmm. But what's so heroic about them?

[Urwen]

Well, Fingolfin pretty well cut off Melkor's foot, Fingon showed Glaurung his devil, Turgon showed up at N.A.,and Aredhel made Morgoth's defeat possible.(If Gondolin survived, would Earendil be able to call his kin to help defeat him?)

[Andsigil]

Boromir.

He was a stalwart warrior- among the very best in Gondor at both generalship and personal fighting prowess. Yet, he was seduced by the ring, just as any other man would have been.

Unlike others, however, Boromir achieved redemption, and did it in heroic fashion. This was stunning in both its rarity and inspiration.

[mormegil]

Originally Posted by Andsigil

Boromir.

Unlike others, however, Boromir achieved redemption, and did it in heroic fashion. This was stunning in both its rarity and inspiration.

I am not a fan of Boromir so help me understand how he achieved redemption? He fought Uruks at the end. Who wouldn't? I don't see this as redemption I see it as doing what any would do to try and preserve their own life.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by mormegil

I am not a fan of Boromir so help me understand how he achieved redemption? He fought Uruks at the end. Who wouldn't? I don't see this as redemption I see it as doing what any would do to try and preserve their own life.

Now now now! He tried to redeem himself, that was his reason to go and fight the Uruks - he came to save Merry and Pippin, since he could not turn back the clock and save Frodo anymore. He was not forced to fight, he could have slipped away, drowned in his self-pity or returned to Gondor on foot and pretended that nothing has ever happened, but he decided to go and fight to save the Hobbits. He did not succeed, but he was ready to - and he eventually did - lay down his life.

[Thinlómien]

I seem to like the best the ones who are proud and hot-tempered but good-hearted and loyal, as well as good leaders. No wonder my favourites include such characters as Maedhros (who died, btw ), Boromir, Galadriel, Gandalf and Húrin. All of them are heroes, but they all have their flaws: Maedhros keeps the horrible oath he swore, Boromir is seduced by the Ring, Galadriel and Gandalf are tempted by the Ring's power to do good, Húrin's pride (in a way) causes the misfortune of his children and his bitterness gives out the secret city... A hero is not a hero if he's flawless and thus boring (although Finrod Felagund makes an exception here, he's just cool! )

[Folwren]

I really like the down to earth, simple heroes the best. Sam Gamgee is my favorite hero from LotR, and he's just so natural and down to earth. I also love Bilbo. Faramir is another favorite of mine, and I think that something both Faramir and Sam have in common is that neither of them are looking to become great or anything. They just want to do what is right, no matter the cost, really. And they care very deeply about the people they love.

By the way, Morm - Boromir acheived redemption by asking forgiveness at the end.

-- Folwren

[Eorl of Rohan]

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

No wonder my favourites include such characters as Maedhros (who died, btw ), (...) And yeah, A hero is not a hero if he's flawless and thus boring (although Finrod Felagund makes an exception here, he's just cool!

I thought Maedhros was the one who got his hand cut off. Didn't he live to a long age, but always wielded his sword by his left hand better than his right? oh, yeah, I just remembered, he later threw himself into a chasm with his silmaril rather than to surrender it. Forgot that one.

I really like the down to earth, simple heroes the best. Sam Gamgee is my favorite hero from LotR

So does my boyfriend, for some unfathomable reason. Back in my younger days, I would have never understood that. I thought Sam too sappy and without a backbone, and probably had a crush on - (No, I shouldn't instill evil thoughts into the pure minds of the barrow-downers!) But now that I think back on it, I can finally understand the reason why so many people think Sam with his unswaying devotion and faithfulness is heroic. Tho' Beleg is perhaps a better candidate for your admiration, perhaps, since he was (1) faithful (2) died tragically. (Tragedy is awesome!) While my heroic ideal is irreversibly fixated on a tragic-flaw-leads-to-death concept, I am finding a newfound respect for Sam Gamgee as well.

He didn't just fight Uruks; he fought to protect Merry and Pippin. I'd also add that, considering the disparity between them and Boromir in importance, it seems an even more noble act for a distinguished scion of Gondor to lay down his life to protect two inconsequential hobbits.

I completely agree with you. He didn't die to save a golden-tressed maiden that he was in love with, or lords and ladies. He gave his life to save two little trembling hobbits who had no one else to protect them; a truly heroic deed.

[Andsigil]

Originally Posted by mormegil

I am not a fan of Boromir so help me understand how he achieved redemption? He fought Uruks at the end. Who wouldn't? I don't see this as redemption I see it as doing what any would do to try and preserve their own life.

He didn't just fight Uruks; he fought to protect Merry and Pippin.

I'd also add that, considering the disparity between them and Boromir in importance, it seems an even more noble act for a distinguished scion of Gondor to lay down his life to protect two inconsequential hobbits.

Boromir's was an act of pure friendship and brotherly love.

[Loslote]

My favorites are Felagund, for sheer awesomeness, as well as for honoring his oath to Beren's father and for sacrificing himself to honor said oath, Aragorn, for being selfless, and Beleg, for being loyal to his friend even when said friend didn't appreciate his help.