Do the Ringwraiths feel pain? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Ibrîniðilpathânezel · 05-13-2010, 07:35 PM

It does rather come down to a "define pain" issue, doesn't it? For myself, I would say that they do. If they felt no pain, I would also think they would feel no fear, and we do have some evidence that Sauron used the fear of pain to get what he wanted (the torture of Gollum, if nothing else). The Nazgûl might have built up a tolerance to it, whether it's physical or psychological, but I suspect Sauron wouldn't want them to get so used to it that he can no longer use it against them. And they do fear him.

One could also ask if they feel pleasure,but that's another kettle of fish.

Blind Guardian · 05-13-2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrîniðilpathânezel

It does rather come down to a "define pain" issue, doesn't it? For myself, I would say that they do. If they felt no pain, I would also think they would feel no fear, and we do have some evidence that Sauron used the fear of pain to get what he wanted (the torture of Gollum, if nothing else). The Nazgûl might have built up a tolerance to it, whether it's physical or psychological, but I suspect Sauron wouldn't want them to get so used to it that he can no longer use it against them. And they do fear him.

One could also ask if they feel pleasure,but that's another kettle of fish.

They feel pleasure when they kill someone!

Quote:

As this is in the Movies part of the forum, I'm restricting myself to Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings. We see the one Ringwraith get burned by Aragorn, and all Nine drowned by Arwen. They next appear in TTT by doing a Fell Beast flyover of the Dead Marshes.

This doesn't have to be just movies, I guess.

alatar · 05-14-2010, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blind Guardian

This doesn't have to be just movies, I guess.

It doesn't, but I am just defining what I am discussing. Jackson's "Terminator-like" Nine aren't exactly Tolkien's.

Morthoron · 05-16-2010, 04:19 PM

Only if you talk really mean to them.

Bêthberry · 05-16-2010, 05:10 PM

I can see them getting heavily into the "I feel your pain" mode.

Blind Guardian · 05-16-2010, 10:58 PM

What?

alatar · 05-18-2010, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morthoron

Only if you talk really mean to them.

"Elbereth Gilthoniel," in other words.

But didn't the torched Nazgul, after getting a torch in the head from Aragorn, scream?

Morthoron · 05-18-2010, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alatar

But didn't the torched Nazgul, after getting a torch in the head from Aragorn, scream?

They were never good at rejection. Folks with obsessive/compulsive disorders rarely are.

alatar · 05-18-2010, 02:58 PM

What's amazing is that the Nazgul are driven off Weathertop (or, with their mission accomplished, did they just cede the ground?) by fire. Gandalf is known for pyrotechnics. You'd think that this would give the Grey/White Wizard an edge when facing one or more of the Nine.

05-13-2010, 07:35 PM	#1
Ibrîniðilpathânezel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Back on the Helcaraxe Posts: 733	It does rather come down to a "define pain" issue, doesn't it? For myself, I would say that they do. If they felt no pain, I would also think they would feel no fear, and we do have some evidence that Sauron used the fear of pain to get what he wanted (the torture of Gollum, if nothing else). The Nazgûl might have built up a tolerance to it, whether it's physical or psychological, but I suspect Sauron wouldn't want them to get so used to it that he can no longer use it against them. And they do fear him. One could also ask if they feel pleasure,but that's another kettle of fish. __________________ Call me Ibrin (or Ibri) :) Originality is the one thing that unoriginal minds cannot feel the use of. — John Stewart Mill

05-16-2010, 04:19 PM	#4
Morthoron Curmudgeonly Wordwraith Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits Posts: 2,515	Do the Ringwraiths feel pain? Only if you talk really mean to them. __________________ And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision.

05-16-2010, 05:10 PM	#5
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	I can see them getting heavily into the "I feel your pain" mode. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

05-18-2010, 02:58 PM	#9
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	What's amazing is that the Nazgul are driven off Weathertop (or, with their mission accomplished, did they just cede the ground?) by fire. Gandalf is known for pyrotechnics. You'd think that this would give the Grey/White Wizard an edge when facing one or more of the Nine. __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.