Your Favorite Character(s): A Different Approach

[MatthewM]

Having a favorite character is special. You identify with that character and value them above the rest. There's something about their personalty or actions that attract you. You buy the most stuff of this character. Why? Because they're your favorite!

Too many times do I come across cliche "favorite character" threads. Somebody not so knowledgable on Tolkien usually asks the question and puts the characters name, and that's that. Everyone else does the same. Usually no explanation why. At least, that is the case with most of the topics I've come across. Especially with the characters in Tolkien's world, there should be much explanation, or a definite point! Tolkien gives so much life to his characters, more than any other author I have ever read. Within LotR is so much character development you actually GROW with them.

What I'm getting at is this...as I said, your favorite character holds a special place. Tell your favorite or favorites in The Lord of the Rings, and give an explanation of why you idenitfy or truly appreciate your favorite(s). If done right, you could get really into this...and even into the head of your character(s).

Usually everyone has a #1 favorite, and then the other favorites. For me, Boromir is #1, Faramir, Pippin, and Merry follow in no specific order.

I'll start...

Boromir. Boromir has been my favorite character for some time now. The tragedy and honor within this character is immense. His respect and pride for Gondor is amazing. I have had endless debates on Boromir, coming to his defense even outside of Tolkien's own words about him. I find him one of the most interesting characters Tolkien created. I identify with him for many reasons. To name a few, his loyalty to his family and his strength to do what is needed to do in certain situations. He was always honest. Even if it came off as "pig-headed" to some, he was honest. Honesty can offend people, it's a fact. His pride did get the best of him, but you have to admire how he carried it throughout the story in my opinion. His sacrifice to Merry and Pippin at the end is doubtless one of the most heroic deeds in The Lord of the Rings. Boromir also has a lot of parallels with my personality- he delighted only in arms, and took no wife. He cared little for lore except for tales of old battles. I'm a romantic who is completely dedicated to my girlfriend, and I love tales of old, not just tales of battles- although I love those too. So, I believe the statement "opposites attract" can somewhat be taken into account when you look at your favorite character.

I could go on about Boromir, but a lot of what I would be getting into is already contained within my essay- "A Defense of Character: Boromir" located at http://www.swordofboromir.com (as if I don't do enough promoting for this, check the signature! ) If you have time and you haven't already, give it a read.

Faramir. The brother of Boromir, and everything you aspire to be. He is also honest, and loyal. I identify greatly with Faramir because he was a lover- he fell in love with Eowyn and stayed with her until the end of his days. He enjoyed all old lore, and delighted in music. I'm a musician. Faramir is one of the Wise amongst Tolkien's characters to many. I must agree, as he overcomes much and understands a lot. He has pity, much like Frodo's. He was noble, honest, and true amongst other qualities. Who wouldn't want those characteristics?

Merry and Pippin. I used to favor Pippin more, but recently I've really been getting into Merry as well...now it's almost hard to choose. Pippin's great because you watch him evolve from a careless hobbit who is interested in naught but food and play into a grown being with the utmost of care. Pippin's friendship with Merry is uncanny. Pippin is also very human, making mistakes quite often. Don't we all?! Everyone is curious of certain things, and you admire what Pippin learns from the Palantir (however dangerous it may be). The growth of the youngest member of the Fellowship might be the most apparent, at least to me. Merry is the sensable one, who usually has a good idea of what is right and what is wrong, what not to do and when to do something. Not to mention, he helped kill the Witch-King!

So, that's my reasoning on why I appreciate these characters above all and why they are my favorites.

Anybody else?

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Opinion topics such as this are placed on the Newcomers and Novices forum, as they are not actual book discussions. I'm moving this thread there, where you can continue to read and post. Thank you!

[MatthewM]

I wanted to get some detailed responses based on character in which only the books can tell, which means discussing the book! But, as you wish!

[MatthewM]

Come on people!

[mark12_30]

I'd like to reply-- just haven't got the time to do it right. I've discussed this before, so my reply here would be basically linking to older posts. I've changed favorites several times. Suffice it to say (as a bit of a bookmark) that my favorites generally revolve around honour, valour & humor.

[MatthewM]

Well when you have the time, do share. I've also changed favorites numerous times. I think everyone has.

[yavanna II]

My favorite character is Feanor... though he's nowhere mentioned in the LotR (except in the appendices and in the Gate of Moria thing, where the "Star of Feanor" is seen), his influence on ME and the rest of Aman is indefinite. He was proud, yes, but he was so skilled too. I should even say he was too skilled, too intelligent, the fire of his spirit too hot. Nevertheless, even without his evil deeds (like the Kinslaying and abandoning his half-brother and some of his kin in the mercy of the Grinding Ice) the Eldar are all affected and influenced. The Valar did not have the foresight (or maybe they did, but did nothing nonetheless) of the coming darkness; and without Feanor the Light of the Trees would be forever gone. And his harshness may be traced on his lack of motherly love, as Miriel never found the strength to return and help raise him with Finwe; maybe also on the fact that his father was not content with him and remarried instead of awaiting Miriel.

I would have liked to say more, yet the internet cafe is closing....

[ninja91]

In that case, I would have to choose Aragorn over the witch king (who everyone is tired of me raving about ^_^). He is not only courageous, smart and strong, he has a good heart and his most powerful asset is the friendships that he has. for a friend, and for the world, he will march into almost certain death. he would face the most terrible and fell beings to walk the earth, just to make sure that the future contains light, not darkness. he, in my opinion, is the ultimate hero.

[Folwren]

My favorite character is and always has been (since I first read the books) Samwise Gamgee. I know I have said so before here on the ‘Downs, but it’s been a long time.

Sam is my favorite character for his love, honesty, and loyalty, mostly. There are many, many other things that I like about him, too, but those are the main ones. His love and loyalty towards Frodo can be seen through the entire book. He loved many other things in Middle-Earth, but because he was loyal to Frodo, he was willing to leave and give up everything in order to see Frodo through to the end. This is shown very clearly in the chapter The Mirror of Galadriel.

He’s honest and blunt, and I like honest and blunt people because then you don’t have to worry about them lying to you when you ask them if you look good. Also, this same honest bluntness gives a lot of humor to the books. He’s the character who makes me laugh the most. . .and cry the most.

Those are few reasons. I’m afraid I blunder a lot when I try to explain why I like Sam. This is something like my fourth draft of this explanation - they all are different an they all try to say the same thing. There are so many aspects of his character and I love them all. . .it’s impossible for me to say, in a short enough post that people will actually read it, why I like him. He’s loveable, what can I say?

Second favorite character is probably Frodo. I wouldn’t have said that until after I read it the last time I did (I think it was my fifth reading). It wasn’t really until then that I actually connected with him and realized the depth of his struggle and pain. All the previous times reading it, I had been distracted by other things, other characters, different happenings. But by the fifth time reading a book, I really got to see Frodo in a different light. He was noble and brave and utterly self sacrificing. Yes, he failed in the end, but that makes his story all the more pathetic and, for me, brings him closer still. What’s more, Sam loved him, and that’s a good reason to like him, too.

Third favorite character. . .I don’t know. Eowyn is cool, she’s noble and fierce, and I am very much like her in many ways. Faramir is neat - he’s noble, pure, kind, and Boromir’s younger brother. Boromir is neat. I’ve always liked him, regardless of what other people say to try to prove to me how wicked he was. Merry and Pippin both went through a lot of character development but never lost their merriness. I really enjoyed reading about them, too, this last time. Tolkien put a lot of work into those two and I wish the movies had given them better character developments.

Good gracious, if I keep going at that rate, I’ll name all the other characters!

Anyhow, Matthew, I hope that satisfies you. Good thread. I like it. I love (trying) to explain why my favorite character is my favorite character.

-Folwren

[Dimturiel]

I have to confess that I have a strong bonding with most of Tolkien's characters (and after reading LOTR ten times and watching the movies countless of times, I think this is undestandable). But when I have to talk about the character that is closest to my heart, then I definately have to choose Aragorn. His determination is admirable and, in a way, moving also. It is impressing to see how his mere presence is able to bring so much hope and comfort. When writing this, I also feel obliged to speak of the episode from the Houses of Healing, that has helped in kindling such a passion for this character.
I know that I gave written only a small part of what could be said, yet I also believe that, when it comes to a person whom you greatly admire, words seem to fail.

[Tigerlily Gamgee]

For me it's Eowyn on many levels...
There have been times in my life where I feel as though I'm trapped in a cage... that I can't escape my current situation. That I give my all and receive so little in return. I also don't like to be viewed as a weak woman and take care of myself... I usually turn down help when offered by a man because I like to do anything they can do. I also will do whatever I can to protect those I love... even if they don't necessarily know I'm doing anything to help them out. In the ways of love, I've had my share of men who I seem to crush after and admire... and those crushes have derived not necessarily from who they men are, but what they stand for. And then recently I've met a man who puts me on a pedastal and loves me unconditionally... and likewise, he has won my heart.
Yes, in many ways I am just like Eowyn.

In other ways I relate to Sam because I go out of my way for my friends and I am very loyal and honest.

[Gil-Galad]

Well when i first joined the site, Gil-Galad was my fave, i first learned of him by playing a LOTR-Map on Starcraft, and i read more into him and he quickly became my fave and the name stuck to me.

Gil-Galad in the game was extremely strong, when i read more into him he was a brave leader that knows what must be done and he did it, even if his own life was at risk.

There isn't much written about him but i feel that we was a great king and warrior and enstilled valor in his men and showed wisdom with his dealings.

[alatar]

This is kind of a tricky thread to which to reply, as if I talk up my favorite character and say that I see myself in said character, am I not then talking myself up?

"Ya, I like Eru a lot. It created the universe and all. I'm like that, you know, created the internet, velcro, sabre-toothed kangaroos, etc. Also feel that I'm omnipotent, omnipresent..."

Anyway, that being said, I like Gandalf.

He's a powerful father figure not just to me but to the characters in the books. Gandalf is wise and learned - his knowledge is subtle and deep, but he's no specialist. At need he's a man of action, and sometimes comes up with creative solutions to pressing problems (see 'burning pine cones'). His hands may be strong, but it's in his brain/mind that the real power lies. He inspires, warming cold hearts and gets those stuck in ruts back on their road. Rarely idle, he wants to be helpful and true to his stewardship. And at need will sacrifice himself for his friends - why else call them friends if you don't really care?

He could turn Denethor II, Sam and possibly even Elrond into toads, but that's not his way. The Grey Pilgrim sits both on the White Council and on a bar stool at the Prancing Pony, at ease with the great and the small. At times he may think some of the common folk are fools (i.e. Pippin) but he still treats them with respect. All of Middle Earth, even those who sneer at him and make him wait like some old fool (Denethor II), are his charges and he wants to help. Gandalf states that he even has compassion for Sauron's slaves.

Gandalf seeks help where he can find it, but only at direst need; gives advice where it may do some good. Sure, he gets frustrated, but he too needs some testing to keep him honest. Where does he find some needed rest? In simple things, like a pipe or a glass of wine. Can't say that I see him needing some poofy chalice from which to sip, or a tower from which to crow.

In LotR (the books), one of his better scenes is where he and Shadowfax await the Witch-King inside the Gate. No boasting, sword-waving or nervous laughter. He sits, still as a stone. Evil comes and he will fight it when it gets near. He will stand in the gap.

Can't say that I'm like him in any way, but I still admire the character.

[Rikae]

My favorite character, since the first time I read the books at age 8, was Aragorn. It seems I liked him for different reasons than those other readers give, though. I was drawn to the idea that this man wandered in the wilderness for the span of a normal human lifetime; the isolation, the idea of the pain of being separated from the one he loves and most likely believed he would never be with, and the fact that the people he spent his life defending spat on him, insulted him – I found all this deeply moving. I wasn’t raised Christian, but later I connected this ...the archetypes of wandering in the wilderness, sacrifice & humility... to Christ. I also found the whole idea of this rough-looking, even frightening figure being in truth a great king & hero very emotionally satisfying (probably because I liked to think I was better than I appeared to be, and would someday be recognized for it).

I also always had a great deal of affection & sympathy for (of all people) Smeagol. He’s such a tragic figure. It seems Frodo’s friendship nearly brings him back from the darkness he lived in so long, but then when he believes he was betrayed, the last glimmer of hope disappears. He seems like a character with very little control over his actions, yet still some good in him and he must have been tormented watching himself lie, steal and kill for the ring. When he remembers his life as one of the river folk (in The Hobbit & LOTR), how can anyone fail to pity him? It is very powerful, very moving to me that he is the one to destroy the ring in the end, and that he is destroyed with it.

[shieldmaiden4xsword]

Eowyn. She was strong, beautiful, brave.....

well....she fell in love. I can relate to that unrequited love thing. Several times i had a crush on someone who told me they were already engaged. that was crushing......also it was what they stood for, not what they were.

I'm glad she finally fell in love with Faramir.....and loved him for who he was, not what he stood for. *blushes*

And.....i don't like feeling useless, that there's nothing i can do. it's awful. and to stay behind bars.....yeah. i have had that feeling many times. Like there's nothing i could do to escape. It's scary.

And that she was like a lily, still fair to see but touched with some frost, soon to fade. A lot of girls I know are like flowers, but they too have been touched with frost. Soon they will wither.......it's soooo sad........

I am also like Sam. I look out for my friends and I am pretty honest.

I'm just going to say "The Hobbits." I love them all.

Frodo - consciously willing, it takes him awhile to follow through on his decisions, but once he decides, he's dogged to do as he promised. The most wrenching moment for me with Frodo is in Mordor when he lays on the ground, face up, eyes open. Sam asks, "Can you manage, Mr. Frodo?" and he responds, "Yes, I can manage, Sam. I must." My heart just flops out of my chest and I groan at the dedicated effort.

Sam - Yup, he's loyal, steadfast, all that - but he's also so down to earth. He never takes himself seriously. He knows he's common and he likes being common. And from that comes enormous strength. He doesn't have to prove anything to anybody - he just does what has to be done.

Merry - Go get 'em! That's Merry. He wants to go. He wants to do and be involved, but the tragedy is - he's held back. You're too little, you can't do that. "I won't be left behind! I won't be left behind!" he vows and lo and behold, the way is opened for him to move forward.

Pippen - I love this little guy - so precocious! And the opposite of Merry. Just as Merry is held back, Pippen is shoved forward, put on Gandalf's horse and hauled off to Gondor! Nevertheless, he overcomes his fears and makes a difference where he's placed. A quality I try to remember.

Bilbo - let me not forget Bilbo - the only character in all the story who actually possessed the ring and finally gave it up of his own free will - now that took strength. Would that I had that kind of strength with chocolate - my own personal bane.

Childish, childlike - the Hobbits move from their own Garden of Eden, out into the world and become great among the wise.

[Morsul the Dark]

well Freud would have fun with my life my childhood affects everythng from my favorite car (hearse pm me for explanation) t my favorit LOTR charactr, Treebeard

Treebard: when I was a child my favorite book was a disney verson of the tortoise and the hare Donald drove a corvett Goofy drove a big piece of junk...Goofy had a phrase he alwayes repeated durng the book, "slow and steady steady and slw that's the way we always go!" that has been my mtto sinc was a child obviously Treebeard is the personification of that phrase. Now also thre is the fact he has a passion and a knowledge of great deeds and songs to of my favorit thngs (I've written some ballads in my day). Also Treebeard doesn't rush as I don'tI bet he'd be a hoot to play chess with!

I cant decide between merry or pippin. they are the troublemakers of the fellowship. merry is a little more intelegent but pippin is a little more fun.