Grumpy?

[Gothbogg the Ripper]

Some people say Gandalf was grumpy, but was he? Maybe he had a reason for his outbursts?
What do you lot think?

[Sapphire_Flame]

I actually do think he was grumpy (and taking it out on Pippin! Bad Gandalf, no donut!), but I also know that there is a good reason for this...

He really did have a lot of responisbility on his shoulders (you know, the saving of mankind and all that) and that caused a lot of stress (I don't care that he's a Maia; they stress out too). And, as people probably know, stressed people are generally...tetchy. So it's understandable how minor annoyances could make Gandalf "fly off the handle", so to speak. At the Doors of Moria is a prime example.

This understanding only slightly appeases my subtle dislike for Gandalf though. He is a brilliant character, and certainly admirable, but I still am a bit less than fond of him. *points at the parenthesed (yeah, that's not a word) statement in the first paragraph* Is it just me, or is Pippin more often than not the target of the stress-induced crankiness?

Abedithon le,

~ Saphy ~

[Elennar Starfire]

Pippin abuse! Call the APAA!

[Nimrothiel]

For all you "Sealab 2021" fans:

I have a simple solution for dealing with his alleged grumpiness; take Stimutax.
(For those of you who don't know what that is, think of it as a stronger form of Prozac.)

[Evisse the Blue]

Am I the only one who thinks Gandalf's 'outbursts' are funny? or do I have a twisted sense of humour? And they are indeed mostly directed at Pippin, the Tom fool of the fellowship. Like 'knock on the doors with your head, Peregrin Took!' "if you ever feel an itch (...) tell me, such things can be cured. But please don't ever put a stone under my ribs" and quotes such as these (I know they're inexact, but - "I don't have the books with me".

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Gandalf was grumpy because he had to ration his weed and could only smoke maybe twice a day. He was a total leaf fiend, so his 'holding back' really got on his nerves.