Your Favorite Character(s): A Different Approach - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

MatthewM · 07-09-2006, 09:25 PM

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?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode

07-09-2006, 09:25 PM	#1
MatthewM Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 628	Your Favorite Character(s): A Different Approach 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? __________________ "Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills...and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!" -Boromir, The Fellowship of the Ring Last edited by MatthewM; 07-09-2006 at 09:32 PM.