Posted: January 24, 2000 at 09:51:55: by Sean
: I think you've done a excellant job of bringing out the tragic figures in the story. Hurin and Turin strike me as the most tragic of the people you mentioned. But there is one other group that has always stuck me as, perhaps, even worse. This suggestion will be probably be opposed by most people at this site but I still feel this way. The other group are the orcs. I realize that they are evil, pure and simple. They enjoy inflicting pain and suffering on others, even their own kind. But these beings were originally elves that were captured and tortured beyond comprehension by Melkor. The Silmarillion states that deep in their hearts they hated Melkor. This act by Melkor was the worst sin he committed before Iluvatar. These "people" were forever trapped in their evil state. Forever barred from being what they were created to be, and that was not by their choice. This seems more tragic than any other person or group. :: Yes, I agree about the orcs.
With regard to the others, for a character to be truly tragic one must feel some sympathy for him, even if his actions are evil. I have to say that Melkor simply does not induce such feelings of sympathy in me. He is simply selfish and spiteful from start to finish. Sean
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