Quote:
In the thread on Elladan and Elrohir Allyssa said that we are rapidly running out
of major characters... So I think I'd like to introduce this one. Beren should
be particularly important for us because Tolkien identified himself with him
so strongly that the name of Beren is inscribed on his grave.
As I already remarked at the start of the thread on Faramir, these two characters
have much in common.
What I particularly like about Beren is his attitude to animals
Lready when reading LOTR for the first time, I was deeply moved by the fragment
of the Lay of Leithian which is being sung by Aragorn on a Weather Top
He was the sole survivor of his people, utterly alone... We all feel like that many times
in our lives (well, at least I often felt like that.. ). And he is not a victorious
invincible "macho" but a brave man constantly getting hurt... and yet finally one of
the most lucky heroes of Tolkien.
In the thread on Elladan and Elrohir Allyssa said that we are rapidly running out
of major characters... So I think I'd like to introduce this one. Beren should
be particularly important for us because Tolkien identified himself with him
so strongly that the name of Beren is inscribed on his grave.
As I already remarked at the start of the thread on Faramir, these two characters
have much in common.
What I particularly like about Beren is his attitude to animals
Quote:
:he became the friend of birds and beasts, and they aided him, and did
not betray him, and from that time forth he ate no flesh nor slew any living thing
that was not in the service of Morgoth
:he became the friend of birds and beasts, and they aided him, and did
not betray him, and from that time forth he ate no flesh nor slew any living thing
that was not in the service of Morgoth
Lready when reading LOTR for the first time, I was deeply moved by the fragment
of the Lay of Leithian which is being sung by Aragorn on a Weather Top
Quote:
:There Beren came from the mountains cold,
and long he wandered under leaves
and where the Elven-river rolled
he walked alone and sorrowing
:There Beren came from the mountains cold,
and long he wandered under leaves
and where the Elven-river rolled
he walked alone and sorrowing
He was the sole survivor of his people, utterly alone... We all feel like that many times
in our lives (well, at least I often felt like that.. ). And he is not a victorious
invincible "macho" but a brave man constantly getting hurt... and yet finally one of
the most lucky heroes of Tolkien.
Allyssa replied
Hmmm, yes there is definately something about Beren. So much so, that he even attracts elf-princesses. What is it about the edain that make the elf-maids hearts go pitter patter?
Beren is a tragic, yet noble figure. My favourite part is when he gallantly agrees to take on the quest laid on him by Thingol even though he knows the spiteful old king is trying to send him to his death. It is also sad that death will take him away from his greatest friend - Finrod Felagund.
I suppose there is an implication that Tolkien saw himself as an elf-friend. Surely the greatest of them all!!