Are you a 🧝Feanor or Finrod person?

[Gilgaearel]

A Finrod one. Feanor might be interesting as a book character but I can't relate with such an awful personality.

 

[Elaini]

Definitely Finrod, Arafinwions are some of my favourite characters in that universe.

But I don't think Finrod is a non complicated character. Come to think about it, he's as proud, daring and determined as any Noldo, and vanity is his flaw (I recall three pieces of heirloom jewelry he carries, plus all the other treasures across Helcaraxë that bought many services). He also chose to continue to Middle-Earth despite he left Amarië behind, and he knew that going with Beren was a suicide mission that would eventually cost his kingdom.

To be honest, I enjoy grey morality such as Fëanor's too, but the hype for it has been overblown in fantasy a bit. Even in real life there are all types of saints, antiheroes, antivillains and villains, not just the two in the middle. In understand the need to remind that perfection is but a conception and make us come in terms with it, but sometimes things just can be kept very simple. It's the boredom we aim for.

If I chose to know someone personally in Arda I would go with Finrod, the safe, sane choice. As well as undoubtedly handsome, is it a crime to like the Fabio type? (But he belongs with Amarië.)

 

[Phuc Do]

I am a Finrod person but I find it more interesting reading about Feanor kind of characters.

 

[Olorgando]

Finrod, it's not even vaguely a contest. He honored the pledge he gave Barahir to the latter's descendant Beren, even though he probably was aware that in doing so he would lose everything. For all of Fëanor's immense gifts, his overriding character traits were an arrogance, narcissism, intemperance and nihilism that were only surpassed by Melkor. Even Sauron comes across as saner, and certainly more pragmatic and temperate than Fëanor.

 

[queennaerys]

I would say neither. One is so evil that he could be an orc and the other is so perfect that he is dreadfully boring. But this is my biggest issue with The Silmarillion. With the exception of Maeglin, if you were born to Indis or descend from her, you are perfect and all that is good in the world. If you were born to Miriel or descend from her, you are evil and/or cursed. This is to be expected of something that draws heavily from religious text, though, so I can't truly complain.

If I had to choose, I guess I would say Feanor since he has a character arc, however one-dimensional it is.

 

[Sailawen]

Finrod. Fëanáro was a killer, insane person. He pretty much doomed the Ñoldor. Like please, it's just some gems. Go, Finrod!!

 

[Alice]

I dunno what to choose. I never liked Finrod much, but Feanor... Well, don't love him too, but without him there could be no Silmarillion

 

[Melkor]

I am personaly more Fëanor than Finrod (hot tempered, rash), but as a character I like Finrod much more than Fëanor. He's kind and wise and I don't think he is boring. I don't like his prejudices about love between elves and man (or at least I have that impression after reading Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth, on the other hand he helped Beren in his quest for the silmaril and he knew about his love for Lúthien). But otherwise he's nice character, I especially like his curiosity.

 

[Amarthon]

Fëanor.
I read the Silmarillion 43 years ago when it was released.
He's still the motivating character for me.

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

Welcome to TTF, Amarthon! If you'd like to introduce yourself, and say something about your particular interests, don't forget our New Members forum:

https://thetolkien.forum/forums/new-members.58/

 

[ZehnWaters]

Why would I prefer the horrible, murderous Fëanor? He's selfish, cruel, and abusive. He has no redeeming personal traits. Skills mean nothing when your personality are bad.

 

[Amarthon]

Why would I prefer the horrible, murderous Fëanor? He's selfish, cruel, and abusive. He has no redeeming personal traits. Skills mean nothing when your personality are bad.

A limited perspective. By your standards, most of the Noldor are evil. Caught between Fëanor and a Balrog, you're in a bad place.

 

[ZehnWaters]

A limited perspective. By your standards, most of the Noldor are evil. Caught between Fëanor and a Balrog, you're in a bad place.

Uh...no. Fëanor burned his son alive (though on accident) because he thought Amrod might abandon him and because he didn't want Maedhros to go back for his cousins. He was hateful, spiteful, and petty. He has no redeeming qualities. None.

 

[Amarthon]

Uh...no. Fëanor burned his son alive (though on accident) because he thought Amrod might abandon him and because he didn't want Maedhros to go back for his cousins. He was hateful, spiteful, and petty. He has no redeeming qualities. None.

Wrong. Just your opinion. He was driven, inspired, full of energy, brilliant , talented and a mover of history.

 

[Olorgando]

I'll sign the hateful, spiteful, and petty part immediately, and probably add several more negative characteristics. As to

He was driven, inspired, full of energy, brilliant , talented and a mover of history.

What did he use all of these characteristics for?. Every single one of them is "dual use", it depends what what you use them for.
Mover of history? Whoopee! So were Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, Timur Lenk, Napoleon, Hitler, Stalin ... the list is endless. Mass murderers all.
And so was Fëanor.

 

[Amarthon]

Napoleon mass murderer? Do you use that description for all warriors and commanders?
I admire Fëanor, you obviously don't. I stand by my opinion.

 

[Olorgando]

Napoleon mass murderer? Do you use that description for all warriors and commanders?
I admire Fëanor, you obviously don't. I stand by my opinion.

For all warriors and commanders who start an offensive war of conquest, yes, flatly and harshly.
And what was the Kinslaying at Alqualondë except mass murder?
About Fëanor we'll just have to agree to disagree, no room for compromise.

 

[John]

I Love Feanor Because He Had The Courage to say No To Obeying The Valar and He Fought For What He Wanted

 

[Amarthon]

Offensive warfare is NOT mass murder. What a ridiculous idea. Was the USA invading the Confederacy mass murder? How about the US invading French North Africa in WWII? Napoleon moved into Prussia after they declared war. I can cite many more examples.

 

[ZehnWaters]

I Love Feanor Because He Had The Courage to say No To Obeying The Valar and He Fought For What He Wanted

And what wisdom was there in that? He led everyone he touched into death, mutilation, or misery. Good job. It's almost like they understood things he didn't.