August 30, 2004

Re: Annatar
Danny

Yes Annatar, you are right about the blade being poisenous to the wraith due to the spell that was on it. You are wrong to call the halfling a coward for attacking from behind. The Wraith's greatest weapon was fear. Fear so great that most soldiers cowered before his very presence. Merry overcame that, and did what few mortals have ever had the courage to do, strike a blow to a wraith.

However, your quoting Theoden is somewhat shortsited yet again. After all even Theoden rode at the front of his troops. His greatest moment of courage and glory was his falling in battle. That was what won him the right to go to the tombs of his fathers and not feel ashamed in their presence. It wasn't by spending his sons in the battle field that he earned a place among Rohan's great kings. He showed that great leaders have the courage to die for their people, and the wisdom to know the time to lead their men to battle, and when to send others in his place. Had Sauron led the armies to Minas Tirith, his victory there would ahve been complete and undoubted despite all the good fortune of Aragorn with the dead etc. Sauron failed to sieze victory at an opportune moment choosing to remain in his security instead.

Gandalf's returning from death is a greater sign of courage. He had been through the fire, and he willingly returned to the heat of battle for the good of others. He is an immortal spirit, and it doesn't take much reasoning to conclude that his situation in the undying lands would be more pleasant than anything in Middle Earth, especially considering the fatigue and pain he knew he would be enduring. Also consider that he willingly returned to a wizened old body that was inherently disabling. The burned hand reflexively retracts from the fire. It took great courage to return to the fire when he had been freed at great pain the first time. His only motivation for returning was for the benefit of those whose freedom from evil depended on his fighting and suffering for them.

I am also intrigued at your logic that Gandalf would always return when he fell. Falling and returning once is not a strong enough precedent to guarantee perpetual return. Truth be told, Gandalf and Sauron are both Maiar, and are both essentiall immortal. The only question is where they dwell, the level of their influence, and where they execute that influence. So if you really want to argue about facing death as a sign of courage, then it is not a very valid point for immortal spirits. Gandalf however rode into the face of pain, fatigue, and great trials to defeat a foe who remained safe and comfortable in his tower. Any mental Anguish Sauron endured for the danger of the Ring was equally matched if not surpassed for the constant fear that Gandalf had to contend with.