Saddest Moment In Tolkien - Page 4

kiddstodd · 06-22-2004, 01:06 PM

when Frodo leaves Sam Merry and Pipin to go to Valinor

Elanor the Fair · 07-07-2004, 07:53 AM

I have read most of Tolkien's books, and there are many tales that are tragic, however, for me the saddest part is in The Fellowship of the Ring, when Gandalf falls with the Balrog.

It is not just the event that is sad, many other tales are more tragic, it is Tolkien's building of the characters and their relationships and dependence on each other that makes this so sad. You know the characters so well, it is like you experienced the trauma yourself. This is directly related to the storytelling skills of the author.

Ragnarok · 07-07-2004, 12:34 PM

1) The death of Boromir (hes the only one from the fellowship that died)
2) The death of Huan
3) the destruction of Gondolin

Telcontar_Dunedain · 08-13-2004, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiddstodd

when Frodo leaves Sam Merry and Pipin to go to Valinor

I agree. That was the part that bought tears to my eyes.

Attalus · 08-13-2004, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valandil

The more I think about it, 5 of the top 10 probably come from the story of Turin Turrambar.

I quite agree. The death of Theoden to me was the saddest thin in LotR.

Pytt · 08-19-2004, 01:07 PM

first time i reaf LoTR I cried when Shelob almost killed Frodo. i thought he was dead. i also find it very sad when Frodo leaves the three hobbits in grey havens

Elemmírë · 11-29-2004, 11:38 PM

I'd say the death of Finrod, for all the reasons SGH mentioned earlier:

Quote:

The death of Finrod was also sad in that you watched this powerful, kind Elven King become stripped of everything, his crown, his dignity, his clothes, and even his life at the end, and then to die in the great tower that he himself had built.

I still haven't gotten over it.

The second saddest would have to be a tie between practically everything else that ever happened in the Silmarillion.

the whole thing is so depressing...

Manveru · 11-30-2004, 12:11 AM

for me:
saddest parts in LOTR:
-when sam thinks frodo is dead
-when sam says "I'm back"
-death of theoden

saddest parts of Silm (i havent read it in awhile):
-end of 'Turin Turambar'
-when the Trees are destroyed
-when the silmarils are regained, but in vain

saddest parts of LOTR movies:
-when they leave moria and think gandalf's dead
-death of boromir
-the end

Telcontar_Dunedain · 11-30-2004, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manveru

saddest parts of LOTR movies:
-when they leave moria and think gandalf's dead
-death of boromir
-the end

Some might argue -the beginnining!

Last Child of Ungoliant · 11-30-2004, 08:42 AM

the saddest moment in tolkien is the Oath of Feanor, and the deeds which it caused, the kinslaying at Alqualonde especially

Attalus · 11-30-2004, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cassiopeia

The saddest part of the Silmarillion is when Turin falls onto his sword.

Oh, and when Feanor dies.

I was rather relieved when Turin finally died and took his cursed self away. And when Fëanor died I was glad. To me the saddest thing in all of Tolkien is the death of Huan.

Elemmírë · 11-30-2004, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last Child of Ungoliant

the saddest moment in tolkien is the Oath of Feanor, and the deeds which it caused, the kinslaying at Alqualonde especially

It might not be obviously sad, but if you want to look at things that way (retrospectively, I guess), how about when the Valar decide to bring the Eldar to Valinor, and Mandos says, "So it is doomed"......

Quote:

Originally Posted by Attalus

I was rather relieved when Turin finally died and took his cursed self away. And when Fëanor died I was glad.

ditto.

Beren3000 · 11-30-2004, 03:30 PM

To me, one of the saddest moments in the Sil. was the last stand of Huor: the part where Huor tells Turgon: "This I say to you, lord, with the eyes of death..."

ethuiliel · 12-04-2004, 05:28 PM

The first time I read it, I think the saddest moment was:

Quote:

Last of all he came. His men passed in. The mounted knights returned and at their rear the banner of Dol Amoroth, and the Prince. And in his arms before him on his horse he bore the body of his kinsman, Faramir son of Denethor, found upon the stricken field.

That was also when I realized that Faramir was my favorite character.

But once I knew that Faramir wasn't dead, and didn't die, I think the saddest part was probably Theoden's death... or when Smeagol was completely taken ove by Gollum, or... or maybe "Well, I'm back"... just because that was the end.

Something · 12-19-2004, 04:56 PM

Gandalf`s fall is a sad moment in the book.

Lefty Scaevola · 12-19-2004, 06:07 PM

I am much into Greek tragedy mode.

In LoTR, it is when Denethor after fighting Sauron, strategy to strategy, army to army, and even telepathicly will to will (with greater strength that the head of the istari) for all his life, falls to despair and breaks just before his bleloved nation and is victorious and restored, and his charge fulfilled.

In SIL, it when Hurin, after bearing all torment for 28 years, finds out, never ther less, that Morgoth has still suceeded in using him as a tool.

Lenya · 12-25-2004, 10:36 AM

Two:
- death of Beleg
- when Eowyn tells Aragorn that she doesn't fear death, only a cage

Minielin · 01-02-2005, 02:42 AM

Not wholly sad, but at least a little tug on the heartstrings: when Finduilas falls out of love with Gwindor and in love with Turin. I still stick with Beleg's death being absolutely the saddest.

inked · 01-02-2005, 02:17 PM

I am not sure that my answer is in the sense you mean, but for me it was Sam's words to close the tale proper. In the pre-Silmarillion et alia days, the story was truly done, though one did have the appendices...BUT THE STORY WAS OVER AND IT WAS TOO SHORT!

I still get the feeling when concluding a re-read!

Gwaimir Windgem · 01-04-2005, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeardofPants

For me it is definitely when Frodo is finally back home in Bag End, and he realises that he can never go back to his life before the ring came to him. Oh, and the fact that Gollum never gets redeemed.

The first of those is, for me, one of the saddest, most beautiful, and truest thing about the Lord of the Rings; see the new quote from Frodo in my sig.

"It must often be so, Sam, when things are in danger: some one has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them."

That is so beautiful, just thinking about it sometimes brings tears to my eyes.

*sniffle*

07-07-2004, 07:53 AM	#62
Elanor the Fair Elven Warrior Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: In the kitchen ...... still! Posts: 228	I have read most of Tolkien's books, and there are many tales that are tragic, however, for me the saddest part is in The Fellowship of the Ring, when Gandalf falls with the Balrog. It is not just the event that is sad, many other tales are more tragic, it is Tolkien's building of the characters and their relationships and dependence on each other that makes this so sad. You know the characters so well, it is like you experienced the trauma yourself. This is directly related to the storytelling skills of the author. __________________ Life's too short to eat bad chocolate

08-19-2004, 01:07 PM	#66
Pytt The Supreme Lord of The Northern Eagles Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: trondheim, norway Posts: 1,388	first time i reaf LoTR I cried when Shelob almost killed Frodo. i thought he was dead. i also find it very sad when Frodo leaves the three hobbits in grey havens __________________ Don't Panic!

11-30-2004, 12:11 AM	#68
Manveru Elven Warrior Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 256	for me: saddest parts in LOTR: -when sam thinks frodo is dead -when sam says "I'm back" -death of theoden saddest parts of Silm (i havent read it in awhile): -end of 'Turin Turambar' -when the Trees are destroyed -when the silmarils are regained, but in vain saddest parts of LOTR movies: -when they leave moria and think gandalf's dead -death of boromir -the end __________________ Earendel arose where the shadow flows At Ocean's silent brim; Through the mouth of night as a ray of light Where the shores are sheer and dim He launched his bark like a silver spark From the last and lonely sand; Then on sunlit breath of day's fiery death He sailed from Westerland

12-19-2004, 04:56 PM	#75
Something Hobbit Join Date: May 2004 Location: The Moon Posts: 35	Gandalf`s fall is a sad moment in the book. __________________ "What do you mean? Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good on this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?" -Gandalf

12-19-2004, 06:07 PM	#76
Lefty Scaevola AngAdan Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Boerne, Texas Posts: 856	I am much into Greek tragedy mode. In LoTR, it is when Denethor after fighting Sauron, strategy to strategy, army to army, and even telepathicly will to will (with greater strength that the head of the istari) for all his life, falls to despair and breaks just before his bleloved nation and is victorious and restored, and his charge fulfilled. In SIL, it when Hurin, after bearing all torment for 28 years, finds out, never ther less, that Morgoth has still suceeded in using him as a tool. __________________ Gaius Mucius Scaevola Older, richer, and wiser than you "Mighty are the Ainur, and mightiest among them is Melkor, but that he may know, and all the Ainur, that I am Iluvatar, those things that ye have sung, I will show them forth, ... And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me," Last edited by Lefty Scaevola : 07-07-2009 at 04:47 PM.

06-22-2004, 01:06 PM	#61
kiddstodd Hobbit Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mirkwood Posts: 33	when Frodo leaves Sam Merry and Pipin to go to Valinor

07-07-2004, 12:34 PM	#63
Ragnarok Rohirrim Warrior Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: PA Posts: 590	1) The death of Boromir (hes the only one from the fellowship that died) 2) The death of Huan 3) the destruction of Gondolin

11-30-2004, 08:42 AM	#70
Last Child of Ungoliant The Intermittent One Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: here and there Posts: 4,671	the saddest moment in tolkien is the Oath of Feanor, and the deeds which it caused, the kinslaying at Alqualonde especially

11-30-2004, 03:30 PM	#73
Beren3000 Fëanorophobic Join Date: May 2004 Location: Between the pages of a book Posts: 1,417	To me, one of the saddest moments in the Sil. was the last stand of Huor: the part where Huor tells Turgon: "This I say to you, lord, with the eyes of death..."

12-25-2004, 10:36 AM	#77
Lenya Elentári Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: South Africa Posts: 727	Two: - death of Beleg - when Eowyn tells Aragorn that she doesn't fear death, only a cage

01-02-2005, 02:42 AM	#78
Minielin Elven Warrior Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: I dwell in possibility. Posts: 247	Not wholly sad, but at least a little tug on the heartstrings: when Finduilas falls out of love with Gwindor and in love with Turin. I still stick with Beleg's death being absolutely the saddest. __________________ "...then how shall I Revive the dying tones of minstrelsy, Which linger yet about lone gothic arches, In dark green ivy, and among wild larches?" Interdum feror cupidine partium magnarum Europae vincendarum.

01-02-2005, 02:17 PM	#79
inked Elf Lord Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: sikeston, MO, usa, earth, sol Posts: 3,114	I am not sure that my answer is in the sense you mean, but for me it was Sam's words to close the tale proper. In the pre-Silmarillion et alia days, the story was truly done, though one did have the appendices...BUT THE STORY WAS OVER AND IT WAS TOO SHORT! I still get the feeling when concluding a re-read! __________________ Inked "Aslan is not a tame lion." CSL/LWW "The new school [acts] as if it required...courage to say a blasphemy. There is only one thing that requires real courage to say, and that is a truism." GK Chesterton "And there is always the danger of allowing people to suppose that our modern times are so wholly unlike any other times that the fundamental facts about man's nature have wholly changed with changing circumstances." Dorothy L. Sayers, 1 Sept. 1941

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
English Paper Help	Lady Ravyn	The Life of J.R.R. Tolkien and his Other Works	22	03-31-2007 12:10 PM
The Tolkien Fan: male or female	Insidious Rex	General Messages	40	04-14-2003 02:36 PM
In which way has Tolkien changed your life?	Jonathan	General Messages	11	01-28-2003 09:53 PM
The Sundering of the Tolkien Fans	Black Breathalizer	Lord of the Rings Movies	55	01-22-2003 01:27 PM