Opinions: Fëanor, ritcheous or over-proud?

[Fëannel]

Most of the readers of Quenta Silmarillion have had an opinion of different characters, clichÉs including Galadriel as beautiful and mystical, Varda as godlike (obviously) and wise, Finrod amiable, generous and (according to 'Of Beren and Lúthien') fairest of all elven-princes; one of the most common, i've found, is the opinion of Fëanor as haughty, (at times) unkind, unforgiving and proud; but there are some individuals with theories that differ from this example
Whats other ppls opinions, is wat i'd like to no!

[Gwaimir Windgem]

I don't like Feanor as a person. Of course his accomplishments with craft are admirable, but he seems to be ruled by his emotions too easily, too headstrong. And of course, arrogant, ego-centric, and paranoid. But he's definitely an interesting character.

[Arien the Maia]

Oh my goodness! Feanor is absolutely my favorite character. Yes, he is proud and arrogant but that is what makes him so interesting. He seems to have to much skill and passsion that he can hardly contain it all.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Yes, he is very interesting. But his character is far from admirable.

[Arien the Maia]

Originally posted by Gwaimir Windgem
Yes, he is very interesting. But his character is far from admirable.

That is true....not very admirable,...certainly not a role model....if I were Nerdanel, I wouldn't want my seven sons around him when he got in one of his moods. I guess even she couldn't stop them

[Ruinel]

I'm not fond of Fëanor. He is headstrong and stubborn. As Gwaimir Windgem pointed out, he is ruled by his emotions. I had a lot of pitty for Nerdanel, being married to him.

However, as Arien the Maia pointed out, he is interesting. What would the books be without him? Don't tell Maedhros I said this, but I think Fëanor's faults and weaknesses actually make the stories he is in. And certainly, he makes others look so much better when compared to him.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Hear, hear! Well put, Ruinel!

[Lefty Scaevola]

He is so very full of himself, that I (no stranger to being full of myself) would find him insufferable.

[Linaewen]

*Sigh* I find myself agreeing with everything Ruinel and Gwaimir are saying again. I really should think for myself!

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Bah! That's no fun! Just let us think for you!

[Falagar]

What's up with all this Fëanor-hating?! Can't we just give him a rest, he has probably been enough teased in Mandos!

[Gwaimir Windgem]

I never said anything about hating, just disliking.

And I don't see how HE could have enough teasing.

[Falagar]

See title

[Gwaimir Windgem]

See title.

O wait, that doesn't work for me...

[Falagar]

You're just jealouse because he could make shiny gems

[Arien the Maia]

Originally posted by Falagar
What's up with all this Fëanor-hating?! Can't we just give him a rest, he has probably been enough teased in Mandos!

yeah no doubt...poor guy..er, uh, elf...

[Lefty Scaevola]

Originally posted by Falagar
he has probably been enough teased in Mandos!

No he HAS NOT! I have a few choice jokes, pranks, and torments, that he richly deserves.

[Falagar]

Perhaps he would join us in a game of (Quendian) Scrabble. After all, he was a loremaster (though we would get some problems with words starting in 's').
That would be torment enough

[Inderjit Sanghera]

Scrabble? More like Prabble... his As Feanor said "Let them Sa and si, if they they can speak no better.

Besdes Feanor would whoop all the Elven loremasters ***** (have fun deciphering that) in Quendian S....err.Prabble, apart from Pengoldoh and Rumil maybe.

[Rían]

I broke down and bought HoME 12 (PoME) last week (oh well, there goes the budget!) and really enjoyed it, esp. the Shibboleth of Fëanor. JRRT spoke harshly of Fëanor at times in Morgoth's Ring, but he goes even farther in PoME - for example,

As with Fëanor, Finwë later added prefixes to their name: the elder he called Ñolofinwë, and the younger Arafinwë. Ñolo was the stem of words referring to wisdom, and Ara, ar- a prefixed form of the stem Ara- ' noble'. Fëanor felt aggrieved both by the use of his father's name for his two younger brothers, and again by the prefixes that were added; for his pride was growing and clouding his reason: he thought himself not only the greatest master of Kurwë (which was true) but also of Ñolmë (which was not true, save in matters of language), and certainly the noblest of the children of Finwë (which might have proved true, if he had not become the proudest and most arrogant).

Interesting fellow! But sad that his talents and passions were unchecked by wisdom or kindness. That last part about how he 'might have' been the noblest was the saddest...

Now let's play some Þrabble!


(note - Curu means 'skill' - Fëanor's name was Kurufinwë/Curufinwë. Ñolofinwë was Sindarized into Fingolfin, and Arafinwë was Sindarized into Finarfin.)