The quality issues of “Rings of Power” aside, for anyone who believes that Tolkien’s works don’t include moral grayness, there is only one response: Fëanor.
I like how at the Council of Elrond, someone suggests entrusting the One Ring to Tom Bombadil, because he could be trusted to misuse it and Elrond is like “nah, that’s the problem — he’s so disinclined to its power that he’d use it as a paperweight and misplace it or something”
The way I interprete Tolkien, I think he meant Fëanor as an example how even the best among the best can be corrupted by their hatred. He does not mince words in regards to Fëanor’s positive attributes after all.
For Fëanor was made the mightiest in all parts of body and mind: in valour, in endurance, in beauty, in understanding, in skill, in strength and subtlety alike: of all the Children of Ilúvatar, and a bright flame was in him.
The quality issues of “Rings of Power” aside, for anyone who believes that Tolkien’s works don’t include moral grayness, there is only one response: Fëanor.
No need to go even that far, Tom Bombadil is as morally gray or neutral as a character can be.
He doesn’t care about right or wrong, he’s just having good time banging his beautiful wife and singing songs about her
Fwiw, I see Jack Black and Renee Elise Goldsberry for these roles.
I like how at the Council of Elrond, someone suggests entrusting the One Ring to Tom Bombadil, because he could be trusted to misuse it and Elrond is like “nah, that’s the problem — he’s so disinclined to its power that he’d use it as a paperweight and misplace it or something”
How is qualified again, “fiercest soul to have ever lived in Arda”, or something along those lines?
The way I interprete Tolkien, I think he meant Fëanor as an example how even the best among the best can be corrupted by their hatred. He does not mince words in regards to Fëanor’s positive attributes after all.
Thank you for the quote!