Poll

Obviously a difficult choice because there are so many great subsidiary characters in the books, and I wish we were allowed more than one vote. But if forced to choose, I go for Tom Bombadil.

Tom is a minor character in the War of the Ring, in fact he really has no part in it at all, but he's such a merry fellow, and the most mysterious.

He's apparently the oldest being in Middle-earth and so powerful that the Ring has no effect on him. Yet his origins are shrouded in mystery and he has no interest in the world beyond the bounds of his lands. While I would love to know more about Tom, it's the very lack of information about him that is so interesting.

Faramir. Always has been one of my favourites. But for me that's not the case in the movies. In the book Faramir is so much stronger as a character. I don't like that he looks weaker in the movies, because there he is tempted by the ring. It hurted when I saw that. I felt like they cheated on the real Faramir.

Galadriel.
Classy, beautiful and mysterious...I wanted to be her when I was 9 and first read the books.
(That is, I wanted to be her when I wasn't busy wanting to be Gandalf!)

Tricky one but would have to go with Treebeard because I would love to learn Entish (in a non hasty way of course!)

"Come, Tom Bombadil for our need is near us!"
I am fascinated by Tom Bombadil, his history, way of life and numerous songs.
He has wisdom combined with a sheer delight in life and is such a jovial fellow.
I wish there were more to read about him.

Faramir, he is just such an amazing character, with strength and compassion. And I really don't like how he was depicted in the movies (especially in The Two Towers).

I had a hard time choosing between Tom Bombadil and Theoden, but despite the mystery that Tom Bombadil is and (probably) shall remain, I like the story of Theoden more. He is one of the only characters who goes from 'bad' to redeeming his name entirely and winning back his honour in battle. Where Denethor just goes mad, Frodo and Gollum both fail to resist the ring in the end, Gandalf gets killed early on and has to back down when one on one against the Witch-King, and all these other people that do great deeds but in the end aren't completely perfect, Theoden dies in the most honourable way thinkable for him. I like his character progress the most of all the characters in the books.

slight note; Theoden already means King. Theoden King would just be King King. I may be a nitpicking bastard but it always irritates me. :p

I was tempted to add "the fox" (being the creature who saw Sam and Frodo on their way out of the Shire and remarked on how extraordinary such a sight was), but I won't. I might change my mind in ten minutes, but I added Eomer (that poor fellow who's one of the only ones not married off in the end). The Rohirrim fascinate me, and he's the epitome of the Horselord in his prime. The banter with the Three Walkers, his relationship with his sister, the friendship with Merry (and Pippin) and, very different, with Aragorn, his very successful reign over Rohan - I like him.

Besides, he should be up there. :)

My heart still belongs to Sam, though.

Theoden King - what a badass! The fact that we are first introduced to him while he is possessed is such a striking and
vivid image! Here is the most powerful man in his own realm, and he is held prisoner in his own mind/body. That coupled with the revelation of the death of his only son... What an awful day he was having. And yet he has the wherewithal to lead his people to safety, and hold off the Uruk-hai at Helm's Deep: the charge near the end of that battle is amazing! I wept when he was killed at the battle of pelennor. It was,however, the death he probably wanted: a true warrior's death in battle against an unholy creature of darkness!

I like where these comments are going all of a sudden, go Rohirrim! :p

Gwaihir cos he is descendant of Thorondor and that by itself kicks some major ass :P

Hard to choose between Eomer and Faramir. I ended up choosing Faramir. He's the better of the two sons of Denethor.

1) Ioreth
2) Theoden
3) Gollum
4) Faramir
5) Treebeard

Wow, I'm surprised no one has voted for Arwen already, was there something in the question that I missed that removes her from being an option?
I greatly admire her sacrifice for Aragorn and the beautiful relationship she had with her family. Her character in the movie, though quite different, was really cool too, her spunk is awesome!

Eomer has the best song... After hearing that Theoden is dead and possibly Eowyn too, and seeing the black ships come up the river (not knowing that Aragorn is leading them) he declares:

"Out of doubt, out of dark to the days dawning I came singing in the sun, sword unsheathing. Now for wrath, now for ruin and a red nightfall!"

Iunno why I chose Theoden King. He's just awesome in an unexplainable way. I know that's not a word.

Maybe cos of... Deaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaath!!! :D

Eowyn, no question. Awesome how she can be so hardcore and relatable at the same time :D

Ebster wrote: "Eowyn, no question. Awesome how she can be so hardcore and relatable at the same time :D"

I liked Eowyn, but I got a bit jealous of her when she got Faramir, sigh.

Gundula wrote: "Ebster wrote: "Eowyn, no question. Awesome how she can be so hardcore and relatable at the same time :D"

I liked Eowyn, but I got a bit jealous of her when she got Faramir, sigh."

Puh-lease.....

What great comments! Although I voted for Tom Bombadil, you might guess from the poll picture that it was a close call for Theoden with me. Fwenx and Tracey make very good cases for him.

Tolkien is sometimes criticised for poor characterisations, but these comments prove that was far from true. Keep them coming :-D

Michael wrote: "Tolkien is sometimes criticised for poor characterisations, but these comments prove that was far from true. Keep them coming :-D ..."

I have never understood that criticism - are these people reading the same book I am? I think his characterisations are beautiful.

Well, obviously.

Tracey wrote: "Michael wrote: "Tolkien is sometimes criticised for poor characterisations, but these comments prove that was far from true. Keep them coming :-D ..."

I have never understood that criticism - are ..."

I think some of the most vehement criticisms have at times come from academics or so-called academics who have not even read the book. I remember that Tom Shippley stated in one of his books on Tolkien that he had a rather nasty debate with some academic (might have been from Oxford), and when he asked for citations and examples from LOTR, from the text, the academic had to admit that he had actually never read LOTR (wow).

I chose Faramir because I respected the way he always did the honorable thing, even when his father's actions were less than honorable, towards Faramir and in general. In this case, it was a good thing that he was an apple who fell far from the tree. I just liked how Faramir was portrayed as loving his father and needing and wanting his approval, but he didn't actually come across as weak or needy because of it; he just wanted to be loved and respected, and he deserved to be because he was a good man. I'm glad he found Eowyn. They were perfect for each other.

Inge wrote: "Faramir. Always has been one of my favourites. But for me that's not the case in the movies. In the book Faramir is so much stronger as a character. I don't like that he looks weaker in the movies,..."

have you watched on the extended DVD they talk about all the changes they made and why...there were so many i was against until it was explained and now i wouldn't have it any other way! seriously find a copy of the two towers extended edition and watch it! Its called something like from book to film..something along those lines :)

TREEBEARD FOREVER!

hum hum hum hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm lol :D

Valentina wrote: "I love all the characters mentioned above but I have decided to choose Arwen. Why her? I believe she's one of the central characters. As Luthien and Beren before them, Aragorn and Arwen, or better ..."

I'm so glad you chose Arwen! Your reason for doing so is beautiful and you expressed it much more eloquently than I could have. <3

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?se...

Gollum? My favorite character, not in the fellowship, apart from Gollum is Faramir. Oh and how funny I found the character of 'the mouth of Sauron' :D.
I believe his description reads somewhat like this "his name is not remembered, because he had himself forgotten it" bahahaha! Excellent!

Loved the Mouth of Sauron...since we're all LOTR geeks here I'm sure many of you already know this but he was played by Bruce Spence, or Zed from Legend of the Seeker. Although he's hardly recognizable with that scary piranha mouth!

Ah! Well he did a great job! haha

I love how Faramir has the most. In the movies I felt real sympathy for him. I really thought that the movies didn't portray Eomer or Faramir as well as the books did. I would go into battle behind either one of them. Love Gollum! I listen to the soundtracks so much and Gollum's Song almost always brings me to tears. Same with Into the West.

Elrond brings to mind so many things good... Strength with fierce courage and gentle love, as well as wisdom handled with the heavy heart of statesmen-like gravity for truth, coupled with grace and compassion. Even though his part seemed insignificant, he was a symbol of the good in Middle Earth.

Tom Bombadil

I envision him as part Howling-Mad Murdoch and part Rambo. So mysterious and loony, yet bada$$.

How come there's no Gollum? I love Gollum too.

From the list it's Faramir! but I love Treebeard and Galadriel as well. Why, he seriously reminds me little of myself, with a sibling five years older, always living in that person's shadow... :) OK, seriously, he is noble, brave, compassionate, fell in love with Eowyn. I love their love story more than the one of Arwen & Aragorn.

I have read most traits of Faramir resembles Tolkien himself.

"For myself, I would see the White Tree in flower again in the courts of the kings, and the Silver Crown return, and Minas Tirith in peace: Minas Anor again as of old, full of light, high and fair, beautiful as a queen among other queens: not a mistress of many slaves, nay, not even a kind mistress of willing slaves."

Faramir. I think it's very difficult not to develop an instant liking for the gentler, younger brother, the better man. His selfless, unboasting valour sets him apart and the way Tolkien builds him up through the eyes of other characters makes you look at him in a different light.

Amalie wrote: "How come there's no Gollum? I love Gollum too.

From the list it's Faramir! but I love Treebeard and Galadriel as well. Why, he seriously reminds me little of myself, with a sibling five years old..."

Amalie, if you want to add Gollum as an option and change your vote, you can. Faramir doesn't need any more support! He may have been Denethor's poor second, but he's clearly a hit in this Group :-)

yea he was on fire! :D

I've always had a soft spot for good old Tom Bombadil. He's just such a bright spot in the midst of everything else turning sour that I can't help but like the guy.

haha he might as well be Bob Marley's incarnation in Middle Earth :D

Heh, yeah I can see that!

Razmatus wrote: "haha he might as well be Bob Marley's incarnation in Middle Earth :D"

I can't see any correspondences between Bob Marley and Tom Bombadil. Bob was intensely concerned with the rights of people around the world and fought, through his songs and statements, to overcome oppression of the poor and disenfranchised. This is the antithesis of Tom Bombadil, who had no concern for anything or anybody outside his own small land.

If I was to compare Bob Marley to any Middle-earth character (something I have not previously considered!) then it would be Gandalf, I think.

Faramir would be a great member of the Fellowship.
He was stronger than his brother Boromir thus he wouldn't be corrupted by the power of the One Ring.
And maybe, just maybe, he could help his brother and prevent the madness that took over him.

I love all of the characters in the list but I think my favorite has to be Tom Bombadil. He is a very fun and lovable character but one that I definitely would not want to mess with. I also love the mystery surrounding him. Now that I think about it he kind of reminds me of The Doctor (Doctor Who, sorry... he's my other obsession!). Maybe all of the men I love are like Tom. ;)

It was a tough choice between Tom Bombadil and Galadriel for me; I know them both to be very wise. In the end, though, I decided on Tom because even though he had no effect to the War of the Ring, he was a nice break from the austerity of the entire situation. It reminds me of how we need to smile sometimes even in the most difficult situations.

I chose Eowyn because of her admirable courage and strength to fight for those whom she loves.

I chose Treebeard because I think that he is perhaps the most original literary creation by J.R.R. Tolkien. I will never forget the wonder I felt when Merry and Pippin met Treebeard in Fangorn Forest when I read The Lord of the Rings for the first time. Hobbits, dwarves and elves all have human aspects, but Treebeard is very much a tree talking. J.R.R. Tolkien describes him with care and in detail, for he is working from no already existing models, he is creating a new being, rooted, as it were, in his love for trees. The Ents, the Shepherds of the Trees, are his most impressive, original race of beings he created, I think.

I chose Faramir, because of his courage and his simple wish to make his father happy. I'm so sorry for him because Denethor treats him so unfair.