A Court of Mist and Fury question

I think he deserves it. I love this series, and I love the Inner Circle, but one of my biggest issues is how dirty they treat Tamlin, and continue to do so. SJM did so well portraying Feyre's depression spiral after Under the Mountain, but she barely ever touches on Tamlin's mental issues.

Tamlin clearly is struggling after the Mountain too, and why wouldn't he? He was cursed for 50 years, and because of how much he loved Feyre he sent away the only thing that would break that curse, knowingly giving up his freedom to try to keep her safe. By the time she gets under the mountain, he's already broken. People keep comparing him to how Rhys acted under the mountain, but I really don't feel like you can compare them. Rhys had freedom, even if he was still Amaranthas whore, and Tamlin was chained to Amarantha. He couldn't possibly do the same stuff Rhys could, and he was trying to protect her by acting like he didn't care. I've seen a lot of hate for the scene where he goes to her and tries to get it on because people wanted him to try to help her, by doing what? There was no possible way for him to help her escape, cause if there was I'm sure Rhys would have tried it. I feel like what they did was a very human response, and Feyre was a willing participant in it also. During the scene where Amarantha is killing Feyre, Tamlin is begging her to stop while Rhys is the only one fighting. You know what that reminds me of? How someone who has been a victim of domestic violence would act. At that point in time Amarantha had all the power over him, she'd broken him, he was her victim and he was still trying to get her to stop with what he could, as soon as he got his power back he fought and killed her. It was too late, but Rhys couldn't save her either.

She died, and Tamlin lost her. How would you act in the months after the person you love more than your own freedom had died, but by some miracle they had come back? You'd be a little protective too. And yeah I know he was more than a little, but that brings me back to the portrayal of Feyre's depression. Tamlin deserves portrayal also. He clearly has PTSD x100, and he was giving in to the fear, which came out by how he was treating her. I'm not saying it's an excuse for his behavior, but it is the explanation, and I wish SJM would have highlighted that more, and I wish Feyreh would have handled everything better. Tamlin going to Hybern was awful, but I mean, he got a written letter from someone he knew couldn't read/write, breaking up with him after all they had gone through, claiming she was fine and to leave her alone. Cmon, that's suspicious. Yeah, Hybern probably wasn't the person to turn to, but if you need to fight the most powerful High Lord in history you're gonna need some big backup. Feyre should have had the balls to go and talk to him in person at least once, I feel like he was owed at least that after they had.

This is getting too long, cause obviously I have thoughts lol. But clearly, Tamlin is suffering from mental health issues and every book has him spiraling deeper. Lucien seems to be the only one who is actually concerned for him, and everyone in the inner court seems to be getting pleasure from his suffering. It feels like they're beating a dead horse. The punishment doesn't fit the crime in my book. Tamlin isn't a bad person, he's just a misguided one. If everyone can love Nesta now after all the crap she did (which to me was way worse than anything Tamlin ever did) then they can love Tamlin again.

I would love for SJM to add more depth to Tamlin and give him a redemption arc.

Obviously Tamlin was a main character in the first but but I do wish he had a little more space on the page.

Feyre was in love with Tamlin and he with her. I feel like the love manifested negatively in book two. I would love for Tamlin to talk with Feyre and apologize and possibly explain his side.

I'd like for him to restore his court and play a better role.

Yes! I feel bad for him, the way he was just thrown to the side :(

But what about how he treated Feyre before Rhys was seriously in the picture? He was violent to her and dismissive. He left her alone a lot and just wanted her to sit around and look like a pretty doll. He was a misogynist and abusive. I dont think he is a lost cause but i dont think he deserves a flower and rainbow redemption arc at the same time. He treated Lucien terribly as well, hes a man child lol.

I mean... I believe we can all agree that there is a LOT of room for character development here, but I honestly have no idea if he can even have a redemption arc at this point.

I would love to see him trying to improve but it would be unfair to all the other characters if he suddenly became some kind of a hero or the perfect love interest.

It's really hard to forget everything he did in the previous books (I'm not even trying to at the moment though).

I believe he can choose redemption but its going to be so hard to forgive the abuse and betrayal he put me through. In the redemption book I don't know if he should find his mate or just right his wrongs. Also he needs to treat Lucien better or I'm going to have words with Sarah J. Maas

Maybe there is hope for him!
What Rhysand did wasn't that bad though!

I'm honestly not sure....I do agree that he went through a lot, but I don't necessarily think it gives him a free pass for all of the things he's done. Especially after siding with Hybern just to get Feyre back. It makes me question his morals, even if he had good intentions. He was too reckless and inconsiderate of Feyre's trauma. I did feel that his deteriorated court could have a redemption arc, meaning he could redeem himself as a great High Lord, but as a part of Feyre's life, I don't think that's possible.

(writing this as I've just started reading ACOWAR)
I mean, from a plot and literacy point of view, who doesn't like a good character development and a redemption arc?
I'm on Rhys' side, cause imo, he just treated Feyre better and I think I like his personality better. But the only way you can compare him to Tamlin is how they acted towards her. Otherwise, given how they all committed horrible and crappy things, they all have their share or guilt. I'm not saying Tamlin is forgivable - that's up to each reader - but that what he did was justified, it had his reasons. Don't get me wrong, I honestly have a really hard time being lenient with him, and was honestly so pissed off when he sided with Hybern just to get Feyre back - even more obsessive and toxic that what he ever did to her. But objectively speaking, he's not the worst, and as someone already said, we got a lot of Feyre's depression after Under the Mountain, and very little of his. So I wouldn't mind a redemption arc for him, it could actually be really interesting.
I have yet to see whether my mind will change :)

I do not know. I will probably be alone in sort of being pushed off by his personality even in the first book. I felt he enjoyed having this control over Feyre. I am sure he did have feelings for her and loved her, but he seemed a tad broken and it manifested into him not really giving her the credit she needed and deserved. and then the 2nd book where he felt locking her up, not allowing her to protect herself was very degrading. Feyre is a strong character, she deserved that chance to be her own person. When he realized he was not getting her back he went and sided with Hybern thinking that would surely win her back. No. He was a crap character who had no respect for Feyre. Sure, you can love a person and bend over backwards to try to prove that. But actions speak louder than words.

I think he should choose to change and have that arc same with Eris. I think Tamlin will have a lot of work not only for what he did to Feyre but his actions as a whole. He not only betrayed Feyre he betrayed the other High Lords and people of his world and the human world. He has suffered but he brought ALL of that on himself. It also all starts because he essentially lied and kidnapped Feyre by telling her she either had to come or die and gave false laws. Yes, we all know why he did that but again his actions led to ALL of this. I think he deserves an arc but he will have a lot of groveling and need to show and prove himself a good person morally as well.