Which is the greatest deed of a single person?

[gate7ole]

I chose the first, Fingolfin challenging Morgoth, because it was the most altruistic of all, and also the most hopeless.

[Aslan]

I feel that great deeds are great in and unto themselves. Therefore, it is hard for me to judge one deed as greater than another. I feel that the destruction of The One Ring had the greatest benefit to Middle-Earth, but was not done by the hand of Frodo alone (maybe a finger:D ).

[Galdor]

I think it was Fingolfin challenging Morgoth. I mean, Morgoth was the most powerful being in ME at that time. It had to have taken massive amount of courage to fight him. And Fingolfin didn't do so bad ether.

[Ithrynluin]

Finrod's sacrifice is the best for me.He died so that Beren and Luthien could fulfill their destiny.
Close second: Eärendil delivering ME from the devastation of Morgoth.

ALL options are very very noble actions,but I'm sure others will say something about that.

[Nóm]

There is no way I can pick one. Again this word "greatest" comes up.

Without overanalyzing (because that will lead me nowhere but to confusion)...I will list them in order. :( ..also, I can not vote with this browser.


Felagund sacrificing himself in the pits of Tol-in-Gaurhoth to save Beren
Earendil's travel to Valinor
Ecthelion killing Gothmog Turin killing Glaurung
Frodo taking the One Ring to Mount Doom

That is as far as I can stand to this narrow this down....But if Finrod's act of heroism is in this poll, why not Beleg's. Not even Gandalf and the Balrog? Nor Glorfindel? ..Well I guess everything can not be listed.
This use of the word "greatest" to ask such questions puzzles me...so I give lousy answers.

[gate7ole]

I came up with this poll, because when reading Turin's sad story, I thought if it was greater than Beleg's or Finfolfin's. I probably sould have said "favorite" instead of "greatest".
As for others, like Gandalf with the Balrog, Glorfindel, Beleg, their oponents were (I believe) of lesser strength. This doesn't diminish at all their deed, but I had to choose a few and those were finally rejected

[YayGollum]

Argh! Too bad the Aslan person noticed the evil frodo thing before me. If it could be changed from frodo to Gollum, I'd vote. Sure, the other things are good, too. I guess. Maybe. :rolleyes:

[Elfarmari]

I think Fingolfin's challenge of Morgoth took the most courage. He challenged the greatest being in ME to a hopeless duel, and then proceeded to mar Melkor forever and frighten him so much he never left his cavern again until he was forcibly removed by the Valar.

[Nóm]

Originally posted by gate7ole
I came up with this poll, because when reading Turin's sad story, I thought if it was greater than Beleg's or Finfolfin's. I probably sould have said "favorite" instead of "greatest".



If you want favorite that is another story and easier to answer: Ecthelion: as it is told in HoME -The fall of Gondolin.
Next is Finrod.

[Dwimmerlaik]

It took a great deal of thought for me to vote in this poll,
All the above act's were selfless,brave beyond dispute and all of equal virtue,though seperated in time and context.
All had the same virtue of sacrifice in the face of the enemy of their people's freedom.
Having a troubling amount of admiration for Wagnerian splendour and sacrifice,I opted for Fingolfin's challenge of Morgoth.This was alway's going to be a one sided contest,though the rash strength of Fingolfin enraged made the outcome less doubtful in parts.
If I had the chance,I would have also voted for Felagund,in his desperate bid for Beren's life.The very fact that he not only set aside hs crown,but his life for the sake of loyalty and honour certainly cement's his place amongst the greatest of the Noldor.

[Lhunithiliel]

"Gratest" - I understand as the most important deed, the one that had the strongest impact on the history. That's why I voted for Earendil.
But then again, I was immensly impressed by the deeds of two men, who, unfortunately were not included in the poll - Hurin - the mortal who dared say to Melkor himself that the race of Men did not fear him!; Tuor - a mortal who behaved as immortal with all the dignity, knowledge, wisdom and bravery of the immortal race of Elves.
I am strongly impressed by the deeds of all that are included in the poll, too. Every and each one of them is worth being called a hero
-------
Girls, do you happen to know where to find such men ?:p :D

[gate7ole]

My dear Lhunithiliel, if you want such men, you're at the right place. I offer myself!! I may not such a hero, but I'll try someday to reach their greatness.
(we gave a great battle at the debate, so I hope you can let me tease you)

[Goldberry]

I vote for Frodo not casting the ring into Mount Doom, because he did not in the end, but for Frodo taking up the quest of the ring. For a little hobbit with a fat belly, it was an incredibly brave thing to do. He persevered, and endured long and terrible suffering. In the end, he lost his enjoyment of life in ME, and sacrificed his life in ME.

All the other guys were "noble" or "heroes" to start. Frodo was just an ordinary homebody hobbit.

[Ceorl]

This was a difficult one to decide upon. I voted for Fingolfin as he challenged the mightiest dweller in Arda. This was however not the deed that had the greatest effect upon ME, and you wonder how close the line was drawn between courage, and insanity brought about through despair.

As has been said; many are the acts of heroism and bravery in the Silmarillion. And who says that these acts were greater than those of the common man/elf? What of the common soldier who died valiantly defending the lord that they loved, in the Nirnaeth Arnoediad or the Battle of Sudden Flame?. What of the men-at-arms who fought for Hurin and with him guarded the Pass of Sirion that Turgon might retreat to Gondolin in safety?. Every single one of those men fell in battle that day, and were their deeds any the less couragous that they were not as mighty in arms as Hurin and fell sooner?

However had it been in the poll I would have voted for Hurin's ordeal with Morgoth; he did not ride in despair to the confrontation, nor did he submit easily, yet when it came to the test he defied Morgoth and was not broken by him, although Fingolfin was.

[Anárion]

I voted for Isildur cutting the ring off of Sauron's hand, but I suppose I would have voted for Fingolfin challenging Morgoth, if I had read The Silmarillion. But...I havent so...I voted for Isildur cutting the ring, because he was on the ground at the time(or thats what I thought anyway) and he only had the shattered sword of Narsil to use. Although what he did afterwords was really stupid,(keeping the ring) he was pretty brave to attack Sauron, a great lord, that had just killed Gil-Galad and Elendil at the same time, with just the hilt of a sword.

[Anamatar IV]

1st i voted for fingolfin challenging morgoth. Morgoth...the most powerful evil, more so than sauron and one elf challenged him alone. but wheres Glorfindel defeating a balrog by himself?

and apparently isildur did not cut the ring off a live sauron. What ive heard is that sauron fought gil-galad and killed him and then fought with elendil. Elendil was slain but he also apparently killed saurons body. Then isildur went and with the shard of narsil, cut off the ring.

[Gary Gamgee]

I voted for Earendil as someone has already said this deed was the most important to the inhabitants of ME, both at that time and beyond. Sauron was bad but imagine if Morgoth had still been around in the TA.
One person I would add to the list, but for no one deed, is Gandalf for his resistance to Mordor throughout the TA and all that tireless work that that entailed.

[Beleg]

I voted for Felagund.
Second on my list is Earendil.
Guess both of these deeds are my personal favorites..
But the most selfless deed was done by Beleg in saving Turin...although It isn't listed here...

[Eriol]

Yes, Finrod for sure. Especially because his deed was even more hopeless than Fingolfin's, or so I see it.

[Lantarion]

It's almost impossible to say which of these is the "greatest" deed (a very ambiguous term).. But the more mythical and legendary events appeal to me; so I voted for the Voyage of Eärendil. He also was the catalyst for the War of Wrath, which rid Arda of Melkor for ever, which is probably the most important thing in the Silmarillion.
But I can't help but gape in awe at Fingolfin's utter courage and pride in challenging a Vala! Just incredible.
Originally posted by gate7ole
I chose the first, Fingolfin challenging Morgoth, because it was the most altruistic of all, and also the most hopeless.
I think Fingon's sacrifice for Beren was the greatest sacrifice, and the most altruistic.

[gate7ole]

Originally posted by Eriol
Yes, Finrod for sure. Especially because his deed was even more hopeless than Fingolfin's, or so I see it.
Originally posted by Lantarion
I think Finrod's sacrifice for Beren was the greatest sacrifice, and the most altruistic.
I definitely disagree!!!:D
But then, that's the point of "subjective truth" in those topics.
But still, I think some objective truth exists in the hopeless-ness of each deed. I find it more hopeless to fight the mightiest Vala, than to go forth a secret mission against just a Maia (even the most powerful).

[Eriol]

Fingolfin had some hope, as we have of gaining the lottery prize :) He could strike gold, even if the chance is beyond calculation.

Finrod's deed, on the other hand, could accomplish nothing -- he would simply postpone Beren's death by his sacrifice. Who could imagine that Lúthien, of all people, would come to the rescue?

(as you see, "Finrod's deed" for me is not just going on a secret mission, it is particularly his last sacrifice exposing himself and fighting Sauron. Even if he won, he would still be a prisoner, and he would still be killed. Sauron was just "playing with him", as it is)

[gate7ole]

Originally posted by Eriol
Fingolfin had some hope, as we have of gaining the lottery prize :) He could strike gold, even if the chance is beyond calculation.

Finrod's deed, on the other hand, could accomplish nothing -- he would simply postpone Beren's death by his sacrifice. Who could imagine that Lúthien, of all people, would come to the rescue?

(as you see, "Finrod's deed" for me is not just going on a secret mission, it is particularly his last sacrifice exposing himself and fighting Sauron. Even if he won, he would still be a prisoner, and he would still be killed. Sauron was just "playing with him", as it is)
Since you mean Finrod's deed his sacrifice for Beren and ony this part, then although I find it a high deed, it lacks the deeds of others, because of one basic issue. Imminent death. Finrod knew that even if he didn't sacrifice himself, his turn would come after Beren. You see, when death is certain, people can become easier heroes. While, on the other hand, Fingolfin was not in such position. He was not near death, but yet, he chose death for him.

[Eriol]

and we're back at "subjective truth"... I think a deed almost certain to remain unknown, and to be fruitless, to be a very great deed indeed (and also a good opportunity to make this awful sentence, "deed indeed" :D)