Quote Originally Posted by LaZodiac View Post
I'm sorry but that's lame as heck. Goodness, Mr Tolkein.
It's really more historically normal then the current take on the subject, but I can't go into the hows and whys on this forum. Suffice to say it makes a lot more sense under its own paradigm.

Quote Originally Posted by Fyraltari View Post
I think that's too bleak a reading, while evil is corruptive, we have several examples of characters committing evil acts but remaining on the side of the angels, so to speak.

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The people of the Houses of Finarfin and Fingolfin who take part in the First Kinslaying remain heroes. Elu Thingol betters himself by overcoming his prejudice against Men. Tùrin remaining a good guy of sort despite all the killing he's done.

And we all remember Boromir, right?
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Agreed, there is redemption stories in the LotR. Aragorn is one in point of fact, he overcomes the legacy of his forefathers. Sauron and Morgoth both are temporarily redeemed by people who can see into your intent, its just that the step by step seduction of evil is very real in the story.