Poll: Fan Perceptions of Maglor

[dawn_felagund]

ETA:: Please note: As of 10 May 2009, I have collected the results for this poll. You're welcome to still contribute, if you wish, as I may return to this topic in the future, but further replies will not be used in my current essay. However, do check out the discussion on this post, which is as fabulous as I have come to expect from my flist and passersby! :) A sincere thank-you to all who participated in the poll and provided such insightful discussion of the topic. /ETA

I am getting ready to write an essay for my weble The Heretic Loremaster, and I am interested in how Tolkien fans familiar with The Silmarillion perceive the character of Maglor. I appreciate the input of anyone who has a few minutes to spare me and my LJ-created poll. :) Also, please pass the word to other Tolkienites, if you're so inclined. I would like as many responses as I can get.

If you do not have an LJ account and would like to contribute to the poll, feel free to leave an anonymous comment with your responses. (Click "Confabulate with Me" at the bottom of the post.)

Please note also that I do not expect people to look up information for this. I am interested in your perceptions of his character, not how well you can find what the book says about his character. (And, for those who do not already know, I don't believe in "canon," so I don't believe that there are right or wrong answers to any of these questions, although I certainly possess my own opinions on them. :)



[Poll #1387001]

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Anything that you'd wish to add or elaborate upon, please feel free to do so in the comments. :)

Comments

[independence1776]

The last one was difficult for the simple reason that you limited us to three! Most of the ones you listed are formative.

I picked musician, because if he's the best of the Noldor and second best of the Eldar, he had to have discipline and creativity. Oath, because it shows his loyalty to his father. Elrond and Elros, because it shows he cares. The Kinslayings came a very close fourth, but I couldn't pick it, and it also ties into the Oath.

His music is also the reason I picked ambitious-- you don't get to be the best without it!

I read the comments above, and there are people who think Maglor's a wimp?! (My Maglor's not very happy at that…) In my mind, he's quiet, the consummate introvert. And depending on what time period I'm writing in, has mental issues. But he survived 600 years at war, which had to include constant training even at times of "peace." He may have changed his mind-- with good reason!-- about the Oath, but that makes him just as human as the rest of us.

Gah-- I could write an essay on how I see him, but that would defeat the purpose of my stories. :P

[dawn_felagund]

Most of the ones you listed are formative.

They're taken directly from the texts, which is probably why. :) I have a document with all the mentions of Maglor in all of the books, and I just went down the section from the Silm and made this list.

I read the comments above, and there are people who think Maglor's a wimp?!

I think among this crowd, there is a more nuanced understanding of him ... but yes, I have seen a lot of stories where he lacks courage to (for example) stand up to Celegorm after Maedhros's capture, where Celegorm is trying to move in to take the kingship. I am willing to be convinced of anything in a story, but I personally do not see that based on how Maglor is depicted in the texts. (Nor do I see that being true of Celegorm, but now I digress ... ;)

Anyway, this eventual post/essay will argue against that point. Although, polling the people who read here probably doesn't address the group most apt to use that particular fanon. :)

[independence1776]

*wants that document* :P

o.O That's not Maglor at all…

*snickers* Nope!

[dawn_felagund]

It should be in your inbox by now ... ;)

[independence1776]

*squees* Thank you!