What do you like\dislike about Gandalf?

Elvellon · 03-08-2002, 09:44 AM

… and now for something entirely different…

What do you like\dislike about Gandalf?

Twilight · 03-08-2002, 09:56 AM

I don't think there is anything to dislike about Gandalf. He showed both strength and compassion. He knew his place in the world. He didn't strive to be superior to Elrond or Sauruman (before his corruption). He stayed true to his calling, and he formed friendships with all of the free peoples.

Elvet · 03-08-2002, 02:40 PM

In the Hobbit and the Fellowship, you know there is something special about him that sets him apart form the other races. It's not until the resurrection after the balrog that you get an inkling of his power. Of course the Silmarillion explains it all. What I like about him is that despite being a Maia, he guides the others in their decisions, and allows them to shine and achieve greatness.
It would have been easy for him to take over all the decisions and to be corrupted by power as was Sauruman. He ultimately had the greatest faith in the race of man, despite the misgivings of the elves. Whats not to like? I can't come up with any negatives.

markedel · 03-08-2002, 03:27 PM

Gandalf character is actually far more conflicted then we know. It is very hard to be a restrained Maia, especially as the longing for Valinor grows over time. Check out Unfinished Tales.

Brimvalir · 03-08-2002, 03:53 PM

What I like about Gandalf best is his sense of humor and acceptance of all ppl despite his great powers and past experiences

***Sister Golden Hair*** · 03-08-2002, 04:00 PM

I like Gandalf, but there were times when I found him to be somewhat intimidating and impatient of the Hobbits. Pippin doesn't count.

Radagast The Brown · 03-08-2002, 05:10 PM

I agree with Brimbalir. I liked Gandalf's sense of humor too but I liked his description in the war as the only thing that brights there.

Lelondul · 03-08-2002, 06:23 PM

What is there to dislike about an archangel sent from Valinor to aid in ridding the world of evil torment and domination?

Sure, he had knack for leaving the dwarves and Bilbo on their journey to the Lonely Mountain, and he was myterious and of few words when some saught his cousels most, but his errand was on a scale few could comphrehend. Everytime it seemed things were at their bleakest, he would appear to boost moral and add latent power to triumph, or at least survive through hopeless odds.

btw, anyone heard the BBC audio version of the Hobbit? The Gandalf is about the worst possible interpretation I've ever heard. In addtion to a ridculously weasily-high voice, he comes across arrogant and neither patient, or kind, or understaning - all attributes that I've always associated with him.

Sure he was impatient with the Hobbits at times, but in an amusedly 'parenting' kind of way. He took such great joy in their carefree and naive views of the world. If he would ever snap at them, a kindly look or comment always followed.

I'd like to hear the BBC LotR to see if they did a better job casting there....

Elf Girl · 03-08-2002, 06:48 PM

I like that Gandalf has a knack for making people hae likes feel at ease with him, but I don't like how obsucre he often is. I know it's necessary, but it frustrates me.

afro-elf · 03-08-2002, 09:55 PM

I can't say that it something that I dislike about HIS character but I guess that i was disappointed about THE character when I learned that he was not human

but I like gandalf for most of the reason givin above

FrodoFriend · 03-08-2002, 10:02 PM

I like Gandalf's ability to love. He sacrifices everything for Middle Earth and its peoples; at one point Pippin says, "Under all there was a great joy: a fountain or mirth enough to set a kingdom laughing, were it to gush forth." Gandalf's joy, which even Sauron can't destroy, is my favorite aspect of his character. The only bad thing about him is that he's sometimes mean to the hobbits.

FoolofaTook11 · 03-09-2002, 09:49 AM

I see nopthing to dislike about Gandalf. He has subtle humor and endless knowedge.

Arathorn · 03-09-2002, 10:14 AM

The perfect diplomat, project manager, chess zen master, one and only practitioner of ASRO (Advanced Smoke Ring Origami) and pyrotechnic expert. He will be missed.

Earenya · 03-09-2002, 03:16 PM

An ultimate faith in the race of man, and a fascination with what some may consider "ordinary" or "unimportant". Excellent qualities, in my book.

sun-star · 03-10-2002, 05:01 PM

I like the sense that Gandalf could be incredibly powerful and rule over other people, but he conceals his great gifts and is a humble and kind of human person. The only thing that annoys me, like it does some of the characters in the book, is that he speaks in riddles. Sometimes I think he could have reassured them by just telling them what was going on.

03-08-2002, 09:44 AM	#1
Elvellon Elf Lord Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Lindon Posts: 637	What do you like\dislike about Gandalf? … and now for something entirely different… What do you like\dislike about Gandalf? __________________ **************************************** "None are more hoplessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Reality is just an illusion, albeit a very persistent one - Albert Einstein The Caffeine Mantra It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the juice of Brazil that the thoughts aquire speed, The hands aquire shaking, the shaking becomes a warning. It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion... Elvellon Erelion

03-08-2002, 09:56 AM	#2
Twilight Elven Warrior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wilmore, KY Posts: 269	I don't think there is anything to dislike about Gandalf. He showed both strength and compassion. He knew his place in the world. He didn't strive to be superior to Elrond or Sauruman (before his corruption). He stayed true to his calling, and he formed friendships with all of the free peoples. __________________ Sometimes I wonder how many monkeys with typewritters it would take to reproduce what I just wrote.

03-08-2002, 02:40 PM	#3
Elvet Elven Warrior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Orillia, Ontario Posts: 221	In the Hobbit and the Fellowship, you know there is something special about him that sets him apart form the other races. It's not until the resurrection after the balrog that you get an inkling of his power. Of course the Silmarillion explains it all. What I like about him is that despite being a Maia, he guides the others in their decisions, and allows them to shine and achieve greatness. It would have been easy for him to take over all the decisions and to be corrupted by power as was Sauruman. He ultimately had the greatest faith in the race of man, despite the misgivings of the elves. Whats not to like? I can't come up with any negatives. __________________ "But do not despise the lore that has come down from distant years; for oft it may chance that old wives keep in memory word of things that once were needful for the wise to know."

03-08-2002, 03:27 PM	#4
markedel 'Sober' Mullet Frosh Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Queen's Posts: 1,245	Gandalf character is actually far more conflicted then we know. It is very hard to be a restrained Maia, especially as the longing for Valinor grows over time. Check out Unfinished Tales. __________________ "Earnur was a man like his father in valour, but not in wisdom"

03-08-2002, 03:53 PM	#5
Brimvalir Elven Warrior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: California Posts: 103	Gandalf What I like about Gandalf best is his sense of humor and acceptance of all ppl despite his great powers and past experiences __________________ Swords are of no more use here ... All that is gold does not glitter nor are all those who wander lost......

03-08-2002, 04:00 PM	#6
*Sister Golden Hair* Queen of Nargothrond Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Akron, Ohio - USA Posts: 7,121	I like Gandalf, but there were times when I found him to be somewhat intimidating and impatient of the Hobbits. Pippin doesn't count.

03-08-2002, 05:10 PM	#7
Radagast The Brown Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Israel Posts: 6,975	I agree with Brimbalir. I liked Gandalf's sense of humor too but I liked his description in the war as the only thing that brights there. __________________ Lalala... poof! AboutNewJersey.com - New Jersey Travel and Tourism Guide

03-08-2002, 06:23 PM	#8
Lelondul Swan-buggerer Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The rainy, grey north Posts: 69	What is there to dislike about an archangel sent from Valinor to aid in ridding the world of evil torment and domination? Sure, he had knack for leaving the dwarves and Bilbo on their journey to the Lonely Mountain, and he was myterious and of few words when some saught his cousels most, but his errand was on a scale few could comphrehend. Everytime it seemed things were at their bleakest, he would appear to boost moral and add latent power to triumph, or at least survive through hopeless odds. btw, anyone heard the BBC audio version of the Hobbit? The Gandalf is about the worst possible interpretation I've ever heard. In addtion to a ridculously weasily-high voice, he comes across arrogant and neither patient, or kind, or understaning - all attributes that I've always associated with him. Sure he was impatient with the Hobbits at times, but in an amusedly 'parenting' kind of way. He took such great joy in their carefree and naive views of the world. If he would ever snap at them, a kindly look or comment always followed. I'd like to hear the BBC LotR to see if they did a better job casting there.... __________________ - Lelond, your friendly neighborhood Adan

03-08-2002, 06:48 PM	#9
Elf Girl Lurker Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Lothlórien Posts: 3,419	I like that Gandalf has a knack for making people hae likes feel at ease with him, but I don't like how obsucre he often is. I know it's necessary, but it frustrates me. __________________ There's antimony, arsenic, aluminum, selenium...

03-08-2002, 09:55 PM	#10
afro-elf Hoplite Nomad Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 3,931	I can't say that it something that I dislike about HIS character but I guess that i was disappointed about THE character when I learned that he was not human but I like gandalf for most of the reason givin above __________________ About Eowyn, Does anyone know what her alias Dernhelm means? She was kown as dernhelm because of her exclaimation when she realized that the rider's headgear was heavy and obscured her sight. 'Dern Helm" Culled from Entmoot From Kirinski 57 and Wayfarer.

03-08-2002, 10:02 PM	#11
FrodoFriend Halfwitted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eryn Vorn Posts: 1,659	I like Gandalf's ability to love. He sacrifices everything for Middle Earth and its peoples; at one point Pippin says, "Under all there was a great joy: a fountain or mirth enough to set a kingdom laughing, were it to gush forth." Gandalf's joy, which even Sauron can't destroy, is my favorite aspect of his character. The only bad thing about him is that he's sometimes mean to the hobbits. __________________ Fingolfin lives! ... in my finger! The Crossroads of Arda - Warning. Halfwit content. Not appropriate for people with IQ of over 18. The Fellowship of the Message Board Nyáréonié - The Tale of Tears

03-09-2002, 09:49 AM	#12
FoolofaTook11 Sapling Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: A hobbit hole in Jersey Posts: 13	Gandalf I see nopthing to dislike about Gandalf. He has subtle humor and endless knowedge. __________________ "Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time. then you will be no further nusance! Now be quiet!" I luv Orlando Bloom!

03-09-2002, 10:14 AM	#13
Arathorn Bard of Mangled Songs Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: West of Middle Earth...oh alright...Manila Posts: 2,679	The perfect diplomat, project manager, chess zen master, one and only practitioner of ASRO (Advanced Smoke Ring Origami) and pyrotechnic expert. He will be missed. __________________ Power attracts the corruptible. Absolute power attracts the absolutely corruptible. -Missionaria Protectiva, Frank Herbert *Accio, Ash Nazg!* Elennuru s?la lúmenn' omentielvo* (The Death Star shines on the hour of our meeting) - Darth Arathorn Put aside the ranger... Start looking for Mumakil action figures...

03-09-2002, 03:16 PM	#14
Earenya Elven Warrior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Pinnath Gelin, formerly in Angaron... Posts: 228	An ultimate faith in the race of man, and a fascination with what some may consider "ordinary" or "unimportant". Excellent qualities, in my book. __________________ O mor henion i dhu Ely siriar, el sila Ai! Aniron.... Tiro! El eria e mor I 'lir en el luitha 'uren Ai! Aniron... FRODO LIVES!

03-10-2002, 05:01 PM	#15
sun-star Lady of Letters Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Either Oxford or Kent, England Posts: 2,476	I like the sense that Gandalf could be incredibly powerful and rule over other people, but he conceals his great gifts and is a humble and kind of human person. The only thing that annoys me, like it does some of the characters in the book, is that he speaks in riddles. Sometimes I think he could have reassured them by just telling them what was going on. __________________ And all the time the waves, the waves, the waves Chase, intersect and flatten on the sand As they have done for centuries, as they will For centuries to come, when not a soul Is left to picnic on the blazing rocks, When England is not England, when mankind Has blown himself to pieces. Still the sea, Consolingly disastrous, will return While the strange starfish, hugely magnified, Waits in the jewelled basin of a pool.

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