Discussion: The best of the duels
Which is, in your opinion, the best of the duels? And why?.
Melkor vs Valar
Fëanor vs Balrogs
Fingolfin vs Morgoth
Felagund vs Sauron
Huan vs Carcharoth
Echtelion vs Gothmog
Húrin vs loads of Orcs
Gandalf vs Balrog
Sauron vs Gil-galad-Elendil-Isildur
Eowyn vs Witch King
Sam vs Shelob
I think, from this list I would chose Eowyn vs Witch King with Sam vs Shelob being a close second.
The reason is the uniqueness of that encounter. Fëanor, Fingolfin, Felagund, they are all warriors, leader of their people. In a way great things were *expected* of them, whereas Eowyn was definitely *not* expected to do that. This I think makes it so special among all the great battles and encounters during the History of Arda.
Re: Discussion: The best of the duels
Eowyn vs Witch King and Sam vs Shelob would be my top choices, too, because it is true that there is something extra unique when someone of whom such a great deed is not expected succeeds anyway. If I have to choose between these two, I will choose Sam vs Shelob because he had no battle training at all and yet he had to fight a giant spider! (Sam is one of my favorite characters, and I have a serious spider phobia in real life!)
Re: Discussion: The best of the duels
I would vote for Fingolfin vs Morgoth
Why? Because Morgoth was the most powerful being of Eä by that time, so powerful that Valar had needed to fight him together to catch him. Fingolfin, even if a good warrior and battle-trained etc was but an elf, and he challenged a God (and what a God).
Re: Discussion: The best of the duels
I tend also to go with Sam battling Shelob, because of the circumstances already listed, and because he did it for only one reason: love of Frodo, the pure love of one friend for another, a love brighter in the light than even Galadriel's phial given to "bring light to dark places".
I don't think it was the most impressive battle, and certainly not the longest. But ultimately, it had the fate of Middle-earth hanging on the outcome. Had Sam lost, that would have been that. But he never thought about that, and only later on perhaps realized the enormity of what he had done.
Re: Discussion: The best of the duels
Huan vs Carcharoth would be another favorite of mine. ( Oh, isn't it nice, how different interpretations of 'best' can be?)
The whole role of Huan, and how he helped Luthien, against the will of his Master. Besides, it just has this great mysterious air, about that prophecy for Huan, about not being defeatable by any but one.
Re: Discussion: The best of the duels
Quite a list to choose from, It's a close thing but I've decided to go for "Gandalf vs Balrog". To me the battle must have gone on a long time, after falling from the bridge it took ten days before Gandalf kills the Balrog. He wasn't trying to escape it, it says he pursued the Balrog to the peak, suggesting he either thought he would survive, or the Balrog would present a danger to the Ring bearers mission and needed to be eliminated. Some of the other ones were over in practically no time - not so exiting in my view. Fingolfin vs Morgoth gets bad press due to the bad guy loosing - so it didn't get my vote, as does Fëanor's battle. Echtelion vs Gothmog falls into the same league as Gandalf, as both ended up dead. Yes - you've got me here I think, this could well have been a good battle, but just as I would rather watch a sports team I know well, then one I don't - I'll think I'll stick with Gandalf, as I've become a layal supporter of his.
I seem to be eroding the wisdom of my choice now, since I've had to give an argument against the rest, so I'll stop my waffle here, before I've had time to change my mind
Re: Discussion: The best of the duels
I agree that the epic battle between Gandalf and the Balrog must have been an...epic? Gandalf really had to fight long and hard to defeat this monster--and what it takes a wizard ten days to defeat must be formidable indeed.
I think I still go with Sam against Shelob, however. And my reason is thus: Sam should have lost. Gandalf *could* overcome the Balrog, with skill and perseverence. He was after all a wizard.
But little Samwise was just a hobbit, no warrior. He was in a dark cavern with a very cunning spider. But love made him the victor, gave him the strength to win.
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