Fortunato

Fortunato, or perhaps more appropriately Mr. Unfortunate meets his demise at the hand of Montresor in "The Cask of Amontillado".  Though he is certainly a fool, he is not unlike most of us.  Poe paints him as determined to meet his doom despite the constant warnings that surround him.  Of course this is no new trope, but it does remind us that our own pride can lead us into downfall.  This analysis of Fortunato is most refreshing.

Analysis of Montresor

Montresor in "The Cask of Amontillado" is one character that you don't want to cross.  This analyis discusses his morbid potential as well as offering an explanation for his behavior that might excuse him from the realm of psychotic.  In any case, his desire for revenge overpowers any sympathy that might once have been present.

Faramir

Faramir is the younger brother and less favored brother of Boromir.  Denethor, their father, has favored Boromir always but Faramir has strived all of his life to live up to the high expectations and demands of his station.  He possesses traits that make for strong leadership but fails to win the popularity contest.

Mood in The Cask of Amontillado

"The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe is a great study in the development of character, suspense and mood.  The mood is analyzed very well in this article, which takes on a rather academic tone.  Though there are a few other articles on the topic most do not take the time to speak academically.

Treebeard's Lament

Treebeard has much to face in the new world.  Certainly Aragorn will expand his empire and certianly growth must come.  The questions he faces have been but slowed with the overthrow of Saruman and of Sauron.  Ultimately his forests will suffer under the progress of men.  Neither elves nor anyone else will protect his charges in the new world though the changes have been delayed for perhaps a few centuries.

Theoden King

Where does Theoden rank among the characters in The Lord of the Rings?  He is a king, certainly, but in many ways he is also at the mercy or whim of other, more important, characters.  Aragorn, Gandalf and Saruman all seem to direct his doings.  Even Grima, a mostly worthless person, has his way with Theoden.  One must then ask why he deserves the great honors he receives.  The answers are as complex as the times he found himself living, and to have simply survived and to have done so on the right side is certainly worthy of recognition.

Samwise

Samwise Gamgee was, by far, the most predicatabe of the hobbit characters.  In many ways they were one or at most two dimensional.  One might draw some criticism of Tolkein for his treatment of them though it was very clear that he had a great love for the idea of hobbits and hobbitry.  Samwise was always loyal, unflinchingly so.