“The Jury’s Out” - 10/8 Homework

 

              In the trial “The Jury's Out,” it was discussed whether or not Feanor and his sons were responsible for the Doom of Mandos and Noldor due to their binding oath.  The defense faced many charges, including arson, kin slaying, not refusing illegal and immoral orders, sins of pride and betrayal, armed theft, swearing fealty to a false lord, and dooming of their own people.  The jury had found the defense guilty of multiple counts of kin slaying, theft, and arson. 

              From the role of Varda which I was assigned, this did not shape my view of the characters very much, but it did help me to see the importance of keeping the Silmarils safe.  Even though Feanor and his sons did have the right idea in mind that they should protect the Silmarils, but the oath was not the best way to do so.  As a member of the jury, I agree with the final results.  Feanor and his sons’ oath was binding, but it was not enough justification for all of the actions that they took.  The kin slaying, arson, and theft were extremely unnecessary and the Silmarils most likely could have been protected without these means.  To reach my own conclusion of guilty,  I looked at the evidence given from both the prosecution and the defense.  The prosecution was able to provide stronger evidence that the defense was guilty, emphasizing how the destruction following the oath could not be justified by the oath and its terms.  They stated how the oath wasn’t questioned or refused and that there were alternatives to taking the oath.  The defense did not have enough evidence and a strong enough argument to refute this.  I felt that often the same points were made and they were correct about some things, but in the end, the prosecution’s argument was the strongest.  Overall, there were not any differences in opinions that we had to work through to come to this conclusion.  Everyone in the jury seemed to be in agreement when we made the decision.