‘I can’t understand you. Do you mean to say that you, and the Elves, have let him live on after all those horrible deeds? Now at any rate he is as bad as an Orc, and just an enemy. He deserves death.’
‘Deserves it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.’
— Frodo and Gandalf discuss Gollum. The Fellowship of the Ring, Chapter II, The Shadow of the Past
Indeed. Poignant and appropriate.
Poignant and appropriate indeed. But…..
Why does anyone “deserve” death? Death is the natural ending of Life. For some it’s a release from torment, grief and sadness. Sometimes of their own making, sometimes others make it for them. For others it’s the next great adventure but for most it’s just a End that is neither justified or deserved.