Quote:
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But isn't Gandalf the Gray Maia as well?
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Well, yes, he is, of course. Unfortunately, I'm at work right now and don't have my books with me, so I can't cite anything specific. I believe that the Wizards were not merely "clothed" in human form, but actually incarnate as human. They aged, they needed food and rest and water, they felt pain and discomfort. Gandalf died in his fight with the Balrog, and he died for real. A "clothed" Maia spirit would have simply shuffled off this mortal coil, so to speak, and headed back to Aman to pick up a new one, or made a new one for themselves right then and there. (I'm not sure how that works, exactly.)
Gandalf the
WHITE , on the other hand, was indeed merely "clothed" in human form (possibly--I don't think there's any evidence to say for sure. I tend to think the line cited as the title of this thread implies that, though.) and as such, his body could be hurt, but he would not 'die' as he did in Moria. He would become an invisible spirit, as he was before.
I don't think I'm explaining this very well . . .
Oh, well. Did my best.