Of Bombadillos and Balrogs - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

GandaIf The White · 09-19-2001, 08:39 PM

<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shade of Carn Dûm
Posts: 376</TD><TD><img src=http://www.herr-der-ringe-film.de/HdR/crewmckel.JPG WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE>
Re: Tom the Maia

Time to copy what I said at another board! <img src=smile.gif ALT="

">

"I would draw some of the great tales in fullness, and leave many only placed in the scheme, and sketched. The cycles should be linked, to a majestic whole, and yet leave scope for other minds and hands, weilding paint and music and drama."

When Tolkien specifically stated that Tom was an enigma, I think he did it for a reason. In my opinion, it is not our place to call him one thing or another, but to gather facts about him and see him in that manner. Conjecture is useful, but you have to draw the line somewhere.

As for the Balrogs/Wings discussion, I am very confused and cannot go either way. But, for the people using the "The wings are so big that the balrog wouldn't have the energy to fly" argument - We are talking about a Maia with no restrictions on the power it could use in its pysical form on the Middle Earth. Gandalf, who was restricted in strength and power, was obviosly stronger than the old man he looked to be. I remember reading a passage in the Unfinished Tales that said it took 2 strong dwarves to push open the doors of Moria from the inside, and that a dwarf lord may have been able to do it by himself. Well, when you consider that Gandalf travelled through Moria and pushed open the doors himself - it is suprising. Im just saying that a Maia would obviously be much stronger than a normal beast and could have controlled the very large wings.

"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."</p>

09-19-2001, 08:39 PM	#11
GandaIf The White Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 267	<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Shade of Carn Dûm Posts: 376</TD><TD><img src=http://www.herr-der-ringe-film.de/HdR/crewmckel.JPG WIDTH=60 HEIGHT=60></TD></TR></TABLE> Re: Tom the Maia Time to copy what I said at another board! <img src=smile.gif ALT=""> "I would draw some of the great tales in fullness, and leave many only placed in the scheme, and sketched. The cycles should be linked, to a majestic whole, and yet leave scope for other minds and hands, weilding paint and music and drama." When Tolkien specifically stated that Tom was an enigma, I think he did it for a reason. In my opinion, it is not our place to call him one thing or another, but to gather facts about him and see him in that manner. Conjecture is useful, but you have to draw the line somewhere. As for the Balrogs/Wings discussion, I am very confused and cannot go either way. But, for the people using the "The wings are so big that the balrog wouldn't have the energy to fly" argument - We are talking about a Maia with no restrictions on the power it could use in its pysical form on the Middle Earth. Gandalf, who was restricted in strength and power, was obviosly stronger than the old man he looked to be. I remember reading a passage in the Unfinished Tales that said it took 2 strong dwarves to push open the doors of Moria from the inside, and that a dwarf lord may have been able to do it by himself. Well, when you consider that Gandalf travelled through Moria and pushed open the doors himself - it is suprising. Im just saying that a Maia would obviously be much stronger than a normal beast and could have controlled the very large wings. "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."</p>