For the Love of Galadriel (Middle-earth’s Ultimate Muse?)

[davem]

But what Russell seems to be getting at with her word "lovers"--which I note davem has used as well--is that Galadriel was involved in some kind of sexual dynamic. Even Russell's use of "fall" is (I'm betting) significant here with all our connotations of Eve, fall, and sexual doom.

Was this why Russell would reject the use of 'muse', that it is associated so thoroughly with mental aspects solely and sidesteps any sexual implications?

My feeling was that Russell used the term 'lovers' in order to be provocative. As far as we know there was no sexual desire on Feanor's part - & the 'incest' idea is pure speculation - though Galadriel's reaction seems to imply there was more going on there than his simply wanting a lock of hair from her. Celebrimbor's feelings must have had some physical aspect - his mention of Celeborn in their conversation seems pretty much to confirm this. With Gimli, however, I don't get any sense that there was a sexual dimension - which for all its idealisation of the beloved was definitely present in the Courtly Love tradition - witness the 'archetype' of such things, Lancelot & Guinevere. If Galadriel did take on aspects of the Virgin in Tolkien's later writings it was there in potential in Gimli's love for her.

It is only Gimli's creation which is brought into being out of a selfless love -Feanor's love is either for Galadriel or, more probably, for himself, Celebrimbor's love is for Galadriel. What both have in common is that their desire for her is subsumed into their creation of Silmarils/Elessar/rings - their unfulfilled desires lead them to produce their greatest creations, but those things are not what they originally wanted. Its as if the things they create also contain their creator's desire & hence ignite desire in others. Gimli alone creates something which is without any element of personal desire - its purpose is to bring about & sustain peaceful co-existence between his people & the Elves. It is the one Galadriel inspired creation of which she would truly approve. I think this fact may account for the devastation brought about by the creations of Feanor & Celebrimbor