Do Balrogs Have Wings?

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Folwren

But, when I read the book, I don't remembering actually thinking they had wings. It just seemed to me like some huge shadow and flame all mixed together.....no body, really, no wings...

Which is why you're an anti-winger.

Obviously, not everyone will react in the same way to the text. My speculative theory, which is based upon my own experience, is really an attempt to explain why so many pro-wingers stick so tenaciously to their position, despite the contrary impression conveyed by the words used, when strictly and logically interpreted.

[the guy who be short]

After 10 pages of this, is it time to start a petition to Christopher Tolkien? Now would be a good time too; he's obviously in a book-writing mood.

Do Balrogs Have Wings? and other Middle-Earth Questions, coming to a store near you soon.

[obloquy]

Originally Posted by the guy who be short

After 10 pages of this, is it time to start a petition to Christopher Tolkien? Now would be a good time too; he's obviously in a book-writing mood.

Do Balrogs Have Wings? and other Middle-Earth Questions, coming to a store near you soon.

Why might one ask Christopher Tolkien this question?

[Folwren]

Originally Posted by obloquy

Why might one ask Christopher Tolkien this question?

Haha! Maybe he asked his Dad once!

-- Folwren

[ElentariGreenleaf]

Would love to see him write a whole book on this topic *rofl*

[Finduilas]

Yes, a book on the topic would be interesting. But I don't think that is the kind of question that CT would ask his dad.

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Boromir88

As artists, and movie-makers are interested in selling their product, so they want to go for the 'coolest' looking pictures for their audience to make more money...and when you do that you often lose the accuracy.

I agree, to an extent. But I don't think that it is solely down to Tolkien artists and the film-makers. I believe that, for some people (and certainly for me), the same kind of thing occurs as a spontaneous reaction to the text, regardless of the proper, technical, logical interpretation of the words used.

I watched the first LotR film before I came across the Downs and before I was even aware that there was a debate over whether Balrogs had wings. At the time, I was struck (as with many of the film's other images) by how close Jackson's Balrog was to my own impression of the creature. When I first joined the Downs, I was actually rather surprised that there should even be any argument over the issue. To me, it went without saying that Balrogs were winged.

Wow. I am positively stunned that this discussion is -still- extremely alive. It feels like I heard all those reasons for either side a million times, heh. I don't think the big goal of this topic in 2005, "settling it once and for all", will ever be achieved.

p.s. I voted 'yes'.

[obloquy]

Originally Posted by The Saucepan Man

I watched the first LotR film before I came across the Downs and before I was even aware that there was a debate over whether Balrogs had wings. At the time, I was struck (as with many of the film's other images) by how close Jackson's Balrog was to my own impression of the creature.

This is because "Jackson's Balrog" is not Jackson's at all, it's John Howe's, which I guarantee you had seen before, whether you recall it or not.