Elves and death

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Andsigil

I understand what you're saying, but I still see Glorfindel as "average" among the great heroes of the elves. I mean, Gil-Galad defeated Sauron with Ecthelion's help and sacrificed himself in the process. Fingolfin died fighting the Big Kahuna himself, Morgoth. Couldn't one argue that, instead of resurrecting Glorfindel to aid Elrond, why not instead resurrect Gil-Galad or Fingolfin and to rule as High King of the Noldor again?

Originally Posted by Gordis

They all had been resurrected, no doubt, but maybe only Glorfindel expressed a wish to return to ME?

Yes, most likely that, (and Glorfindel was of course not that "average" anyway, but I guess even that was a bit of an exaggeration in your post, Andsigil) and mainly, these "big bosses" often fulfilled their role and it would be kinda weird, that I think is evident even from the point of view of every reader, to suddenly bring them back. Now you will have a guy who will suddenly come and take the "throne" of Noldor again for himself - wouldn't that be a bit queer? I won't mind if it was for example like with Gandalf, immediately after they died, why not, but to bring back some Fingolfin in the middle of the Third Age sounds pretty bad. Aside from the fact that the Elves were leaving the M-E, and their realms were diminishing (I think a good formulation would be "were supposed to diminish, not to grow", if I can phrase it like that).

[Andsigil]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

Yes, most likely that, (and Glorfindel was of course not that "average" anyway, but I guess even that was a bit of an exaggeration in your post, Andsigil)

I meant average among the Elven heroes, meaning "average" if included in a list of, say, Earendil, Gil-Galad, Fingolfin, Maedhros, Feanor, etc.

No, I didn't mean just, plain average. The guy slew a Balrog!

[Gordis]

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

but to bring back some Fingolfin in the middle of the Third Age sounds pretty bad. Aside from the fact that the Elves were leaving the M-E, and their realms were diminishing (I think a good formulation would be "were supposed to diminish, not to grow", if I can phrase it like that).

Quite. And I feel it would have been much better if Tolkien left Glorfy in Valinor as well.

In the Third Age ME Glorfindel becomes a Mary-Sue, complete with blond hair, shining inner light, super-powers (scarier than a Maia, isn't he?), jingle-bells on his bridle and even an animal familiar (Asfaloth). I always hated the guy - and was so very glad he was not included into the Fellowship. With characters of such power the story simply becomes uninteresting.

[The Mouth of Sauron]

Thanks for a stimulating set of responses - I'm glad I started this !