The seven thains of Morgoth - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mhoram · 03-07-2002, 07:02 AM

It would help to know what Tolkien had in mind when he wrote about Balrogs wouldn't it?

I suggest this. Gather all his writings about Balrogs and date them as to when they were written.

For all that was written after the writing of LOTR we would know what he had in mind as a Balrog, based on the nice account of Durin's Bane in LOTR.

What was written pre-LOTR would have been in a time before he was sure of the power and thereby the number of Balrogs.

I think this would help in figuring out what Tolkien had in mind.

Don't forget that The Fall of Gondolin was among the first that Tolkien wrote, long before LOTR.

03-07-2002, 07:02 AM	#34
Mhoram Dead and Loving It Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: The land of fast cars and loud guitars. Posts: 361	It would help to know what Tolkien had in mind when he wrote about Balrogs wouldn't it? I suggest this. Gather all his writings about Balrogs and date them as to when they were written. For all that was written after the writing of LOTR we would know what he had in mind as a Balrog, based on the nice account of Durin's Bane in LOTR. What was written pre-LOTR would have been in a time before he was sure of the power and thereby the number of Balrogs. I think this would help in figuring out what Tolkien had in mind. Don't forget that The Fall of Gondolin was among the first that Tolkien wrote, long before LOTR.