Is Immortality really that bad? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

**lindil** · 11-27-2003, 12:29 AM

Keep in mind that the Elves were only provisionally immortal, that is to say they were to live in the M-E or Valinor until the end of time. But at that point, they really had to trust in Eru, because what comes after was unclear. In traditional faery/elf lore the Elves are said to live till the last judgement but have no souls. Tolkien was weaving a variation of this thread.

Men on the other hand are [both in JJRT's own religion and within Arda] immortal. But in spirit not in body.

Thus for men or Elves, there is no easy escape from self or the reward earned by one's actions. It is just a question of where you will be spending the next unknown thousands of years. On M-E/Valinor or as is the case with Men, gathered to Eru, but in a fashion never made clear.

Personally I would opt for the upfront immortality, but I would also have probably been one of the hot-headed Noldor who would have gotten himslef killed rather early on in Beleriand and had to chill for a while in mandos, possibly with a surly Feanor pacing eternally in the cell next to door...

Seriously, there are so many things I find fascinating and would love to master, the idea of having a few thousand years being approximately 30 sounds pretty good, but we must play the hand we are dealt...

[ 1:41 AM November 27, 2003: Message edited by: lindil ]

11-27-2003, 12:29 AM	#12
lindil Seeker of the Straight Path Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: a hidden fastness in Big Valley nor cal Posts: 1,680	Keep in mind that the Elves were only provisionally immortal, that is to say they were to live in the M-E or Valinor until the end of time. But at that point, they really had to trust in Eru, because what comes after was unclear. In traditional faery/elf lore the Elves are said to live till the last judgement but have no souls. Tolkien was weaving a variation of this thread. Men on the other hand are [both in JJRT's own religion and within Arda] immortal. But in spirit not in body. Thus for men or Elves, there is no easy escape from self or the reward earned by one's actions. It is just a question of where you will be spending the next unknown thousands of years. On M-E/Valinor or as is the case with Men, gathered to Eru, but in a fashion never made clear. Personally I would opt for the upfront immortality, but I would also have probably been one of the hot-headed Noldor who would have gotten himslef killed rather early on in Beleriand and had to chill for a while in mandos, possibly with a surly Feanor pacing eternally in the cell next to door... Seriously, there are so many things I find fascinating and would love to master, the idea of having a few thousand years being approximately 30 sounds pretty good, but we must play the hand we are dealt... [ 1:41 AM November 27, 2003: Message edited by: lindil ] __________________ The dwindling Men of the West would often sit up late into the night exchanging lore & wisdom such as they still possessed that they should not fall back into the mean estate of those who never knew or indeed rebelled against the Light.