Where the Númenóreans destined to perish? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Marileangorifurnimaluim · 05-28-2002, 09:18 PM

Hail dwarf-friend, it's always good to see someone come down squarely on both sides of an argument! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] Saves so much grief and warfare.

Okay, I'll take the challenge. And welcome to the Downs, Maedros. Good first post!

I say no, they were not destined. Rather, they were predisposed due to their human failings, jealousy, and mortality, and therefore likely to fall. I mean, what a set up. Paradise only inches away. Few could meet such a challenge. But that's the point of being given free will: that some may meet it, without the mechanations of the Valar. Or of destiny.

Destiny comes from the outside, the imposed will of Eru. Predisposition comes from the inside, human failings and nobility. The Numenorians had the free will to choose. Recall that not all chose wrongly.

I believe this capacity to rise above failings is why it was said that mankind was to participate in the next song, the mending of Arda. Such a capacity would be necessary wouldn't it, to rise above the failings of the breaking of Arda, in order to mend it? Oh, sigh, I'm once again in awe of Tolkien's poetic instinct.

-Maril

[ May 28, 2002: Message edited by: Marileangorifurnimaluim ]

05-28-2002, 09:18 PM	#3
Marileangorifurnimaluim Eerie Forest Spectre Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Buried in scrolls of fanfiction Posts: 798	Hail dwarf-friend, it's always good to see someone come down squarely on both sides of an argument! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] Saves so much grief and warfare. Okay, I'll take the challenge. And welcome to the Downs, Maedros. Good first post! I say no, they were not destined. Rather, they were predisposed due to their human failings, jealousy, and mortality, and therefore likely to fall. I mean, what a set up. Paradise only inches away. Few could meet such a challenge. But that's the point of being given free will: that some may meet it, without the mechanations of the Valar. Or of destiny. Destiny comes from the outside, the imposed will of Eru. Predisposition comes from the inside, human failings and nobility. The Numenorians had the free will to choose. Recall that not all chose wrongly. I believe this capacity to rise above failings is why it was said that mankind was to participate in the next song, the mending of Arda. Such a capacity would be necessary wouldn't it, to rise above the failings of the breaking of Arda, in order to mend it? Oh, sigh, I'm once again in awe of Tolkien's poetic instinct. -Maril [ May 28, 2002: Message edited by: Marileangorifurnimaluim ] __________________ Deserves death! I daresay he does... And some die that deserve life. Can you give it to them?