The Greatest of the Eldar

[obloquy]

Ah, but the question is the greatest in what?

Wrong. This is not the question. Many people think it is, which is why it has been so difficult for them to wrap their brain around Tolkien's very simple statement. Tolkien does not put conditions or limitations on Luthien's greatness. The issue of her greatness isn't bound up in her deeds or her specific "powers," either. It was just damn good genetics.

Yes, she had an unfair advantage, nobody is denying that. Does that change her nature as an Elda? Nope. Does that change Tolkien's statement? No.

Was she the greatest craftmen of the Eldar? I think not.

This is speculation. We don't have any account of her applying herself to crafts.

Good post, Elrian. I like this part:

She did what she did for love, not power, or material gain, or revenge.