Galadriel VS The witch- king

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by obloquy

You said:
Quote:
The Witch-King also wasn't as strong as he was at the Siege of Minas Tirith.

Based on what text, exactly?

From Letter #210 in The Letters of JRR Tolkien:

[The Black Riders'] peril is almost entirely due to the unreasoning fear which they inspire (like ghosts). They have no great physical power against the fearless; but what they have, and the fear that they inspire, is enormously increased in darkness. The Witch-king, their leader, is more powerful in all ways than the others; but he must not yet be raised to the stature of Vol. III. There, put in command by Sauron, he is given an added demonic force. (emphasis added)

Angmar was undoubtedly more powerful at the Siege of Minas Tirith than he was as the leader of the Black Riders. Sauron saw to that.

Originally Posted by obloquy

... the rest is wholly and unequivocally incorrect, and obvious enough to anyone who reads it.

It's not obvious to me. Whether Angmar had the ability to defeat Gandalf the White is open to question. You (and Boro) make a good argument, but is not as clear cut as you seek to suggest. What I find persuasive is that the confrontation between Angmar and Gandalf at the Gate of Minas Tirith is intended by Tolkien to be a moment of tension. Like Pippin, we the readers are meant to fear that Angmar may actually be capable of defeating Gandalf. Were we to believe otherwise, there would be no tension here at all. Tolkien is careful to ensure that there is a good reason for Angmar's departure, and that he is not simply seen off by Gandalf. In my opinion, Tolkien intended us to believe that there was a possibility that Angmar might defeat Gandalf. And, being the obedient reader that I am, I believe that.

And yes, I have deliberately referred to the Witch-King as Angmar because, as I have discovered previously, it riles obloquy.

But seriously, I have little problem with him being referred to as such. There are perfectly good precedents to support it, as davem, points out. And, since we all know who we are talking about by the reference, it hardly matters much.