Oath of Feanor

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by Celebdil

But of course they wouldn't know what words he'd use so if this happened they'd have to stagger it - like let Feanor say a sentence, then repeat it etc

I believe there is a solution to this; in the Osanwe-kenta essay, Pengolodh talks about three causes that may strengthen the power of thought-transmission:

Affinity may be due to kinship; for this may increase the likeness of hroa to hroa, and so of the concerns and modes of thought of the indwelling fear, kinship is also normally accompanied by love and sympathy. Affinity may come simply from love and friendship, which is likeness or affinity of fea to fea.

Urgency is imparted by great need of the "sender" (as in joy, grief or fear); and if these things are in any degree shared by the "receiver" the thought is the clearer received.

Authority may also lend force to the thought of one who has a duty towards another, or of any ruler who has a right to issue commands or to seek the truth for the good of others.

I believe that it is possible for Feanor to impart the oath to his sons through "sanwe-latya", since he seems to have all the 'good' circumstances working for him (he is their father, ruler of the house, and the 'need' factor is also there). Thus, they may have spoken it in unison, although my personal reading of this passage from "Of the flight of the Noldor" doesn't lead me to this conclusion.