Could Númenor Have Been Redeemed?

[onewhitetree]

Call me a fatalist, but my answer to the question is pretty succint: no.

FATE plays a huge role in the history of Middle Earth. Numenor was fated to fall. For one thing, nothing pure and good can last forever in a world with evil. Not even the Undying Lands. As the music of the Ainur played out, the dischordant notes only added to the beauty of the whole composition. The Fall of Numenor allowed for great deeds of honor and valor to be possible, for the redemption of the Dunedain beyond hope, the rise of hobbits, and many other great happenings ad nauseum.

For another thing, men are men, even the Dunedain. Their hearts are easily turned to evil, and as a race cannot wholly withstand it forever. I think that is partially why Death is gifted to the race of men. Eternal life like that of the Elves just wouldn't work out well for someone who's bound to go bad after a while. Better to die young and innocent.