Do Balrogs Have Wings?

[Galadriel55]

During the Gandalf-Barlog fight on the bridge, it clearly says that Barlog tried to close its wings over Gandalf's head, but was not able to. This is written proof that barlogs have wings.
However, not in LOTR or in the Silmarillion, is it written that a barlog ever flew. On many occasions barlogs could have benefitted from flying, but it seems that they were not able to. This questions the existence of wings.
My explanation to this is the wings are more of a metaphore for willpower of darkness. The fight between Barly and Gandy was more of a competition of whose will is stronger. This means that since Barly was not able to close darkness over Gandy, Gandy had more power and a stronger will at the moment. That is why Barly was required to use physical force - simply the power of his will and thought was not enough.

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

During the Gandalf-Barlog fight on the bridge, it clearly says that Barlog tried to close its wings over Gandalf's head, but was not able to. This is written proof that barlogs have wings.

Ah, if it were that clear-cut this debate would have been over long ago.

I assume you're referring to this quote:

[The Balrog] stepped forward slowly on to the bridge, and suddenly it drew itself up to a great height, and its wings were spread from wall to wall....

The Bridge of Khazad-Dûm

That in itself might seem rather straightforward, but a couple of paragraphs before we have this line:

[Gandalf's] enemy halted again, facing him, and the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings.

The fact that it says there "like two vast wings" leaves open the interpretation that the shadows gave the Balrog the appearance of possessing wings.

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

My explanation to this is the wings are more of a metaphore for willpower of darkness. The fight between Barly and Gandy was more of a competition of whose will is stronger. This means that since Barly was not able to close darkness over Gandy, Gandy had more power and a stronger will at the moment. That is why Barly was required to use physical force - simply the power of his will and thought was not enough.

That's an interesting way to view it. To me, it would seem a bit odd for Tolkien to have chosen that means of metaphor, though. Interestingly, the two had already had a "match of wills" you could say, involving the door Gandalf had locked with his power. The Balrog actually succeeded in causing the door to open in spite of Gandalf's spell. Gandalf's word of Command did not necessarily defeat the Balrog's counter-spell; it merely caused the chamber's roof to collapse.

And by the way, welcome to the Downs!

[Galadriel55]

Anyways,

Originally Posted by Inziladun

Ah, if it were that clear-cut this debate would have been over long ago.

I assume you're referring to this quote:

The Bridge of Khazad-Dûm

That in itself might seem rather straightforward, but a couple of paragraphs before we have this line:



The fact that it says there "like two vast wings" leaves open the interpretation that the shadows gave the Balrog the appearance of possessing wings.



That's an interesting way to view it. To me, it would seem a bit odd for Tolkien to have chosen that means of metaphor, though. Interestingly, the two had already had a "match of wills" you could say, involving the door Gandalf had locked with his power. The Balrog actually succeeded in causing the door to open in spite of Gandalf's spell. Gandalf's word of Command did not necessarily defeat the Balrog's counter-spell; it merely caused the chamber's roof to collapse.

I agree with you on the wings:Balrogs probably don't have them, since Gandalf threw on off a bridge, Glorfindel threw one off a cliff, etc. Also, what's the use of "You shal not pass!" if the Balrog can simply fly around you? I wish I haven't voted "yes" for this question...
About the battle of wills, that's exactly what I mean!

[Galadriel]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

My explanation to this is the wings are more of a metaphore for willpower of darkness. The fight between Barly and Gandy was more of a competition of whose will is stronger. This means that since Barly was not able to close darkness over Gandy, Gandy had more power and a stronger will at the moment. That is why Barly was required to use physical force - simply the power of his will and thought was not enough.

Gandy? Balry? *laughs* That's new! And welcome to the Downs, twin sister!

[Galadriel55]

Thanks, Galadriel.

I'm just too lazy to write the entire names down, so I used Gandy for Gandalf and Barly for Balrog.

[HerenIstarion]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

Thanks, Galadriel.

I'm just too lazy to write the entire names down, so I used Gandy for Gandalf and Barly for Balrog.

So you had to write the whole new post to explain yourself, testifying to the fact that laziness is not paying off in the long run...

[Leyrana Silumiel]

Originally Posted by HerenIstarion

So you had to write the whole new post to explain yourself, testifying to the fact that laziness is not paying off in the long run...

Indeed. It's an additional two whole letters to write the correct name lol. It reminds me of people who type "tha" or "da" because they're too lazy to type "the."

[Galadriel]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

Thanks, Galadriel.

I'm just too lazy to write the entire names down, so I used Gandy for Gandalf and Barly for Balrog.

I've heard worse though. Fingolfin was Fingy, Finarfin was Arfy, and Fëanor was Fee

i would agree with gladriel