Glorfindel reincarnated

[jallanite]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

As for the "fairest" part, go ask Gimli and Eomer who is more beautiful.

Indeed! Tolkien here seems to be speaking in the style of medieval romance in which exaggeration is expected when referring to female (and male) beauty, particularly when speaking of upper-class beauty, and in particular when speaking of a heroine or hero. This is part of courtesy.

Sir Thomas Malory in his Le Morte d’Arthur makes fun of this in Book IX, chapter 14 in which Sir Melliagaunce, who is in love with Queen Gueniver [sic], is prepared to do single combat with Sir Lamorak/Lamerok, who is in love with Queen Morgause of Orkeney, to prove in battle which lady is the more beautiful. Just at that moment Sir Launcelot wanders by with his kinsman Sir Bleoberis. Sir Launcelot is also in love with Queen Gueniver. When Sir Melliagaunce explains the cause of the proposed battle to Sir Launcelot, Sir Launcelot is furious with Sir Lamorak. Malory writes (spelling modernized from the Norton edition):

   ¶“A!” said Sir Launcelot, “Sir Lamorak, why sayest thou so? It is not thy part to dispraise thy princess that thou art under obeisance, and we all.”

   ¶And therewithal Sir Launcelot alit on foot. “And therefore make thee ready, for I will prove upon thee that Queen Gueniver is the fairest lady and most of bounty in the world.″ “Sir,” said Sir Lamorak, “I am loath to have ado with you in this quarrel, for every man thinkest his own lady fairest, and though I praise the lady that I love most ye should not be wroth—for though my lady Queen Gueniver be fairest in your eye, wit you well Queen Morgause of Orkeney is fairest in mine eye—and so every knight thinketh his own lady fairest. And wit you well, sir, ye are the man in the world except Sir Tristramis that I am most loathest to have ado withall; but, and ye will needs have ado with me, I shall endure you as long as I may.”

   ¶Then spake Sir Bleoberis and said, “My lord Sir Launcelot, I wist you never so misadvised as ye be at this time, for Sir Lamerok saith to you but reason and knightly. For I warn you, I have a lady, and methinketh that she is the fairest lady of the world:

   ¶“Were this a great reason that ye should be wroth with me for such language?—

   ¶“And well ye wot that Sir Lamorak is a noble knight as I know any living, and he hath owed you and all us ever good will; therefore, I pray you, be friends!” Then Sir Launcelot said: “Sir, I pray you, forgive me mine offence and evil will, and if I was misadvised I will make amends.” “Sir,” said Sir Lamerok, “the amends is soon made betwixt you and me.”

The fun is that although Lamorak is quite ready to fight against Melliagaunce to prove his lady’s beauty, Lamorak is suddenly less eager when he realizes that his opponent will instead be the incomparable Launcelot and starts making excuses. But Lamorak is still so brave as to be willing to fight if Launcelot really insists on it. Fortunately for Lamorak Launcelot is willing to listen to Bleoberis.

[Galin]

That quote appears to be someone's summation. I'm not quibbling with the wording but just to post Tolkien's actual phrasing...

This supposition would indeed explain the air of special power and sanctity that surrounds Glorfindel (...)

(...) We can thus understand why he seems so powerful a figure and almost 'angelic'. For he had returned to the primitive innocence of the First-born, and had then lived among the Elves who had never rebelled, and in the companionship of the Maiar for ages, to the end of the first millennium of the Third Age: before he returned to Middle-earth.

JRRT, Last Writings, The Peoples of Middle-Earth, Glorfindel I

That is Glorfindel I however, as Tolkien would revise that Glorfindel remained in Aman until the Third Age. And in Glorfindel II the wording is a bit different...

He then became again a living incarnate person, but was permitted to dwell in the Blessed Realm; for he had regained the primitive innocence and grace of the Eldar. For long years he remained in Valinor, in reuinion with the Eldar who had not rebelled, and in the companionship of the Maiar. To these he had now become almost an equal, for though he was an incarnate (to whom a bodily form not made or chosen by himself was necessary) his spiritual power had been greatly enhanced by his self-sacrifice.

JRRT, Last Writings, Glorfindel II

Here Glorfindel returns in the Second Age rather, and 'more probably' as late as c. 1600 Second Age, the Year of Dread.