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[Puddleglum]

Originally Posted by Hookbill the Goomba

It is perhaps strange that the act of killing a dragon is seemingly reserved for people with human blood. Any thoughts on why?

I think it's been observed elsewhere that Tolkien seems to have set up Dragons as a primary mythical foil for mortals and Balrogs (or other demonic, as in "incarnated spirits" beings) as the parallel mythical foils for non-mortals.

So, just as we don't hear about Elves (at least not full elves) taking on Dragons, we likewise don't hear about Men taking on Balrogs.

The "why?" is less clear, but I suspect it is, at least partly, as a literary device - flavoring the two kindreds with another difference while still providing each with similar feats of heroism and accomplishment.

[EluThingol]

Originally Posted by Puddleglum

I think it's been observed elsewhere that Tolkien seems to have set up Dragons as a primary mythical foil for mortals and Balrogs (or other demonic, as in "incarnated spirits" beings) as the parallel mythical foils for non-mortals.

So, just as we don't hear about Elves (at least not full elves) taking on Dragons, we likewise don't hear about Men taking on Balrogs.

The "why?" is less clear, but I suspect it is, at least partly, as a literary device - flavoring the two kindreds with another difference while still providing each with similar feats of heroism and accomplishment.

Tuor took on Balrogs. And Elves sent out of Doriath took on Glaurung.




I just think it happens to be coincidence. Where and when Dragons were most relevant and destructive in terms of some of the writing, it seemed that the narration was more concerned with its human protagonist.

Balrogs were more ancient, so its natural their friction exists more with the elves. And Durin's Bane dealt with only dwarves and a Maiar (gandalf).



Dragon / Man seems to be a medieval concept that Tolkien interwove into his own mythology which is itself meant to be a mythology of the united kingdom.