Morgot's servants more terrifying than Sauron's?

[Formendacil]

I am going to disagree with the letter of Master Kuruharan's reply--but perhaps in doing so, I shall be agreeing with him in spirit.

I'll start by acknowledging that there's a wide range amongst the servants of Morgoth listed--a Balrog is an incarnate Maiar whereas we know almost nothing about a vampire, but it seems reasonable to say they are not comparable in might. To compare all these disparate beings to the servants of Sauron is like comparing apples and the entire produce department.

That said, it is a worthwhile point, I think, to note that the Nazgûl really are the only creations of Sauron, whereas Morgoth produced many sorts of servants. This points to the ultimate disparity between them, and it is this disparity of potency that I think underlies Kuruharan's firm assertion that there is no context here.

My personal thought, however, is that the Nazgûl might actually have been as terrifying as the creatures of Morgoth, because unlike the creatures of Morgoth, terror is their primary power. This got touched on in a recent argument here (the resurrection of the Female Nazgûl? question), where Huinesoron argues that martial prowess is not the chief purpose of the Nazgûl, making the point we do not generally see them take the field in battle.

This argument (not necessarily the conclusion that there ARE female Nazgûl) makes sense to me, and I think it applies here: FEAR is the main overt power of the Nazgûl. Think of Sauron's use of them during the Siege of Minas Tirith: to overwhelm the city's morale by their presence.

In other words, I think that the terror of the Nazgûl might well match that of something like a Balrog, because where for the Balrog terror is a side-effect of its dread form and demonic might, terror is the primary effect of a Nazgûl. This shows the lesser stature of their creator. Morgoth doesn't focus on creating something that will wreak havoc on emotions: he creates something that will wreak havoc on matter--the terror comes from knowing and sensing that might. Sauron, being substantially weaker, DOES focus on terrorizing emotions.



(Of course, this entire post is avoiding the subject of whether Morgoth--or Sauron--can actually create anything. Suffice it to say that where I use the word "create" or imply something like it, I am using it most imprecisely.)

EDIT: Crossposted with Inziladun.

[Victariongreyjoy]

Originally Posted by Formendacil

I am going to disagree with the letter of Master Kuruharan's reply--but perhaps in doing so, I shall be agreeing with him in spirit.

I'll start by acknowledging that there's a wide range amongst the servants of Morgoth listed--a Balrog is an incarnate Maiar whereas we know almost nothing about a vampire, but it seems reasonable to say they are not comparable in might. To compare all these disparate beings to the servants of Sauron is like comparing apples and the entire produce department.

That said, it is a worthwhile point, I think, to note that the Nazgûl really are the only creations of Sauron, whereas Morgoth produced many sorts of servants. This points to the ultimate disparity between them, and it is this disparity of potency that I think underlies Kuruharan's firm assertion that there is no context here.

My personal thought, however, is that the Nazgûl might actually have been as terrifying as the creatures of Morgoth, because unlike the creatures of Morgoth, terror is their primary power. This got touched on in a recent argument here (the resurrection of the Female Nazgûl? question), where Huinesoron argues that martial prowess is not the chief purpose of the Nazgûl, making the point we do not generally see them take the field in battle.

This argument (not necessarily the conclusion that there ARE female Nazgûl) makes sense to me, and I think it applies here: FEAR is the main overt power of the Nazgûl. Think of Sauron's use of them during the Siege of Minas Tirith: to overwhelm the city's morale by their presence.

In other words, I think that the terror of the Nazgûl might well match that of something like a Balrog, because where for the Balrog terror is a side-effect of its dread form and demonic might, terror is the primary effect of a Nazgûl. This shows the lesser stature of their creator. Morgoth doesn't focus on creating something that will wreak havoc on emotions: he creates something that will wreak havoc on matter--the terror comes from knowing and sensing that might. Sauron, being substantially weaker, DOES focus on terrorizing emotions.




(Of course, this entire post is avoiding the subject of whether Morgoth--or Sauron--can actually create anything. Suffice it to say that where I use the word "create" or imply something like it, I am using it most imprecisely.)

EDIT: Crossposted with Inziladun.

Since Morgoth liked creating hideous creatures to his fold, wouldn't you think these vampires would be very scary beings, and the the sight of them could frighten most people off?
In terms of the nazgul fear factor, I think Huor and Hurin, perhaps the mightiest of men of all time wouldn't **** in their pants and flee if faced with the wraiths. If Aragorn and Earnul can fight them, so can they. They faced far worse foes during the first age.

[Huinesoron]

Originally Posted by Formendacil

In other words, I think that the terror of the Nazgûl might well match that of something like a Balrog, because where for the Balrog terror is a side-effect of its dread form and demonic might, terror is the primary effect of a Nazgûl. This shows the lesser stature of their creator. Morgoth doesn't focus on creating something that will wreak havoc on emotions: he creates something that will wreak havoc on matter--the terror comes from knowing and sensing that might. Sauron, being substantially weaker, DOES focus on terrorizing emotions.

So what of the dragons? We know Glaurung was able to affect people's minds in many ways, including warping their thinking, freezing them in place, and completely regressing them to a feral state. Could one of the great dragons deliberately induce fear in the same fashion as the Nazgul?

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by Huinesoron

So what of the dragons? We know Glaurung was able to affect people's minds in many ways, including warping their thinking, freezing them in place, and completely regressing them to a feral state. Could one of the great dragons deliberately induce fear in the same fashion as the Nazgul?

My gut instinct is to say that while it might be the case that Glaurung could, that doesn't mean that dragons in general could. My instinct is to look to Smaug for an idea of what a "generic" dragon could do (Smaug is certainly powerful, but he's not the father of dragons).

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Formendacil

My gut instinct is to say that while it might be the case that Glaurung could, that doesn't mean that dragons in general could. My instinct is to look to Smaug for an idea of what a "generic" dragon could do (Smaug is certainly powerful, but he's not the father of dragons).

Glaurung specifically seems have much more of Morgoth's fea imparted to him than Smaug, certainly.
That makes sense, as the descendants of Glaurung were offspring, and each generation would have diluted the original essence somewhat.

What I've wondered is this: Glauring, when he applies his power, can compel even the strong-willed, like Túrin and Nienor, to obey his commands. Yet Morgoth was unable to force the location of Gondolin out of Húrin. Maybe he should have let Glaurung have a go? But imagine the shame if Glaurung pwned Morgoth that way.

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

Maybe he should have let Glaurung have a go? But imagine the shame if Glaurung pwned Morgoth that way.

Morgoth would be dragon the depths of despair.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

What I've wondered is this: Glauring, when he applies his power, can compel even the strong-willed, like Túrin and Nienor, to obey his commands. Yet Morgoth was unable to force the location of Gondolin out of Húrin. Maybe he should have let Glaurung have a go?

Not exactly. Glaurung could paralyze Turin, and cozen him, but there's no indication that he could force him actively to do or say anything. Instead Glaurung relied on deceit (and a diabolical knowledge of his victim's psyche). Nienor he simply mind-wiped. Both are very different from forcing them to answer questions. Similarly Morgoth could poison Hurin's mind to the point that he did the Dark Lord's will unwittingly, but he certainly wasn't controlling him.

[Huinesoron]

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hicklin

Not exactly. Glaurung could paralyze Turin, and cozen him, but there's no indication that he could force him actively to do or say anything.

I nearly posted something along these lines, but then I went and read the Nienor scene in Children of Hurin:

Originally Posted by The Children of Hurin

Strong was the will and heart of Nienor, and she strove against Glaurung; but he put forth his power against her. 'What seek you here?' he said.

And constrained to answer she said: 'I do but seek one Turin that dwelt here a while. But he is dead, maybe.'

'I know not,' said Glaurung. 'He was left here to defend the women and weaklings; but when I came he deserted them and fled. A boaster but a craven, it seems. Why seek you such a one?'

'You lie,' said Nienor. 'The children of Hurin at least are not craven. We fear you not.'

Then Glaurung laughed, for so was Hurin's daughter revealed to his malice.

So it seems that Glaurung at least can compel an answer, though the second exchange suggests that he can't compel a full answer. He tricked Nienor into saying who she was - but prior to that, he forced her to talk to him.

hS

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Huinesoron

So what of the dragons? We know Glaurung was able to affect people's minds in many ways, including warping their thinking, freezing them in place, and completely regressing them to a feral state. Could one of the great dragons deliberately induce fear in the same fashion as the Nazgul?

Glaurung has affected people's minds when hypnotizing them individually. Could he hold more than one person in a trance simultaneously?

A Nazgul might focus his power (e.g. the case with Eowyn and Merry), but can also spread fear over an entire army.