The gods must be... blind?

[Mithadan]

I was recently reading the Music of the Ainur in Ainulindale, and came across a sentence that I found odd. Following the cessation of the Music, Eru shows the Ainur a vision of their music, "giving them sight where before was only hearing..." Rereading the pragraph again, Iinitially concluded that Tolkien was referring to the Void; that before there had been no light, and therefore no sight, in the Void.

A few pages later, again referring to the vision, Tolkien says, speaking of the Ainur, "and their hearts rejoiced in light, and their eyes beholding many colours were filled with gladness..." Now I question my interpretation. Before the vision, were the Ainur sightless, whether due to a lack of light or otherwise?

[Mithalwen]

I would say sightless in that there was nothing to see other than as in blind - then they were given a vision of what was previously only evoked in sound. I do hope that this isn't going to be used ot prove that Tolkien would have preferred the film over the radio adaptation of LOTR

[Mnemosyne]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

I do hope that this isn't going to be used ot prove that Tolkien would have preferred the film over the radio adaptation of LOTR

We need more proof?

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

I tend to think that such words as sight and sound are conventions being used by the Elven authors of the story, attempting to describe perceptions of beings who are by their nature spirit, not matter. The Ainur were pure thought, and prior to Eru showing them a vision of the Music, had no concept of anything incarnate. Eru's revelation was their first exposure to physicality, and while I suspect that for them, it was an experience that went far beyond "opening their eyes" for the first time, to an Elven lore master, that would be the nearest equivalent within his own experience.

[Mithalwen]

Good point Ibri... and of course the memories of Elves are more like visions than those of mortals so it is likely that their concepts of these words are different again.. though perhaps closer to that of the Valar.

[Inziladun]

But when [the Valar] were come into the Void, Ilúvatar said to them: 'Behold your Music!' And he showed to them a vision, giving to them sight where before was only hearing; and they saw a new World made visible before them, and it was globed amid the Void, and it was sustained therein, but was not of it.

But the other Ainur looked upon this habitation set within the vast spaces of the World, which the Elves called Arda, the Earth; and their hearts rejoiced in light, and their eyes beholding many colours were filled with gladness...

I see this as just the difference between seeing something in a dream, and physically experiencing it.
Before, the Ainur had no knowledge of, nor indeed any use for, sight. Ilúvatar put the vison into their minds, which gave them their first 'preview' of what the Music would be like when it was brought into being. When they actually saw the realm of Arda made physical it was even more amazing to them.

x/d with Mithalwen

[Morthoron]

Based on the Valar's action (or inaction) during most of the first 2 Ages of Middle-earth, I would have to say they remained blind. And hard of hearing as well.