Were Gandalf and the balrog equals? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Evenstar1 · 08-31-2002, 09:58 PM

Okay, first of all, I ran a search for this topic, and couldn't find this question specifically answered (though it was debated mildly on a related-thread). And I've been wondering what the answer might be. Wasn't Gandalf a greater spirit than the balrog? My assumption lies in the thought that Gandalf and Sauron were both maiar, while the balrog was a lesser spirit (slightly) than either of those two. (This, because of his protracted dormant-state, versus the much more active states of the other maiar.)

Anyway, if Gandalf was the greater, shouldn't he have been able to defeat the balrog without dying?

(Sorry if I'm not making too much sense. Quite tired right now. I'll clarify more if necessary! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] )

08-31-2002, 09:58 PM	#1
Evenstar1 Wight Join Date: May 2002 Location: Colorado (just east of the Misty Mts.) Posts: 111	Were Gandalf and the balrog equals? Okay, first of all, I ran a search for this topic, and couldn't find this question specifically answered (though it was debated mildly on a related-thread). And I've been wondering what the answer might be. Wasn't Gandalf a greater spirit than the balrog? My assumption lies in the thought that Gandalf and Sauron were both maiar, while the balrog was a lesser spirit (slightly) than either of those two. (This, because of his protracted dormant-state, versus the much more active states of the other maiar.) Anyway, if Gandalf was the greater, shouldn't he have been able to defeat the balrog without dying? (Sorry if I'm not making too much sense. Quite tired right now. I'll clarify more if necessary! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] ) __________________ - Eve