The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - Osse -Psycho of the Seven Seas

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Osse -Psycho of the Seven Seas

While I can understand the realpolitik of Manwe's decision to let him into the fold, does no-one think the fact that storm-lovin' Osse is one of the 'good' guys undermines the goodness of the Elder King and the rest of the Valar.

Yes, Osse's something of an odd holdover. He was originally a Vala, and only in late writings 'demoted'- he goes back to the Lost Tales, when Valinor also included the barbaric war-god and -goddess Makar and Measse, with their blood-drenched Valhalla.

I have often wondered about Osse. When I first read the Sil et. al. I thought, are they sure he is a good guy? I wonder if he represents the very controlling parent/god or the vengeance god. There always seems to be a god in the mythos that is right on the edge of good/bad.

It's worth considering here Ulmo's words to Tuor (Of Tuor and his Coming to Gondolin, UT):

Quote:

Go now, lest the sea devour thee! For Osse obeys the will of Mandos, and he is wroth, being a servant of the Doom

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elmo (Post 532120)

No, not at all. I seem to remember from the Sil that Osse could be a nice guy. He was enamoured with the Teleri, and especially Cirdan's folk, wasn't he? Wasn't he also sad to see them leave for Valinor and didn't he beg them to stay in Beleriand? I guess none of that necessarily made him nice but at least one can tell he was soft on some of the elves.

What? him showing he prefers some races over others makes him nicer???

Quote:

Originally Posted by William Cloud

Go now, lest the sea devour thee! For Osse obeys the will of Mandos, and he is wroth, being a servant of the Doom

It is Mandos' will because of all that shizz about the rebeliion of the Noldor. It doesn't mention anywhere in the Silmarillion that his taste for storms was only indulged in this case.

Don't forget the fact that Ossë was once persuaded by Melkor, and as it is said, he somewhat "remained tainted":

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valaquenta

It is said that in the making of Arda he endeavoured to draw Ossë to his allegiance, promising to him all the realm and power of Ulmo, if he would serve him. So it was that long ago there arose great tumults in the sea that wrought ruin to the lands. But Uinen, at the prayer of Aulë, restrained Ossë and brought him before Ulmo; and he was pardoned and returned to his allegiance, to which he has remained faithful. For the most part; for the delight in violence has never wholly departed from him, and at times he will rage in his wilfulness without any command from Ulmo his lord.

The part about doom of Mandos, though, as it was quoted here, brings another aspect into play: sometimes, Ossë could do things that Valar (or Mandos) wish, though his master Ulmo, the "secret voice that gainsayeth", seems not to want this (though it is clear from his speech to Tuor that it only seems that he goes against the will of Valar).