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piosenniel · 05-07-2002, 08:23 AM

Mithadan

Thanks for the clarification! I appreciate the references to sources outside the LOTR and the Silmarillion. I have to admit my depth of Tolkien knowledge is limited primarily to these fictional works of his with a few others included, and that my appreciation for his storytelling ability and depth of creative invention is a response to these works and not based on a more scholarly investigation. One of the benefits of being on this board is being exposed to sources outside my limited knowledge and being challenged to add them to my corpus of consideration!

But back to your comments on orcs having souls - Since you have supported that statement I will accept it, but I'm still not sure if they would be redeemable. Having been 'remodelled and corrupted' by the Dark Lord, I don't know if they could make the decision for 'good', the decision to repent, since by their corrupted nature they are wholly engaged in evil. On the other hand, since Melkor does still have that ability to make independent decisions, he still could make the choice for 'good'; the choice not to be antithetical to the themes of creation that Eru has established as acceptable. I also wonder, if Melkor were to repent & be redeemed, would then his corrupted beings be included in that redemption since he is the source of their evil?

05-07-2002, 08:23 AM	#28
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Mithadan Thanks for the clarification! I appreciate the references to sources outside the LOTR and the Silmarillion. I have to admit my depth of Tolkien knowledge is limited primarily to these fictional works of his with a few others included, and that my appreciation for his storytelling ability and depth of creative invention is a response to these works and not based on a more scholarly investigation. One of the benefits of being on this board is being exposed to sources outside my limited knowledge and being challenged to add them to my corpus of consideration! But back to your comments on orcs having souls - Since you have supported that statement I will accept it, but I'm still not sure if they would be redeemable. Having been 'remodelled and corrupted' by the Dark Lord, I don't know if they could make the decision for 'good', the decision to repent, since by their corrupted nature they are wholly engaged in evil. On the other hand, since Melkor does still have that ability to make independent decisions, he still could make the choice for 'good'; the choice not to be antithetical to the themes of creation that Eru has established as acceptable. I also wonder, if Melkor were to repent & be redeemed, would then his corrupted beings be included in that redemption since he is the source of their evil? __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.