[Imladris]

Thanks for all the interesting replies you ahve all posted. It has been great fun seeing what people think. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

I think that Gorthol's view on man's search for immortality is absolutely right in a sene. I don't really know about the Numenoreans and all that because I haven't read the Silmarillion (it's on my book list), but the first example that came into my mind was the Spaniard's search for the Fountain of Life.

I knew that Tolkien had written LOTR so that England could have a mythology (but thanks for bringing that up anyway) but I had always thought that all mythologies had a message to tell...

The bit about time and history repeating itself was very interesting as well. All things physical will pass away, both good and evil, but in the end, it is good, Illuvatar (God) who will triumph. That is a very comforting thought.

Thanks again!!