[The Saucepan Man]

Might does not always show itself in the same way. Might could be in arms but might could also lie in ones mind. Everybody is mighty in his/her own way.

Absolutely - and JRRT always seems to explain the context in which he uses the word "might". When we are first introduced to the Valar in the Valaquenta, almost all of them are described as mighty, and you at first think: "Oh, so he's more powerful than her, and she's clearly more powerful than him".

But careful reading shows that each is described as powerful in their own way:

The mightiest of those Ainur who came into the World was in the beginning Melchor; but Manwe is dearest to Iluvatar and understands most clearly his purpose.

So, his power, as the greatest of the Valar rests in his closeness to Iluvatar, and of course his lordship over the "regions of the air".

Ulmo ... is next in might to Manwe ...

And his might is described in terms of his independence and his dominion over all things hydrological.

Aule has might little less than Ulmo. His lordship is over all the substances of which Arda is made.

So, we can see where Aule's might lays. And so on until we come to Orome, who is a great example of how might is qualified:

Orome is a mighty lord.

How mighty, we may think. Well...

If he is less strong than Tulkas, he is more dreadful in anger ...

Ah, so Orome is less "strong" (physically, presumably) than Tulkas, but his might lies in his anger, when aroused, and also (as we then learn) in his love for the lands of ME (ergo, he is the first of the Valar to discover the Elves).

The same applies with the Elves in the Silmarillion. Finwe's sons are described thus:

Feanor was the mightiest in skill and word and of hand, more learned than his brothers; his spirit burned as a flame ...

Whereas Fingolfin was:

... the strongest, the most steadfast, and the most valiant ...

And Finarfin was:

... the fairest, and the most wise of heart ...

So each of these characters are "mighty" in their own way, and JRRT tells exactly in what way they are to be considered as such.

[ January 19, 2003: Message edited by: The Saucepan Man ]