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Tar Elenion · 01-20-2002, 01:09 PM

Re Galadriel's Ban:
While some late (posthumously published) variants indicate changes in the characterization of Galadriel, JRRT actually published very specific statements on her association with the Exile and the Ban in RGEO:
"The question Sí man i yulma nin enquantuva? and the question at the end of her song (Vol. I, p. 389), What ship would bear me ever back across so wide a Sea?, refer to the special position of Galadriel. She was the last survivor of the princes and queens who had led the revolting Noldor to exile in Middle-earth. After the overthrow of Morgoth at the end of the First Age a ban was set upon her return, and she had replied proudly that she had no wish to do so. She passed over the Mountains of Eredluin with her husband Celeborn (one of the Sindar) and went to Eregion. But it was impossible for one of the High-Elves to overcome the yearning for the Sea, and the longing to pass over it again to the land of their former bliss. She was now burdened with this desire. In the event, after the fall of Sauron, in reward for all that she had done to oppose him, but above all for her rejection of the Ring when it came within her power, the ban was lifted, and she returned over the Sea, as is told at the end of The Lord of the Rings.
The last lines of the chant express a wish (or hope) that though she could not go, Frodo might perhaps be allowed to do so."

Road Goes Ever On.

01-20-2002, 01:09 PM	#7
Tar Elenion Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 369	Re Galadriel's Ban: While some late (posthumously published) variants indicate changes in the characterization of Galadriel, JRRT actually published very specific statements on her association with the Exile and the Ban in RGEO: "The question Sí man i yulma nin enquantuva? and the question at the end of her song (Vol. I, p. 389), What ship would bear me ever back across so wide a Sea?, refer to the special position of Galadriel. She was the last survivor of the princes and queens who had led the revolting Noldor to exile in Middle-earth. After the overthrow of Morgoth at the end of the First Age a ban was set upon her return, and she had replied proudly that she had no wish to do so. She passed over the Mountains of Eredluin with her husband Celeborn (one of the Sindar) and went to Eregion. But it was impossible for one of the High-Elves to overcome the yearning for the Sea, and the longing to pass over it again to the land of their former bliss. She was now burdened with this desire. In the event, after the fall of Sauron, in reward for all that she had done to oppose him, but above all for her rejection of the Ring when it came within her power, the ban was lifted, and she returned over the Sea, as is told at the end of The Lord of the Rings. The last lines of the chant express a wish (or hope) that though she could not go, Frodo might perhaps be allowed to do so." Road Goes Ever On. __________________ Tar-Elenion