[Durelin]

Originally Posted by Eorl of Rohan

As to this, there is a simple explanation. It was not that Man could foretell the future...but really that they died. This, at least when compared with the elves situation, was a gift. The elves were made to linger on till the end of the World, when they would sing with the Ainur again in the last Music. They were said to be tied to the Earth for all time, and they could never leave it. Men were not tied down, rather their bodies and souls passed from the Earth, and at least their spirits were able to venture to other places. The fate of the world will be but their end of being a part of the world. The Elves will always be a part of the World, and its fate will most likely be their fate. Either that, or they will help decide it, along with the Ainur. Or perhaps a combination of the two.

Now that I think about it, perhaps the fact that Man could not fortell the future was a gift as well.

Most likely foresight came as a gift, along with true wisdom, from a connection with Eru. It was Eru who held the utmost power, and through him an understanding of the World he created could be gained. This foresight, though, is not truly a gift. It is not given, but earned/gained. In the case of Melkor, I doubt he had foresight at all, and if he did, it was a false foresight, or perhaps a foresight limited by his thin connection with Eru, mainly as an enemy. An understanding of one's enemy could also gain Melkor a certain understanding of the ways of his enemies world.

The above rambling contained many ideas, some not fully expressed, I am sure, and maybe not even coherently. Also, many of these ideas are based around opinions. They are just my thoughts on the subject.

-Durelin