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***Mithadan*** · 03-26-2001, 11:48 AM

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Re: Eru and the Ainur in LotR?

Without answering the initial post directly, the evolution of the treatment of the Valar and Eru is from the historical to the legendary or mythical. In the First Age, some of the Elves lived among the Valar and most if not all knew of the West. The Valar and Eru are part of history. As time passes, Man begins to obtain supremacy. Man does not personally know the Valar (with the exception of a very few such as Tuor) and all Man knows of the West is the tales and rumor of the Elves. Even this "evolutionary" change is not abrupt. The Numenoreans "know" more of the Valar and Eru than do later Men. By the Third Age, the Elves are fading and The Valar and Eru are relegated to legendary status. The Istari are taken at face value as wise old "Men" of indefinite lifespan and their nature is not questioned. The tales that make up LoTR are the last intrusion of the old "history" (the West, Eru and even Elves as actual living beings). Then even this last link to the past fades away.

--Mithadan--
"The Silmarils with living light
were kindled clear, and waxing bright
shone like stars that in the North
above the reek of earth leap forth." </p>

03-26-2001, 11:48 AM	#6
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,393	<font face="Verdana"><table><TR><TD><FONT SIZE="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Spirit of Mist Posts: 757</TD><TD></TD></TR></TABLE> Re: Eru and the Ainur in LotR? Without answering the initial post directly, the evolution of the treatment of the Valar and Eru is from the historical to the legendary or mythical. In the First Age, some of the Elves lived among the Valar and most if not all knew of the West. The Valar and Eru are part of history. As time passes, Man begins to obtain supremacy. Man does not personally know the Valar (with the exception of a very few such as Tuor) and all Man knows of the West is the tales and rumor of the Elves. Even this "evolutionary" change is not abrupt. The Numenoreans "know" more of the Valar and Eru than do later Men. By the Third Age, the Elves are fading and The Valar and Eru are relegated to legendary status. The Istari are taken at face value as wise old "Men" of indefinite lifespan and their nature is not questioned. The tales that make up LoTR are the last intrusion of the old "history" (the West, Eru and even Elves as actual living beings). Then even this last link to the past fades away. --Mithadan-- "The Silmarils with living light were kindled clear, and waxing bright shone like stars that in the North above the reek of earth leap forth." </p> __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.