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Child of the 7th Age · 12-18-2002, 08:43 PM

Legalos,

Great summary, but with just one important correction. The first time Gandalf was sent to Middle-earth, it was by the Valar. The second time, after he "died", he was sent back by Eru Iluvatar and given an expanded agenda.

Tolkien tells us this in his Letters. The Valar had limited Gandalf in what he could do. His main task was to teach and inspire others to act. Eru expanded his mission so that Gandalf could act directly when the situation warranted. It is likely that Gandalf's powers were the same before and after the Balrog. It was just the instructions to him that changed since Saruman had failed to live up to what he was supposed to do.

sharon

12-18-2002, 08:43 PM	#10
Child of the 7th Age Spirit of the Lonely Star Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 5,133	Legalos, Great summary, but with just one important correction. The first time Gandalf was sent to Middle-earth, it was by the Valar. The second time, after he "died", he was sent back by Eru Iluvatar and given an expanded agenda. Tolkien tells us this in his Letters. The Valar had limited Gandalf in what he could do. His main task was to teach and inspire others to act. Eru expanded his mission so that Gandalf could act directly when the situation warranted. It is likely that Gandalf's powers were the same before and after the Balrog. It was just the instructions to him that changed since Saruman had failed to live up to what he was supposed to do. sharon __________________ Multitasking women are never too busy to vote.