Quote:
Originally Posted by Gorthaur the Cruel
So we all know that the Istari were Maia from Valinor who were trapped/imprisoned by the Valar in incarnate forms of old men, so as to prohibit direct displays of power and splendour. . . .
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But were the Istari
trapped/imprisoned by the Valar and
prohibited from direct displays? I've always thought they accepted their participation in the building of Earth much the same way that Frodo took upon himself the bearing of the Ring.
There's nothing in the
Ainulindale or the
Valaquenta to suggest such bullying power and control on the part of the Valar. Usually we would attribute to Melkor such actions, but not the Valar. We know that the Maiar were
spirits who began before the World and were
of the same order but of less degree than the Valar.
I think a clue to the indirect displays of power and splendor lies in the story of the Valar and Melkor.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Ainulindale
And the Valar drew unto them many companions, some less, some well nigh as great as themselves, and they laboured together in the ordering of the Earth and the curbing of its tumults. Then Melkor saw what was done, and that the Valar walked upon Earth as powers visible, clad in the raiment of the World, and were lovely and glorious to see, and blissful, and that the Earth was becoming a garden for their delight, for its turmoils were subdued. His envy grew then the greater within him, and he also took visible form, but because of his mood and the malice that burned in him that form was dark and terrible. . . .
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The full display of their visible powers creates
envy in Melkor, that figure of ego, hatred, jealousy and malice. I've always rather thought that when the Istari came to Earth this terrible lesson was remembered and the forms chosen were chosen for their ability
not to create envy and not to increase jealousy, competition, hatred, distrust or mistrust. So, while outwardly they appeared to be frail humans (or, in the case of Olorin, elves), and were susceptible to the same ills as any Child of Illuvatar, that did not essentially lessen their powers. Olorin still had the power, for instance, of putting
fair visions or promptings of wisdom into the hearts of the children of Illuvatar, the source of which the Children did not know. In fact, it was probably this very invisibility and the Children's inability to attribute the thoughts to another being that enabled Olorin to do his work. Had he been recognised, the visions would most likely have been questioned and his wisdom rejected and descried.
So, the question isn't about diluted states or a lessening of power, but of how that power is displayed, and to whom, and what context. The full power still remains; it is simply hidden. The challenge for the Istari was to apply that power in ways which would not evoke envy, malice, fear.