[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Sarumian

So many valuable points has been already made here! I'd like, however to tackle a very delicate subject. I strongly believe that there is (was) no sexuality of our kind in Tolkien's universe. Apparently, there are sexes and conception but there is no sexual lust. What precipitates lust here is power, not the attraction to opposite sex.

I can see where you are coming from, but I disagree. There is a lot of evidence. For instance, starting even with a Vala and an Elf-maiden:

Originally Posted by Silmarillion, Of Beren and Lúthien

Then Morgoth looking upon her beauty conceived in his thought an evil lust, and a design more dark than any that had yet come into his heart since he fled from Valinor. Thus he was beguiled by his own malice, for he watched her, leaving her free for awhile, and taking secret pleasure in his thought.

Or, what Gandalf had discovered about Wormtongue and his desire for Éowyn:

Originally Posted by Two Towers, The King of the Golden Hall

How long is it since Saruman bought you? What was the promised price? When all the men were dead, you were to pick your share of the treasure, and take the woman you desire? Too long have you watched her under your eyelids and haunted her steps.

Aside from this, from the top of my head I recall there being something about Maeglin, very probably about Eöl, maybe even about others, very likely something with Nienor and some of the men around her etc. Oh, and let us not forget the part about Túrin rebuking Forweg's followers, the outlaws:

Originally Posted by UT, Túrin among the Outlaws (or CoH)

Then one day Túrin missed Forweg, and also Andróg his friend; and he asked where they were, but his companions laughed.
"Away on business of their own, I guess," said Ulrad. "They will be back before long, and then we shall move. In haste, maybe; for we shall be lucky if they do not bring the hive-bees after them."

And the very interesting episode follows with the woman, Túrin killing Forweg, and rebuking the men for "doing such things".

So, lust very much exists. Even, as we see e.g. in the last episode, among the men of the House of Hador. But it is definitely shown only in the case of the bad characters, because they don't have the self-restraint the other characters possess (or, rather, they don't even have the desire to restrain themselves - not like e.g. Aragorn who was able to hold himself until he could finally be with the one he loved, or even Sam, that's basically the same case).

EDIT: cross-posted with Bethberry.