Quote:
Originally Posted by Formendacil
But, of course, that means that, not having bodies per se, balrogs are excluded a priori from having wings.  |
But that just means you're arguing about what the definition of 'wings' is. My argument - and you're absolutely right that I agree that Durin's Bane doesn't appear to have physical wings - is that if it's all made of incorporeal shadow, then the appearance
is the thing. They look like wings - therefore, they are wings, because it's all animate Shadow anyway.
The Balrog doesn't have a mane, because a mane is made of hair. What it has is fire pouring from somewhere around its head (lion or horse mane?) and streaming behind it. It looks like a mane - therefore it is a mane.
It looks like wings - therefore it is wings. Without being physical wings.
hS
PS: Of course, the battle on the Endless Stair suggests that there is
something corporeal about the Balrog... but if it has a 'mane' of fire, then it has 'wings' of shadow too. ~hS