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Re: Galadriel/rings /Maia /greatness and ...
Durelen:
My intent is not to get you to change your mind. You can veiw Galadriel as 'the greatest'. JRRT does say this about her (of course he also says it about a variety of characters, as I mentioned in my above post). I mentioned the UT quote earlier. The point I am trying to make is that 'greatness' is relative. Why does, for example, JRRT refer to Feanor as the greatest, if as you imply, he was a craftsman and nothing more? Why does JRRT say that Luthien Tinuviel is the greatest (and he makes the point that she is greater than Galadriel and Feanor)?
Galadriel was noted as a good athlete in her youth in Valinor, but many of the Elves were athletic. Was she a 'warrior'? Not likely. JRRT notes that she did fight in defence of her kinsfolk of Alqualonde, but that is the only occassion in which she is noted as fighting. It would be far fetched to say that she is a greater warrior than any of the princes of the Eldar. You mention that Feanor was only a craftsmen and (unless your question was rhetorical) seem to imply that was about his limit. I must point out that Feanor was exceedingly intelligent, he divised the tengwar and was considered a superb linguist by the Eldarin masters. He was obviously a charismatic leader. Read of his slaying and see that he was also a powerful warrior. Fionrod was wise, he was also a great fighter and master of magic. He seems to have been a great leader as well and an excellent musician. Fingolfin was the strongest, bravest and most valiant. He was also accounted very wise (a reason for his being given the High Kingship). He was also a great leader. Similar points can be made for a variety of the princes of the Eldalie.
The question still stands: why was Galadriel 'the greatest'? As I think I have shown it is not because she was the 'most powerful' or the best at anything in particular (or second best at anything or everything). It is obvious that there were those who were better warriors (e.g. any of the Eldarin princes), those who had greater magic (e.g. Luthien and Finrod), those who were 'wiser' (e.g. Cirdan, Finarfin, Finrod), those who were more skillful craftsmen (e.g. Feanor, Mahtan, Celebrimbor), those who were greater leaders, loremasters, healers etc. Elrond was arguably more important in the overall events of the Second and Third Ages. Greatness is relative and does not necessarily have to do with a person's _physical_ power or attributes. P.S. I am not on a fishing expedition here. There is a likely answer (and Lindil comes close, possibly even dead on). <img src=wink.gif ALT="
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Lindil:
I am quite pleased with my copy of 'Pictures', which is now very difficult to obtain. However I was refering to the drawings in 'JRR Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator' by Wayne Hammond and Christina Scull (which has the pictures in Pictures plus many more). It has recently been issued in a trade (paperback) format and is readily available.
re Glorfindel and Galadriel:
Yes JRRT does increase their 'stature' in his later writings. In some ways this is unfortunate. If he had actually gone through with the changes he was thinking of to Galadriel's history and character I think it would have actually lessened the importance and impact of her later actions.
The Letter is very interesting.
Nice defence of Finrod.
re Elrond lineage:
No. It is based on JRRT saying that Elrond preferred his lineage to Elwe. See PoME 'Problem of Ros' n. 19 and associated text..
Taimar:
I understand your theory as well. It is not impossible (JRRT did not rule it out, I just dont see any particular actions suggesting it). But you are correct, that is what these forums are about.
Tar-Elenion The High Elves had been in the hands of the gods praising and adoring Eru 'the One', Iluvatar the Father of All on the Mountain of Aman</p>