An Elf with shapeshifting ability? Why?

[Raynor]

I wouldn't discard the moral factor that his death would have upon his subjects and enemies. There is also the diminishing of power that comes with building a new body, and I think this would have affected Melkor too (it affected Sauron, and Sauron was said to be greater in the Second Age than Melkor than Melkor at the end of the first one). All in all, it would have been a PR disaster

[Alfirin]

My Silmarillion is a bit rusty, But doent's Luthien's shape changing ability derive entirely from the fact that she is wrapped in Thuringwethil's shaping cloak/skin? if this is the case wouldn't anyone who had the cloak be able to shapeshift?

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Alfirin

My Silmarillion is a bit rusty, But doent's Luthien's shape changing ability derive entirely from the fact that she is wrapped in Thuringwethil's shaping cloak/skin? if this is the case wouldn't anyone who had the cloak be able to shapeshift?

Indeed It is true that maybe not every peasant would be able to do that, but who knows? Bless you for mentioning this.

*walks away, probably going to check if sclerosis is a serious problem in this age*

[Meriadoc1961]

It is obvious to me that I need to re-read the Silmarillion. It's been at the very least 15 years.

Thanks for the interesting topic.

Merry

[cesar.ewok]

Furthermore, I don't really think that anyone but the Valar had shapeshifting abilities (except for skin-changers like Beorn; but note that he could only shapeshift to a bear), because it's told in HoMe X that "Only the Valar and the Maiar are intelligences that can assume the forms of Arda at will." (My italics.)

Moreover, Elwing wasn't capable of shapeshifting into a bird without Ulmo's hand: "For Ulmo bore up Elwing out of the waves, and he gave her the likeness of a great white bird, and upon her breast there shone as a star the Silmaril, as she flew over the water to seek Eärendil her beloved."

Originally Posted by Alfirin

My Silmarillion is a bit rusty, But doent's Luthien's shape changing ability derive entirely from the fact that she is wrapped in Thuringwethil's shaping cloak/skin? if this is the case wouldn't anyone who had the cloak be able to shapeshift?

IIRC correctly, Luthien's ability to shift shape does indeed come from her Maian ancestry. This was ability shared by all the Ainur, and examples of it abound. Note Sauron's ability to take the form of a werewolf and Olorin's practice of walking among Elves and Men unseen or in shape like one of them during the First Age. Luthien, as noted by another poster, probably would not have all of Melian's powers, but she would certainly would be expected to have powers beyond those of any other Children of Iluvatar.

[obloquy]

Originally Posted by Elemmakil

IIRC correctly, Luthien's ability to shift shape does indeed come from her Maian ancestry. This was ability shared by all the Ainur, and examples of it abound. Note Sauron's ability to take the form of a werewolf and Olorin's practice of walking among Elves and Men unseen or in shape like one of them during the First Age. Luthien, as noted by another poster, probably would not have all of Melian's powers, but she would certainly would be expected to have powers beyond those of any other Children of Iluvatar.

No. The Ainur could change shape because in those instances you cite, they were not truly incarnate: they were ealar in physical "raiment." Luthien, on the other hand, was born, and therefore was fully incarnate from the start. Shapechanging among the Ainur was not a magical ability, it was their nature, as all forms were temporary for them; they had no natural physical shape. At least, not until they became incarnate--as Sauron, Morgoth, the Istari, and Melian did--at which point they lost the ability to change their physical appearance.