Elves visiting Numenor.

[Mornorngûr]

Indeed the Numenorians, like you say were far more selfish. They should of just been content with the great things they had already been granted, but alas! even with real men in this world, jealousy is something that runs through the veins of most, and men being men are never content and always desire more (well most men). I just think this could have been avoided altogether if the Eldar were not permitted to visit, regardless of selfishness.

[Belegorn]

I'm not sure if that's a good idea. These people, the descendants of the Edain, were elf-friends. They spoke the Elvish tongue from since before they had Númenor as a homeland. They lived among them in Beleriand for years. It's not like intercourse was something new between them and the Elves. The royal family was descended from Elves.

[Mornorngûr]

There were also Elve's in Middle-Earth, they could still have visited them and had intercourse with them.

[Belegorn]

Yea, but they did have intercourse with Elves both at Númenor and in Middle-earth, usually with the Elves of Lindon, and most especially in lending their military aid.

[Mornorngûr]

Yeh but what im saying is: If they only had interaction with the Elve's of Middle-Earth and not those of Numenor, then nobody would be deprived, and the temptation to break the ban would not be present.

[Belegorn]

I think that it should be kept in mind that this was not a ban the Eldar had given to the Númenóreans. It was a ban of the Valar since Manwë Súlimo did not want the Númenóreans to "overpass the limits set to their bliss" [Akallabêth, p. 323] I would say that although they desired an Elvish destiny it was the blessings bestowed upon them that stoked their jealousies as "the desire of everlasting life, to escape from death and the ending of delight, grew strong upon them; and ever as their power and glory grew greater their unquiet increased." [Akallabêth, p. 325] I think their unrest was tied to the gifts they received as High Men and the resulting experiences.

[Zigûr]

Originally Posted by Belegorn

I think their unrest was tied to the gifts they received as High Men and the resulting experiences.

I agree. Consider Professor Tolkien's remarks in Letter 131 when discussing Númenor: "Reward on earth is more dangerous for men than punishment!"
It was the gifts of the Valar to Men which catalysed their downfall, but only through the volition of Men, not the action of the Valar.
At the same time, however, I think that while the responsibility lies with Men, there is a clear parallel with the destruction ultimately caused by the Valar bringing the Eldar to Aman. The persistence of the Valar in the First and Second Ages in interfering in the natural course of events is usually both a blessing and a curse.