The Book of Lost Tales Part I: A Readthrough

[IxnaY AintsaY]

Originally Posted by Puddleglum

[*]In the Valaquenta it's interesting that Tulkas is the strongest of the Valar (implying stronger than Manwe) even though Melkor is called the Mightiest of the Ainur (therefore also of the Valar who were a subset of Ainur) - hence stronger than Tulkas (at least, in his beginnings). Implying again that Melkor was stronger than Manwe.[/LIST]

Do you think there's a distinction here between pure brawn and overarching force?

[Tar-Jêx]

Originally Posted by IxnaY AintsaY

Do you think there's a distinction here between pure brawn and overarching force?

Well, pure brawn fits into the 'who would win a fight', whereas actual power is more 'who has more reach, and more power of more things'.

Tulkas is basically all brawn. Melkor had legitimate power, and although he was defeated, that only angered him, rather than ruined his plans completely.

Melkor appears to be among the smartest of the Valar, and it was specifically stated in one of the books that Melkor had the most power and knowledge after learning from Eru Illuvatar.