When the Ainur entered Ea - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Aiwendil · 11-05-2002, 08:39 PM

Galorme: Interesting, though I must disagree. I don't think that "power" in the Silmarillion is tied directly to knowledge of Eru, at least not in the same way that power in Star Wars is tied to knowledge of the Force. Of course, the term "power" can be a bit vague. I do think that, for example, Manwe's knowledge of Eru can be thought of as giving him power, in that it gives him wisdom, which could be considered a component of power. Nonetheless, Morgoth is said to have more native power, and I think that in a direct confrontation between Manwe and Melkor (prior to the dispersion of the latter's power), Melkor would win. On the other hand, a Jedi's power is tied very directly to the Force. Yoda does not have more power than Luke merely in the sense that he is wiser; in a fight between the two, Yoda would actually win. So in Tolkien, it is only wisdom that is tied to knowledge of Eru, whereas in Star Wars, all sorts of power are tied to knowledge of the Force.

11-05-2002, 08:39 PM	#1
Aiwendil Late Istar Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 2,224	Galorme: Interesting, though I must disagree. I don't think that "power" in the Silmarillion is tied directly to knowledge of Eru, at least not in the same way that power in Star Wars is tied to knowledge of the Force. Of course, the term "power" can be a bit vague. I do think that, for example, Manwe's knowledge of Eru can be thought of as giving him power, in that it gives him wisdom, which could be considered a component of power. Nonetheless, Morgoth is said to have more native power, and I think that in a direct confrontation between Manwe and Melkor (prior to the dispersion of the latter's power), Melkor would win. On the other hand, a Jedi's power is tied very directly to the Force. Yoda does not have more power than Luke merely in the sense that he is wiser; in a fight between the two, Yoda would actually win. So in Tolkien, it is only wisdom that is tied to knowledge of Eru, whereas in Star Wars, all sorts of power are tied to knowledge of the Force.