Dragons vs. Balrogs? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Thingol · 02-27-2002, 04:20 PM

You read too much into my posts obloquy, [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] I wasn't trying to suggest that the Balrogs are pure Fear, but that they contructed their own forms. The Balrogs seem to have less substance to them and are definatly less attached to their body's and more connected with the spiritual world than the Dragons are. There are two plains of existance in Middle Earth, the physical and the spiritual or magical. The way I see it is that on the physical plain Dragons have no rival in plain destructive power. However, in the spiritual realm Balrogs take the cake. As I pointed out earlier it seems to me that Tolkien considered the power one posses in the spiritual realm as more indicative of the overall power of the individual. On a side note it seems that as one gets closer to death, ones connection with the spiritual realm becomes stronger, hence Glorfindel and Ecthillion were able to slay Balrogs. Tolkien regarded those deeds as one of the greatest, if not the greatest deeds of all the children of Illuvitar.

[ February 27, 2002: Message edited by: Thingol ]

02-27-2002, 04:20 PM	#11
Thingol Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 259	You read too much into my posts obloquy, [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] I wasn't trying to suggest that the Balrogs are pure Fear, but that they contructed their own forms. The Balrogs seem to have less substance to them and are definatly less attached to their body's and more connected with the spiritual world than the Dragons are. There are two plains of existance in Middle Earth, the physical and the spiritual or magical. The way I see it is that on the physical plain Dragons have no rival in plain destructive power. However, in the spiritual realm Balrogs take the cake. As I pointed out earlier it seems to me that Tolkien considered the power one posses in the spiritual realm as more indicative of the overall power of the individual. On a side note it seems that as one gets closer to death, ones connection with the spiritual realm becomes stronger, hence Glorfindel and Ecthillion were able to slay Balrogs. Tolkien regarded those deeds as one of the greatest, if not the greatest deeds of all the children of Illuvitar. [ February 27, 2002: Message edited by: Thingol ] __________________ Yet the lies that Melkor, the mighty and accursed, Morgoth Bauglir, the Power of Terror and of Hate, sowed in the hearts of Elves and Men are a seed that does not die and cannot be destroyed; and ever and anon it sprouts anew, and will bear dark fruit even unto the latest days.