Elves and death - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Andsigil · 01-06-2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordis

They all had been resurrected, no doubt, but maybe only Glorfindel expressed a wish to return to ME?

That's literally so simple that I never thought of it. It makes perfect sense.

Beregond · 01-06-2009, 03:21 PM

Is that from The Peoples of Middle Earth, Galin? I don't have the book and I cant find the pertinent text online, but I was wondering what Tolkien wrote about Glorfindel there.

Galin · 01-06-2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beregond

Is that from The Peoples of Middle Earth, Galin? I don't have the book and I cant find the pertinent text online, but I was wondering what Tolkien wrote about Glorfindel there.

Yes, my list is based on statements from Glorfindel Essay II in The Peoples of Middle-Earth (Last Writings). Sorry, I should have noted that.

Beregond · 01-06-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galin

Yes, my list is based on statements from Glorfindel Essay II in The Peoples of Middle-Earth (Last Writings). Sorry, I should have noted that.

No, that's fine. Oddly enough I was in the process of asking if anyone had read that section of The Peoples of Middle-Earth , when you up and posted it.

Galin · 01-07-2009, 10:50 AM

To add, Glorfindel I (GI) might contain an easier reason: that Glorfindel was a companion to Gandalf on his voyage to Middle-earth in the Third Age, possibly as a guard or assistant in addition to being a friend and follower (considering the first words of the second page anyway, noting that the first page is missing).

Quote:

'... as guards or assistants. An Elf who had once known Middle-earth and had fought in the long wars against Melkor would be an eminently suitable companion for Gandalf. We could then reasonably suppose that Glorfindel (possibly as one of a small party, more probably as a sole companion) landed with Gandalf-Olórin about Third Age 1000.'

[skipping to end of GI]

'(...) It is indeed probable that he had in Valinor already become a friend and follower of Olórin, Even in the brief glimpses of him given in The Lord of the Rings he appears as specially concerned with Gandalf, and was one (the most powerful it would seem) of those sent out from Rivendell when the disquieting news reached Elrond that Gandalf had never reappeared to guide or protect the Ring-bearer.'

Tolkien seems to reject this in Glorfindel II, but there he appears to be considering it an improbable exception that Glorfindel be sent to Middle-earth after the Blessed Realm was removed from the Circles of the World. OK, but as the focus of the trip was really Gandalf and the mission of the Istari anyway, I don't think it necessarily would make Glorfindel '... of greater power and importance than seems fitting' (GII) to have him accompany the Wizard.

Hmmm. I kind of like this explanation from GI myself.

William Cloud Hicklin · 01-20-2009, 09:23 AM

It's interesting, and never expanded on, that the Elves of Valinor (or at least Eressea) frequently visited Numenor before the place went bad- but apparently no farther East. T did note in the margin of Glorfindel that perhaps G returned to M-E on a Numenorean ship.

That Osgiliates into another subject- it seems that Exiles who physically sailed back into the West were confined to Eressea, but this isn't the case with re-embodied Nodor, who after Mandos live in Valinor proper (definitely stated in the cases of Finrod and Glorfindel). I suppose this is because ex-cons are considered 'purged;' it may also be that living returnees have enough of a taste for the Mortal Lands left that timeless Aman would be unpleasant for them.

The Mouth of Sauron · 01-21-2009, 06:28 AM

I know that Maedhros, being a son of Feanor and responsible for the loss of a Silmaril after he threw himself (and it) into a fiery chasm, wouldn't be exactly flavour of the month with Mandos.

But if he WAS ever released to resume bodily form, would he have his right hand back ?

01-06-2009, 03:21 PM	#2
Beregond Playful Ghoul Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,251	Is that from The Peoples of Middle Earth, Galin? I don't have the book and I cant find the pertinent text online, but I was wondering what Tolkien wrote about Glorfindel there. __________________ "Hope and memory shall live still in some hidden valley where the grass is green."

01-20-2009, 09:23 AM	#6
William Cloud Hicklin Loremaster of Annúminas Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,330	It's interesting, and never expanded on, that the Elves of Valinor (or at least Eressea) frequently visited Numenor before the place went bad- but apparently no farther East. T did note in the margin of Glorfindel that perhaps G returned to M-E on a Numenorean ship. That Osgiliates into another subject- it seems that Exiles who physically sailed back into the West were confined to Eressea, but this isn't the case with re-embodied Nodor, who after Mandos live in Valinor proper (definitely stated in the cases of Finrod and Glorfindel). I suppose this is because ex-cons are considered 'purged;' it may also be that living returnees have enough of a taste for the Mortal Lands left that timeless Aman would be unpleasant for them. __________________ The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it.

01-21-2009, 06:28 AM	#7
The Mouth of Sauron Wight Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Barad-Dur Posts: 196	I know that Maedhros, being a son of Feanor and responsible for the loss of a Silmaril after he threw himself (and it) into a fiery chasm, wouldn't be exactly flavour of the month with Mandos. But if he WAS ever released to resume bodily form, would he have his right hand back ?