Page 12 of 16
Re: Status on next TOR book?
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 12:22 pm
by Beleg
Numenorean
As you point out, there are few Noldor mentioned in the LOTR books themselves. Equally, I totally agree that Galadriel is arguably the most powerful. However, let us not forget that Glorfindel did once slay a Balrog, die, and get sent back to Middle Earth. So he must be pretty damn powerful himself
Re: Status on next TOR book?
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 12:58 pm
by Numenorean
Beleg,
That assumes that Glorfindel, captain of Gondolin, slain in the Silmarillion is the same person as the Glorfindel of the LOTR. I am not aware of any sources that suggest that it is the same elf, nor that he was 'sent back to Middle Earth' somehow. The use of the same name for the two is one of those questions that might have been answered had Professor Tolkien lived long enough to produce a definitive Silmarillion himself - remember it has been acknowledged that it was incomplete and often contradictory at his death. Christopher Tolkien said in the foreword:
'A complete consistency (either within the compass of The Silmarillion itself or between The Silmarillion and other published writings of my father's) is not to be looked for, and could only be achieved, if at all, at heavy and needless cost.'
I have always assumed that either there was more than one Glorfindel in Middle Earth, just as there is more than one John here today, or that Tokien would have changed the name before publication.
Re: Status on next TOR book?
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 1:31 pm
by Chris Gardiner
Numenorean wrote:
I have always assumed that either there was more than one Glorfindel in Middle Earth, just as there is more than one John here today, or that Tokien would have changed the name before publication.
I like to imagine 'Glorfindel' is a really common name. I bet it's Elvish for 'Dave'.
Re: Status on next TOR book?
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 2:23 pm
by Numenorean
LOL! I am glad he didn't translate it then, 'Dave the mighty Elf-Lord' just doesn't work somehow
Still, a better fate than being absorbed into the character of Arwen....
Re: Status on next TOR book?
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 3:42 pm
by Southron
IIRC it is in the Peoples of Middle-Earth where the issue of Glorfindel is discussed and the professor's final decision was that the they were one and the same Elf.
However, I do not wish to discuss the validity of HoME. If you accept the fix or do not,I just wanted to point out where the information was.
SL
Re: Status on next TOR book?
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 4:21 pm
by Numenorean
I stand corrected. Thank you SL and apologies to Beleg. I haven't read Peoples of Middle-Earth and didn't know this fix was ever a possibility. The last time I read anything on the issue clearly pre-dates it's publication! Whether it is canon or not (and whether I like the idea or not), the great man clearly had it in mind.
Re: Status on next TOR book?
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 9:05 pm
by Mytholder
Mytholder wrote:As soon as there's anything to be announced, we'll shout it from the rooftops. We're just as eager as you are to see the coming supplements released.
We're not on the roof yet, but we're getting the ladder out of the shed.
Re: Status on next TOR book?
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 9:11 pm
by ali69
Do you nedd a helping hand with the ladder?
Re: Status on next TOR book?
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:01 pm
by SirKicley
And there was much rejoicing......
Re: Status on next TOR book?
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:20 pm
by Beleg
Numenorean
No worries. I myself can't remember where I heard that they are the same Glorfindel, as I haven't actually gotten around to reading HoME. But I know I did read that Tolkien stated that the Glorfindel of Rivendell is the Glorfindel of Gondolin. Plus, I prefer that story