i think the real question is...do balrogs wear bedroom slippers? (see link below)

http://flyingmoose.org/tolksarc/theories/slippers.htm

this had me in stitches!

and for what it's worth, i don't think the fotr balrog had wings in the things-that-flap-and-make-you-fly sense- i think it had wing-like projections of shadow, hence tolkien saying it had things "like two vast wings".

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**MY BOOK**

~ proud to be a shieldmaiden for christ ~</center>

The Balrog to me is that of a presence.. and when it takes shape.. into the demon it is.. i believe it does have wings..

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~The Beloved A-U Gentlewoman ~

yeah same here. maybe just like smoke but wings, but not wings for flying. i mean penguin's have wings, but hey can't fly. but of course they arn't very big...wierd illustration...but still. i think they are just there, but they arn't for flying. just THERE. idk.

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"Have i gone mad?"
"Yes, i believe you have. But i'll tell you a secret.... all the best people are."

Hannon Le,everyone for the banners!
Married Khamûl on January the 26th, 2007:bones:

Wings or no wings, that is the question... Well, this is the first time that I've heard of that question... But I have heard of "Pirates or Ninjas"... never mind... Both sides have put up a good fight, and I can see how it would be either... But...I must remain undecided...I might change my mind later...

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When the cold of winter comes
Starless night will cover day
In the veiling of the sun
We will walk in bitter rain
But in dreams
I can still hear your name
And in dreams
We will meet again
When the seas and mountains fall
And we come to end of days
In the dark I hear a call
Calling me there
I will go there
And Back again

This has probably already been mentioned, but just because you have wings doesn't mean you can fly.

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Heh. I actually changed my sig. Wow.

"I'll tell you truly: I value my thought and work terribly, but in essence - think about it - this whole world of ours is just a bit of mildew that grew over a tiny planet. And we think we can have something great - thoughts, deeds! They're all grains of sand." - Levin

Lol, elemmire. Yeah, I'm pretty sure it has been mentioned already.

This topic, I think, is going to be one of the most disputed and unresolved of the forum for a long time.

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Unless someone can get in touch with Christopher Tolkien I severly doubt this notorious debate will ever cease.

Yeah, this is just one of those things where people debate just to debate or to kill time, or for something to do...

As for the words of the book, mine is different than what everyone has been saying... Mine says, "It stepped forward slowly on the bridge, and suddenly it drew itself up to a great height, and its wings were spread from wall to wall;" Did they change it as they made newer covers and... for lack of a better word... updated the books?

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When the cold of winter comes
Starless night will cover day
In the veiling of the sun
We will walk in bitter rain
But in dreams
I can still hear your name
And in dreams
We will meet again
When the seas and mountains fall
And we come to end of days
In the dark I hear a call
Calling me there
I will go there
And Back again

No--it says both, just so you know. Read through that whole section with the Balrog--it mentions that it was wreathed in shadow like wings or whatever.

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I've never actually seen the interest of this debate, but I'll chuck my fifty cets in anyways.
I would have to say *makes split second opinion* that they don't. Or if they do, they are those ones that animals don't use or fly with. I think they're called something starting with V. Vestigial? I think that's it. Anyways, that dosn't really matter. My point is, I have trouble seeing this Balrog who's lived underground for many years still using his wings if he had them.

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[quote="Lostariel"]I've never actually seen the interest of this debate, but I'll chuck my fifty cets in anyways.
I would have to say *makes split second opinion* that they don't. Or if they do, they are those ones that animals don't use or fly with. I think they're called something starting with V. Vestigial? quote]

Yes it is vestigial. *claps* That's what I thought when I read that part if the book, because the Balrog didn't actually fly... at least I don't think so... But if it did have wings, I would agree with you, but, I remain undecided still... Wait, I'll decide now... *Thinks aloud* He could have been using simile or metaphor, or whatever that is... But it could have been that it did have wings. I... I'll go with yes, but I am able to be easily persuaded if someone has a good point.

_________________
When the cold of winter comes
Starless night will cover day
In the veiling of the sun
We will walk in bitter rain
But in dreams
I can still hear your name
And in dreams
We will meet again
When the seas and mountains fall
And we come to end of days
In the dark I hear a call
Calling me there
I will go there
And Back again

I agree with you Lady Imidri. I don't think Tolkien was using a simile, but I'm positive he used some kind of figure of speech when writing about the Balrog. Maybe if we took a look at what the Balrog is said to be made up of we could come closer to some kind of conclusion. I believe the Balrog is described as being made of shadow and flame. If this is the case, then it the Balrog isn't exactly solid, is he?

Ooo, new questions..

The Balrog has a body. Its encased in shadow and flame but its not just made up of shadow and flame.

lol, i think they would probably burn off

Aye, so then, what exactly is this "body" made of?

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- married fingon fingolfinion 6/4/13 -
~art credit~