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| Do Balrogs have wings? http://www.arwen-undomiel.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=158 |
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| Author: | sjmetz7@msn.com [ April 18th, 2006, 10:12 pm ] |
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Balrogs are Maiar. They can take whatever form they want, as long as they don't keep one form for to long. I was going to use a quote from FOTR to prove that balrogs did have wings, but the quote has changed my opinion: (Exerpt from The Bridge of Kazad Dum, ch.5 of FOTR) "The Balrog readhed the bridge. Gandalf stood in the middle of the span...His enemy halted again, facing him, and the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings..." I always thought that the balrogs had wings until two minuts ago. |
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| Author: | Astaldo [ April 19th, 2006, 11:57 am ] |
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This little word like makes me believe that the Balrogs did not have wings. Maybe they had something like a shadow that was like wings or something. |
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| Author: | Dark, Queen of Angmar [ July 6th, 2006, 11:13 am ] |
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I'm pretty sure that they had wings, after the one in Moria became a thing of slime i'm pretty sure that he would still have his wings, maybe the wing flap was composed of shadows ect. but he had the muscles of the wings and stuff would still be there... |
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| Author: | Lord Of All [ July 7th, 2006, 1:49 pm ] |
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For a very good account on whether Balrogs had wings see this thread: http://tolkienforums.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=77580&p=3&topicID=7364359&subForumID=253352&topicPage= |
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| Author: | Eärendil The Mariner [ July 12th, 2006, 1:42 pm ] |
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Taken from FOTR is also:- "And its wings were spread from wall to wall..." There is no reference to like in this case; which might show that the wings were physical and not metaphorical. Thanks, Eärendil The Mariner |
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| Author: | Zandaïn [ July 14th, 2006, 9:31 am ] |
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...wings, like bats´ wings, with the skin stretched between the Balrog´s limbs ...that´s how I´ve always seen them in my minds eye, but I could be wrong.. |
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| Author: | Eärendil The Mariner [ July 14th, 2006, 11:30 am ] |
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and why not say : " and the wings were spread from wall to wall" ? instead of its? |
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| Author: | Lord Of All [ July 14th, 2006, 12:34 pm ] |
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Perhaps becuase it had already named the wings as a metaphor in a previous quote: His enemy halted again, facing him, and the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings. It raised the whip, and the thongs whined and cracked. Fire came from its nostrils. But Gandalf stood firm. |
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| Author: | The Nightingale [ October 31st, 2006, 12:33 am ] |
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So then Tolkien was expecting you to remember the earlier metaphor? Or was he implying actual wings? The thing is, I think that if Tolkien had meant for the Balrogs to have wings, wouldn't he have said that? Considering the way he describes things in so much detail! |
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| Author: | Peredhil Lover [ October 31st, 2006, 4:55 pm ] |
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Taurquende wrote: I'm going to say what I said last time: I think of a balrog is basically a huge shadow (and some flames), and shadows and stretch and change, so a balrog can. I think when it wanted to appear intimidating, like it wanted to with Gandalf challenging him. But they weren't actual "wings" they were just shadows of wings. So he couldn't fly back up when he went down with Gandalf.
I quite like this idea Taurquende it seems to make sense and goes quite well with the description in the book and I could swear Gandalf calls it 'a creature of the shadow' or something in the movie. Not sure though... |
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| Author: | The Nightingale [ November 1st, 2006, 11:34 pm ] |
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Sort of taking Taurquende's idea and adding to it.... I like that idea, but I don't really think they can actually change shape. But it is possible they could just add more flame to the shadow to make it look bigger. Just a thought. |
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| Author: | Frodos-Guide [ November 2nd, 2006, 1:47 pm ] |
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I'm sure they do have wings but the wings are all holey and useless to be honest. They are ripped and damaged to such an extent it would be pointless in trying to use them. I also always thought that if they do have wings, they are waaay to small for the body of the Balrog, and they therefore serve about as much use to the Balrog, as wings on a chicken do. |
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| Author: | The Nightingale [ November 14th, 2006, 1:31 am ] |
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But if the balrogs did have wings that were useless like a chickens, couldn't it have balanced on the bridge instead of falling? |
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| Author: | Lord Of All [ November 18th, 2006, 3:41 am ] |
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So many 'ifs' and 'buts' either way you take it. Your best evaluting your opinion in your own mind and sticking to it. There is no answer. |
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| Author: | Lorien [ November 18th, 2006, 11:26 am ] |
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i think he doesn't. i haven't really tought about that much untill now.... but i think he does not. he's just big shadow and flame. i'm confused now! haha |
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| Author: | The Nightingale [ November 19th, 2006, 8:45 am ] |
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Yay! Someone on my side! |
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