Balrogs/Wings

2010-02-12T21:39:34Z

142.68.147.145:

The description of the [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]] in Moria from "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm", in the fifth chapter of ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'' raised the question of whether [[Balrogs]] were winged. There are two references in this chapter:

<blockquote>''"His enemy halted again, facing him, and the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings."''</blockquote>

<blockquote>''"...suddenly it drew itself up to a great height, and its wings were spread from wall to wall..."''</blockquote>

Tolkien's language leaves some room for speculation. The first quote seems to describe a Balrog covered in shadow that appears winglike, and is later 'spread.' However, the second quoted passage seems to indicate that this Balrog had actual wings that were spread from wall to wall.

== Arguments ''For'' Balrog Wings ==
[[Image:John Howe - Balrog 05.jpg|thumb|[[John Howe]] depicts a Balrog with wings.]]
The most common reference for winged Balrogs is the 'vast wings' language in "The Bridge of Khazad-dûm". The plain language here explicitly refers to 'wings.' Another Tolkien reference may be taken as evidence of Balrog wings:
{{quote|Swiftly they arose, and they passed with winged speed over Hithlum, and they came to Lammoth as a tempest of fire.|''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'', "The Later Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Rape of the Silmarils"}}

This is either a metaphor for moving very quickly, or a literal reference to physical wings - it is this issue over the verb 'to fly' which is mostly at the heart of the Balrog debate. Another, oft-quoted, example from [[The Lord of the Rings Appendices|The Appendices]]:
{{quote|Thus they roused from sleep of thing of terror that, flying from [[Thangorodrim]], had lain hidden at the foundations of the earth since the coming of the Host of the West: a Balrog of Morgoth|[[Durin's Folk]], [[Appendix A]]}}

== Arguments ''Against'' Balrog Wings ==
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Fingon and Gothmog.jpg|thumb|[[Ted Nasmith]] depicts [[Gothmog]] without wings.]]
On the other hand, the explicit reference to "wings of shadow" leaves open the interpretation that Balrogs had no physical wings. Balrogs were never exactly described as flying in any of Tolkien's works, including the "winged speed" language quoted above. Furthermore, at least two Balrogs fell to their ruin, apparently wingless:
{{quote|Many are the songs that have been sung of the duel of [[Glorfindel of Gondolin|Glorfindel]] with the Balrog upon a pinnacle of rock in that high place; and both fell to ruin in the abyss.|''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', Chapter 23, "Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin"}}
{{quote|I threw down my enemy, and he fell from the high place, and broke the mountain-side where he smote it in his ruin.|''[[The Two Towers]]'', Chapter 5, "The White Rider"}}

Some think the strongest objection is the simplest: that taking references like the second statement seriously mean that all lines must be taken literally. For example, shortly before the Balrog's appearance, "Gandalf came flying down the steps and fell to the ground in the midst of the Company."

==External links==
*[http://tolkien.slimy.com/faq/Creatures.html#BalFly Could Balrogs fly?]
*[http://tolkien.slimy.com/faq/Creatures.html#BalWings Did Balrogs have wings?]
*[http://tolkien.slimy.com/essays/TAB6.html The truth about Balrogs]
[[category:debates]]
[[category:balrogs]]

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Balrogs/Wings