Thank you Fingolfin of the Noldor for the textual support of your argument. That was a big stumbling block for my acceptance of M. Martinez' arguments.
You say, in conclusion:
Quote:
|
In conclusion I believe that Balrogs have no wings. A great deal of circumstantial evidence for this theory and against a literal interpretation of the passage in question seems to make quite evident that neither the structure nor the actual wordage point to actual real wings of any sort. The earlier drafts, also, support this not-so-much foundationless conjecture through the complete and total absence of any indication of the conceptualization of literal physical wings as thought of by Tolkien and cast great doubt on the idea that the “great wings” was anything other than a literary device ( as has been established as having been used every time this specific structure was present). All this, in my humble opinion, renders any belief in such large broad appendages wishful thinking pure and simple.
|
In BW's article, he posits that the conclusion as to them having wings is still unclear, and could be seen as:
Quote:
It's wings were merely an affectation to intimidate
It's wings were only decoration
|
but that the textual references do indicate that with or without the actual appendages, they did not use flying as a mode of travel.
So, perhaps the 'wings' were more than just a literary device, but no more useful than one.
***************************
Thinks to herself: & here I've ordered up a vat of sauce, and there'll be no Balrog Hot Wings to dip in it!