Galadriel knew about the Test (the tempation of the One Ring)... But how?? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Iarhen · 03-10-2003, 05:27 PM

It is obvious that Galadriel knew of the test the Valar were running on her when she was tempted to get the ring for herself when Frodo offered it to her in Lorien.

She said, after refusing it: "I passed the test... and now I shall diminish, and go into the West, remain Galadriel..."

So, it is obvious she knew about the test...

But how?

My hypotesis:

1. Mithrandir told her about it when he came from Valinor.
2. The one being that sent her the Elessar, for the better protection of Lorien (I think it was Melian) told her
3. Or she had direct contact with the Valar through her mirror or through her powers...

What do you think? Any info on this?

Tar-Palantir · 03-10-2003, 05:34 PM

The Valar were testing her? I must have missed that chapter - where can I look it up?

Iarhen · 03-10-2003, 05:36 PM

In Fellowship of the Ring, chapter "Galadriel's mirror"

Mattius · 03-10-2003, 05:43 PM

I always believed it to be a realisation of hers after she had resisted the temptation of the One that as the way of things had worked she had been tested not by the Valar but more by Eru to see if she was ready to return to the west.

Tar-Palantir · 03-10-2003, 06:29 PM

It was not appointed or forseen that the Ring should come through Lothlórien or to Galadriel. Saying 'pass the test' was a personal choice of words - not reflective of Valar intervention. And Ilúvatar never interfered in the doings of Arda after creation except for the sundering of Aman.

Voralphion · 03-10-2003, 07:01 PM

I don't think it was a test by the valar but what she meant by "passed the test" is that she resisted the temptation of the ring.

Lindril Arvilya · 03-10-2003, 08:40 PM

Yes, it was an internal battle. For instance, a former alcoholic being offered a drink, and finally saying no. They'd know, inside, that they've done the right thing, that they've passed a personal standard.

Lalaith · 03-11-2003, 08:43 AM

Or maybe, with her superior wisdom and insight, she realised after she had rejected the ring what her future now held.
Remember, she also says "I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel." Her original reason for leaving Valinor was her wish to rule her own kingdom. She sees the return to Valinor as a diminishing - ie not an entirely positive thing.

Neferchoirwen · 03-11-2003, 11:17 AM

She knew that they would have to leave. With the Ring found and destined to be destroyed, they will soon loose their power over ME since the rings that they have are ties with the One ring. It didn't make sense to Galadriel that the elves will diminish in ME, somehow. They'll be sitting ducks among the affairs of men as the race of men will fourish.

**The Saucepan Man** · 03-11-2003, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Remember, she also says "I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel." Her original reason for leaving Valinor was her wish to rule her own kingdom. She sees the return to Valinor as a diminishing - ie not an entirely positive thing

Good point, Lalaith. This heightens the significance of the "test" presented to her by the Ring. Not only was she giving up the power it promised her to rule over others as a Dark Queen, but she was also giving up her current power and status as ruler of a realm in ME. Although she would no doubt have been accorded great status on her return to Valinor, it was unlikely to be quite the same as being Lady of the "heart of Elvendom on earth".

Tar-Palantir · 03-11-2003, 03:43 PM

I was just reading UT and it mentions that Aman was closed to her until the moment she gave up the chance to take the Ring. She had been an exile due to her leaving Aman during the first kinslaying with Fëanor
and the rest of the Noldor, and the choice to refuse the pardon at the end of the first age.

*Varda* · 03-11-2003, 05:12 PM

As to the second idea, I don't really see how it could have been Melian, as the Ring hadn't been forged at that point.

I also don't think she had the power to communicate with the Valar through her mirror, because to me it seemed that you could only see things that could/were/had happened. It wasn't like a palantir.

Legolas · 03-11-2003, 05:14 PM

Quote:

. And Ilúvatar never interfered in the doings of Arda after creation except for the sundering of Aman.

Wrong. It was Eru who sent Gandalf back to Middle-earth. It was Eru who gave Tuor immortality. It was Eru who gave Luthien a choice between immortality and mortality. It was Eru who placed Beren and Luthien back in the world together. It was Eru who gave the half-elven of Earendil and Elwing's house the choice between mortality and immortality. It was Eru who destroyed Numenor.

03-10-2003, 05:27 PM	#1
Iarhen Wight Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Laurelindorenan Posts: 225	Galadriel knew about the Test (the tempation of the One Ring)... But how?? It is obvious that Galadriel knew of the test the Valar were running on her when she was tempted to get the ring for herself when Frodo offered it to her in Lorien. She said, after refusing it: "I passed the test... and now I shall diminish, and go into the West, remain Galadriel..." So, it is obvious she knew about the test... But how? My hypotesis: 1. Mithrandir told her about it when he came from Valinor. 2. The one being that sent her the Elessar, for the better protection of Lorien (I think it was Melian) told her 3. Or she had direct contact with the Valar through her mirror or through her powers... What do you think? Any info on this? __________________ "In place of a Dark Lord you will have a Queen! Not dark but beatiful and terrible as the Dawn! Treacherous as the sea! Stronger than the foundations of the Earth! All shall love me and despair!" --- Galadriel when tempted by the One Ring.

03-10-2003, 05:34 PM	#2
Tar-Palantir Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: napa valley, ca Posts: 496	The Valar were testing her? I must have missed that chapter - where can I look it up? __________________ History shows again and again How nature points up the folly of men Go, go, Godzilla!

03-10-2003, 05:36 PM	#3
Iarhen Wight Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Laurelindorenan Posts: 225	In Fellowship of the Ring, chapter "Galadriel's mirror" __________________ "In place of a Dark Lord you will have a Queen! Not dark but beatiful and terrible as the Dawn! Treacherous as the sea! Stronger than the foundations of the Earth! All shall love me and despair!" --- Galadriel when tempted by the One Ring.

03-10-2003, 05:43 PM	#4
Mattius Soul of Fire Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: City of Steel Posts: 666	I always believed it to be a realisation of hers after she had resisted the temptation of the One that as the way of things had worked she had been tested not by the Valar but more by Eru to see if she was ready to return to the west. __________________ A problem shared is a problem halved, so is your problem really yours or just half of someone else's?

03-10-2003, 06:29 PM	#5
Tar-Palantir Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: napa valley, ca Posts: 496	It was not appointed or forseen that the Ring should come through Lothlórien or to Galadriel. Saying 'pass the test' was a personal choice of words - not reflective of Valar intervention. And Ilúvatar never interfered in the doings of Arda after creation except for the sundering of Aman. __________________ History shows again and again How nature points up the folly of men Go, go, Godzilla!

03-10-2003, 07:01 PM	#6
Voralphion Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Sharkey's End Posts: 267	I don't think it was a test by the valar but what she meant by "passed the test" is that she resisted the temptation of the ring. __________________ His sword was long his lance was keen His shining helm afar was seen The countless stars of heavens field Were mirrored in his silver shield

03-10-2003, 08:40 PM	#7
Lindril Arvilya Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: In a box at the end of Harrison Ford's street, with a pair of binoculars Posts: 332	Yes, it was an internal battle. For instance, a former alcoholic being offered a drink, and finally saying no. They'd know, inside, that they've done the right thing, that they've passed a personal standard. __________________ Neo, watch out! Trinity's going to steal your pants! Pants thief! Pants thief!

03-11-2003, 08:43 AM	#8
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	Or maybe, with her superior wisdom and insight, she realised after she had rejected the ring what her future now held. Remember, she also says "I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel." Her original reason for leaving Valinor was her wish to rule her own kingdom. She sees the return to Valinor as a diminishing - ie not an entirely positive thing. __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

03-11-2003, 11:17 AM	#9
Neferchoirwen Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: RtR: 483.3 miles, Fords of Bruinen Posts: 512	She knew that they would have to leave. With the Ring found and destined to be destroyed, they will soon loose their power over ME since the rings that they have are ties with the One ring. It didn't make sense to Galadriel that the elves will diminish in ME, somehow. They'll be sitting ducks among the affairs of men as the race of men will fourish. __________________ On really romantic nights of self, I go salsa dancing with my confusion. ~Speed Levitch http://crevicesofsilence.blogspot.com/

03-11-2003, 03:43 PM	#11
Tar-Palantir Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: napa valley, ca Posts: 496	I was just reading UT and it mentions that Aman was closed to her until the moment she gave up the chance to take the Ring. She had been an exile due to her leaving Aman during the first kinslaying with Fëanor and the rest of the Noldor, and the choice to refuse the pardon at the end of the first age. __________________ History shows again and again How nature points up the folly of men Go, go, Godzilla!

03-11-2003, 05:12 PM	#12
Varda Maiden of Tears Join Date: May 2002 Location: Valinor. Posts: 571	As to the second idea, I don't really see how it could have been Melian, as the Ring hadn't been forged at that point. I also don't think she had the power to communicate with the Valar through her mirror, because to me it seemed that you could only see things that could/were/had happened. It wasn't like a palantir. __________________ 'It must often be so, Sam, when things are in danger: someone has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them' ~Frodo "Life is hard. After all, it kills you." - Katharine Hepburn

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