Mirror, Mirror - Telling the Future in LotR

[Estelyn Telcontar]

The Mirror shows many things, and not all have yet come to pass. Some never come to be, unless those that behold the visions turn aside from their path to prevent them.

What is the role of prophecy in LotR? I’m reading Shippey’s “Tolkien – Author of the Century”, and he compares it to Shakespeare’s use of prophecy in Macbeth, saying that Tolkien’s view is different than that of Shakespeare’s. I must say that Galadriel’s above statement reminds me more of a different myth – the story of Oedipus. If memory serves me rightly, in trying to prevent the prophecy spoken of him, he created the very circumstances that enabled its fulfillment.

Now, Tolkien lets us know that the Elves are reluctant to give advice about the future. Gildor says to Frodo:

Elves seldom give unguarded advice, for advice is a dangerous gift, even from the wise to the wise, and all courses may run ill.

And Galadriel’s mirror is not a reliable source of knowledge about the future, as she says herself. So where does Tolkien use prophetic statements in the book and how, if at all, are they fulfilled?

I will start us off with the example that is very closely related to Macbeth (and incidently goes with the current Nazgûl theme) - the death of the Witch King. I looked for a specific statement of prophecy, but found only what he said to Eowyn in the battle:

Hinder me? Thou fool. No living man may hinder me!

Does anyone know if there is a more detailed account of that prophecy anywhere?