The Nature of Magic in Middle-Earth - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Felagund · 05-04-2005, 07:03 PM

What exactly is the Nature of Magic in Middle-Earth? From the Tale of Beren and Luthien, we see Luthien do alot of "magical" things, such as sing all Angband to sleep, and make her hair grow so she can weave a rope out of it. Celebrimbor creates the Three Rings, and Gandalf makes really neat fireworks, but really, magic is not particularly predominant in LoTR. My theory is that, in lieu of magic, Tolkien substitues Virtue.

By virtue, I mean, by the beauty, or holiness of something, that it worked a kind of power. I don't recall anyone actually "casting" spells or anything like that, but rather than by their virtue they can exhibit a kind of power over situations or events.

I don't feel like I'm putting this into the right words... can anyone say it better? Or disagree too, for the sake of discussion.

05-04-2005, 07:03 PM	#1
Felagund Pile O'Bones Join Date: May 2005 Location: Nargothrond Posts: 15	The Nature of Magic in Middle-Earth What exactly is the Nature of Magic in Middle-Earth? From the Tale of Beren and Luthien, we see Luthien do alot of "magical" things, such as sing all Angband to sleep, and make her hair grow so she can weave a rope out of it. Celebrimbor creates the Three Rings, and Gandalf makes really neat fireworks, but really, magic is not particularly predominant in LoTR. My theory is that, in lieu of magic, Tolkien substitues Virtue. By virtue, I mean, by the beauty, or holiness of something, that it worked a kind of power. I don't recall anyone actually "casting" spells or anything like that, but rather than by their virtue they can exhibit a kind of power over situations or events. I don't feel like I'm putting this into the right words... can anyone say it better? Or disagree too, for the sake of discussion.