July 7, 2002

What I Really Think About Balrogs
Red Horn

First let me say that I honestly do think that Balrogs could change there shape. If they wanted to fly then they would just grow wings and fly. If they were cold they would just turn into a ball of flames. (That was meant to be funny.)

But my article was meant for those who need a yes or no on the issue. I should have said that Balrogs COULD have had wings if they wanted, insteed of they DID have wings. Sorry.

I simply just had something that I hadn't heard said before, and had to bring it up. I do however believe that they "flew" in that passage I mentioned. Brett C. I believe, said that Morgoth and Ungoliant crossed the Northern lands quickly, and so the Balrogs could have "run" over Hithulum quickly. But we have to keep in mind that Morgoth was huge. One of his strides could have probably crossed 50 feet. (Figuratively of course) And I can't even imagine how big Ungoliant was after sucking the life out of the two trees. She must have been the size of a baseball stadium or something!

So I think that the Balrogs would have prefered to fly than run. Just my personal preferance. To The Spartan, I say this: Duh!!!!!!!!

Of course this whole world of Tolkien's is just a piece of liturature. Actually I shouldn't say JUST a piece of literature, because all these literary works have touched all of us in a way that very few have. That's why we're on this forum right now! Because we are passionate about this universe of Tolkien's imagination. Some of us are so passionate that we want his words to be tangible. We wan't to know every little thing about it. Myself and others are just sharing with the rest of you, what we think. What our imagination sees.

If you don't agree, then you don't agree that's all. Lastly I have to give praise to Peter Jackson's vision of the Balrog. If you noticed, in the Bridge of Kazuhd Dum (Is this spelled correctly?)scene, the Balrog pulls the flaming sword and whip from his own body. This shows the shape shifting side of it. The only problem I had was that instead of the Balrog being consumed in shadow, it was consumed in smoke. But I still loved it!

Here's another question for debate: What do you all think Treebeard should look like? More human? More treeish? Like John Howe's paintings? You get the drift. So for now, fare well. And I'm sorry if I sounded like I was impossing any of my thoughts on you. Keep your imagination running.