narogard:

In defense of Manwë

I’ve never thought that so many people blame the Valar (and Manwë in particular) for literally everything. From fall of Melkor to the political quarrels of the elves, everything is somehow their fault, and I’m tired of it.

In Tolkien’s world the Valar are the Powers of Arda, and it is not the coincidence that Manwë is their chief. It is not Tulkas, the greatest warrior of them all. It is not Oromë the Hunter, terror of Melkor’ monsters, but Manwë, who represents kindness, mercy, forgiveness and hope – things that Tolkien valued the most. Southern wind from the Sea helped Aragorn to reach Minas Tirith in time and brought hope to the city, as golden sun shone on rohirric shields. The breeze, which dispersed the clouds, allowed Frodo and Sam to see Gil-Estel in the depth of dark Mordor.

People always blame Manwë for forgiving Melkor. And that is hypocrisy. When Fingolfin forgave Fëanor for threatening to kill him, that was the right thing to do. When Arafinwëans and Nolofinwëans forgave the House of Fëanor for murdering their kin, stealing the ships and leaving them to cross icy hell alone, that was the right thing to do. But when Manwë, who have never encountered a lie before, gave the second chance to his beloved brother, that’s wrong! Really? And sorry, I can’t see big difference.

Secondly, people love to say, that Manwë did not care about the Children of Iluvatar at all. But that’s wrong on so many levels:

1) The Valar are bound by rules themselves. They cannot rule over elves, dwarves and men, they cannot make them do something. The Valar should only teach them, guide them and advice them. And it is what they do. When the Two Trees were destroyed by Ungoliant, their first priority was to create new source of light for Middle-Earth, and revenge for Finwë’s death was far from it. Sorry, Fëanor, not everything in Arda is about you. But even then he have sent Eonwë to warn Fëanor about strenght of Morgoth and his armies.

(Following is my interpretation, you can agree or disagree)

Imo, one of the Tolkien’s main themes is that if you have to chose between the greater good and morally right thing, you should always do the right thing. Evil for the right reasons is still evil too. And every action have its consequences. Frodo chose to spare Gollum’s life and the Ring was destroyed, Aragorn chose to have faith in Frodo and Sam, and Sauron was defeated.

The Noldor are elves, so, it works even better for them. They commited the mass murder and stole Telerin ships. Mandos, who have seen the history of Arda till the end of the Third Age, just explained the consequences of their deeds. It’s not the curse, its last warning from Manwë to turn back, while they still can.

2)Still, Manwë sent his Eagles to Middle-Earth. They helped Fingon to save Maedhros, guarded Gondolin, rescued Beren and Lúthien etc… When Ëarendil asked him to intervene, the War of Wrath happened. His messengers came to Númenor and warned them about Sauron’s treachery. So, Manwë cared about them. A lot.

One thing that amazes me the most about Manwë is his ability to forgive. He forgave Melkor, forgave Finarfin and his followers, forgave the Exiles (even those, who refused to return in Aman at the end of First Age). He warned Númenoreans: stop this madness, and we will forgive you.

And, please, stop saying, that “the Valar are bad” and “Melkor was right”. Why the desire to possess everything and destroy it, if you cannot, torture and slaughter of thousands of living beings is right at the first place?