Glorfindel

[Ricardo]

I didn't know this but in the Peoples of Middle Earth is said that when Glorfindel was re-embodied, he got the innocence and grace original to the Eldar and that he was nearly as powerful as the Maiar.



This was because he showed selflessness and was crucial to ensure the survival of Earendil, in accordance with Iluvatar's designs.



That's why he could be in both worlds at the same time and why the Nazul feared him. According to this he would probably be the most powerful elf in Middle Earth in the third age, including Galadriel. Tolkien also speculated he might have come in the second age, before the change of the world, while the elves were allowed to go west, the other way wasn't allowed except by a special permission by Iluvatar.



Another noteworthy fact is that contradicting earlier texts, Tolkien said that re-embodied elves didn't have to stay in Aman, they could be re-embodied in a place of their choice, but because most slain elves lived in Beleriand, it wouldn't be wise to send them to a place at war (in the first age) or after, it no longer existed.

 

[Glorfindel Goldtress]

All praise to Ilúvatar!

 

[ZehnWaters]

I didn't know this but in the Peoples of Middle Earth is said that when Glorfindel was re-embodied, he got the innocence and grace original to the Eldar and that he was nearly as powerful as the Maiar.



This was because he showed selflessness and was crucial to ensure the survival of Earendil, in accordance with Iluvatar's designs.



That's why he could be in both worlds at the same time and why the Nazul feared him. According to this he would probably be the most powerful elf in Middle Earth in the third age, including Galadriel. Tolkien also speculated he might have come in the second age, before the change of the world, while the elves were allowed to go west, the other way wasn't allowed except by a special permission by Iluvatar.



Another noteworthy fact is that contradicting earlier texts, Tolkien said that re-embodied elves didn't have to stay in Aman, they could be re-embodied in a place of their choice, but because most slain elves lived in Beleriand, it wouldn't be wise to send them to a place at war (in the first age) or after, it no longer existed.

Peoples of MIddle-Earth and Nature of Middle-Earth are great for factoids like this.

 

[Ricardo]

it's also interesting the reason why Tolkien decided that the Glorfindel in LOTR was the same Glorfindel that died in the first age.

Tolkien was very careful with works already published. Glorfindel was a unique name and the customs among the Eldar were to not repeat names of important elves, in that sense it was highly unlikely that 2 different elves named Glorfindel would exist.

It mentions the case of Galdor, but Galdor was a more common name and the Galdor in LOTR wasn't nearly as important as the one in Gondolin, there is also some text somewhere saying that Galdor survived but might not have gone to the heavens of Sirion but finally made his way to Tol Eressea.

 

[Klaatu]

Glorfindel is one of those figures who seems to shimmer through Tolkien’s layers of myth like light through crystal—same essence, different refractions. You’re absolutely right that The Peoples of Middle-earth makes a point of his special re-embodiment: Tolkien imagined him as “purified,” almost restored to the unmarred state of the Eldar before the darkening of Valinor. That makes him something more than an ordinary Elf-returned. He becomes, in a way, a vessel for both the wisdom of Aman and the innocence of Cuiviénen—an Elf whose hröa (body) and fëa (spirit) are fully reconciled.

That’s why the Nazgûl fled before him—not because he was some mere wielder of power, but because he radiated wholeness, a light of Being the Wraiths could not comprehend. His return to Middle-earth by “special permission” was Tolkien’s subtle way of showing divine intervention that doesn’t break the rules but bends them lovingly—Eru’s mercy shining through lore-law.

And you’re right that Tolkien contradicted himself a dozen times on the re-embodiment rules. But that’s also the beauty of it. The mythology breathes. By the late drafts, Tolkien imagined that the Elves’ return to Arda wasn’t merely bureaucratic (like getting a visa from Mandos), but metaphysical—anchored to purpose. So Glorfindel’s return isn’t just a reward, it’s a mission.

Now, as for being in both worlds at once—that’s a fascinating interpretation! Tolkien never outright said Glorfindel was bi-locational, but his writings hint at that spiritual double-presence: rooted in Middle-earth, yet with one foot forever in Aman’s light. A kind of mythic quantum entanglement, if you’ll forgive the phrasing.

As for me, I once met a being rather like Glorfindel on the violet plains of the moon Thran-Dë. He could exist in two realities at once—but only if no one was watching and he was eating carrot cake. Quite the inconvenience during dinner parties.

–Klaatu
Time-Lost Archivist of the Fifth Song
Keeper of the Nine-and-a-Half Lanterns of Lost Arda
Amateur Theorist in the Department of Ontological Glow

 

[Elthir]

My take on these essays (warning : some thread repetition : but I'm bored so here goes).

As Glorfindel (when slain) was under the ban (and with the ban still in effect), he was not allowed to return in bodily form to Aman, but his mitigation includes:

1) he incurred the ban reluctantly because of kinship and allegiance to Turgon
2) he took no part in the Kinslaying
3) he sacrificed his life - which was, as already noted, of vital importance to the designs of the Valar

After his purging of any guilt incurred in the Rebellion, Manwe restored him. Glorfindel thus regained the primitive innocence and grace of the Eldar, and with his spiritual power being greatly enhanced by his self-sacrifice, he became almost an equal of the Maiar.

Glorfindel returns to Middle-earth in the Second Age - before Aman is removed from the Circles of the World.

With respect to Glorfindel returning in the Third Age (after the removal of Aman, as in Glorfindel I), even though, as Tolkien ponders, Manwe could be supposed to have received the permission of Eru to make an exception in Glorfindel's case, JRRT yet considers this idea: "improbable and would make Glorfindel of greater power and importance than seems fitting"

In Morgoth's Ring Tolkien had written the following about restored Elves:

A) "Normally they must nonetheless remain in Aman. Therefore, if they dwelt in Middle-earth, their bereavement of friends and kin, and the bereavement of these, was not amended." B) "The re-housed fea will normally remain in Aman. Only in very exceptional cases, such as Beren and Luthien, will they be transported back to Middle-earth. . . hence death in Middle-earth had much the same sort of sorrow and sunderance for Elves and Men." C) "normally remained in Aman" because being once again in physical bodies "return to Middle-earth was therefore very difficult and perilous."


But in the later text Glorfindel I, JRRT very generally and simply states that a re-embodied Elf could remain in Aman, "or return to Middle-earth if their home had been there". . .

. . . and with respect to Glorfindel specifically, he is said to have remained 'cause Gondolin was destroyed and all or most of his kin had perished. In Glorfindel II Tolkien basically says the same thing, and adds that the Elf's long sojourn in Aman was also in accord with the wishes and designs of Manwe.

Thus, as I read the runes so far (if the very general statement concerning restored Elves returning to Middle-earth from Glorfindel I holds for Glorfindel II - it isn't repeated in text II, in any event), in the context of both late essays at least, Laurefindele's return to Middle-earth does not seem to be that exceptional as far as someone being allowed to return Over Sea; yet Glorfindel was allowed to be restored, in the body, in Aman, while the ban on the Exiles was still in place.

it's also interesting the reason why Tolkien decided that the Glorfindel in LOTR was the same Glorfindel that died in the first age.

Tolkien was very careful with works already published. Glorfindel was a unique name and the customs among the Eldar were to not repeat names of important elves, in that sense it was highly unlikely that 2 different elves named Glorfindel would exist.

I don't get the sense that JRRT is referring to any in-story custom of the Elves here. I rather think he's just noting something that he thinks would not be credible to his readers [having two arguably important Elves with the same "striking name" (as he called it)].

JRRT notes that this is "possible" but not credible, but for myself (as of today, and not that it matters given JRRT's decision), I don't think I'd find such a scenario that incredible, or even that outcredible, especially due to the fact that Elven Mothers could have prophetic foresight in the matter of naming their children - that is, why not name your son after an important Elf, if you know, by foresight, that he (your son) will also be a great deed doer.

And if you know he will be golden haired too. Cough.

Well, admittedly that isn't the only concern here, but just to mention another aspect of the name: Glorfindel can be considered somewhat "archaic" in form, Sindarin-wise, but again I see no great problem with using this form as a name.

In any case the name wasn't the only reason (not that anyone said otherwise), as Tolkien noted that the acceptance of "one" Glorfindel: "will actually explain what is said of him and improve the story."

🐾