Did 👁️Sauron have many ears?

[Mormegil]

This is going to be a balrog/wings style argument.

Sauron had many ears, and soon he heard rumour of the One Ring, which above all things he desired, and he sent forth the Nazgul to take it. (The Silmarillion, Of The Rings Of Power)

So, the text quite clearly says that Sauron had many ears. How many did he have, 9? 10? ????

Lets start a debate on whether Sauron had many ears, as the text plainly states, or if in fact it is a metaphor.

 

[Ponte]

I thought that "many ears" meant that he had many spies who heard stuff and then telled it to Sauron, so i think it is a methaphor.

 

[Gamil Zirak]

It's a metaphor or his real many ears are so big that he can here a pin drop in the Shire. If the later was true, he could have heard Gimli breathing in Lorien and easily stopped the fellowship.

 

[Beorn]

Originally posted by Mormegil
This is going to be a balrog/wings style argument.



So, the text quite clearly says that Sauron had many ears. How many did he have, 9? 10? ????

Lets start a debate on whether Sauron had many ears, as the text plainly states, or if in fact it is a metaphor.

That's just figurative speech. Saying he had more ears than normal (he was a maia, so he could set his own normal, though) is saying that cops & other law enforcement officials have long arms....

 

[Mormegil]

Yeah, sort of like saying that a Balrog's shadow reached out like wings.

 

[Gamil Zirak]

Originally posted by Mormegil
Yeah, sort of like saying that a Balrog's shadow reached out like wings.

That can't be right. That's like comparing ears and wings ... er apples and oranges.

 

[Confusticated]

Originally posted by Gamil Zirak

That can't be right. That's like comparing ears and wings ... er apples and oranges.

Then the comparison you just made can not be right, then it too is like comparing apples to oranges.

 

[Ceorl]

Was that a serious question or were you just trying to make conversation?

 

[Mormegil]

Of course it isn't a serious question. I don't really think that Sauron had lots of ears.
I started this thread as a comparison to the Balrog/wings argument that because the text states "And its wings were spread from wall to wall" then Balrogs have wings.
This thread was just looking at another quote which clearly states something.

So in essence, this thread is a 'Balrog's don't have wings' argument. Which tries to discredit the aforementioned Balrog/wings quote.

 

[Ceorl]

Ok good in that case I no longer question your sanity, and I must admit it is a very good point for the case against Balrogs having wings, which is the side I happen to be on. Good on you, and good thinking.

 

[Cian]

And Felaróf could clearly fly, since he had wings on his feet

 

[*Anarie*]

Don't know about his ears, but he definitely had 1 big eye!

 

[HobbitGirl]

Actually, it could be both. If Sauron had an eye that could see just about everything, why not an ear? And everything Sauron himself doesn't see, his minions see, so it must be the same with his hearing.

 

[Beorn]

Re: Re: Did Sauron have many ears?

Originally posted by Beorn


That's just figurative speech. Saying he had more ears than normal (he was a maia, so he could set his own normal, though) is saying that cops & other law enforcement officials have long arms....

And almost like saying that Tolkien had 9 fingers


.


Now....if he had huge ears, how would he have forged the One Ring...his ears would've drooped and gotten burnt!

 

[mr underhill]

like was farmer magott a magott??

 

[Lantarion]

ROTFLMAO!!!
Heehee, that was a good one..

 

[Éomond]

I agree with anyone who said that for many ears, he had many spies!