Fëa and Free-Will: The Battleground of Eä?

[Ancalagon]

Fëa and Free-Will; The Battleground of Eä?

This is the revised version, and might be revised again as even I am having difficulty trying to convey my thoughts!

Central to the creation of Eä is the divine gift of the fëa and its hröa. The Children of Eru have existed from their initial awakening beneath the light of the stars and the first rising of the Sun respectively. Each of these Children is gifted their fëa and its hröa, in addition to free-will and independent thought.

This quote, from Last Writings specifically addresses the laws relating to the spirit (of Elves) following its departure from the body (the divorce of the fëa and its hröa) and the role of the Valar as decreed by 'The One'

When Glorfindel of Gondolin was slain his spirit would according to the laws established by the One be obliged at once to return to the land of the Valar. Then he would go to Mandos and be judged, and would then remain in the 'Halls of Waiting' until Manwë granted him release. Elves were destined to be 'immortal', that is not to die within the unknown limits decreed by the One, which at the most could be until the end of the life of the Earth as a habitable realm. Their death – by any injury to their bodies so severe that it could not be healed – and the disembodiment of their spirits was an 'unnatural' and grievous matter. It was therefore the duty of the Valar, by command of the One, to restore them to incarnate life, if they desired it. But this 'restoration' could be delayed by Manwë, if the fëa while alive had done evil deeds and refused to repent of them, or still harboured any malice against any other person among the living.

Here we see a specific set of laws, exclusive to the Firstborn in relation to the 'management' of their souls by The Valar. Yet, the consideration here is that embodiment could be delayed by them should the individual have commited acts of evil without repentance. This is incredibly significant in the overall scheme of things, especially when one views the fëa as an invaluable gift of Eru. Therefore, it is interesting to understand the motives of Melkor, ever seeking to mar, abuse or corrupt the souls of not only the Children of Iluvatar, but those Ainur who were considered lesser than the Valar! Consider this from Myths Transformed when understanding the motives of Melkor;

It does however seem best to view Melkor's corrupting power as always starting, at least, in the moral or theological level. Any creature that took him for Lord (and especially those who blasphemously called him Father or Creator) became soon corrupted in all parts of its being, the fëa dragging down the hröa in its descent into Morgothism: hate and destruction.

The connection between the two seems apparent, that if Melkor corrupts it, the Valar may deny it the freedom expressly offered by 'The One.'

Is this the beginning of the battle for the souls of Arda's inhabitants? Is Melkor's role within Eä much more sinister than his desire to have it as his own Kingdom? What becomes of those corrupted individuals who do not repent and are stayed for an enternity in the Halls of Mandos? Does this represent a victory for Melkor, to have denied the individual their freedom through lies and deceipt?

What then of the Secondborn? Their fëa does not reside in the keeping of Mandos after their short lives are expended. Does not the quote showing Melkors corrupting power seem more detrimental to the afterlife of the Edain? Their spirit departs and the journey begins, returning to the place set aside for them by Eru. But what of those corrupted by Melkor, those who called him 'lord' and failed the test? They do not belong to the Valar, for they have no power to restrain the fëa as punishment for its wrong-doing.
So also can the ''will' of these Children be considered a battleground among the Valar. For those allied to Eru the continued freedom of the 'will' of the Children their responsibility. Should the freedom of their 'will' be lost, then Melkor has gained lordship over them and thus controls the fëa. Yet what becomes of the doomed fëa, those who gave their will to Melkor and so paid the price for their blasphemy against Eru?
From The Athrabeth;

The first Voice we never heard again, save once. In the stillness of the night It spoke, saying: 'Ye have abjured Me, but ye remain Mine. I gave you life. Now it shall be shortened, and each of you in a little while shall come to Me, to learn who is your Lord: the one ye worship, or I who made him.'

If Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth might be considered canon (which I believe it ought to be) then the battle for the souls of the Edain is the ultimate currency. The themes that permeate Tolkiens work suggest that this battle of 'evil against good' is in fact a battle for the souls of the Children of Eru. Each one saved or lost representing a victory to the successful side.

Is this how Tolkien envisaged his creation with the currency fought over being Fëa and Free-Will?

 

[Ancalagon]

Ok, I think we are up and running

 

[Confusticated]

I think this depends upon how serious a thing Morgothism really is, and it does seem to be something that is beyond repair. If that is so, then I think the fallen spirits may leave Arda and eventually join up with Morgoth. I had thought before that Morgoth being thrown into the Void ment that he could not have contact with the spirits of men unless for some reason they went into the void too. But it was recently pointed out to me in another thread, and I have since read Myth's Transformed, and it seems that Morgoth was merely thrown out of Arda, even though the word "void" is something I previously took to mean someplace nowhere, someplace outside Ea. Since Morgoth was just thrown out of Arda, I think he may have contact with the spirits of men, and maybe even be able to mess with those who have not yet fallen into Morgothism.

If Morgoth can heal his weakend spirit, and draw his power back into himself from outside of Arda, then I figure he is probably achieving this through taking in the spirits of his deceased creatures of Morgothism. I believe that the orcs are such creatures, but it may be that some men are too. But could one spirit, no matter how great, take into it's self the spirit of a smaller being? I don't know. but we know that Morgoth was able to divide his power, so if the pieces of that power are willing to reunite, I imagine that they could. I also imagine that the spirits of men, if fallen into Morgothism, might bind themself to Morgoth's spirit.

It could be that the rebuilding of Morgoth's spirit refers also to him building an army of followers who's command is his wish, rather than him just increasing his own spirit.

I do think that the stuggle of men with good vs evil is the major purpose of the creation of Arda. There must be a bigger purpose beyond this though, what do the non fallen spirits of men do?

So, I would say that within Arda the currency is spirits, but that the loss of freewill of men goes hand in hand with the loss of spirits to evil. As for the thread title: Arda looks to me like a battleground for spirits, but I am not so sure about all of Ea.
As for what happens beyond or after Arda, no telling what sort of crazy things the spirits are up.

I think that Arda was made because without the physical world Morgoth could not have dominated the wills of men. He could not force his way into their minds either, he had to get to them using their fear of bodily harm.

 

[Celebthôl]

I'm afraid that i have to start on the Second born as it hit me to write this out strait away:

I believe that the second born go to Ilúvatar, (it is never properly worded as to where the Edain's spirit will travel to and eventually recide0, it is my thought that they go to Ilúvatar and recieve judgement from him alone, and if they are seen to be ricious then they will be taken to their form of Heaven, but if they are to be found as guilty (I dont mean guilty as in they were corrupted when they first awoke because that wasnt really their fault. I mean guilty as in Ar-Pharazôn, who chose to be how he turned out, purely out of greed), then they were sent to their vesion of Hell, where they were set aside to repent on what they had done in their life and after a while they were judged again (I mean this in the sence of what happened to Melkor). My second thought on what happens to them is that instead of going to Hell, or as a form of Hell, they must re-sit a life on Earth oblivious to passed life experiances. If the fëa is changed and they do not fall into darkness then they are allowed passage to Heaven after their second judgement, however if they are still found guilty then they are sentanced to walk the Earth again for another lifetime.
It is clear that the Edain have a very weak will, (aside from certain members of the Númenorean's), and that they will go with whichever side seems to be "winning", i.e. if the fëa and hröa dwell in the far east away from all things good, deep in the heart of the shadow (Harad and Khand being prime examples), then they will surely follow the shadow, as it seems more powerful. However if they were placed in a dwelling of goodness i.e. Númenor in its infancy, then they would trust more to the good. It was only the Shadow in Númenor that caused its downfall as i remember, (when Sauron was taken there and spread more lies). I believe that it wasn't so much as they "gave" their fëa to Melkor, morelike they didn't have the choice or a very little choice, they were indoctrinated by the lies and deciete and fear. Not one case is there in Mr Tolkiens writtings (that i have yet read) that a Edain purposly (without knowing of Melkor), sort out Melkor and to follow him and be with evil instead of good!

(i shall have to conclude at another time i have some business elsewhere sorry)

P.S. Anc tell me how im doin.

 

[Ancalagon]

I do not believe he has contact with 'The Fallen' while confined to the void. Those souls of the Edain that depart Arda return to Eru as quoted from The Athrabeth. Yet, it begs the question of whether the void is the place for all debris (such as old satellites, space-stations etc.) discarded from Arda, or does it represent a place of aloneness; solitary, cold and desolate...a Void!

Morgothism is the endearing term upon which his cult continues to thrive. His work, continued by Sauron after his departure, ever wresting the souls of the Children away from the glory of Eru. This is the measure of his success, whether he is there to reap the reward or not! Does this then reveal the lines drawn for 'The Final Battle' that we know so little about?

 

[Walter]

Sure one helluva interesting topic

I'm afraid I have no answers to throw in. I think this issue was one of those, Tolkien spent a lot of time on. But not because of its importance for the Sil, rather because this was one of the central spiritual issues for Tolkien himself.

I first got this impression when I saw how Tolkien approached the issue - as posted in Anc's first very quote - for the first time (IIRC in "Laws and Customs...") and then again in the Athrabeth. (c.f these posts in another thread: 1, 2).

What was surprising me was the idea that " a houseless' fëa was itself allowed (being instructed) to rebuild its hröa from its memory", but this idea probably was abandoned again (c.f. note 17 of "Last Writings")

But if things really were meant by Tolkien the way you put it, Anc, this would IMO be Tolkien's heaviest lean towards Manichaeism, I have yet encountered....

 

[Ancalagon]

One other consideration might be worth...considering! We know that the fëa of Elves returns to The Halls of Mandos, for what can only be described as safekeeping. Therefore, these spirits can be accounted for or can they (see later quotes)?
Yet when identifying a place for the fëa of a fallen Man we are less certain. Do they depart and return to Eru, whereby they are judged and found wanting? Alternatively, do they remain here on Arda, lost souls, under the dominion of Sauron;

Sauron, greatest and most terrible of the servants of Morgoth, who in the Sindarin tongue was named Gorthaur, came against Orodreth, the warden of the tower upon Tol Sirion. Sauron was become now a sorcerer of dreadful power, master of shadows and of phantoms, foul in wisdom, cruel in strength, misshaping what he touched, twisting what he ruled, lord of werewolves; his dominion was torment.

Could this be the unhappy end for those of the Edain who give honour and worship to Melkor the Morgoth?

It seems plausible that this may be a fitting 'end' for these spirits. Ghosts, destined to remain under the dominion of Sauron, unable to depart the confines of Arda, nor able to reside under the care of Mandos. A point in case would be the subordination of the Nine;

Those who used the Nine Rings became mighty in their day, kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old. They obtained glory and great wealth, yet it turned to their undoing. They had, as it seemed, unending life, yet life became unendurable to them. They could walk, if they would, unseen by all eyes in this world beneath the sun, and they could see things in worlds invisible to mortal men; but too often they beheld only the phantoms and delusions of Sauron. And one by one, sooner or later, according to their native strength and to the good or evil of their wills in the beginning, they fell under the thraldom of the ring that they bore and under the domination of the One, which was Sauron's.

Accelerated to a ghostly doom, neither did they have control of their fëa nor will.

What then becomes of the Elves? What if they refuse the summons to Mandos through fear or folly?

The fea is single, and in the last impregnable. It cannot be brought to Mandos. It is summoned; and the summons proceeds from just authority, and is imperative; yet it may be refused. Among those who refused the summons (or rather invitation) of the Valar to Aman in the first years of the Elves, refusal of the summons to Mandos and the Halls of Waiting is, the Eldar say, frequent. It was less frequent, however, in ancient days, while Morgoth was in Arda, or his servant Sauron after him; for then the fea unbodied would flee in terror of the Shadow to any refuge - unless it were already committed to the Darkness and passed then into its dominion. In like manner even of the Eldar some who had become corrupted refused the summons, and then had little power to resist the counter-summons of Morgoth.

Morgoths Ring
Therefore, Elves and Men are both doomed to linger, either through choice or by dominion of one more powerful. Another example relates to the 'Oathbreakers' and the curse put upon them by Isildur. Aragorns words at Erech explain;

Then Aragorn said: 'The hour is come at last. Now I go to Pelargir upon Anduin, and ye shall come after me. And when all this land is clean of the servants of Sauron, I will hold the oath fulfilled, and ye shall have peace and depart for ever. For I am Elessar, Isildur's heir of Gondor.'

So it seems that the spirit of evil is condemned to remain in Arda one way or another.

 

[gate7ole]

The case is very difficult for the Men. Since their future is unknown, we can’t know if they are deprived of basic rights (like freedom) because of their allegiance with Morgoth. The Elves suffer this, but the Men may not. But still, having no knowledge of their fate, it can’t be fundamentally different from our own: judgement and its outcome.
Morgoth on these terms is successful for every single human spirit that corrupts. But I really doubt that he has any control on their fëa. Their weakening because of their blasphemy does not come from Morgoth’s intervention with their fëa. I imagine it as something inherent. The change from Morality to Irreverence which causes the unconscious removal from the normal human structure (spiritual mostly).
Morgoth from the Void undoubtedly works but not in a mass like he did during the period of his “Ring”. The scattered pieces of “Morgoth” laid on ME continue their independent work of corrupting and destructing. That Morgoth will once again assume his past force, may not mean that he will gather his old spread strength. I think it is more likely that he will reform again, finding inherent powers. Like a recharged battery. The Last Battle can will thus be far more difficult for the host of the Valar, when they will have to deal with past and new Morgoth. But I’m elaborating on other matters.
Yet, the fëar of Men (and of course Elves) is the currency. And while THEY have the free will to change the balance of the battle, we continue to call it a battle of Valar. Isn’t it first of all the battle of the Children? Don’t they battle the good and bad everyday in their (short or long) lives? And while the Elves are given a stronger fëa and multiple chances, poor men are given a fragile fëa and just one chance. Wherever they go after death, they should be given more opportunities. Anyway, if Eä is the battlefield and the loot is the spirits of Men and Elves, then anyone can think that Manwë has the upper hand, having the ability to change the corrupted spirits (one of the advantages of being with the good side).

I think that Arda was made because without the physical world Morgoth could not have dominated the wills of men. He could not force his way into their minds either, he had to get to them using their fear of bodily harm.

I don’t think that the reason for Arda was to give Morgoth a place to rule. I find it too far fetched.

Could this be the unhappy end for those of the Edain who give honour and worship to Melkor the Morgoth?

I really doubt that anyone could withdraw the gift of Iluvatar without a considerable waste of his power (like the One). I think the bad ones also leave with the good ones somewhere.

 

[Celebthôl]

A thought came to me about this. If Ilúvatar created the Arda and everything that happened (even the actions of Melkor the actions of Men), was the off-spring of his thought, then wouldnt that mean that he was either forsaking the souls of men to Melkor, or that he recieved the souls regardless of what actions they took in life?

Thôl

 

[Ancalagon]

I fully understand your thoughts on the matter Celebhol, and it does become quite a riddle when one seek s to delve into the very essence of all creation, however the key question here is again that of free-will and the ability of the secondborn to use it in a positive/negative manner.

Again, referring back to the Athrabeth consider the final recorded words of the Voice;

'Ye have abjured Me, but ye remain Mine. I gave you life. Now it shall be shortened, and each of you in a little while shall come to Me, to learn who is your Lord: the one ye worship, or I who made him.'

The question here is what happens when the spirit eventually departs from Arda, for Melkor seemingly cannot hold it forever, neither can Sauron. Yet the interesting point raised here is whether this speaks of judgement, possibly of the final judgement of Man before the seat of Eru himself, and if his actions upon Arda had leaned towards acceptance of a false God, such as Melkor was, even after this warning, then is a fitting punishment to be meted out? Remember, in the case of Elves, Mandos is the Keeper, whereas with Men, Eru alone has the final say. An interesting conundrum I am sure you will agree.

In addition, it would also bring one back to Tolkiens own Catholic beleif system and the concept of a Judgement day, where one must atone for himself and answer before the throne of God for the actions of his life, this is not so different, whatever one might say about Tolkiens own motives on the matter.

 

[Gothmog]

quote:
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'Ye have abjured Me, but ye remain Mine. I gave you life. Now it shall be shortened, and each of you in a little while shall come to Me, to learn who is your Lord: the one ye worship, or I who made him.'
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The question here is what happens when the spirit eventually departs from Arda, for Melkor seemingly cannot hold it forever, neither can Sauron. Yet the interesting point raised here is whether this speaks of judgement, possibly of the final judgement of Man before the seat of Eru himself, and if his actions upon Arda had leaned towards acceptance of a false God, such as Melkor was, even after this warning, then is a fitting punishment to be meted out? Remember, in the case of Elves, Mandos is the Keeper, whereas with Men, Eru alone has the final say. An interesting conundrum I am sure you will agree

I have not given enough thought to the topic as a whole for a full post. However, in the case of this I have some thoughts to share. You ask whether this speads of Judgement. To me the answer is no!

and each of you in a little while shall come to Me, to learn who is your Lord: the one ye worship, or I who made him.'

This it seems to me is not in any way saying that they will be judged. They are going to be shown who is the Lord. If there is to be any judgement in this it would be done by the spirits of Men themselves by accepting Eru or rejecting him in favor of Melkor.

What would happen if they rejected Eru before his throne I have not yet given thought to. Hopefully more to come.

 

[Celebthôl]

Thank you Ancalagon.

For my next part of this i will need to use C.S.Lewis' works "The Chronicals Of Narnia", as it holds a passage in there that i think about often. I cannot find my books right now, but the quote's point is that because a man served the equivalent of the devil (well we see him as the devil but the man was brought up to believe that he was the real god), and he servered him properly not just by saying he did, he believed in his heart that his view of god was the "real" god, he got judged on how he acted on his belief, and so he went to heaven, However another man who said he severed a god but really didnt believe a word of it got taken to hell because he mocked the gods and peoples beliefs, so this may be how they were judged by Eru. I mean if they servered Melkor properly and not to mock etc then they would be judged and taken to heaven, but if they said they servered a god, any god, but didnt then they would go to hell.
Another question is, how were the Edain who never met Elves and the Dúnedain etc, able to know who the real gods were? It was hard enough for the true Gods to pursuade the Elves.
So in theory as they had no god (that they knew of) as such, they had to "work with what they had" (i.e. believe that the powerful being of Melkor was indeed god), this backs up my point of serving a god properly no matter who the god was.

(im sorry if this is hard to understand i will be editing it as i see fit)

Thôl