How did the girdle of Melian work?

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

Did the girdle prevented the entry of intruders physically (as in was there a force that prevented intrusion),or mentally?(similar to how Melian entranced Elwë upon their first meeting)

 

[Áramandë Amaniel]

My personal thoughts are that it could be more physical, but maybe more of an invisible barrier of sorts until one gets too close...and then it's both.

 

[Ent]

Another interesting question, thank you @Aredhel Ar-Feiniel.

In one source it's spoken of thus:
.... "In all those hundreds of years only twice was the maze of shadow and bewilderment breached: by Beren, whose doom was greater than the power of Melian, and by Carcharoth, whose rage was fed by the power of the Silmaril." (Robert Foster).

If indeed it's just a 'maze of shadow and bewilderment', are the 'doom' and 'rage fed by silmarils' simply stronger because they can pierce through the shadow and bewildering enchantments? Or, is it in fact also physical.

In another, just as a 'web of enchantment' set around the forests. (JEA Tyler).

From SIL:
"and Melian put forth her power and fenced all that dominion round about with an unseen wall of shadow and bewilderment: the Girdle of Melian, that none thereafter could pass against her will or the will of King Thingol, unless one should come with a power greater than that of Melian the Maia.

One also wonders in what way it therefore was able to protect Doriath from "the dark influence of Morgoth" as is stated in one place... as he obviously was 'a greater power than Melian'... but we know he himself was not fond of sallying forth to do his own deeds, being increasingly fearful of many things. So it's likely the 'influence' meant is that of his 'controlled substances' - his servants.

Again SIL:
... "But new tidings were at hand, which none in Middle-earth had foreseen, neither Morgoth in his pits nor Melian in Menegroth; for no news came out of Aman, whether by messenger, or by spirit, or by vision in dream, after the death of the Trees.

So whatever it is, it's a shadow of deception (bewilderment) as well as a function of the power of the will... neither of these, seemingly, being an actual 'physical' thing - depending on how we define 'physical'.

A follow-on question is: was the strength of her will entirely already within the Girdle, at a 'static' level (her utmost) - or did she know when someone entered the Girdle, and exert her will 'in the moment' at the strength needed to deter the one trying to pass through.

Added to my list of things to dig into deeper.
Thanks for this post.

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

There are some parallels with Eol, as discussed here:

https://thetolkien.forum/threads/how-did-eol-make-aredhel-his-wife.23558/

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

There are some parallels with Eol, as discussed here:

https://thetolkien.forum/threads/how-did-eol-make-aredhel-his-wife.23558/

Thanks @Squint-eyed Southerner!
But I have a question now regarding Aredhel and Eöl situation
As @Well-aged Ent clarified in his post only those with greater power than Melian could get past her enchantment
My question is that wouldn't Aredhel,the daughter of the elf that wounded Morgoth 7 times,be more powerful than Eöl?

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

As to that, others will have to answer. I can only say: apparently not. 😄

 

[Ent]

Aredhel,the daughter of the elf that wounded Morgoth 7 times,be more powerful than Eöl?

Somewhat a speculative question, but... can you explain to me how you are seeing it 'fit into' the issue of Melian's Girdle?
Eöl fled initially at the making of the Girdle, and whether Aredhel was 'more powerful than Eöl or not doesn't necessarily impact the comparison of her will to Melian's. So I'm confused.

Unless of course you've just set up a totally separate question unrelated to the post question... then I understand. But can you specify for me the nature of the power in view, and the circumstance(s) in which such a consideration of that between them applies? i.e. what exactly is it that makes such a distinction 'necessary'? Then maybe it can be sorted further.

There are very different types of 'power' and one's ability to wound Morgoth physically is only one of them, and very dependent on Morgoth's own strength and ability at the time, as he was forever diminishing himself and came to fear sallying forth on his own against many people.

There are several threads here containing discussions regarding relative 'power' and 'powers'... mostly ending in speculation. One of the joys of Tolkien's intent in his work.

 

[Tyelkormo the Fair]

Thank you dear @Well-aged Ent!
I'll definitely check it out!