Tolkien's Elusive Ipsative Consistency: Glorfindel, the Nazg?l, and the Ford of Bruinen

The works of J.R.R. Tolkien, while meticulously detailed and filled with profound lore, are not without their inconsistencies. One such inconsistency involves the characters of Glorfindel and the Nazg?l, particularly in their encounters at the Ford of Bruinen in The Lord of the Rings. This article delves into the textual evidence, exploring why readers and scholars might find these accounts perplexing.

The Ipsative Consistency: Tolkien's Elusive Balance

Tolkien, a scholar of languages and fantasy literature, faced the challenge of building an entire world from scratch. As such, various inconsistencies arise as his Middle-earth evolves over time. Glorfindel is a prime example of this. In The Silmarillion, his powers are described as much greater than in The Lord of the Rings. A character who can stand and fight a balrog one on one and then be sent back from Aman to Middle-earth would naturally not fear Ring-bearer wraiths. This disparity leads to questions about the consistency of Tolkien's own character descriptions.

Clarifying the Tale: The Difference Between The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings

Some readers and scholars argue that Tolkien made Glorfindel essentially two different characters: one from The Silmarillion and one from The Lord of the Rings. This separation would allow Elrond to maintain his supremacy in Rivendell, rather than having another, more powerful, reincarnated elf present and doing very little to advance the Ring story. However, this theory misses a crucial point: the interconnectedness of Tolkien's works.

The Evidence from The Lord of the Rings

Let's examine the textual evidence from The Lord of the Rings. In a conversation with Frodo, Gandalf states, 'On foot even Glorfindel and Aragorn together could not withstand all the Nine at once.' This quote is significant as it implies that if Glorfindel and Aragorn were mounted, they might be able to hold their own. Moreover, Gandalf might even be demonstrating modesty in his statement.

Additionally, the passage continues: 'Caught between fire and water and seeing an Elf-lord revealed in his wrath they were dismayed and their horses were stricken with madness. Three were carried away by the first assault of the flood the others were now hurled into the water by their horses and overwhelmed.' This extract from the first chapter in Book II, "Many Meetings," paints a picture of an attack by multiple forces: fire, water, and the prominence of an Elven lord.

Context and the Nazg?l's Reactions

The Nazg?l's fear of Glorfindel in his wrath is understandable, but their fear would be even greater when faced by a host armed with flaming brands and the force of the rushing river. Tolkien's depiction of the Nazg?l's fear highlights the effectiveness of multiple, combined forces, not just the might of an individual like Glorfindel. Their horses' reaction to the various terrifying elements is also realistic, drawing from the behavior of actual horses in similar situations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the inconsistencies in Tolkien's descriptions of Glorfindel and the Nazg?l should be viewed in the context of his evolving mythology. While the interpretation of individual scenes may vary, the interplay of multiple forces in The Lord of the Rings creates a compelling narrative. These inconsistencies, rather than detracting from the story, contribute to the rich, immersive world Tolkien has created.