While interesting, I do not think this analysis is grounded in cannon for at least two reasons. First, Gothmog was a commander of armies, which requires tactics and strategy not just brute force. Second, several of the Ainur were spirits of fire by nature (all were created by the imperishable flame) and thus their fiery spirt or nature at nothing to do with Melcor’s corruption. In fact, Arien (who ended up guiding the sun) was just such a spirit who was not corrupted by Melcor. It seems the case that many of these fire spirts did end up siding with Melcor (and perhaps that explains the physical form they chose to manifest along with the whips etc) but not the fiery nature of their essence.
Sauron was of a higher order of Maia than the balrogs. He was one of those Maiar who Tolkien described as “well nigh as mighty as the Valar themselves”. Balrogs were drawn to Melkor from the very beginning of the song of creation, it took ages for Melkor to corrupt Sauron
This is something I never understood about the deeper lore. So there are by design different levels of Maiar? Or is it that Melkor/Morgoth and Sauron were able to accrue more power over time, far beyond what was intended for them, because they were rebels? A third option I see is that all is going according to plan by Eru; they were to play the role of bad guys in a moral dichotomy that Eru wished to create, and so had to be significantly more powerful than the average Maia or Valar
This would actually be the best argument I've heard as to why the Balrogs didn't just create new forms for themselves after being slain. In the same breath it also makes it even more curious as to why Sauron didn't make more use of the Balrog as Sauron would only need to say he was looking for ways to bring back Melkor to earn his allegiance
I get the feeling that Sauron and Durin's Bane would've eventually fought each other if Sauron had been successful in his campaign. In his quest to control EVERYTHING, Sauron likely would've reached down into Moria and tried to take command of the Balrog. Balrogs were Morgoth's minions, not Sauron's and there would be resistance. But Sauron's ultimate focus was on the Free Peoples and he might try to use them to draw the Balrog out if he'd succeeded in dominating them. One step at a time...
I like this analysis! The Balrogs and Sauron may differ in the extent in which they submitted themselves to Morgoth, Sauron's submission not being quite 100%.
Baltogs were fire spirits who mainly drifted to Melkor , but that didn’t make them fire spirits. E.g. also a fire spirit who wanted nothing to do with Melkor was Arien. Sauron being of of aule’s folk, not sure of his nature off the top of my head.
While interesting, I do not think this analysis is grounded in cannon for at least two reasons. First, Gothmog was a commander of armies, which requires tactics and strategy not just brute force. Second, several of the Ainur were spirits of fire by nature (all were created by the imperishable flame) and thus their fiery spirt or nature at nothing to do with Melcor’s corruption. In fact, Arien (who ended up guiding the sun) was just such a spirit who was not corrupted by Melcor. It seems the case that many of these fire spirts did end up siding with Melcor (and perhaps that explains the physical form they chose to manifest along with the whips etc) but not the fiery nature of their essence.
Sauron was of a higher order of Maia than the balrogs. He was one of those Maiar who Tolkien described as “well nigh as mighty as the Valar themselves”. Balrogs were drawn to Melkor from the very beginning of the song of creation, it took ages for Melkor to corrupt Sauron
This is something I never understood about the deeper lore. So there are by design different levels of Maiar? Or is it that Melkor/Morgoth and Sauron were able to accrue more power over time, far beyond what was intended for them, because they were rebels? A third option I see is that all is going according to plan by Eru; they were to play the role of bad guys in a moral dichotomy that Eru wished to create, and so had to be significantly more powerful than the average Maia or Valar
Take a drink every time he says 'Melkor's fury' or 'Melkor's wrath'...
I really like the presentation and appreciate your perspective, well done!
This would actually be the best argument I've heard as to why the Balrogs didn't just create new forms for themselves after being slain. In the same breath it also makes it even more curious as to why Sauron didn't make more use of the Balrog as Sauron would only need to say he was looking for ways to bring back Melkor to earn his allegiance
I get the feeling that Sauron and Durin's Bane would've eventually fought each other if Sauron had been successful in his campaign. In his quest to control EVERYTHING, Sauron likely would've reached down into Moria and tried to take command of the Balrog. Balrogs were Morgoth's minions, not Sauron's and there would be resistance. But Sauron's ultimate focus was on the Free Peoples and he might try to use them to draw the Balrog out if he'd succeeded in dominating them.
One step at a time...
I like this analysis! The Balrogs and Sauron may differ in the extent in which they submitted themselves to Morgoth, Sauron's submission not being quite 100%.
I sometimes forget Balrogs are former Maiar like Sauron and Gandalf
Baltogs were fire spirits who mainly drifted to Melkor , but that didn’t make them fire spirits. E.g. also a fire spirit who wanted nothing to do with Melkor was Arien. Sauron being of of aule’s folk, not sure of his nature off the top of my head.
All Maiar Chose their form.