Posted: July 20, 2000 at 06:15:28: by Martin Read
: Hi,
: The least satisfactory thing IMHO about the tolkein cannon is the very vague explanation he provides as to the nature of 'magic'. It is clear that Ainur were capable of great power, but so were certain elves, dwarves and men. I should like to know whether there are any clues to the structure or explanation of supernatural powers by these lesser races, and if so what they are and what they might mean.
: Cheers
: FBThe basis, or one of the bases, of magic in Tolkien is "Song". The Ainur sang the themes of creation, Luthien Tinuviel sang "Songs of Power" before the throne of Morgoth, Tom Bombadil sings to both Old Man Willow and the barrow wight and therby has mastery over them, the Ring Inscription is a chant - Ash Nazg Gimbatul etc. I believe that because the basis of Tolkien's creation was in song - music being a powerful blend of mathematics (or physics ) and emotion - that a being who sings in tune with the "resonant frequency" of a material, object or person will have the power to change or contol it. As such the "Magic" performed by men (such as Beorn, Aragorn and Malbeth The Seer) is no different at a fundamental level to that performed by Elves or Ainur, or any other rational being.
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