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TheBerraExperience t1_j3ru0hz wrote

Reply to comment by Bojikthe8th in Balrog of Morgoth, Me, Ink and Acrylic, 2023 by GoblinSuplex

Because LOTR isn't the first time Balrogs are mentioned, and in no other instance in the legendarium do they have wings, much less wings so big as to cover the entire surface of a wide chamber of Moria.

It would have been very advantageous for Balrogs to have flight, yet they never fly. It is much more likely that the passage in LOTR refers to the darkness emanating from the Balrog filling the chamber. This would be consistent with other evil creatures in this world, of whom darkness emanates and envelops those around them.

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Bojikthe8th t1_j3rupdz wrote

> and in no other instance in the legendarium do they have wings,

It doesn't say they don't have wings though.

>It would have been very advantageous for Balrogs to have flight, yet they never fly.

It never says they don't though.

>It is much more likely that the passage in LOTR refers to the darkness emanating from the Balrog filling the chamber. This would be consistent with other evil creatures in this world, of whom darkness emanates and envelops those around them.

No other creatures have their darkness described as wings. Whenever other creatures are mentioned to have wings (like dragons) they're still assumed to have wings.

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pasher5620 t1_j3to1tc wrote

I get where everyone is coming from and I agree I like the interpretation of them to have wings, but let’s be real here. The text is very clearly stating that the darkness that the Balrog creates is similar to outstretched wings blocking the light. It’s not saying the demon itself literally has wings, just using a simile to describe it. I’ve always interpreted it similar to how Gandalf creates shadows when confronting Bilbo about the ring in the movie. He’s not actually blocking out the light with his body, his presence and power are absorbing the light to appear more threatening.

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Bojikthe8th t1_j3rvh63 wrote

> It would have been very advantageous for Balrogs to have flight, yet they never fly.

They might've flown when they rescued Morgoth from Ungoliant, seeing as they were still very far from Angband when they heard his cries and still managed to fend of Ungoliant before she could take the Silmarils.

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