FAQ: Which race is Gandalf?
By Drevnibor
In layman's terms - Gandalf is an angel in the form of a human, sent by the gods to help people.
He is of the same 'race' as Sauron, Balrogs, and the other Wizards.
As for the in-universe explanation, here's a brief history:
= = =
Here's a fun fact:
People constantly say that the Eagles are a Deus ex machina of Tolkien's books/film adaptations, with their only purpose being to save the day when the plot needs to.
However, Gandalf's resurrection is, in my opinion, a better example of that trope.
When he fought the Balrog (in Fellowship of the Ring), his mortal body was destroyed, and his spirit returned from whence it came.
The Valar (gods who sent him) were unable to resurrect him, which meant that the number of Wizards who failed their task was 5/5.
However, it was Eru (the Creator God mentioned above) who brought him back to life.
It was a pretty big deal, concidering the fact that Eru rarely intervenes in the physical world, at least in such a direct way (and when he does intervene, it's mostly connected to the world-shattering events).
So, that's the literal Deus in the term Deus ex Machina.
In layman's terms - Gandalf is an angel in the form of a human, sent by the gods to help people.
He is of the same 'race' as Sauron, Balrogs, and the other Wizards.
As for the in-universe explanation, here's a brief history:
- There exists a supreme being, called Eru.
- He created divine beings, called the Ainur.
- They are separated into two groups: the more powerful are called the Valar (basically gods), while the others are called the Maiar (basically angels).
- Valar are 15 in number, while the Maiar are many.
- Eru and the Ainur created the Earth, for the (then not yet created) Elves and Men to live and enjoy.
- However, one Valar (Morgoth) turned to evil, and triggered a series of events that would bring countless wars in the thousands years to come.
- After he was defeated by the Valar, his lieutenant, Sauron (one of the fallen Maiar), became the main bad guy of Tolkien's world.
- That is why, years, and years, and years later, the Valar decided to help the inhabitants of Middle-earth against Sauron, by sending them some of their own Maiar, five of them to be exact.
- One of those Maiar was Gandalf.
- Because of their immortality and magical prowes, Men and Hobbits started calling them Wizards.
= = =
Here's a fun fact:
People constantly say that the Eagles are a Deus ex machina of Tolkien's books/film adaptations, with their only purpose being to save the day when the plot needs to.
However, Gandalf's resurrection is, in my opinion, a better example of that trope.
When he fought the Balrog (in Fellowship of the Ring), his mortal body was destroyed, and his spirit returned from whence it came.
The Valar (gods who sent him) were unable to resurrect him, which meant that the number of Wizards who failed their task was 5/5.
However, it was Eru (the Creator God mentioned above) who brought him back to life.
It was a pretty big deal, concidering the fact that Eru rarely intervenes in the physical world, at least in such a direct way (and when he does intervene, it's mostly connected to the world-shattering events).
So, that's the literal Deus in the term Deus ex Machina.
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