Does the Balrog really have wings?

[Amarië]

*ahem* Yes some people said the Balrog shouldn't have wings because it could have just flown out instead of falling.... but while reading this section with the Balrog I have found some interesting quotes on the Balrog. I will say that the book does not say directly if it does or not, but it says:

His enemy halted again, facing him, and the shadow about it reached out like two vast wings.

This quote states that the shadow looks like wings, but in saying that gives the idea it does not have wings or else he could have worded it somewhat like this:

His enemy halted, facing him, and his wings reached out as a vast shadow

or something of that sort.

A few paragraphs later Tolkien writes:

It stepped forward slowly on to the bridge, and suddenly drew itself up to a great height, and its wings were spread from wall to wall; but still Gandalf could be seen, glimmering in the gloom...

This statement could probably be misleading, but I believe that Tolkien was referring to the shadow, and that the Balrog didnt have wings. He was probably referring to how there were massive shadows that extended from wall to wall. I think there is a grammatical term for something like that, but Im not the one that memorizes things like that...

So what do you all thing? Does the Balrog have wings, or does it not? If so, why do you think PJ gave him wings? Could one of these statements mislead him? Please share your opinions....

*gets squeaky tie ready for anyone who dissagrees* Im just kidding, Id love to hear your opinions....

[Arwen]

You know, I never realized he had wings in the movie. I thought he did in the book. As for why he didn't just fly, he had been falling at a great speed, while Gandalf was stabbing him with the sword. He was probably weak, and just didn't have the strenght to fly. So he fell, which was a good thing for Gandalf.
"Accepts her squeaky tie"

[Amarië]

That could be so, but PJ gave him massave wings, so huge that it seemed he had enough power. And also, after he fell Gandalf was still holding on... could he not have flown up then?

[Arwen]

You have a point. Maybe he didn't use his wings for flying. Perhaps his wings got caught on the rocks, but I don't think that's likely Of couse, I'm open to the idea he didn't have wings.

[Amarië]

Does anyone else have something to say?

[elberethvarda]

When you're falling really, really, I mean, really fast, it's hard to do anything. Besides, mabye the Balrog's wings were just for show; mabye he dosen't really use them, like an ostrich (or whatever).

[Arwen]

Yeah, I think he might have had wings but couldn't fly. I think he had wings.

[Amarië]

I still believe he didn't have wings, because the way Tolkien writes it, it makes it, to me, sound like he didnt... yeah...

[Arafangwen]

I think it would be hilarious if Tolkien found out about the endless discussions of the Balrogs and Wings. Mostly because if he was still here, it woulod be a simple "yes" or "no" question. Funny to think about, yeah....

Mel,
Ara

[Amarië]

yeah... that would be spiffy... but, still, there are those two quotes... and in my eyes, the balog should not have wings...

[Mippin]

heh..Maybe Tolkien intended for it to be an enigma..

[Amarië]

yup, thats what I think, but I still say it shouldn't have had wings... why didnt anyone ask Tolkien this when he was alive? wouldnt they wanted to have known, too?

[Mippin]

perhaps because they were too infatuated with the good professor, and thusly did not find courage enough to ask him? Or maybe it just never came across their minds? In which case, I must wonder, was it because back then, people were able to reach a level of intellect so high, that the answer was obvious, and that with the growing of society, the intellegence level has technically diminished? Or perhaps it is the other way around, and because of our intellectual, curious ponderings, that we now have the observational skills to point out a potential flaw in the writings of the good professor, and thusly, we can perhaps conclude that this was, a mistake? Or maybe it's just so obvious, that no one can tell, and PJ, being the person...he is, had to go and give the balrog wings, causing everyone to wonder about it.

[Amarië]

last sentence... are you saying you agree with me?


maybe it was because the movies had not been made where the Balog has wings or has not wings... now it may very well be that if PJ did not give the Balog wings, we would be singing a different tune. have you ever thought that since PJ has screwed up the movie so much, we just protest anything he does?

[elberethvarda]

You think PJ screwed up the movie? *attacks Amarie with sqeaky tie*