Reflections on Ordinary Men in Middle-earth

Have ordinary Men from Middle-earth, those with no experiences with the Valar, discovered their existence, would they have attempted to seek them out or worship them as gods? Or, do these common folk differ from us in that they would not bear such desires?

The Common Folk of Middle-earth

Let us consider a significant conversation from The Fellowship of the Ring, where Samwise (Sam) and Tobold Hornblower (Sandyman) discuss the existence of Elves and dragons over a drink in the Green Dragon Inn. Sandyman does not deny the existence of these mythical beings, but instead considers whether they are relevant to the lives of ordinary folk like him: "Cabbages and potatoes are better for you and me." This viewpoint is echoed by many average Hobbits, and Tolkien himself seems to suggest that the Valar would not be any different from these common men.

Tolkien's View of the Ordinary Man

Tolkien portrays common men as indifferent to matters outside their direct interests. In The Lord of the Rings, especially at Frodo's return to the Prancing Pie at the end, the locals are not interested in unimportant matters down south. Similarly, Rosie observes to Sam that he wasted a year and should move on with his life, highlighting that saving the world is important, but so is personal life.

The Valar and Ordinary Men

There is a stark difference between the interests and aspirations of ordinary men and the Valar. The Silmarillion is full of tales of high beings, Elves, and Ainur who are interested in these matters, but few ordinary Men share such visions. Tolkien himself mentions in his letters that continued engagement with the Valar would likely not have been wise for them.

The Failure of the Valar

The Valar's intent to uplift humanity by helping them overcome the lies and fears instilled by Morgoth was ultimately unsuccessful. The failure of the Valar to understand the nature of the gift of mortality led to the tragic downfall of Numenor and the great flood. The example of Numenor is a clear warning of the perils of desiring immortality and the consequences of failing to recognize the value of mortality.

Reflections on Mortality

What is the gift of our mortality? Could it be the return to God when the body dies, as some believe? Despite the lack of certainty in our fate due to Morgoth's lies, the fact remains that our fear of mortality is deeply ingrained in us, as evidenced by the recurring dreams Tolkien had about the Great Wave drowning the land. This fear is a shared human experience, a testament to the enduring power of the idea of mortality and its role in shaping our destiny.