Balrog
J. R. R. Tolkien
Summary
Characters
Balrog
Balrogs, also called Valaraukar, were originally Maiar, but they were seduced by Morgoth, who corrupted them to his service before the coming of the Elves. They were originally gathered by him in his ancient fastness of Utumno during the Years of the Lamps. When this fortress was destroyed by the Valar, they fled and lurked in the pits of Angband.
Balrogs are described as "tall and menacing with the ability to shroud themselves in fire, darkness, and shadow". They frequently appeared armed with fiery whips "of many thongs",and occasionally used long swords.
Gandalf fought the Balrog, allowing the Fellowship to escape Moria.Both fell into the abyss, but the battle continued at the peak of Zirakzigil. Finally, it ended, but both Gandalf and Durin's Bane were slain in the process.
Gandalf the Grey
Gandalf demonstrated extensive knowledge of the land and an assortment of magical abilities from trivial to essential. For example he would use his powers for entertainment, by blowing glowing smoke rings that moved around a room at his direction.
Gandalf shouted "Fly, you fools" and vanished into the abyss.Yet Gandalf did not die; he and the Balrog fought long in the bowels and deep places of Arda.Gandalf used his last measure of strength to slay the Balrog, throwing him down the mountainside in ruin. Gandalf's spirit then left his body,he sacrificed himself to save the Fellowship.
Metaphor
He told those the story was a metaphor for World War II to remember that he had lost "all but one" of his close friends in World War I.
One metaphor In the Balrog was "The two continued their battle until Gandalf killed the Balrog. However, the cost was the life of Gandalf the Grey. Gandalf returned briefly as Gandalf the White to complete his tasks." This metaphor seems like it's saying if you're fighting something you fight it until you beat it, no matter the cost.
MLA WORKS CITED
"Balrog." The One Wiki to Rule Them All. The One Wiki, n.d. Web. 14 May 2016
"Balrog." Balrog History. Thelandofshadow, n.d. Web. 18 May 2016.
"Living Life Furiously." Metaphor in Lord of the Rings. Living Life Furiously, n.d. Web. 18 May 2016.