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:
- 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.
= = =
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.
