questions that come up about the quoted passage in the thread discussing that
passage, as you have. And my answer: I think Tolkien is simply saying
that the Valar are not limited to appearing as humanoid beings with arms and
legs, although that is how they often choose to appear to the Children of
Iluvatar. As for what other forms they may take, Tolkien left that to our
imagination. Tornadoes? Monsters? Giant waves? Giant
Eagles? Light? Giant trees? Mountains? Whatever you can
imagine is possible, although apparently they do favor forms of "majesty and
dread."
“I dislike Allegory - the conscious and intentional allegory - yet any attempt to explain the purport of myth or fairytale must use allegorical language. (And, of course, the more 'life' a story has the more readily will it be susceptible of allegorical interpretations: while the better a deliberate allegory is made the more nearly will it be acceptable just as a story.)” (From Tolkien Letter # 131.)
Tips for posting in the Reading Room.
