What were the VALAR doing during The Lord of the Rings? | Tolkien Explained

The Valar are: Manwë, Varda, Ulmo, Aulë, Yavanna, Námo AKA Mandos, Vairë, Irmo AKA Lórien, Estë, Nienna, Tulkas, Nessa, Oromë, and Vána. They were said to be aspects of the thought of Ilúvatar before the world was made; they were the choir which sang the world into being in the Ainulindalë. They aren't mentioned often in The Lord of the Rings, though, so where were they? Do they play a role in the story? Do they still govern Arda, and hold influence over Elves and Men? Or have they forsaken the roles which we see them play in The Silmarillion?

Thumbnail art contains elements from Aline Morec and Šárka Škorpíková:

[larky]

You didn't mention how the boat carrying Boromir's body managed to survive the Falls of Rauros and how there was a glow emanating from it and that the boat changed it's course and came close to the bank where his brother Faramir was. This was certainly Ulmo's intervention.

[martinxvidxb]

Theoden talking about Valar be like:
"Where were Valar when the Westmarch fell?!"
haha

[KevDaly]

A possible intervention by Varda is in The Land of Shadow: "There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a white star twinkle for a while. The beauty of it smote his heart, as he looked up out of the forsaken land, and hope returned to him. For like a shaft, clear and cold, the thought pierced him that in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach"

[HammerdownProtocol]

This is worth a tenner, I reckon. Often I find, that the interpretations of the lore are what's needed on my second monitor, while I work, rather than the audiobooks themselves. Yourself, Lexi, Robert, Helen, Christian at Philosopher Games and a few others on this platform, are performing an invaluable service. To this insatiable mega fan, anyway. Cheers!

[gmansard]

Sam calls on Varda when fighting Shelob, then the Phial of Galadriel suddenly blazes brighter "like a star leaping from the firmament."

[gmansard]

There's the very sad moment at the Scouring of the Shire, when Saruman's spirit turns to the West, but is then dissipated by the wind.

[Enerdhil]

This was a very interesting explanation of the Valar's (possible) involvement in the events of the end of the Third Age. I think when Frodo and Sam were entering Mordor and looked up in the sky, they could see a star. That had to be Manwe's wind showing one of Varda's celestial beauties as a way to encourage them.

[PleaseNThankYou]

Outstanding Tolkien breakdown! Never bland and full of vibrant images and quotations.

[brandengagne]

Wow. I never noticed that interaction with Frodo and the Witch King at weathertop. Striking out and staying Elbereth. It’s subtle. And glossed over in the movies. Excellent. Also, I watched your Silmarillion Explained videos as I read through the book for the first time. I loved it. I highly recommend that as a way to read it for the first time. I look forward to seeing your chapter 17+ videos.

[DavidWesley]

Excellent insights. The power of the name of Elbereth/Varda may also be linked to the power of words/spells and song in general. I do like the idea that calling her name pries open the veil of heaven, so to speak, and the Witch King might perceive the gaze that daunted Morgoth himself.

[tomk]

Great video - I am reading Hobbit and Lord of the Rings to my daughter - it is palpable how distant and removed the events of the Similarian feel - the second age is legend - the Valar - though clearly intervening via the wizards - feel like myth

[thomasferraro]

Always learn so much from your videos, love it

[eamonreidy]

We also see the Valar in different ways, we see them for instance reject the Spirit of Sauruman when he died and considers returning west

[jeffagain]

Expertly presented dear Sir! You've raised many positions that I myself hold as true. Tolkien's works have such broad and meaningful depth, that it is so easy to discover new and enlightening considerations at every reading. I appreciate you presenting even more ideas for fans to ponder and put thought toward. Cheers! :)

[carlosviajes]

Great commentary, I love it. I have always understood the absence of the Valar as being due to the blood oath sworn by Feanor in Quenta. It seemed to me, as I understood when I read it that it was basically due to how much they loved the Noldor even despite the killing of the Falmarin and the Doom of Mandos. Both because they did not wish to join war against the sons of Feanor and to try to turn their back on eternal sadness.

The acts of Ulmo therefore were somewhat rebellious. The ship builders were his tribe and he had more reason to be wrathful toward the Noldor than any of the Valar and yet he was the one who sent Tuor to Gondolin.

[ElffriendYT]

24:50 Very interesting. I was just thinking about the eagles showing up at key moments, but I didn't really know or recall very well that he once considered the eagles being Maiar.

[LordTelperion]

"But she now shivered beneath the starry mantle, and she looked northward, above the grey hither lands, into the eye of the cold wind where far away the sky was hard and clear.
'What do you look for, Éowyn?' said Faramir.
'Does not the Black Gate lie yonder?' said she. 'And must he not now be come thither? It is seven days since he rode away.'
'Seven days, ' said Faramir. 'But think not ill of me, if I say to you: they have brought me both a joy and a pain that I never thought to know. Joy to see you; but pain, because now the fear and doubt of this evil time are grown dark indeed. Éowyn, I would not have this world end now, or lose so soon what I have found.'
'Lose what you have found, lord?' she answered; but she looked at him gravely and her eyes were kind. 'I know not what in these days you have found that you could lose. But come, my friend, let us not speak of it! Let us not speak at all! I stand upon some dreadful brink, and it is utterly dark in the abyss before my feet, but whether there is any light behind me I cannot tell. For I cannot turn yet. I wait for some stroke of doom.'
'Yes, we wait for the stroke of doom, ' said Faramir. And they said no more; and it seemed to them as they stood upon the wall that the wind died, and the light failed, and the Sun was bleared, and all sounds in the City or in the lands about were hushed: neither wind, nor voice, nor bird-call, nor rustle of leaf, nor their own breath could be heard; the very beating of their hearts was stilled. Time halted.
And as they stood so, their hands met and clasped, though they did not know it. And still they waited for they knew not what. Then presently it seemed to them that above the ridges of the distant mountains another vast mountain of darkness rose, towering up like a wave that should engulf the world, and about it lightnings flickered; and then a tremor ran through the earth, and they felt the walls of the City quiver. A sound like a sigh went up from all the lands about them; and their hearts beat suddenly again.
'It reminds me of Númenor, ' said Faramir, and wondered to hear himself speak.
'Of Númenor?' said Éowyn.
'Yes, ' said Faramir, 'of the land of Westernesse that foundered, and of the great dark wave climbing over the green lands and above the hills, and coming on, darkness unescapable. I often dream of it.'
'Then you think that the Darkness is coming?' said Éowyn. 'Darkness Unescapable?' And suddenly she drew close to him.
'No, ' said Faramir, looking into her face. 'It was but a picture in the mind. I do not know what is happening. The reason of my waking mind tells me that great evil has befallen and we stand at the end of days. But my heart says nay; and all my limbs are light, and a hope and joy are come to me that no reason can deny. Éowyn, Éowyn, White Lady of Rohan, in this hour I do not believe that any darkness will endure!' And he stooped and kissed her brow.
And so they stood on the walls of the City of Gondor, and a great wind rose and blew, and their hair, raven and golden, streamed out mingling in the air. And the Shadow departed, and the Sun was unveiled, and light leaped forth; and the waters of Anduin shone like silver, and in all the houses of the City men sang for the joy that welled up in their hearts from what source they could not tell.
And before the Sun had fallen far from the noon out of the East there came a great Eagle flying, and he bore tidings beyond hope from the Lords of the West, crying:

Sing now, ye people of the Tower of Anor,
for the Realm of Sauron is ended for ever,
and the Dark Tower is thrown down.

Sing and rejoice, ye people of the Tower of Guard,
for your watch hath not been in vain,
and the Black Gate is broken,
and your King hath passed through,
and he is victorious.

Sing and be glad, all ye children of the West,
for your King shall come again,
and he shall dwell among you
all the days of your life.

And the Tree that was withered shall be renewed,
and he shall plant it in the high places,
and the City shall be blessed.

Sing all ye people!

And the people sang in all the ways of the City."

[mike-mzyz]

I really really like your point about Faramir. That he was the one the message was intended for and therefor the message cant be from Eru, since Faramir didnt go. It makes you think that the Valar knew if Boromir went he would die, or at least would fall to temptation, and wanted Faramir to go instead. This of course did not happen.

It makes you wonder what would have happened if Faramir went. He would not have turned on Frodo, therefor maybe the fellowship does not break up. Faramir and Aragorn both probably go with Frodo, Aragorn feeling like it is his duty and Faramir because he knows the lands of ithilien. Therefor no-one sales Rohan, Rohan cant save Gondor and the quest possibly fails.

[rodgerbane]

"There's a feeling I get, when I look to the West, and my spirit is crying for leaving".

[andrewpaige]

This was fantastic information, thank u! One thing tho—the blade Frodo stabbed at the witch-king with, likely had the same enchantments that pippin’s blade had, which were specifically MADE to kill none other than the witch-king, so I have to say that Frodo stabbing at the witch-king with a blade that definitely WOULD at LEAST make him totally vulnerable and easily killed, as pippin’s did later, would b WAY more than enough reason to cause incredible fear and an immediately retreat, from the witch-king and nazgul, so while ur theory makes sense, I believe it was the fact that Frodo COULD, and almost DID kill, or might-as-well-have-killed him, is what happened, there.