Part 4/6:
Interpreting the Eagle's Silence
Moving forward, if we entertain the idea that the eagle did return to support Miriel, the implications of its silence become even more troubling. Would a messenger of the Valar truly allow its presence to be misinterpreted without intervening to clarify its intentions? Isaac emphasizes a critical point: in Tolkien’s works, eagles are not only messengers; they are rational beings capable of communication and clarity.
When eagles are portrayed in the narratives—such as in Gandalf's rescue at Isengard—they engage in dialogue, demonstrating their purpose and intelligence. The failure of the eagle in Númenor to communicate its stance is a stark departure from this established motif.