Soft Power in Beleriand

[rocky41_7]

In relation to this post on Thingol and the Quenya ban, there’s been a lot of discussion about the point of the Quenya ban, and while I think a very good argument has been made that it’s symbolic--that Thingol had to do something to reprimand the Noldor both for their actions and for lying, but could not afford to actually cut them off as potential allies against Morgoth--I think it’s also possible the Quenya ban was demonstrative. When Maedhros sort of laughingly comments on the potential hollowness of Thingol’s claim to being “King of Beleriand,” he focuses I believe on hard power--on the fact that Thingol cannot (or will not) militarily take action against the Noldor. Which makes sense, given the Noldor attitude towards Middle-earth in general (they came here to fight a war) and Maedhros’ position as lord of Himring, which is essentially a glorified military fort. But what Thingol displays when he bans Quenya is a pretty powerful show of soft power and the true reach of his influence. No, he won’t take up arms against the Noldor for their past kinslaying--but at his word, look how many Sindar not only stop speaking Quenya, but refuse to deal with Elves who do. I do believe the Quenya ban was in part symbolic. But I think it also shows the Noldor just how respected Thingol is in Beleriand and that if they mean to really oppose him, they’re going to be facing down more Elves than just the permanent residents of Doriath. If the Sindar of Beleriand, at this point, are forced to make a choice of sides, Thingol shows with a single decree how many of them would choose him.

#love getting into fantasy politics#and you know I think it matters that it was something sort of irrelevant#what does it matter if Sindar in the Falas are speaking Quenya or not?#it literally impacts nothing#but Thingol said stop doing that and so they stopped#that says a lot about how they feel about his leadership

Am I avoiding studying with this? Absolutely.