Why Gandalf dies when he fights the Balrog of Moria?

Question

We know Gandalf is Olórin, a Maia, and we also know that his powers were less when he arrived to the middle-earth, but we see that his powers are almost the same as a great and powerful elf, maybe as Glorfindel (killed the Balrog in fall of Gondolin and only died because of his long hair) or Ecthelion (who killed three Balrogs and the died against Gothmog), and we also know that he has Glamdring. So let me know what do you think, if he just died to become Gandalf the White, or what, Thank you

Answer 1

Great question!!

The answer is in the details.  Gandalf lets himself be taken tot he pit.  He tells the rest to "fly!" and then lets himself drop below.  He knew (like Jesus) he must suffer first and ascend later.  

Interestingly enough, this theme is ALL OVER THE PLACE in literature.  Tolkien stole it from the bible, and later George Lucas stole it from Tolkien.  Remember Obi Wan? "If you strike me down now Darth, i shall be come more powerful than you can possibly imagine!"

it's a great theme and probably an eternal one.

Notice when Gandalf returns, he's more powerful yes, but not omnipotent and still unsure of the outcome.  he realizes that men still tip the balance.  

Answer 2

because saruman of many colours vanquished him. saruman the red at the time and saruman the most deadly.

Answer 3

I don't think he died on purpose. I mean, as far as the narrative goes, I'm sure Tolkien felt that he had to die in order to replace Saruman as "the White" of the Maiar.

But from the character's perspective, it's more like he wasn't quite powerful enough as "the Grey" to beat the Balrog. He had been wandering middle-earth for eons, and his powers had kind of atrophied through disuse.

Plus I think the Maiar didn't arrive in middle earth until after the fall of Morgoth, so this is probably something he'd never been up against before, and wasn't supposed to be equipped to handle.

Answer 4

What's a "gandalf"???

Answer 5

Gandalf was obviously a Jesus-figure.  Died and then reborn and mysteriously saved.

Answer 6

They were both Maiar... I would guess they were about the same power level (over 9000) at the time of their fight, and the Balrog was playing a home game.

'sides, Gandalf was still standing when the Balrog died. So he lasted a bit longer.

Why didn't they show more of that battle in the movie?

Answer 7

Gandolf died becouse he had to evolve into a more powerfull being  for the next fight.