Indo is a polysemous word (one lexeme with multiple related senses) in Quenya. It is similar to the English word "will" and carried similar meanings to "free will", "willpower", "intention", "purpose" and so on.
In one sense, indo referred to as the "innermost self" of a rational creature (i.e. Ainur and Incarnates) and was taken as referring to the centre of “reason”. This could be translated as "heart" in the metaphorical sense,[1]:155 though the more direct Quenya word for metaphorical heart was hondo which itself was probably influenced by *indō.[2]
In another sense, indo referred to the purposing faculty of the fëar of rational beings;[3] their "free will" encompassing decisions and efforts directed towards a fully aware purpose. For example, if an individual set out on a journey with a specific intent, that would be be considered an exercise of their free will; the specific path taken (such as avoiding a marsh or how they crossed a stream) was considered intuitive or half-conscious, as that of an irrational animal.[4] It was through this free will that a rational being was able to use, or not use, the "chances" that were presented to them by umbar ("fate").[4] Other Quenya words which share this meaning are lēle[4] and níra.
In a related sense, indo was also used to refer to "resolve": the fully conscious purpose to an accomplishment of which a rational being could apply itself with vigour of mind and body.[3] In this regard, after sanwë (thought), and nāmie (a judgment or desire), indo was the determination to carry through the subsequent actions.[5] More specifically, this sense of indo could be referred to by the derived term indonen.[3]
In a similar sense, it further referred to the movement or activity of the fëar, and could be exhibited in the character, mood, or personality of a being. This sense could be more specifically referred to by the derived term indóme.[3]
Indo also included one's state-of-mind, or mood. The natural, or simple, state was "openness" (as in receptive to the minds of others) when not otherwise occupied with thinking or being turned towards Eru.[6]
While indo could be used as a synecdoche for the "mind" as a whole,[1]:189 it was distinct from sanar (the faculty of "thought"), and órë (the faculty of "moral impulse" or "premonition").[5] Like sanar and órë, indo was considered a faculty of the fëa, rather than of the hröa.[1]:189
Etymology
Indo may have derived from the Primitive Quendian word inidō,[3]:165 a compound of IN ("mind", "inner self") + NID ("force", "thrust", "pressure" (in a given direction)) + -ō (genitive suffix).
It may also have derived from *im-do ("self, innermost being"; taken as referring to the centre of 'reason').[7]
Derivations
| Word | Meaning | Affix |
|---|---|---|
| indóme | Settled character; also used for the "will" of Eru[1]:189 | -më (abstract noun) |
| indonen | "By the will"[3]:165 | -nen (instrumental) |
| indor | Wills[8][note 1] | -r (plural) |
| indu- | Verbal form of indo[3]:165 | u-verb |
| induinen | Purpose[3]:165; in the sense of "by the act of willing" | -nen (instrumental) |
| indune[3]:165 | willed / purposed | -ne (past tense) |
| indunenyes | "I willed it", "I did it on purpose"[3]:165 | -ne (past tense); -n(ye) "I"; -s (object suffix singular) |
Related words
The basic stem NID remained in Quenya and was represented by the word nír which held the same meaning as NID of press, thrust, or force—all in a given direction.[3]:165
While indo was applied specifically to applications of mind or will of rational beings, nír could be used for any application of force, including by mind, will, or physical means, and could be applied to any subject, including inanimates.[3]:165
Cognates
As NID and indo had significantly different developments in Sindarin and Telerin, there is no direct equivalent to the Quenya "indo". See the NID article for details.
Other versions
History
In Qenya, the word indo originally had nothing to do with "mind", and meant "house".[9]
The meaning next shifted to "heart, mood", being derived from IN ("mind") + ID ("heart, desire, wish").[10]
With the introduction of órë ("heart (inner mind)"), indo took the broader role of "mind" through emendations from īn > inno > indo.[11]
It then became a synecdoche with the definition of "mind, region/range of thought, mood"; i.e. used either for "mind" as a whole, or for the specific faculties of the mind such as "thought" and "mood".[1]:189
With the introduction of the sanar, which itself became a synecdoche of both "mind" and the mind's faculty of thought, indo narrowed to "will" (as in resolve or determination), or the internal driving force; it was then given the etymology based on NID.
Lēle
In a note dated c. 1968, Tolkien considered using lēle as a Quenya word representing "will". It was defined as "to will with conscious purpose, immediate or remote" and possibly derived from the root *DEL,[4] which meant "walk, go, proceed".[12] The verbal forms were lelya (lelinye).
However, at some point between Jan. 12 1968 and Oct. 9 1969, Tolkien returned to the use of "indo" to represent the concept of will.[3]:144
Similar concept in real world
In Old Norse, the word hugr has a similar polysemous meaning, encompassing "mind", "will", "heart (courage)", "thought", "understanding", "reason", "desire" and more.[13]
Notes
- ↑ Carl F. Hostetter translated indor as "hearts"
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Two. Body, Mind and Spirit: II. Gender and Sex"
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 J.R.R. Tolkien, "The Feanorian Alphabet, Part 1 & Quenya Verb Structure", in Parma Eldalamberon XXII (edited by Christopher Gilson and Arden R. Smith)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Two. Body, Mind and Spirit: XI. Fate and Free Will"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Two. Body, Mind and Spirit: X. Notes on Órë"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Two. Body, Mind and Spirit: IX. Ósanwe-kenta"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Two. Body, Mind and Spirit: II. Gender and Sex"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Carl F. Hostetter (ed.), The Nature of Middle-earth, "Part Two. Body, Mind and Spirit: XIII. Spirit"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One p.343
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Morgoth's Ring, "Part Three. The Later Quenta Silmarillion: (II) The Second Phase: Laws and Customs among the Eldar, Of Naming"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar: B. Meanings and use of the various terms applied to the Elves and their varieties in Quenya, Telerin, and Sindarin"
- ↑ Old Icelandic Dictionary - entry for "Hugr"