In "Tor.com"'s bi-weekly series on "Exploring the People of Middle-earth", Megan Fontenot described Glorfindel's role in "The Fellowship of the Ring" as a shaman-like figure, a medium who has direct access to both the spiritual (Valinor) and physical (Middle-earth) worlds, and that his purpose is to protect those who are threatened by the powers of the Shadow. She noted that his previous battle with the Balrog in the First Age essentially serves as an "initiation" to a shamanic trial and journey.