Morgoth: Difference between revisions

From Tolkien Gateway
m (Reverted edit of 203.113.15.234, changed back to last version by Fleela)
(Rewrite, Images to come)
Line 13: Line 13:
| characteristics=
| characteristics=
|}}
|}}
'''Morgoth''' (meaning "The Dark Enemy") was originally named '''Melkor''' ("He Who Arises in Might"). The name '''Morgoth''' is the more common version of '''Morgoth Bauglir''' (Bauglir meaning 'The Contrainer'). At the creation of [[Eä]], he was the most powerful of the [[Ainur]] (angelic beings). He contended with [[Eru]] (the Creator) in the [[Music of the Ainur]], increasingly attempting to alter the music to his own design, but only ended up perverting its harmony. Melkor was the first to bear the title ''the [[Dark Lord]]'' and is the principal antagonist in the book ''[[The Silmarillion]]''. As a fallen "angelic" being, he is largely based on Christian teachings about Satan (Satan is a seraph, the most powerful servants of God, and the Ainur also are the most powerful servants of [[Eru]]). Morgoth drew about him an army of [[Balrogs]] and other assorted [[demons]], who were [[Maiar]] whom he managed to trick or corrupt, and made war on Middle-earth and the [[Children of Ilúvatar]], but was defeated by the [[Valar]] and was overthrown. He was first taken away in chains, and later cast out of the circles of [[Arda]] after being weakened by dispersing his essence into the fabric of the world, marring it permanently (see [http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Arda#Arda_Marred Arda Marred]).
'''Morgoth''' (earlier '''Melkor''') was the greatest of the [[Ainur]], who fell from glory when he disrupted the [[Music of the Ainur]] and defied the will of [[Eru Ilúvatar]].  He brought down many other Ainur with him, fought the [[Valar]], and corrupted [[Arda]]. Eventually he was bound in chains by the Valar and thrown into the [[Void]], leaving the permanent damage his evils had done, and his servant [[Sauron]], to trouble the world.  One day, according to the legendarium, Morgoth will rise again and be destroyed in the [[Dagor Dagorath]] by [[Túrin Turambar]].


== History ==  
==History==
[[Image:Daniel Govar - Melkor.jpg|thumb|left|''Melkor'' by [[Daniel Govar]].]]
===Shaping of Arda===
Even before Arda was created Melkor was jealous of his creator, and he wanted to be king of other wills himself. He spent a long time looking for the ''[[Secret Fire]]'', either unaware or uncomprehending that this was a quality exclusive to Eru and his servants through him. During his search, which took him far away from Eru and his brethren, his thoughts gradually became less and less in harmony with their own, and this was the beginning of his downfall. During the Music of the Ainur Melkor directly competed with Eru's theme, and managed to draw many lesser Ainur to him. Melkor's competition with the themes of Eru only enriched the creation; however, when [[Ulmo]] thought of water Melkor tried to destroy it with immense heat and then immense cold, only achieving clouds and ice. When Eru revealed the results of their song to the Ainur (the material world, called Arda), Melkor was one of the first to enter it, mainly from this desire.


Melkor fought with the other Valar for a long time for the control of Arda. While he was the single most powerful Vala, he was not able to stand up to the might of all other Valar combined. However, these were busy ordering the new world, creating the mountains, the sky, the earth, the waters, and were desperate to create order among Melkor's chaos — so the fight was not even.
The most powerful and knowledgeable of the [[Ainur]] was a spirit later known as [[Melkor]] (his original [[Valarin]] name is unknown).  Melkor developed ideas unlike those of the other Ainur, and began to probe the emptiness of the [[Void]] for the [[Flame of Ilúvatar]], the source of spirit matter. For Melkor wished to create sentient beings to inhabit the Void.  His feelings grew rebellious against his creator, and he could not find the Flame (for it was not in the Void, but with [[Ilúvatar]]).  When the Ainur [[Music of the Ainur|made music]], Melkor made his own music against the theme of beauty and honor, and it clashed with the holy music. Some of the Ainur joined him in this new theme, and for a while the two themes warred against one another.  But Eru Ilúvatar smiled, and sent forth a new theme.  Most of the Ainur joined with it, but Melkor rebelliously opposed it even more violently.  At last many of the Ainur stopped singing in dismay, and Melkor’s gained dominance.  Eru grew angry, and sent out a second theme against Melkor, sweeter and more beautiful than the others, and unquenchable.  But though Melkor could not defeat it, still he opposed it.  At last Eru, now very angry with a cold fury, halted the music completely with a single chord.


Melkor was held at bay by the aid of [[Tulkas]], who arrived late in Arda only to fight him, and the Valar ordered Arda to their pleasing. Melkor was only biding his time, however, so when the Valar finally rested, he and his followers (downfallen Ainur) attacked and destroyed the [[Two Lamps]] (precursors to the [[Two Trees]] and the [[Sun]] and [[Moon]]). In the process, Arda was plunged into darkness, and [[Almaren]], the home of the Valar, was destroyed.
Eru then publicly rebuked Melkor, saying that all music found its source in Himself, and thus Melkor could not create his own nor alter the true Music. Thus though Melkor oppose Eru to his last breath, he would only be furthering the cause of Ilúvatar in new and wondrous ways, for Music belonged to Ilúvatar.  Melkor was shamed but angered by this judgement.  When Eru showed the Ainur the product of their music, [[Arda]], Melkor was one of those who begged to be sent down to Earth, pretending to be willing to cultivate it and steward it for Ilúvatar’s glory.  In actuality, he wished to dominate it.  Thus he became one of the [[Valar]], and eventually declared to his comrades that he was the master of Arda henceforth.  [[Mānawenūz]] (later [[Manwë]]), his brother, did not understand evil, but fearing that Melkor might try and disrupt their labors on Arda, called forth many more Ainur to protect them.  Melkor left to the remote regions of the world, and the Valar knew not what it did there.


The Valar then retired to [[Valinor]] in the West, and Melkor held dominion over [[Beleriand]] from his fortress of [[Utumno]] in the North. Melkor at this time began diluting himself all throughout Arda: he managed to taint all matter with his essence, in essence marring all of the world. However, this weakened him so that he became in essence far less powerful. Melkor's reign ended after Eru awoke the [[Elves]] in the East of Beleriand, and the Valar resolved to rescue them from him. They made immediate and devastating war on him, and he was brought to Valinor in chains to serve a term in the [[Halls of Mandos]] for three [[Ages]]. During this war much of the north of Beleriand was destroyed. Unknown to the Valar, Melkor had already begun capturing Elves, turning them into [[Orcs]]—a process which continued during his [[Captivity of Melkor|capture]] under his servant [[Sauron]].
But Melkor took form, great and terrible, and attacked the Valar’s work in preparing the Earth.  There was war, and though Melkor disrupted their work and destroyed much, a great spirit came to Arda to combat him, named [[Tulukastāz]] (later [[Tulkas]]). Tulkas drove him away, and the Valar managed to complete Arda, and the world was made solid.


[[Image:Guy_Gondron_-_Morgoth_and_Ungoliant.jpg|thumb|300px|"Morgoth and Ungoliant" by [[Guy Gondron]].]]
===Wars of the Valar===
It was after this sentence was ended, and he used his newfound freedom to corrupt the [[Noldor]] (a people of the Elves who had relocated to Valinor) and steal the [[Silmarils]], that [[Fëanor]] of the Noldor first named him the '''Morgoth''', "The Dark Enemy of the World". With the aid of [[Ungoliant]] he also managed to kill [[Finwë]], Fëanor's father and High king of the Ñoldor, destroy the Two Trees, and bring darkness to Valinor, before he fled.


Back in Beleriand, he took up his reign in the North again, this time in [[Angband]], which had not been destroyed as thoroughly by the Valar as Utumno had. This time however, there were Elves and after a time also [[Men]] and [[Dwarves]] who resisted him, so he was not the sole ruler of Beleriand. Melkor had also become weakened because of his dilution throughout Arda, and as Morgoth, although by far overpowering the might of Elves, Men, and Dwarves combined, he could no longer achieve the deeds of which he had once been capable.
The rest of the Valar dwelt in a place called [[Almaren]], and raised up [[two lamps]] to light the young earth: [[Illuin]] and [[Ormal]].  Melkor, meanwhile, had attracted the attention and even in a few cases admiration from the [[Maiar]], the lesser spirits of [[Arda]]. Melkor had many spies among them, and from them learned all that the Valar did, and bided his time.  As the Valar sat down to a feast at the completion of their labors, Melkor gathered together those loyal to him, and looking down on the beautiful Arda was filled with hatred.  Tulkas was wedded to [[Nessa]] at that feast, and she danced before the Valar.  Tulkas fell asleep, and that is when Melkor made his move.


However, after building his strength (mainly enforced through his Orcs, which by now outnumbered the Ñoldor and [[Sindar]]), he soon dispatched his enemies, one by one, through violence or treachery, until only isolated pockets of resistance remained (such as the strongholds of the Dwarves in the [[Blue Mountains]], and minor refuges at the [[Mouths of Sirion]] and the [[Isle of Balar]]). His mastery was again complete.
Melkor with his host passed over the [[Walls of Night]] and returned to Arda once more.  Without the watchfulness of Tulkas, the Valar were unaware of his coming, and he began to delve in the depths of the earth, making a fortress called [[Utumno]] beneath the mountains in the dimness of Illuin.  The [[Spring of Arda]] became blighted as evil flowed out of the fortress.  Death and illness took the green things of Arda, and animals fought and killed one another, while flies brooded in massive numbers. The Valar knew then that Melkor was at work, and sought his hiding place.


But it was not to last. [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]], descended from Elves, Maiar, and Men, managed to plead with the Valar until they agreed to send an army to vanquish Morgoth. This time, the Valar themselves did not go, in fear of destroying even more of Middle-earth in a devastating war, but many of the [[Maiar]] went, and most of the [[Calaquendi]] (Elves living in Valinor) ferried over into Middle-earth by the ships of the [[Teleri]] (a people of the Elves akin to the Sindar).  
But Melkor struck the first blow. He destroyed the Two Lamps, and caused the world to be filled with flowing fire and surging water.  The symmetry of Arda was broken.  And in the darkness and confusion Melkor escaped, returning to Utumno. Though the Valar were together stronger than Melkor, they could not punish him at that time, for they needed their strength to keep the world from collapsing into ruin.  The Spring of Arda was ended.


During the ensuing [[War of Wrath]], [[Beleriand]] and much of the north of Middle-earth was destroyed, but at the end Morgoth was utterly defeated, and his punishment was final. Because he had weakened himself so he could no longer resist the Valar. Melkor/Morgoth was executed, and his [[Fëa and hröa|fëa]] was shut outside the gates of the world forever. Shut off from Arda where most of his essence remained he was unable to ever return (or at least until the rumored [[Final Battle]] when he supposedly returns to fight a united army of Valar, Maiar, Elves and Men). Morgoth's evil, however, remained in Arda Marred.
Almaren being destroyed, the Valar left to a new continent across the [[Belegaer|sea]], [[Aman]], and built [[Valinor]].  They also established new sources of light, the [[Two Trees]], to light the world.  Melkor, meanwhile, wandered across the face of [[Middle-earth]], in various guises, but armed with cold and fire. Some of the Valar were unwilling to forsake Middle-earth, however; [[Ulmo]] and [[Yavanna]] especially. Also [[Oromë]] would ride in Middle-earth, killing the terrors of Melkor, who began to fear that the Valar might rise up against him in wrath.


One legend of Middle-earth suggests that in the Last Battle, Morgoth will be slain by [[Túrin Turambar]], who will return from the dead to defeat him. This legend was included in one of Tolkien's many notes on ''The Silmarillion,'' and it was published in ''The Shaping of Middle-earth'' (Book 4 of the ''History of Middle-earth'' series).
Melkor brooded in the north, breeding great monsters, attended by his Maiar-servants later known as [[Balrogs]].  He also created another fortress and armory called [[Angband]], not far from the sea, to resist any Valarin attacks. He placed his greatest servant, [[Sauron]], in control of that place.  Melkor, by wandering about, also learned of the awakening of the first of the [[Children of Ilúvatar]], the [[Elves]].  He instilled fear in them, and slew or captured many of them.  Some of those he captured, it is believed, may have been transformed into [[Orcs]] by torture and breeding.


== Characteristics ==
The Valar were not long, however, in discovering the Elves.  Fearing that they would be destroyed or corrupted by Melkor, Manwë decided that Ilúvatar wished them to recover Middle-earth at all costs. They laid [[Siege of Utumno|siege to Utumno]], and eventually destroyed it after a great battle during which the face of Middle-earth was transformed.  Melkor was captured and chained with the chain [[Angainor]], but Sauron escaped.  Melkor was imprisoned in the halls of [[Mandos]], and remained there for three ages, plotting revenge.
[[Image:Felix Sotomayor - Throne of Morgoth.jpg|thumb|left|''Throne of Morgoth'' by [[Felix Sotomayor]].]]
Melkor initially could take any shape, and at first had a fair appearance, like his fellow Valar. However after he had succeeded in alienating the Ñoldor from Valinor and stealing the Silmarils, he descended in the pits of Angband, and his shape eventually became that of the Dark Lord, ''the Morgoth'': gigantic and terrible to behold. During this time he lost the ability to change shape, and in effect became bound to this one, terrible form. His hands had been burned by the theft of the Silmarils, and never healed. During the one time he emerged to fight the High King [[Fingolfin]], he was stabbed in the foot, and had a limp ever after. That battle also saw [[Thorondor]], the great [[Eagles|Eagle]], swoop down and scar the face of Melkor with his talons, a wound which also never healed. In battle he wielded [[Grond]], the Hammer of the Underworld.  


Melkor's powers were originally immense, at the very least equivalent to those of his brother [[Manwë]]'s, and possibly greater. He shared a part of the power of all other Valar, but unlike them used this for his own gain. However, as Morgoth he dispersed his power over all of Middle-earth, tainting the very fabric of Arda itself with his will, and thereby lost most of his personal power. (This was later emulated in miniature by his servant Sauron, by creating the [[One Ring]].) When, at the end of the [[First Age]], Morgoth was dragged out of Angband in chains, he could not even resist the army of Valinor.
===Wars of Beleriand===
====Darkening of Valinor====


Morgoth was very greedy and selfish, and he would destroy all that did not serve him if he thought that they were a threat to him. pity was beyond his understanding, as was courage, for he alone of the Valar knew fear.
At the end of his time, Melkor was presented to his brother Manwë.  Melkor, swallowing his pride with thoughts of vengeance, prostrated himself before the throne of Manwë, begging for pardon.  Manwë granted him thus, though [[Ulmo]] and [[Tulkas]] were displeased with this judgement.  Yet the Valar would not let him leave there sight, and he stayed in [[Valmar]].  Before long, he began to exert his corrupting influence on the Elves, especially the [[Noldor]].  For the [[Vanyar]] did not trust him, and the [[Teleri]] he thought too weak for his designs, but the Noldor were curious, and eager to learn what he could teach them.


== Politics ==
In time Melkor found his greatest adversary and yet greatest tool in the form of [[Fëanor]], the eldest son of [[Finwë]], [[High King of the Noldor]].  Fëanor was the creator of the [[Silmarils]], which Melkor lusted after.  As Melkor subtly spread lies and half-truths about the Valar and the Coming of [[Men]] in the form of rumors, Fëanor was greatly influenced, though he hated Melkor himself and had no idea that he was their source.  His new ideas of wide lands and realms to rule touched the heart of Fëanor, and the hearts of many other Noldor.  They began to murmur against the Valar, and the peace of Valinor was disturbed. Fëanor soon stirred up trouble, and while on trial before the Valar it was revealed that Melkor was at the bottom of the murmurings and troubles.  Tulkas left straightaway to deal with him, but found Melkor gone.  He had escaped.
As the mightiest dweller in Arda, Morgoth's chief servants were certain Maiar he corrupted: Sauron, later the Dark Lord of [[Mordor]] and his Chief Lieutenant; [[Gothmog, Lord of Balrogs]] and High-Captain of Angband; [[Glaurung]], the Father of [[Dragons]]; and [[Ancalagon|Ancalagon the Black]], greatest of the Winged Dragons. Morgoth did not trust any of them and considered them all his inferiors.


Unlike the later Dark Lord Sauron, Morgoth's goal was not to dominate all of Arda, but rather to destroy it: because he could not control all of it, he wished to eliminate it completely. He saw the Children of [[Ilúvatar]] (Men and Elves) as a direct threat, since they were independent souls he could not easily dominate.
Melkor was not seen for a while, but then appeared at [[Formenos]] to Fëanor, tempting him with words of friendship, and an offer of vengeance against the Valar whom Fëanor perceived had wronged him.  Fëanor wavered, but Melkor pressed his advantage too much.  He touched a chord about the Silmarils, and Fëanor, seeing his designs and lust for the jewels, cursed and rejected him.  Melkor departed in anger, and went south past the mountain of [[Hyarmentir]], to the shadowed valley of [[Avathar]] where there dwelt [[Ungoliant]], a mysterious dark spirit in spider-form once his servant, but who had disowned him after his failure.  After some time he convinced her to dismiss her fears with the offer of rich rewards, and she wove a cloak of shadow about them both.


[[Image:Timo Vihola - Melkor vs Fingolfin.jpg|thumb|''Melkor vs. Fingolfin'' by [[Timo Vihola]].]]
Then Melkor and Ungoliant came while there was festival in [[Valmar]]. Melkor drained the [[Two Trees]] with his lance, and Ungoliant drank the blood. Then she drank dry the [[Wells of Varda]], and the two went north to [[Formenos]], leaving the land once more in darkness and confusion. At Formenos Melkor slew [[Finwë]] and ravished the treasury of Fëanor, including the [[Silmarils]].  Then he passed over the icy [[Helcaraxë]], entering once more into [[Middle-earth]].  He was soon in [[Angband]].  He had struck swiftly and surely.  But Fëanor cursed him, naming him [[Morgoth]], and by that name he was known ever after to the Eldar.
At some point during the formation of Arda, Morgoth either had an alliance with or had as a servant the spider-shaped entity [[Ungoliant]], and during the [[Darkening of Valinor]] he formed an unholy alliance with her to destroy the Two Trees.


When the race of Men came about, Morgoth is hinted to have temporarily left his caves of Angband, and dwelled amongst them: ancient legends the [[Atanatári]] (Fathers of Men) tried to forget spoke of a Dark Lord who led men to worship him, banning Ilúvatar from their hearts. The Atanatári were those Men who repented and fled, but Morgoth ever after had many legions of fallen Men at his service. ([[Morgoth's Ring]]: "Tale of Adanel")
====Ungoliant and the First Battle====


Morgoth even betrayed his own servants: after the Ñoldor were defeated, he bound all Men in his service to the lands of [[Hithlum]], forbidding them to stray from there. It seems that, once victorious, he would have destroyed them as he intended to destroy those whom they fought for him.
Once in safety, Ungoliant turned on her partner, demanding the jewels of Fëanor.  The Lob had grown in size and terror, and Morgoth feared her suddenly.  He reluctantly parted with each of the beautiful works of art, and Ungoliant devoured them.  But he refused to give up the Silmarils, though she tortured him.  His screams went out to [[Gothmog (Lord of Balrogs)|Gothmog]] and the [[balrogs]], and they rescued him from her clutches, driving Ungoliant away with their whips. So Morgoth returned to Angband.


== Accomplishments ==
Morgoth rebuilt the fortress there, and learned of the Elves who had remained in Middle-earth. [[Elu Thingol]] and the [[Sindar]] dwelt in the woodland kingdom of [[Doriath]], while [[Círdan]] and the [[Teleri]] lived at the [[Falas]] and [[Denethor of the Nandor|Denethor]] and the [[Nandor]] camped in [[Ossiriand]].  Morgoth made war on Thingol, surrounding Doriath and cutting Thingol off from Círdan.  But Thingol was able to contact Denethor for help, and the Nandor joined with the Sindar to fight the [[Orcs]] between [[Aros]] and [[Gelion]]. Caught between the two armies, the Orcs of Morgoth were utterly defeated in the [[First Battle]].  Fleeing north they were intercepted and further demolished by the [[Naugrim]].  The Orcs attacking Círdan were more successful – pushing the Teleri to the very edge of the sea.
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Morgoth Punishes Húrin.jpg|thumb|''Morgoth Punishes Húrin'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
Morgoth played a large role in the creation of Arda: from the start he fought his fellow Valar, even if all his schemes backfired. His unleashing of terrible cold on the waters of Ulmo brought about ice and snow; his horrible fires could not burn the seas, but created the clouds. Yet he was partially victorious: he destroyed the Two Lamps, and distorted the original symmetry of Arda.


Morgoth also begat the race of the Orcs by twisting and distorting Elves, and bred the Dragons, and he also originated the [[Trolls]] in perverted mockery of the [[Ents]].  His evil could only ruin and destroy, never create.  His servants were always wretched shadows of the noble creations of the other Valar.  He corrupted many of the Maiar to his service, among them the spirits of fire which would become known as the [[Valaraukar]], or Balrogs.
====Dagor-nuin-Giliath and Dagor Aglareb====


Perhaps his greatest evil was creating the rebellion of the Ñoldor against Valinor, and the destruction of the [[Two Trees]] and the theft of the Silmarils. This led to the disastrous [[Oath of Fëanor]], which all but annihilated the entire house of the Ñoldor in Middle-Earth.
Morgoth was confronted by further challenges when Fëanor landed in Middle-earth.  They set up at [[Mithrim]], but Morgoth [[Dagor-nuin-Giliath|attacked them]] quickly, hoping to dislodge them before they settled in too much and became a threat.  But the Elves were just come out of [[Aman]], and they had the light of that country in their eyes.  The Orcs dreaded them, and were swept before them like chaff before wind. Fëanor pursued them even nigh to the [[Thangorodrim]] and the gates of [[Angband]], but Morgoth sent out Gothmog and his balrogs.  Fëanor was killed, but the balrogs were driven back.  The Falas were freed, and though Morgoth had practically lost [[Beleriand]] outside of the [[Ered Engrin]], he was comforted in the fact that Fëanor was dead.


Legends amongst Men also blame him for their Fall, which stripped them of their immortality, although this cannot be clearly proven.  The Elves claim that death is the Gift of Eru to the [[Atani]].  Certainly, Morgoth created the fear of night and death in Men.
Yet [[Fingolfin]] came next, with his sons and the sons of [[Finarfin]].  They marched even to the gates of Angband, and yet could not go farther.  As the Elves began to build (or rebuild) their kingdoms in Middle-earth, Morgoth waited sixty years before he struck again.  It was the [[Dagor Aglareb]], the “Glorious Battle”, called such because it was a great victory for the Elves.  Fingolfin and [[Maedhros]], eldest son of Fëanor, combined their strength and repelled Morgoth.  They then set up the [[Siege of Angband]], which was designed to keep Morgoth holed up in his fortress.


Because Morgoth dispersed his essence all over Arda, it is said that all of Arda outside of the [[Valinor|Blessed Realm]] has some evil in it, this being the Morgoth-element.
====Dagor Bragollach, Fingolfin, and the Quest for the Silmaril====


Perhaps the most long-lasting and direct of all his accomplishments was the corruption of Sauron, originally a Maia of [[Aulë]].  Sauron was to become Morgoth's greatest servant, and in ages after his master's fall, would arise as a new Dark Lord, following the same terrible path, and completing the estrangement of Men and Elves which Morgoth had begun.
Though Morgoth wasn’t quite so helpless as they would have liked to believe, he remained dormant and hidden until [[First Age 455|455]].  Then he surged forth suddenly, taking the slackened besiegers by surprise.  Flames covered the formerly green [[Ard-galen]] (causing the battle to be known as the [[Dagor Bragollach]]), and several Noldor-lords fell in the succeeding combat.  Beleriand was overrun.  [[Dorthonion]] was taken, as were northern [[Sirion]] and [[Maglor's Gap]].  In a single stroke Morgoth had broken the Siege of Angband, but the victory was not as complete as he would have liked.  [[Himring]] and [[Hithlum]] had held against him.  King [[Fingolfin]] was dismayed and enraged by the defeat, and went to Angband.  There he challenged Morgoth to single combat.  Morgoth dared not refuse, for fear of showing himself a coward in front of his servants.  With [[Grond (Hammer of the Underworld)|Grond]], the Hammer of the Underworld, he fought Fingolfin long.  The Elf-lord gave him seven wounds, but at last was struck down.  As Morgoth placed his foot on Fingolfin to crush him, Fingolfin struck one last time, and Morgoth’s blood filled the pools made by his hammer.  Morgoth could not desecrate the body, for [[Thorondor]] flew into his face and escaped with the body.


== Names and Titles ==
For some time after that the world lay in watchful discomfort.  The southern part of [[Beleriand]] was, for the most part, free from Morgoth’s direct wrath. There arose two in [[Doriath]], [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] of [[House of Bëor|Bëor’s House]] and [[Lúthien Tinúviel]], Thingol’s daughter. These two lovers embarked on the [[Quest for the Silmaril]], in the process removing [[Sauron]] from [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]] and entering Angband in disguise.  Morgoth lusted after Lúthien when she stood exposed in his presence, but she danced for him and lured him to sleep with her magic robes.  One of the Silmarils was stolen from his crown, and Morgoth bore only two until the [[War of Wrath]].
[[Image:John Howe - Morgoth vs. Fingolfin.png|thumb|300px|left|''Morgoth vs. Fingolfin'' by [[John Howe]].]]
His name among the Ainur (used by both servant and enemy) was recorded as '''Melkor''', in an old form ''Melkórë'', which is actually [[Quenya]] for "he who arises in might". His original [[Valarin]] name is not recorded. The [[Sindarin]] form of this name was ''Belegur'', which was never used except in the altered form ''Belegurth'', meaning ''Great Death''. The oldest name known, from [[Common Eldarin]], was *''mbelekôro''.


After the Darkening of Valinor he was by the Elves never again called by his old name, but always called '''the Morgoth''', the Dark Enemy. Other titles given to him were  the Dark Lord, the Great Enemy, the Dark Power of the North, the Black Foe, and ''the Lord of the Dark''. His oldest name among them was ''the Dark Hunter'', a name from legend given when he captured Elves, to create the race of Orcs, and tried to discredit [[Oromë]].
====Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the Fall of Gondolin, and the War of Wrath====


Men called him ''the Dark King of Angband'' or ''the Dark King''. The Dwarves' name for him is unknown, and the [[Hobbit]]s do not seem to be aware of his existence.
Some time after, in [[First Age 471|471]], [[Maedhros]] made a great [[Union of Maedhros|alliance]] with the [[Naugrim]], [[Edain]], and other [[Noldor]].  They marched to challenge Morgoth, clearing Beleriand of his scattered forces.  But Morgoth through his spies anticipated their actions, and met them with his allies the [[Easterlings]] in  was huge, and many princes and rulers of men, elves, and dwarves fell.  Thus the battle was named ''[[Nirnaeth Arnoediad]]'', “Battle of Unnumbered Tears”.  Morgoth’s victory was almost complete, as he razed [[Hithlum]], the [[Falas]], the [[March of Maedhros]], as well as [[Nargothrond]] in [[First Age 495|495]].  But [[Turgon the Wise|Turgon]], King of [[Gondolin]], escaped by the valiant actions of the [[House of Hador]], the last of the Noldor in the north. The survivors had all gone down to the [[Isle of Balar]] and the [[Mouths of the Sirion]].  Morgoth took [[Húrin]], who had been captured during the Nirnaeth, and set him in the high places of Thangorodrim, to watch his family, whom Morgoth cursed.  Upon the death of [[Túrin Turambar]] and [[Nienor]], Húrin’s children, Morgoth released Húrin to further his cause.


'''Morgoth''' and '''The Morgoth''' differed in meaning: "The Morgoth" was a term given to the person of Melkor in his complete power over the matter of Arda: therefore Dragons, Trolls, Orcs, and even Angband were in a way part of "The Morgoth", but not part of Morgoth. "The Morgoth" still held all the power Melkor had held of old, and was by far the most powerful being in all of Arda, but the ''incarnated'' Morgoth had lost so much power that he had almost become an equal of the greatest of the Elves: whereas Melkor would have been able to destroy Fingolfin without effort, Morgoth actually had to duel with the Elf-lord. While Melkor/Morgoth was eventually exiled by the Valar, the only way to destroy "The Morgoth" would be to completely destroy all of Arda and render it anew: a task the Valar could not do without also destroying the Children of Ilúvatar and therefore unthinkable.
Some time later, by the aid of [[Maeglin]], a traitor-elf, Morgoth discovered and laid siege to [[Gondolin]].  [[Turgon the Wise|Turgon]] King, the last male heir of Fingolfin’s house, was killed in the sack.  Morgoth’s victory in the north was now complete, though he had lost [[Gothmog (Lord of Balrogs)|Gothmog]] his captain and many other leaders in the battle.  Also, a small remnant including [[Tuor]] and [[Idril]] escaped the rape of the city, bearing their son [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]].  This was to be Morgoth’s doom, for some years later, Eärendil sailed to [[Valinor]] seeking the pardon of the [[Valar]].  This he earned, and the Valar advanced across [[Belegaer]] with a mighty host.  Morgoth loosed all his demons and defenses against them, but could not stop their might. His dragons fell to the [[Eagles]], and [[Ancalagon]] was brought down by Eärendil himself atop his ship, [[Vingilot]].  Morgoth was taken from Angband, the Silmarils were removed from his crown, and he was bound once more and cast into the [[Void]].  There he remains until the [[Dagor Dagorath]], where he will be slain by [[Túrin Turambar]] whom he had cursed. But though he was gone, Arda was forever marred, and there was one still on the loose to carry on his legacy, if to a lesser degree: his greatest servant, [[Sauron]].


== Other Versions of the Legendarium ==
==Characteristics==
Previous versions of his name in early Tolkien's writings (see: ''[[The History of Middle-earth]]'') are '''Melko''', '''Belcha''', '''Melegor''', '''Meleko''' and others.


In the early stories, Melkor was much less powerful. He is described as being equal in power to Manwe. His power increased in later revisions of the story until he became the most powerful of the Valar, and then (in a late essay), more powerful than all of the Valar combined. In addition, late essays make Melkor the source of all evil and corruption in Arda. The published ''Silmarillion'' represents an earlier conception of Melkor's power: there is hardly any trace of Morgoth's marring of all Arda by diluting himself throughout it.
Morgoth had taken form great and terrible, and was eventually unable to leave it. Traditionally he was covered head to foot in armor, though this is not specifically stated by [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]].  He received many scars and wounds over the ages: his hands were burned forever when he touched the Silmarils, Fingolfin wounded him seven times during their battle as well as a wound the foot that caused him ever after to limp, Thorondor scarred his face with his talons.
 
Morgoth wielded [[Grond (Hammer of the Underworld)|Grond]] in battle, a weapon he presumably forged himself in [[Angband]] (unless Sauron or Gothmog had held it safe after the [[Siege of Utumno]]).  He also had great mental and physical power, at least in the earlier days, greater than any of the other [[Valar]].
 
In many ways Morgoth was the stereotypical arch-villain, like Satan of the Christian religion.  Many Christians (probably including Tolkien) believe(d) that Satan fell from Heaven, which is also true of Melkor/Morgoth.
 
==Names==
 
* ''Morgoth'' (''[[Bauglir]]'') – [[Q.]] “The Dark Enemy” (“The Constrainer”), given him by [[Fëanor]]
* ''Melkor'' – [[Q.]] “He who arises in might”
* ''Dark King (of Angband)'' – given him by [[Men]]
* ''[[Dark Lord]]''
* ''[[Belegur]]([[Belegurth|th]])'' – [[S.]] “Great Death”
* ''Lord of the Dark''
* ''Dark Hunter'' – Given him by the fearful early [[Elves]] before they met [[Oromë]]
* ''[[mbelekôro]]'' – [[C.E.]] Unknown meaning
* ''Great Enemy''
* ''Black Foe''
* ''Melko, Belcha, Melegor, Meleko'' – Earlier names Tolkien used but abandoned
 
==Minions==
 
* [[Sauron]] – Greatest of his servants, later to become [[Lord of the Rings]], perished with the [[One Ring]]
* [[Gothmog (Lord of Balrogs)|Gothmog]], [[Lord of Balrogs]] – killed by [[Ecthelion of the Fountain]] during the [[Fall of Gondolin]]
* [[Glaurung]] – [[Father of Dragons]], killed by [[Túrin Turambar|Túrin]]
* [[Ancalagon]] – Greatest of the [[Winged Dragons]], slain by [[Eärendil the Mariner|Eärendil]]
* [[Othrond]] – (noncanon) [[Orc]]-general during the Fall of Gondolin, killed by [[Tuor]]




Line 92: Line 108:


[[Category:Valar]]
[[Category:Valar]]
__NOTOC__

Revision as of 17:17, 28 June 2007

Morgoth Bauglir
Valar
File:James Stirzaker - Melkor and the Silmarils.jpg
Biographical Information
Other namesMelkor
BirthBefore the Music of the Ainur
Rulec. YOTL- YOTL 1500, c. YOTL 1900 - YOTT 1100, c. YOTT 1500 - War of Wrath, F.A. 590
DeathThrust into the void F.A. 590
Physical Description
RaceValar
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Morgoth Bauglir

Morgoth (earlier Melkor) was the greatest of the Ainur, who fell from glory when he disrupted the Music of the Ainur and defied the will of Eru Ilúvatar. He brought down many other Ainur with him, fought the Valar, and corrupted Arda. Eventually he was bound in chains by the Valar and thrown into the Void, leaving the permanent damage his evils had done, and his servant Sauron, to trouble the world. One day, according to the legendarium, Morgoth will rise again and be destroyed in the Dagor Dagorath by Túrin Turambar.

History

Shaping of Arda

The most powerful and knowledgeable of the Ainur was a spirit later known as Melkor (his original Valarin name is unknown). Melkor developed ideas unlike those of the other Ainur, and began to probe the emptiness of the Void for the Flame of Ilúvatar, the source of spirit matter. For Melkor wished to create sentient beings to inhabit the Void. His feelings grew rebellious against his creator, and he could not find the Flame (for it was not in the Void, but with Ilúvatar). When the Ainur made music, Melkor made his own music against the theme of beauty and honor, and it clashed with the holy music. Some of the Ainur joined him in this new theme, and for a while the two themes warred against one another. But Eru Ilúvatar smiled, and sent forth a new theme. Most of the Ainur joined with it, but Melkor rebelliously opposed it even more violently. At last many of the Ainur stopped singing in dismay, and Melkor’s gained dominance. Eru grew angry, and sent out a second theme against Melkor, sweeter and more beautiful than the others, and unquenchable. But though Melkor could not defeat it, still he opposed it. At last Eru, now very angry with a cold fury, halted the music completely with a single chord.

Eru then publicly rebuked Melkor, saying that all music found its source in Himself, and thus Melkor could not create his own nor alter the true Music. Thus though Melkor oppose Eru to his last breath, he would only be furthering the cause of Ilúvatar in new and wondrous ways, for Music belonged to Ilúvatar. Melkor was shamed but angered by this judgement. When Eru showed the Ainur the product of their music, Arda, Melkor was one of those who begged to be sent down to Earth, pretending to be willing to cultivate it and steward it for Ilúvatar’s glory. In actuality, he wished to dominate it. Thus he became one of the Valar, and eventually declared to his comrades that he was the master of Arda henceforth. Mānawenūz (later Manwë), his brother, did not understand evil, but fearing that Melkor might try and disrupt their labors on Arda, called forth many more Ainur to protect them. Melkor left to the remote regions of the world, and the Valar knew not what it did there.

But Melkor took form, great and terrible, and attacked the Valar’s work in preparing the Earth. There was war, and though Melkor disrupted their work and destroyed much, a great spirit came to Arda to combat him, named Tulukastāz (later Tulkas). Tulkas drove him away, and the Valar managed to complete Arda, and the world was made solid.

Wars of the Valar

The rest of the Valar dwelt in a place called Almaren, and raised up two lamps to light the young earth: Illuin and Ormal. Melkor, meanwhile, had attracted the attention and even in a few cases admiration from the Maiar, the lesser spirits of Arda. Melkor had many spies among them, and from them learned all that the Valar did, and bided his time. As the Valar sat down to a feast at the completion of their labors, Melkor gathered together those loyal to him, and looking down on the beautiful Arda was filled with hatred. Tulkas was wedded to Nessa at that feast, and she danced before the Valar. Tulkas fell asleep, and that is when Melkor made his move.

Melkor with his host passed over the Walls of Night and returned to Arda once more. Without the watchfulness of Tulkas, the Valar were unaware of his coming, and he began to delve in the depths of the earth, making a fortress called Utumno beneath the mountains in the dimness of Illuin. The Spring of Arda became blighted as evil flowed out of the fortress. Death and illness took the green things of Arda, and animals fought and killed one another, while flies brooded in massive numbers. The Valar knew then that Melkor was at work, and sought his hiding place.

But Melkor struck the first blow. He destroyed the Two Lamps, and caused the world to be filled with flowing fire and surging water. The symmetry of Arda was broken. And in the darkness and confusion Melkor escaped, returning to Utumno. Though the Valar were together stronger than Melkor, they could not punish him at that time, for they needed their strength to keep the world from collapsing into ruin. The Spring of Arda was ended.

Almaren being destroyed, the Valar left to a new continent across the sea, Aman, and built Valinor. They also established new sources of light, the Two Trees, to light the world. Melkor, meanwhile, wandered across the face of Middle-earth, in various guises, but armed with cold and fire. Some of the Valar were unwilling to forsake Middle-earth, however; Ulmo and Yavanna especially. Also Oromë would ride in Middle-earth, killing the terrors of Melkor, who began to fear that the Valar might rise up against him in wrath.

Melkor brooded in the north, breeding great monsters, attended by his Maiar-servants later known as Balrogs. He also created another fortress and armory called Angband, not far from the sea, to resist any Valarin attacks. He placed his greatest servant, Sauron, in control of that place. Melkor, by wandering about, also learned of the awakening of the first of the Children of Ilúvatar, the Elves. He instilled fear in them, and slew or captured many of them. Some of those he captured, it is believed, may have been transformed into Orcs by torture and breeding.

The Valar were not long, however, in discovering the Elves. Fearing that they would be destroyed or corrupted by Melkor, Manwë decided that Ilúvatar wished them to recover Middle-earth at all costs. They laid siege to Utumno, and eventually destroyed it after a great battle during which the face of Middle-earth was transformed. Melkor was captured and chained with the chain Angainor, but Sauron escaped. Melkor was imprisoned in the halls of Mandos, and remained there for three ages, plotting revenge.

Wars of Beleriand

Darkening of Valinor

At the end of his time, Melkor was presented to his brother Manwë. Melkor, swallowing his pride with thoughts of vengeance, prostrated himself before the throne of Manwë, begging for pardon. Manwë granted him thus, though Ulmo and Tulkas were displeased with this judgement. Yet the Valar would not let him leave there sight, and he stayed in Valmar. Before long, he began to exert his corrupting influence on the Elves, especially the Noldor. For the Vanyar did not trust him, and the Teleri he thought too weak for his designs, but the Noldor were curious, and eager to learn what he could teach them.

In time Melkor found his greatest adversary and yet greatest tool in the form of Fëanor, the eldest son of Finwë, High King of the Noldor. Fëanor was the creator of the Silmarils, which Melkor lusted after. As Melkor subtly spread lies and half-truths about the Valar and the Coming of Men in the form of rumors, Fëanor was greatly influenced, though he hated Melkor himself and had no idea that he was their source. His new ideas of wide lands and realms to rule touched the heart of Fëanor, and the hearts of many other Noldor. They began to murmur against the Valar, and the peace of Valinor was disturbed. Fëanor soon stirred up trouble, and while on trial before the Valar it was revealed that Melkor was at the bottom of the murmurings and troubles. Tulkas left straightaway to deal with him, but found Melkor gone. He had escaped.

Melkor was not seen for a while, but then appeared at Formenos to Fëanor, tempting him with words of friendship, and an offer of vengeance against the Valar whom Fëanor perceived had wronged him. Fëanor wavered, but Melkor pressed his advantage too much. He touched a chord about the Silmarils, and Fëanor, seeing his designs and lust for the jewels, cursed and rejected him. Melkor departed in anger, and went south past the mountain of Hyarmentir, to the shadowed valley of Avathar where there dwelt Ungoliant, a mysterious dark spirit in spider-form once his servant, but who had disowned him after his failure. After some time he convinced her to dismiss her fears with the offer of rich rewards, and she wove a cloak of shadow about them both.

Then Melkor and Ungoliant came while there was festival in Valmar. Melkor drained the Two Trees with his lance, and Ungoliant drank the blood. Then she drank dry the Wells of Varda, and the two went north to Formenos, leaving the land once more in darkness and confusion. At Formenos Melkor slew Finwë and ravished the treasury of Fëanor, including the Silmarils. Then he passed over the icy Helcaraxë, entering once more into Middle-earth. He was soon in Angband. He had struck swiftly and surely. But Fëanor cursed him, naming him Morgoth, and by that name he was known ever after to the Eldar.

Ungoliant and the First Battle

Once in safety, Ungoliant turned on her partner, demanding the jewels of Fëanor. The Lob had grown in size and terror, and Morgoth feared her suddenly. He reluctantly parted with each of the beautiful works of art, and Ungoliant devoured them. But he refused to give up the Silmarils, though she tortured him. His screams went out to Gothmog and the balrogs, and they rescued him from her clutches, driving Ungoliant away with their whips. So Morgoth returned to Angband.

Morgoth rebuilt the fortress there, and learned of the Elves who had remained in Middle-earth. Elu Thingol and the Sindar dwelt in the woodland kingdom of Doriath, while Círdan and the Teleri lived at the Falas and Denethor and the Nandor camped in Ossiriand. Morgoth made war on Thingol, surrounding Doriath and cutting Thingol off from Círdan. But Thingol was able to contact Denethor for help, and the Nandor joined with the Sindar to fight the Orcs between Aros and Gelion. Caught between the two armies, the Orcs of Morgoth were utterly defeated in the First Battle. Fleeing north they were intercepted and further demolished by the Naugrim. The Orcs attacking Círdan were more successful – pushing the Teleri to the very edge of the sea.

Dagor-nuin-Giliath and Dagor Aglareb

Morgoth was confronted by further challenges when Fëanor landed in Middle-earth. They set up at Mithrim, but Morgoth attacked them quickly, hoping to dislodge them before they settled in too much and became a threat. But the Elves were just come out of Aman, and they had the light of that country in their eyes. The Orcs dreaded them, and were swept before them like chaff before wind. Fëanor pursued them even nigh to the Thangorodrim and the gates of Angband, but Morgoth sent out Gothmog and his balrogs. Fëanor was killed, but the balrogs were driven back. The Falas were freed, and though Morgoth had practically lost Beleriand outside of the Ered Engrin, he was comforted in the fact that Fëanor was dead.

Yet Fingolfin came next, with his sons and the sons of Finarfin. They marched even to the gates of Angband, and yet could not go farther. As the Elves began to build (or rebuild) their kingdoms in Middle-earth, Morgoth waited sixty years before he struck again. It was the Dagor Aglareb, the “Glorious Battle”, called such because it was a great victory for the Elves. Fingolfin and Maedhros, eldest son of Fëanor, combined their strength and repelled Morgoth. They then set up the Siege of Angband, which was designed to keep Morgoth holed up in his fortress.

Dagor Bragollach, Fingolfin, and the Quest for the Silmaril

Though Morgoth wasn’t quite so helpless as they would have liked to believe, he remained dormant and hidden until 455. Then he surged forth suddenly, taking the slackened besiegers by surprise. Flames covered the formerly green Ard-galen (causing the battle to be known as the Dagor Bragollach), and several Noldor-lords fell in the succeeding combat. Beleriand was overrun. Dorthonion was taken, as were northern Sirion and Maglor's Gap. In a single stroke Morgoth had broken the Siege of Angband, but the victory was not as complete as he would have liked. Himring and Hithlum had held against him. King Fingolfin was dismayed and enraged by the defeat, and went to Angband. There he challenged Morgoth to single combat. Morgoth dared not refuse, for fear of showing himself a coward in front of his servants. With Grond, the Hammer of the Underworld, he fought Fingolfin long. The Elf-lord gave him seven wounds, but at last was struck down. As Morgoth placed his foot on Fingolfin to crush him, Fingolfin struck one last time, and Morgoth’s blood filled the pools made by his hammer. Morgoth could not desecrate the body, for Thorondor flew into his face and escaped with the body.

For some time after that the world lay in watchful discomfort. The southern part of Beleriand was, for the most part, free from Morgoth’s direct wrath. There arose two in Doriath, Beren of Bëor’s House and Lúthien Tinúviel, Thingol’s daughter. These two lovers embarked on the Quest for the Silmaril, in the process removing Sauron from Tol-in-Gaurhoth and entering Angband in disguise. Morgoth lusted after Lúthien when she stood exposed in his presence, but she danced for him and lured him to sleep with her magic robes. One of the Silmarils was stolen from his crown, and Morgoth bore only two until the War of Wrath.

Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the Fall of Gondolin, and the War of Wrath

Some time after, in 471, Maedhros made a great alliance with the Naugrim, Edain, and other Noldor. They marched to challenge Morgoth, clearing Beleriand of his scattered forces. But Morgoth through his spies anticipated their actions, and met them with his allies the Easterlings in was huge, and many princes and rulers of men, elves, and dwarves fell. Thus the battle was named Nirnaeth Arnoediad, “Battle of Unnumbered Tears”. Morgoth’s victory was almost complete, as he razed Hithlum, the Falas, the March of Maedhros, as well as Nargothrond in 495. But Turgon, King of Gondolin, escaped by the valiant actions of the House of Hador, the last of the Noldor in the north. The survivors had all gone down to the Isle of Balar and the Mouths of the Sirion. Morgoth took Húrin, who had been captured during the Nirnaeth, and set him in the high places of Thangorodrim, to watch his family, whom Morgoth cursed. Upon the death of Túrin Turambar and Nienor, Húrin’s children, Morgoth released Húrin to further his cause.

Some time later, by the aid of Maeglin, a traitor-elf, Morgoth discovered and laid siege to Gondolin. Turgon King, the last male heir of Fingolfin’s house, was killed in the sack. Morgoth’s victory in the north was now complete, though he had lost Gothmog his captain and many other leaders in the battle. Also, a small remnant including Tuor and Idril escaped the rape of the city, bearing their son Eärendil. This was to be Morgoth’s doom, for some years later, Eärendil sailed to Valinor seeking the pardon of the Valar. This he earned, and the Valar advanced across Belegaer with a mighty host. Morgoth loosed all his demons and defenses against them, but could not stop their might. His dragons fell to the Eagles, and Ancalagon was brought down by Eärendil himself atop his ship, Vingilot. Morgoth was taken from Angband, the Silmarils were removed from his crown, and he was bound once more and cast into the Void. There he remains until the Dagor Dagorath, where he will be slain by Túrin Turambar whom he had cursed. But though he was gone, Arda was forever marred, and there was one still on the loose to carry on his legacy, if to a lesser degree: his greatest servant, Sauron.

Characteristics

Morgoth had taken form great and terrible, and was eventually unable to leave it. Traditionally he was covered head to foot in armor, though this is not specifically stated by Tolkien. He received many scars and wounds over the ages: his hands were burned forever when he touched the Silmarils, Fingolfin wounded him seven times during their battle as well as a wound the foot that caused him ever after to limp, Thorondor scarred his face with his talons.

Morgoth wielded Grond in battle, a weapon he presumably forged himself in Angband (unless Sauron or Gothmog had held it safe after the Siege of Utumno). He also had great mental and physical power, at least in the earlier days, greater than any of the other Valar.

In many ways Morgoth was the stereotypical arch-villain, like Satan of the Christian religion. Many Christians (probably including Tolkien) believe(d) that Satan fell from Heaven, which is also true of Melkor/Morgoth.

Names

  • Morgoth (Bauglir) – Q. “The Dark Enemy” (“The Constrainer”), given him by Fëanor
  • Melkor – Q. “He who arises in might”
  • Dark King (of Angband) – given him by Men
  • Dark Lord
  • Belegur(th) – S. “Great Death”
  • Lord of the Dark
  • Dark Hunter – Given him by the fearful early Elves before they met Oromë
  • mbelekôro – C.E. Unknown meaning
  • Great Enemy
  • Black Foe
  • Melko, Belcha, Melegor, Meleko – Earlier names Tolkien used but abandoned

Minions


See also


Retrieved from "https://tolkiengateway.net/w/index.php?title=Morgoth&oldid=47415"