Morgul-knife

From Tolkien Gateway
Revision as of 17:30, 14 January 2011 by Mithbot (talk | contribs) (Bot Message: changing link to The One Ring)
File:Morgul-blade.png
Morgul-blade by Audrey Corman

Morgul blades, or Morgul-knives,[1] were magical, poisoned daggers used by the Nazgûl.

History

At Weathertop, during his journey to Rivendell with the One Ring, the Hobbit Frodo Baggins was stabbed by the Lord of the Nazgûl.[2] A fragment of the blade remained within the wound, working its way toward his heart and threatening to turn Frodo into a wraith.[3] Elrond was able to remove the shard and heal the wound,[3] but each year on the anniversary of his stabbing Frodo became seriously ill. Only his eventual departure to Eldamar offered a permanent cure.[source?]

The Morgul blades disintergrated if anyone but the owner touched or picked up the blade.[source?]

Athelas (or Kingsfoil) was known to slow the poisonous effect of the morgul-blade. This treatment was also effective against other Mordor illnesses, such as the Black Breath.[source?]

Another victim of a morgul blade was Boromir, the eleventh Steward of Gondor (not the Boromir of Frodo's company). He eventually died of his wound but did not become a wraith.[4]

Etymology

morgul means "(dark) sorcery" in Sindarin.[5]

Portrayal in adaptations

1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:

The enchanted Morgul-knife, wielded by the Ringwraiths, strikes as short sword with many additional effects on a character.[6]

1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:

"Morgul-knife" modifies a Nazgûl's prowess, and affects the corruption points of a character. "Morgul-blade" is a Permanent-event card, playable by a Ringwraith or a Ringwraith follower.

2001-3: The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy:

Artist John Howe made the original design of the daggers of the Ringwraiths.[7]

References

Weapons in Tolkien's legendarium
 Arrows:  Black Arrow · Dailir · Red Arrow
Axes:  Dramborleg · Durin's Axe
Bows:  Belthronding · Bow of Bregor · Bow of the Galadhrim
Knives:  Angrist · Barrow-blades · Morgul-knife · Sting
Maces:  Grond
Spears:  Aeglos
Swords:  Anglachel/Gurthang · Anguirel · Aranrúth · Dagmor · Glamdring · Glend · Gúthwinë · Herugrim · Narsil/Andúril ·  Orcrist · Ringil · Sword of Manwë