Eöl: Difference between revisions
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'''Eöl''', known as the '''[[Dark Elf]]''', was a [[Sinda]] of the [[First Age]]. It is said that he belonged to the kin of [[Thingol]].<ref>{{WJ|Maeglin}}</ref><ref group="note">{{WJ|Editor}}, Note 33: "It is curious that - as in the original text of Maeglin, where he was 'of the kin of Thingol' - in my father's very late work on the story Eöl becomes again 'one of the Eldar' (p. 328), though consumed with hatred of the Noldor"</ref> | In ''The Silmarillion'', '''Eöl''', known as the '''[[Dark Elf]]''', was a [[Sinda]] of the [[First Age]]. It is said that he belonged to the kin of [[Thingol]].<ref>{{WJ|Maeglin}}</ref><ref group="note">{{WJ|Editor}}, Note 33: "It is curious that - as in the original text of Maeglin, where he was 'of the kin of Thingol' - in my father's very late work on the story Eöl becomes again 'one of the Eldar' (p. 328), though consumed with hatred of the Noldor"</ref> Tolkien does have earlier, darker renditions of this character that include references to him as an Avar and even as a "darkened Elf".<ref group="note">{{PM|Dwarves}}, 62. [In Quendi and Eldar (XI.377) there is a reference to Avari 'who had crept in small and secret groups into Beleriand from the South', and to rare cases of an Avar 'who joined with or was admitted among the Sindar'; while in that essay Eöl of Nan Elmoth was an Avar (XI.409 and note 33).]</ref> | ||
Usually the reference of a Dark Elf simply refers to an Elf who has not seen the light of Aman, but the concept of a darkened Elf would be one that may have been corrupted by Morgoth. Tolkien liked this concept as an explanation for his superb and insidious smith-craft, which was written in a margin note of Eöl's story<ref>{{WJ|Maeglin|320}}</ref>, but he chose instead to consider him more likely acquainted with the Dwarves.<ref group="note">{{WJ|Quendi}}, "Eöl was a ''Mornedhel'', and is said to have belonged to the Second Clan (whose representatives among the Eldar were the Ñoldor). He dwelt in East Beleriand not far from the borders of Doriath. He had great smith-craft, especially in the making of swords, in which work he surpassed even the Ñoldor of Aman; and many therefore believed that he used ''morgul'', the black arts taught by Morgoth. The Ñoldor themselves had indeed learned much from Morgoth in the days of his captivity in Valinor; but it is more likely that Eöl was acquainted with the Dwarves, for in many places the Avari became closer in friendship with that people than the Amanyar or the Sindar."</ref> | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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==Etymology== | ==Etymology== | ||
The meaning of the name ''Eöl'' is unknown, and also to which language it pertains. The word is neither [[Quenya]] nor [[Sindarin]].<ref>{{WJ|Maeglin}}, p. 320</ref> It has been suggested that the name could be an [[Avarin]] word.<ref>[[Helge Fauskanger]], "[http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/avarin.htm Avarin: All Six Words]" at [http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/ Ardalambion] (accessed 19 December 2010)</ref> | The meaning of the name ''Eöl'' is unknown, and also to which language it pertains. The word is neither [[Quenya]] nor [[Sindarin]].<ref>{{WJ|Maeglin}}, p. 320</ref> It has been suggested that the name could be an [[Avarin]] word.<ref>[[Helge Fauskanger]], "[http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/avarin.htm Avarin: All Six Words]" at [http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/ Ardalambion] (accessed 19 December 2010)</ref> In a futher note about Eöl's name, Tolkien wrote, "it isn't really absolutely necessary that names should be significant."<ref>{{WJ|Maeglin}}</ref> | ||
== Genealogy == | == Genealogy == | ||
Revision as of 04:40, 27 November 2015
This article or section needs to be rewritten to comply with Tolkien Gateway's higher standards... |
| Eöl | |
|---|---|
| Sinda | |
 | |
| "Destiny" by Elena Kukanova | |
| Biographical Information | |
| Other names | Dark Elf |
| Location | Nan Elmoth |
| Birth | During the Years of the Trees |
| Death | F.A. 400 Gondolin |
| Notable for | forging of Anglachel (Gurthang) and Anguirel; inventing galvorn |
| Family | |
| Spouse | Aredhel |
| Children | Maeglin |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | Tall |
| Clothing | Galvorn |
| Weaponry | Javelin and Anguirel |
| Gallery | Images of Eöl |
- "You are of the house of Eöl, Maeglin, my son, and not of the Golodhrim. All this land is the land of the Teleri, and I will not deal nor have my son deal with the slayers of our kin, the invaders and usurpers of our homes. In this you shall obey me, or I will set you in bonds."
- ― The Silmarillion, Of Maeglin
In The Silmarillion, Eöl, known as the Dark Elf, was a Sinda of the First Age. It is said that he belonged to the kin of Thingol.[1][note 1] Tolkien does have earlier, darker renditions of this character that include references to him as an Avar and even as a "darkened Elf".[note 2]
Usually the reference of a Dark Elf simply refers to an Elf who has not seen the light of Aman, but the concept of a darkened Elf would be one that may have been corrupted by Morgoth. Tolkien liked this concept as an explanation for his superb and insidious smith-craft, which was written in a margin note of Eöl's story[2], but he chose instead to consider him more likely acquainted with the Dwarves.[note 3]
History
Eöl was originally part of the royal house of King Elu Thingol. Eöl was unhappy in his homeland of Doriath, and when the Girdle of Melian was raised around the kingdom, he left to dwell in the dark forest of Nan Elmoth, east of Doriath.
Eöl was a skilled craftsman and a master sword-smith. Among his greatest works were the two swords made from the iron of a meteorite, Anglachel and Anguirel. Anglachel he gave to Thingol as a payment for dwelling in Nan Elmoth, and it would later become the sword borne by Beleg, and after him, Túrin Turambar. Eöl's craft was especially admired by the Dwarves, and he shared a rare friendship with the Dwarves of Nogrod and Belegost in the Blue Mountains. Eöl also devised the metal known as galvorn, from which he forged the armor that he used when traveling far from Nan Elmoth.
In the early fourth century of the First Age, Eöl came upon Aredhel, the sister of Turgon, King of Gondolin. She had become lost in Nan Elmoth, and Eöl used his enchantments to draw her deeper into the wood and ensnare her. She became his wife, and in F.A. 320 bore him a son, Maeglin.
In the summer of F.A. 400, Eöl traveled into the Blue Mountains to feast with the Dwarves of Nogrod, and returned home to find that his wife and son had left two days earlier. Mounting a horse, he gave chase. Along the way he was waylaid and taken before Curufin who counseled him to stop his chase predicting his death, should he continue. He eventually discovered them at the Ford of Brithiach. Realizing that Aredhel was returning to Gondolin with his son, Eöl followed them. He found his way to the Dry River, and that secret way led him to the gates of Gondolin itself. There he was captured and taken to the King.
Turgon at first welcomed Eöl as a kinsman, but under the King's law one who had found the way to the Hidden City was not permitted to leave, under pain of death. Enraged at the loss of his freedom, Eöl chose death, for himself and his son, and cast a poisoned javelin at Maeglin. Aredhel stepped in front of her son, and the poison in the dart soon killed her. Eöl was executed for this heinous crime, thrown off the high cliff ofCaragdûr.[3]
Etymology
The meaning of the name Eöl is unknown, and also to which language it pertains. The word is neither Quenya nor Sindarin.[4] It has been suggested that the name could be an Avarin word.[5] In a futher note about Eöl's name, Tolkien wrote, "it isn't really absolutely necessary that names should be significant."[6]
Genealogy
See Also
Notes
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar: Editorial Notes [to Quendi and Eldar]", Note 33: "It is curious that - as in the original text of Maeglin, where he was 'of the kin of Thingol' - in my father's very late work on the story Eöl becomes again 'one of the Eldar' (p. 328), though consumed with hatred of the Noldor"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "Of Dwarves and Men", 62. [In Quendi and Eldar (XI.377) there is a reference to Avari 'who had crept in small and secret groups into Beleriand from the South', and to rare cases of an Avar 'who joined with or was admitted among the Sindar'; while in that essay Eöl of Nan Elmoth was an Avar (XI.409 and note 33).]
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Four. Quendi and Eldar", "Eöl was a Mornedhel, and is said to have belonged to the Second Clan (whose representatives among the Eldar were the Ñoldor). He dwelt in East Beleriand not far from the borders of Doriath. He had great smith-craft, especially in the making of swords, in which work he surpassed even the Ñoldor of Aman; and many therefore believed that he used morgul, the black arts taught by Morgoth. The Ñoldor themselves had indeed learned much from Morgoth in the days of his captivity in Valinor; but it is more likely that Eöl was acquainted with the Dwarves, for in many places the Avari became closer in friendship with that people than the Amanyar or the Sindar."
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Three. The Wanderings of Húrin and Other Writings not forming part of the Quenta Silmarillion: III. Maeglin"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Three. The Wanderings of Húrin and Other Writings not forming part of the Quenta Silmarillion: III. Maeglin"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Maeglin"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Three. The Wanderings of Húrin and Other Writings not forming part of the Quenta Silmarillion: III. Maeglin", p. 320
- ↑ Helge Fauskanger, "Avarin: All Six Words" at Ardalambion (accessed 19 December 2010)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Jewels, "Part Three. The Wanderings of Húrin and Other Writings not forming part of the Quenta Silmarillion: III. Maeglin"
