Evil in Arda

[Gil-Galad]

Eriol is not here to open the thread for the lecture I should post.

I am sorry it took me so much time to finish it,but I was pretty busy with my university exams.

I suppose the things which I have written will be discussed a lot because the topic is really interesting as well as my thesis.:)

[Gil-Galad]

The Problem of Evil in Arda



Critics say that J.R.R.Tolkien created a world in which everyone can have his own life, his own story. They say that Middle-earth is a world paralel to ours, and they seem to be correct.
Throughout our history we have been fighitng against evil, no matter of its true face, and throughout Arda’s history,all good creatures fight against the evil. I believe we could state that Tolkien’s world is based on the continious fight between Good and Evil, having in mind the fact that Tolkien was a devoted Catholic and that religion could be easily found in his works. From Christian point of view, people have to “fight” and resist evil (Satan and all the sins he proposes ) during their entire lives, till the Judgement Day.This idea could be found in Tolkien’s works too,where evil is everywhere,even after the destruction of Sauron and The One Ring , and everyone should oppose it till the day of the Last Great Battle,when Morgoth Bauglir will return.

But still some question stay.Why there is evil?Is there an absolute,pure evil?
I will once again use the paralel between our world and Tolkien’s, the paralel between Christianity and religion in Middle-earth. According to Christianity evil,in the face of Satan,was not naturally born .Everything which was created by the One,in our case God,was Good.Even Lucifer was good and he served God firstly,then he fell and was called Satan.Thus Christianity denies the existence of absolute evil,of natural evil, because even the first creator of everything evil was once good.The same idea is embodied in Tolkien’s mythology.


There was Eru,the One,who in Arda is called Iluvatar and he made first the Ainur,the Holy Ones that were the offspring of his thought,and they were with him before aught else was made.

With his first sentence Tolkien denies the existance of an absolute evil,of a natural born evil.Everything starts from the One who is by no means an embodiment of everything Good.And for a long time everything was perfect till the Fall of Melkor:

“….and Melko was filled with shame and the anger of shame…”

The similarity with The Bible is amazing.No doubt we can state that God is the prototype of Eru and
Lucifer(later Satan) is the prototype of Melkor(later Morgoth). Having all these things in mind, I think it is clear that Evil was not naturally born in Arda.Evil was created and then it had the chance to develop and improve itself.This fact provides some more questions about evil.What created it?What were the reasons to become evil?What were the factors that influenced all creatures who became evil?If we answer these questions we will find the problem of Evil in Arda.
Evil persons were not naturally born.Although everybody had a grain of evil in his heart(this fact corresponds once again to the Christianity and the Theology, the problem of the Original Sin),he was not evil at first,he had the chance to chose or circumstances made him evil..If we analyze carefully all evil persons we will definitely notice that all of them are extremely clever,talented,naturally curious ,with great ambitious and abilities.They all had the chance to improve themselves,but their ambitions grew with the bigger abilities they had.Thus they were easily seduced by the dark side,because when they saw they could not achieve their aims or the things they wanted,they made their choice to become evil.Having this in mind I would also say that one of the factors which influenced all charcters who become evil is the negative attitude towards them by the others.
I know all the things I’ve said may seem absurd but I do believenobody and nothing was born evil. I believe that it was a question of choice and circumstances.In the following pages I will try to convince you that circumstances created,or actually made possible becoming evil.

[Gil-Galad]

Melkor –the beginnig

It can be stated that Melkor is the one who first became evil..He is the mythical beginnig of evil.But even he was not naturally born evil.We can say for sure he was not naturally born evil,because he was the first who became evil-before him there was no evil,no definition of evil.After him and his actions the seeds of evil were everywhere.
Then the voices of the Ainur,like unto harps and lutes,and pipes and trumpets,and viols and organs,and like unto countless choirs singing with words,began to fashion the theme of Iluvatar to a great music;and a sound arose of endless interchanging melodies wooven in harmony that passed beyond the hearing into the depths and into the heights,and the places of the dwelling of Iluvatar were filled to overflowing,and the misic and the echo of the music went out into the Void,and it was not void.Never since have the Ainur made any misic like to this music,though it had been said that a greater still shall be made before Iluvatar by the choirs of the Ainur and the Children of Iluvatar after the end of days

Melkor was part of the Great song of the Ainur and actively participated in it.He brought in himself the Good,like every other Ainu and he was impressed and amazed by Iluvatar.He was just one of the Ainur,bearers of everything beautiful.But he was the most talented ,the most powerful one.He realized his power and strong ambition grew in his heart,because he wanted to improve himself.His natural curiosity leaded him to places beyond our imagination and the more he realized his abilities,the more he wanted to create things by himself .

But as the great theme progressed it came into the heart of Melko to interwave matters of his own vain imagining that were not fitting to that great theme of Iluvatar.Now Melko had among the Ainur been given some of the greatest gifts and power of wisdom and knowledge by Iluvatar;and fared often alobe in the dark places and the voids seeking The Secret Fire that giveth Life and Reality(for he had a very hot desire to bring things into being of his own);yet he found it not,for it dwelleth with Iluvatar,and that he knew not till afterward.

Melko desired to find the Secret Fire,not bacause of any cruel intention,but because of curiosity.His desire to create things by his own,to improve himself ,to have have his own song,could not be crushed.His talent and curiosity leaded him.But with the failure to find the Secret Fire,came and his disappointment.Thus Melko had to make a choice,to reconcile with the fact he would never have what he most desired,or to continue searching for it,whatever it takes.His character,abilities and natural curiosity destined his choice:
There had he nonetheless fallen to thinking deep cunning thoughts of his own,all of which he showed not even to Iluvatar

The Ainu decided to try,to create his own song.And he was not leaded by evil thoughts in the beginnig,but by desire to create.Melko tried to start his theme,but:
Some of these devisings and imaginings he now wove into his music,and straightaway harshness and discordancy rose about him,and many of those that played nigh him grew despondent and their music feeble,and their thoughts unifinished and unclear,while many others fell to attuning their music to his rather than to the great theme wherein they began

Yes,his song was different,for he did not possess the might of Eru,but still Melko desired to create his own things,just like Iluvatar.And the result was terrible.The desire of Melko to create a song of his own made him do that mistake.His song could not be as great and beautiful as Iluvatar’s ,but how could he know it?His long search for the Secret Fire brought him to the darkness.And great was Eru’s answer:

Mighty are the Ainur ,and glorious,and among them is Melko the most powerful in knowledge;but that he may know,and all the Ainur,that I am Iluvatar,those things that ye have sung and played,lo!I have caused to be-not in the musics they ye make in the heavenlyr regions,as a joy to me and a play unto yourselves,alone,but rather to have shape and reality even as have ye Ainur ,whom I have made to share in the reality of Iluvatar myself.Maybe I shall love these things that come of my song even as I love the Ainur who are of my thought,and maybe more.Thou Melko shalt see that no theme can be played save it come in the end of Iluvatar’s self,nor can any alter the music in Iluvatar’s despite…

Great were Iluvatar’s words and they showed that no other theme could have existed if it had not been part of him..Thus Melko made his first steps in the darkness.Although he desired to create a theme of his own,it could not be as great as Eru’s one,it was a digression of the “proper” way.In this way Melko’s theme could only contain darkness in itself,for the darkness was the only thing which was not part of Iluvatar’s great theme:

…..He attempts this finds himself in the end but aiding me in devising a thing of still greater grandeur and more complex wonder :-for lo!through Melko have terror as fire,and sorrow like dark waters,wrath like thunder,and evil as far from my light as the depths of the uttermost of the dark places,come into the design that I laid before you.Through him has pain and misery been made in the clash of overwhelming musics;and with confusion of sound have cruelty,and ravening ,and darkness,loathly mire and all putrescence of thought or thing,foul mists and violent flame,cold without mercy,been born,and death without hopeYet is this through him and not by himand he shall see,and ye all likewise,and even shall those beings,who must now dwell among his evil and endure through Melko misery and sorrow,terror and wickedness,declare in the end that it redoundeth only to my great glory,and doth but make the theme more worth the hearing,Life more worth the living,and the World so much the wonderful and marvellous,that of all deeds of Iluvatar it shall be called his mightiest and his loveliest.

Bitter were Iluvatar’s word for Melkor,but the One was right.
The most important part of this quote is this one which proves that Melkor is not the bearer of evil.His desire for cognition,for a theme of his own made him wander in the Void,and the things he learned there were
Not part of Eru’s themes.The things he learned were part of the darkness,and when he started he did not want to achieve such result,but the things he had found in the Void were only dark.And Eru was right,Melkor did not created them,he just provided them.This was the real beginning of the Fall of Melkor,because with the time darkness enveloped him and he became the first and main source of evil in Middle-earth.He was the One who wandered in the Void and provided for first time the darkness.,but it is essential to be mentioned that he did not created it!
Thus the mightiest of the Ainur became the first,the true source of evil,and everything after him had a grain of evil in itself . It should be mentioned also that Iluvatar knew that there world would not have to endure the evil and darkness which would come from Melkor forever,because the theme of Good would win,because evil was something unnatural.Its place was in the Void.Yes,with the time evil became part of Middle-earth and its habitants and this fact corresponds with the idea of the Original Sin,which is part of the Christian Theology,but still as Eru said ,evil would not last forever.Its true place was not Middle-earth.
Iluvatar’s words had an awful infuence on Melkor.
Then the Ainur feared and comprehended not all that was said,and Melko was filled with shame and the anger of shame (“…was filled with shame ,of which came secret anger”-The Simarillion).
Yes,that was the thing which finally destined Melkor’s future.He had to feel the power and glory of Iluvatar in front of all other Ainur and he was by no means the fool of the day and his theme crashed.Probably that was the worst moment for Melkor,he seemed like a fool in the other Ainur’s eyes.That he could not accept.His abilities were totally descridited His pride was hurted.Thus a feeling of anger and desire for revenge filled Melkor’s heart.
And he made his choice -secret anger obsessed him.
But diferent was Iluvatar’s attitude towards another Ainu when he crossed Eru’s will. I mean Aule when he created the Dwarves.
Iluvatar spoke to him;and Aule heard his voice and was silent:
"Why hast thou done this?Why dost attemp a thing which thou knowest is beyond thy power and thy authority?For thou hast from me as a gift thy own being only,and no more;and therefore the creatures of thy hand and mind can live only by that being,moving when thou thinkest to move them,and if thy thought be elsewhere,standing idle.Is that thy desire?"
Yes,though smaller was Aule’s mistake he was treated in a different way.Eru spoke to him,and nobody else could hear his voice.At the same time Melkor was unmasked in front of all Ainur.Was that fair?In a way yes,because all Ainur had to know that everything starts from and begins with Eru,but the result was that Melkor turned himeslf to the dark side.He could not accept such shame.His pride was too big and he could not just confess his guilt.Thus he had no choice,Eru’s words gave him no choice and his choice now was destined.

[Gil-Galad]

If Iluvatar had spoken only to Melkor (let’s say in private),the Ainu would have listened to him,although the chance was very little,having in mind Melkor’s nature,his curiosty,self esteem,pride.But still there was a chance.By bringing shame on Melkor,it was impossible for him to make different choice.His pride was too big.
Thus pride became one of the main reasons for Melkor’s Fall.And throughout the whole history of Middle-earth pride stays one of the reasons for chosing the dark side and becoming evil.


Melkor – the first source of evil

As I said it can be stated that Melkor(Morgoth) is a paralel of Lucifer(Satan),as well as Eru is a paralel of God.According to the Christian Theology(thank you Luke ;) ) Lucifer is the first who become evil,the first and true source of evil.The same could be said about Melkor.He was the first and only source of evil in Middle-earth.He spreaded away darkness and seduced many creatures to follow him.Those who refused were forced.He managed “to plant” the seeds of evil everywhere and in everybody(This corresponds with the theory of the Original Sin).Everyone had a grain of evil in himself,the question was whether he would be seduced by it,whether he would let the seed of evil grow in his heart.It was a question of choice and feelings.
What is of greatest significance ,is the fact that evil,in the face of Melkor continued improving itself.Melko made his choice and he used all his power and abbilities in turning everything into darkness.And yes he lost his splendour and might,but gained new features,which made him more and more evil,darker and darker with the time.
From splendour he fell through arrogance to contempt for all things himself,a spiritwasteful and pitiless.Understanding he turned to subtlety in perverting to his own will all that he would use ,until he became a liar without shame.He began with the desire of Light ,but when he could not possess it for himself alone,he descendeed through fire and wraith into a great burning ,down the Darkness.And darkness he used most in his evil works upon Arda,and filled it with fear for all living things

The only aim of Melkor now,was to corrupt everything and to spread away the evil he had in him.For evil could only survive if it was everywhere,if Good was defeated.The only chance for the surviving of evil was a complete victory over Good,because Good was the better alternative and soon or late it would win.That is why Melkor did everything possible to soil the grains of evil everywhere and to corrupt everything and everyone.
He lost his dignity,splendour,greatness,everything he had during the time of his greatest power,before his Fall.He was ready to sacrifice everything he had with only one aim.His Fall was so big that he did thing he had never done before.He lost his dignity.

Before the gates of Valmar Melkor abades himself at the feet of Manwe and sued for pardon,vowing that if he might be made only the least for the free people of Valinor he would aid the Valar in all their works,and most of all in the healing of the many hurts that he had done to the world.

But far-seeming werer all the words and deeds of Melkor in that time,and both the Valar and the Eldar had profit from his aid and counsel,if they sought it;and therefore in a while he was given leave to go freely about the land ,and it seemed to Manwe that the evil of Melkor was cured

The Fall of Melkor is really impressive.While in the beginning his pride was so big that he chose the dark side,because of the shame he felt,later he totally lost his pride.That determined the way he would try to gain his victory-whatever it takes.He lost everything he had had before,his dignity,his pride.The same happened later with all characters who turned themselves to the dark side.All of them were ready “to pay “ any price but to achieve their aim.Thus they lost everything.
The time he spent in Aman strenghten his hate towards the Valar and towards everything good.

Now in his heart Melkor most hated the Eldar,both because they were fair and joyful and because in them he saw the reason of the arising of the Valar and his own downfall.


Melkor indeed declared afterwards that Feanor had learnt much art from himin secret,and had been instructed by him in the greatest of all his works;but he lied in his in his lust and his envy.
His hate grew stronger because of the things he could not possess,because of the things he could not achieve.Feanor’s works were something which Melkor could not ever make and for a character like him,talented and ambitions it was a real disaster to realize that there was someone who can make things better than him.The envy made him angry with those who were better than him.Thus Melkor did one of his worst “deeds” he stole the Silmarils from Feanor and killed his father.Of course the reason for this “deed” was the desire to possess them.But it was caused by the envy and and the fact that Melkor realized he cannot create something like them.Thus once again an evil “deed” was done by Melkor,not because he was naturally evil,but because of his ambtions,desire for possession and mostly because he realized he was not able to create such things.From that moment he started losing faith in his abilties,from that moment he was led by his “sick ambtions”,ambitions which made the whole world suffer,even Aman.

[Gil-Galad]

The Darkening of Valinor and The Original Sin

The time Melkor spent in Aman was a time of interesting peace.Even some Valar and Elves believed Melkor had changed.But that was not true.For Melkor had his own plans,plans which changed the destiny of the world,plans which planted and spreaded the seeds of evil everywhere.
He planned everything so precisely that this became his “greatest deed”.


Then the Unlight of Ungoliant rose up even to the roots of the Trees ,and Melkor sprang upon the mound;and with his black spear he smote each Tree to its core,wounded them ,and their sap poured the forth as it were their blood,and was spilled upon the ground.But Ungoliant sucked it up ,and going then from Tree to Tree she set her black beak to their wounds ,till their were drained ;and the poison of Death that was in her went inot their tissues and withered them dry,root,branch and leaf;and they died.
Melkor did something which changed everything.He started using the element of surpise and he used it till The War of Wrath.Since he had lost his dignity it was not a problem to use methods which could be defined as vicious and cruel.This act by Melkor and Ungoliant can be also defined as Melkor’s biggest success.From that time evil was planted everywhere.He managed to spread evil everywhere and in everything.The grains of darkness were just waiting to sprout.From that time they were waiting for the appropriate opportunities to grow up.

Still therefore, after the Long Night, the light of Valinor was greater and fairer than upon Middle-earth; for the Sun rested there, and the lights of heaven drew nearer to Earth in that region. But neither the Sun nor the Moon can recall the light that was of old, that came from the Trees before they were touched by the poison of Ungoliant. That light lives now in the Silmarils alone.

And the Valar were greatly concerned to see that all their labour for the guarding of Valinor was of no avail, to keep out evil and the shadow of Melkor, if any thing, living or unliving, was brought thither out of Middle-earth and left free or unguarded; and they perceived at last how great was the power of Melkor in Arda, in the making of which as it was his part was such that all things, save in Aman alone, had an inclination to evil and to perversion from their right forms and courses. Wherefore those whose being began in Arda, and who moreover were by nature a union of spirit and body, drawing the sustenance of the latter from Arda Marred, must ever be, in some degree, liable to grief, to do or to suffer things unnatural; and though dwelling in Aman might be a guard against this evil, it was not a full cure, unless in long ages.

Nothing was able to replace the two Trees,nothing was able to cure the wounds which Melkor and Ungoliant did.But the most important thing is that Morgoth managed to spread the seeds of evil not only throughout Middle-earth,but also in Valinor.The lies and distrust he planted gave their fruits even in the Blessed Realms.

….but he (Melkor)disembled his purposes with cunning and nothing of his malice could yet be seen in the semblance that he wore.Long was he at work,and slow at first and barren was his work

Fiercest burned the new flame of desire for freedom and wider realms in the eager heart of Feanor;and Melkor laughed in his secrecy ,for to that mark his lies had been addressed…

And when Melkor saw that these lies were smouldering ,and that the pride and anger were among the Noldor,he spoke to them concerning weapons;and at that time the Noldor began the smyting of swords and axes and spears

Thus with lies and evil whisperings and false counsel Melkor kindled the hearts of the Noldor to strife;and of their quarrels came at lenght the end of the high days of Valinor and the evening of its ancient history

Through lies and using Noldor’s natural ambitions and curiosity Melkor managed to spread his seeds of darknes in Valinor.They gave result later.What is important here is the fact that Tolkien states that came the end of the high days of Valinor and the evening of its ancient hisotory.

After Melkor’s “great success” Valinor was not the same.It was not completely cured.The hearts of elves were changed.Everybody could feel the darkness,the very small seeds of darkness which were left in Valinor.Some of these seeds reached elves’ hearts and souls.They were waiting for the chance to grow and give their fruits.
The lies by Melkor,the distrust he planted among the Firstborn gave their results throughout the whole history of Middle-earth.The same happened to Men.

Of his dealings with Men the Eldar indeed knew nothing ,at that time,and learnt but little aftewards;but that a darkness lay upon the hearts of Men (as the shadow of the Kinslaying and the Doom of Mandos lay upon the Noldor)they perceived clearly even in the the people of the Elf-friends whom they first knew.

Yes,Morgoth Bauglir did the same thing with the Men.He planted his seeds of darkness in their hearts and souls and they were just waiting for an opportunity to grow.
From all these passages it could be stated that Melkor managed to spread his darkness everywhere,in everything.It was only waiting till the appropriate moment ,till the appropriate circumstances to grow up,to give its fruits.
It can be made a paralel with Theology and the theory of The Original Sin.After the Fall of Lucifer/Satan and the first Sin made by Adam and Eve (taking the forbiden apple,for those who do not know) everybody possess the Original Sin in himself,in his heart.Everybody has a grain of darkness in himself and it only depends on him and his actions whether he will give it an oppurtunity to grow or not. Which way he will take the one of the good or the one of the darkness.But no one is evil by nature,though he bears the original sin in himself.
From the paralel between Tolkien’s world and mythology and the Christian theology it can be infered that after Melkor’s greatest “deeds” during his stay in Valinor everybody beared part of the darkness he had spreaded.But no one was evil by nature.
Elves,darkened too.In everyone of them was planted part of Morgoth’s lies and distrust.These seeds gave their results later,but only when they were given an oppurtinuty to grow.
In the beginning of their days the Men too suffered from Melkor,and he managed to plant his seeds of darkness in their souls.Thus Men became no exception and they too had these grains,waiting for the appropriate moment.

What is important,and what I am trying to say (though it is really complicated to beexplained)is that Melkor managed to spread part of the Darkness he had in himself everywhere and in everything!!The seeds he planted were in everybody,the seeds from where evil could grow were in everyone,but no one was naturally evil.Even Melkor was not naturally evil!!!He became evil “thanks to” his natural curiosity,ambitions and pride.
After The Darkening of Valinor Melkor fortified himself in Angband ,because now the time was working for him.He had spread the distrust among everybody,the seeds of evil were just waiting for the exact moment.Only once he went out of Angband,when he wanted to corrupt men.After that time the lies he spreaded started giving their fruits and he only had to make use of them and to imporve his methods of achieving his aims.

[Gil-Galad]

Gorthaur–evil improves itself


The most talented Maia chose the dark side too.Like his teacher (Melkor) he was once good and part of the Ainur,but later leaded by his ambitions he followed Melkor.But once again we should note down that Sauron was not born evil……..he became evil

In his beginning he was of the Maiar of Aulë

He was the mightiest Maia of Aule.The most capable one ,the most ambtitious one and of course the proudest Maia among Aule’s servants.That was enough to be easily seduced by the Dark Side and Melkor.
Like the others who joined Melkor in the beginning of his rebel,Gorthaur was too leaded by desire for creating and proving himself.He was leaded by the same feelings which made his Master rebel.And yes he really was the mighitest Maia among Aule’s Maiar and he prooved it later.Unfortunately he proved it by becoming a embodyment of the “improving evil”.
It is interesting to mention that he was a servant of Aule in the beginning.Here is the place to say that Aule’s servants were the ones who were most easily exposed to evil’s influence.They all were extremely talented,proud;ambitous and capable.They all had the qualities which made them vulnarable.Even Aule was close to choose the Dark side when he created the Dwarven Fathers against Eru’s will..But he was strong enough to confess his mistake and forget his pride.For pride was the thing which made everybody rebel .
Sauron chose his way and did his best to prove himself.

and he became the greatest and most trusted of the servants of the Enemy, and the most perilous, for he could assume many forms, and for long if he willed he could still appear noble and beautiful, so as to deceive all but the most wary

In all the deeds of Melkor the Morgoth upon Arda, in his vast works and in the deceits of his cunning, Sauron had a part, and was only less evil than his master in that for long he served another and not himself. But in after years he rose like a shadow of Morgoth and a ghost of his malice, and walked behind him on the same ruinous path down into the Void.

All abilities Gorthaur possessed he put in favour of the dark side.He is the main reason for evil’s improvement with the time.Like his Master Sauron continued using everybody’s weak points,he made use of all features which made everyone turn himself to the dark side (he used Numenoreans’ strive for perfection to cause their destruction,he used Celebrimbor’s curiosity and ambitions,and the desire for power of the Nine Kings of Men….).We can talk a lot about his evil actions ,but this is not the issue now.
My point is that no matter how evil he bacame and how many suffering he caused,in the beginning he was good.He was not born evil,he turned to the dark side due to his character as well as the circumstances.How could he know that the way Melkor was proposing to him was the Dark way?How could one ambitious and talented person know it?How could one blinded by his ambitions see he was making the wrong choice?

[Gil-Galad]

Feanor –too much pride leads to the dark side

Although he was considered to be the greatest elf ever,he did both,great deeds and things which could be said to be evil.
From the very beginning it was clear he was unique.

But in the bearing of her son(Faenor) Míriel was consumed in spirit and body; and after his birth she yearned for release from the labours of living

And his love he gave thereafter to his son; and Fëanor grew swiftly, as if a secret fire were kindled within him. He was tall, and fair of face, and masterful, his eyes piercingly bright and his hair raven-dark; in the pursuit of all his purposes eager and steadfast. Few ever changed his courses by counsel, none by force. He became of all the Noldor, then or after, the most subtle in mind and the most skilled in hand. In his youth, bettering the work of Rúmil, he devised those letters which bear his name, and which the Eldar used ever after; and he it was who, first of the Noldor, discovered how gems greater and brighter than those of the earth might be made with skill. The first gems that Fëanor made were white and colourless, but being set under starlight they would blaze with blue and silver fires brighter than Helluin; and other crystals he made also, wherein things far away could be seen small but clear, as with the eyes of the eagles of Manwë. Seldom were the hands and mind of Fëanor at rest

Great were Feanor’s abilities and talent,greatest he was among the Eldar,but at the same time easily he was influenced by Melkor’s lies.Finwe’s son was really proud,so proud that even Galadriel’s refusal to give him from her hair made him dislike her . Feanor did realize his abilities and talent and that was the basis of his pride.The same pride later,as well as his ambitions made him oppose the Valar.

Fiercest burned the new flame of desire for freedom and wider realms in the eager heart of Fëanor…

Feanor’s abmitions could not be stopped.And Melkor made use of them.He made use of the elf’s pride and planted his seeds of distrust in his heart.Thus unable to realize his mistake .

Fëanor now began openly to speak words of rebellion against the Valar, crying aloud that he would depart from Valinor back to the world without, and would deliver the Noldor from thraldom, if they would follow him

But it was not his fault.Melkor made use of him and his character.And the moment of the Darkening of Valinor was close.
It should be mentioned that Feanor showed ability to listen to the others and to step back,though it was very difficult for him.He managed to forget some of Melkor’s lies about his step-brothers,but it was too late.Melkor killed Finwe and stole the Silamarils.
Great was Feanor’s anger and sorrow but greater was his pride which did not allow him to listen to anybody and to step once again back.

Then suddenly Fëanor appeared in the city and called on all to come to the high court of the King upon the summit of Túna;

Fierce and few were his words, and filled with anger and pride; and hearing them the Noldor were stirred to madness. His wrath and his hate were given most to Morgoth, and yet well nigh all that he said came from the very lies of Morgoth himself; but he was distraught with grief for the slaying of his father, and with anguish for the rape of the Silmarils

Morgoth’s seeds of evil started growing up in Feanor’s heart.He was leaded by anger and pride.Nobody could stop him or make him change his decision to leave Valinor.Feanor knew he was the greatest,he realized his abilities and his pride was filling him.It was impossible for him,the greatest elf to forget everything and to stay in Valinor,to step back once again.Thus driven by his character,pride,anger ,madness as well as Melkor’s lies,Feanor caused some of the biggest tragedies in Valinor ever.

Then Fëanor swore a terrible oath. His seven sons leapt straightway to his side and took the selfsame vow together, and red as blood shone their drawn swords in the glare of the torches. They swore an oath which none shall break, and none should take, by the name even of Ilúvatar, calling the Everlasting Dark upon them if they kept it not; and Manwë they named in witness, and Varda, and the hallowed mountain of Taniquetil, vowing to pursue with vengeance and hatred to the ends of the World Vala, Demon, Elf or Man as yet unborn, or any creature, great or small, good or evil, that time should bring forth unto the end of days, whoso should hold or take or keep a Silmaril from their possession

Great was his anger and it doomed all who followed him.The question of possessing the Silmarils is really interesting.Feanor swore all these things because he truly believed in his right,he truly believe that his position was the only right one.
Even the last try of the Valar to change his opinion was not able to stop Feanor.He could not be stoppoed,while his was droven by his anger;madness and pride.
But Fëanor laughed, and spoke not to the herald, but to the Noldor, saying: 'So! Then will this valiant people send forth the heir of their King alone into banishment with his sons only, and return to their bondage? But if any will come with me, I say to them: Is sorrow foreboded to you? But in Aman we have seen it. In Aman we have come through bliss to woe. The other now we will try: through sorrow to find joy; or freedom, at the least
Then something happened which can be really defined as Feanor’s greatest evil “deed.”
Fëanor grew wrathful...

He could not accept any refusal,by anyone(Olwe),especially when he was staying on his way.And thus
When he judged that his strength was enough, he went to the Haven of the Swans and began to man the ships that were anchored there and to take them away by force. But the Teleri withstood him, and cast many of the Noldor into the sea. Then swords were drawn, and a bitter fight was fought upon the ships, and about the lamplit quays and piers of the Haven, and even upon the great arch of its gate. Thrice the people of Fëanor were driven back, and many were slain upon either side; but the vanguard of the Noldor were succoured by Fingon with the foremost of the host of Fingolfin, who coming up found a battle joined and their own kin falling, and rushed in before they knew rightly the cause of the quarrel; some thought indeed that the Teleri had sought to waylay the march of the Noldor at the bidding of the Valar.

But that was not all…….driven by his madness he left part of his kin to pass Helcaraxë and thus doomed many to death.
And again nothing could stop his strive.Thus he found his death.

Then his sons raised up their father and bore him back towards Mithrim. But as they drew near to Eithel Sirion and were upon the upward path to the pass over the mountains, Fëanor bade them halt; for his wounds were mortal, and he knew that his hour was come. And looking out from the slopes of Ered Wethrin with his last sight he beheld far off the peaks of Thangorodrim, mightiest of the towers of Middle-earth, and knew with the foreknowledge of death that no power of the Noldor would ever overthrow them; but he cursed the name of Morgoth thrice, and laid it upon his sons to hold to their oath, and to avenge their father. Then he died; but he had neither burial nor tomb, for so fiery was his spirit that as it sped his body fell to ash, and was borne away like smoke; and his likeness has never again appeared in Arda, neither has his spirit left the halls of Mandos. Thus ended the mightiest of the Noldor, of whose deeds came both their greatest renown and their most grievous woe

Even in his very last moments he could not stop his hate and anger.His pride did not allow him to do it,it was impossible for him to repent.He believed in the rightness of everything he did.

Some will say he was the greatest elf ever,others will say that he was the one who caused the suffer of The Noldor,and they all will be right.But one thing is sure.He was not evil.The circumstances made him seem evil.
His talent and pride as well as natural curiosity made him vulnerable and evil made use of them.

[Gil-Galad]

Eol-evil is everywhere and in everybody

Eol is one of the most mysterious characters of J.R.R.Tolkien as well as one of the strangest ones,if we have in mind his lifestyle. Just like the other characters who did some things leaded by evil,Eol was more than just an ordinary elf.

Of old he was of the kin of Thingol, but he was restless and ill at ease in Doriath, and when the Girdle of Melian was set about the Forest of Region where he dwelt he fled thence to Nan Elmoth

...he learned much of metalwork, and came to great skill therein; and he devised a metal as hard as the steel of the Dwarves, but so malleable that he could make it thin and supple; and yet it remained resistant to all blades and darts. He named it galvorn, for it was black and shining like jet, and he was clad in it whenever he went abroad. But Eöl, though stooped by his smithwork, was no Dwarf, but a tall Elf of a high kin of the Teleri, noble though grim of face; and his eyes could see deep into shadows and dark places

Once again Tolkien shows us a character with extreme talent and abilities,an elf full of pride and curiosity.For his curiosity was amazing,no other elf ever became such a good friend with the dwarves from Belegost of Nogrod.
This is not the place to discuss whether he was right or not to ban Aredhel and his son Maeglin of having contacts with the Noldor.But it is a fact that his wife and son ecaped.

Now Eöl returned out of the east sooner than Maeglin had foreseen, and found his wife and his son but two days gone; and so great was his anger that he followed after them even by the light of day.

The Dark Elf’s anger grew bigger and bigger with the time.Not only his feelings were hurt,but also hir pride.His pride made him do a madness later.Pride was everything he had and it didn’t allow him stop. The desire for revenge embraced his mind and heart.For :

he was filled with hatred of all the Noldor; for he perceived now that Maeglin and Aredhel were fleeing to Gondolin. And driven by anger and the shame of his humiliation he crossed the Fords of Aros and rode hard upon the way that they had gone before

Great was his anger and it there was no way back,even when he entered Gondolin.For his pride and dignity were hurted. So big was his pride and his anger that he refused to take King Turgon’s hand.:

But Eöl withdrew his hand. 'I acknowledge not your law,' he said. 'No right have you or any of your kin in this land to seize realms or to set bounds, either here or there. This is the land of the Teleri, to which you bring war and all unquiet, dealing ever proudly and unjustly. I care nothing for your secrets and I came not to spy upon you, but to claim my own: my wife and my son. Yet if in Aredhel your sister you have some claim, then let her remain; let the bird go back to the cage, where soon she will sicken again, as she sickened before. But not so Maeglin. My son you shall not withhold from me. Come, Maeglin son of Eöl! Your father commands you . Leave the house of his enemies and the slayers of his kin, or be accursed!' But Maeglin answered nothing

Eol had no fear of the might of TheNoldor. He was probably not wrong at all and he believed in every single word he said.He was not afraid of insultig anybody.
From this paragraph we can infer what was the only thing Eol really loved. It was his son Maeglin.He had taught him all the things he knew,he had showed him all the things he valued and loved.Maeglin was the only thing his father truly loved,for his own blood was running in Maeglin’s vains. But bitter was Maeglin’s answer.And Eol tmade the only decision he could ,having in mind his pride.

Suddenly, swift as serpent, he seized a javelin that he held hid beneath his cloak and cast it at Maeglin, crying:
'The second choice I take and for my son also! You shall not hold what is mine!'
But Aredhel sprang before the dart, and it smote her in the shoulder.

Only grieve brought his choice and great evil was done by the Dark Elf.
But he did this terrible act,not because he was evil,not because he was evil by nature,but because he could not accept such a defeat,he could not accept another humiliation.For he was too pride and he was ready to loose everything but not to be defeated by those who he hated most (The Noldor in the face of Turgon).Once again somebody’s pride became the reason for an evil action and sorrow.Not because Eol was evil by nature but because he was too pride,evil was done.

[Gil-Galad]

Maeglin-what despaired love leaded to

The son of Eol,the dark elf,caused one of the biggest tragedies in the elven history-The Fall of Gondolin.But I believe that before we clam him evil we should see what made him do that.Probably one of the reasons was that he inherited some of his father’s features.
He inherited his father’s abilities and a great craftsman he was.


But Maeglin prospered and grew great among the Gondolindrim, praised by all, and high in the favour of Turgon; for if he would learn eagerly and swiftly all that he might, he had much also to teach. And he gathered about him all such as had the most bent to smithcraft and mining; and he sought in the Echoriath (which are the Encircling Mountains), and found rich lodes of ore of divers metals. Most he prized the hard iron of the mine of Anghabar in the north of the Echoriath, and thence he got a wealth of forged metal and of steel, so that the arms of the Gondolindrim were made ever stronger and more keen; and that stood them in good stead in the days to come.

Thanks to him Gondolin really prospered.He put his all ambitions into smithcraft and mining.Not only talented he was ,but also wise and brave he was:
Wise in counsel was Maeglin and wary, and yet hardy and valiant at need. And that was seen in after days: for when in the dread year of the Nirnaeth Arnoediad Turgon opened his leaguer and marched forth to the help of Fingon in the north, Maeglin would not remain in Gondolin as regent of the King, but went to the war and fought beside Turgon, and proved fell and fearless in battle

Thus Eol’s son proved himself as the most capable of the Noldorin princes.But he was doing these things not because he desired glory and might.Nay, the call of his heart was stronger than everything.The only the he desired was the heart of Idril Celebrindal.

Yet he did not reveal his heart: and though not all things went as he would he endured it in silence, hiding his mind so that few could read it, unless it were Idril Celebrindal. For from his first days in Gondolin he had borne a grief, ever worsening, that robbed him of all joy: he loved the beauty of Idril and desired her, without hope

She was the true reason for him to live.But their love was impossible.Moreover
Idril loved Maeglin not at all; and knowing his thought of her she loved him the less

Bitter became the life for Maeglin,because Turgon’s daughter did not answer to his heart’s call.But he did not stop loving her with all his heart,although it was hopeless.
But as the years passed still Maeglin watched Idril, and waited, and his love turned to darkness in his heart. And he sought the more to have his will in other matters, shirking no toil or burden, if he might thereby have power

Thus with the time his feelings brought him to the dark side.Day by the day ,year by year his despaired love grew in his heart and he was ready to do whatever it would take to possess Idril.And the days of joy in Gondolin were near to their end,for Tuor,son of Huor came.Wise were his words,for they came from Ulmo,the Lord of oceans and seas.Maeglin opposed to everything the mortal said,because he was danger for Maeglin’s position of closest person to King Turgon.But that was not all.
Then the heart of Idril was turned to him, and his to her; and Maeglin's secret hatred grew ever greater, for he desired above all things to possess her, the only heir of the King of Gondolin. But so high did Tuor stand in the favour of the King that when he had dwelt there for seven years Turgon did not refuse him even the hand of his daughter; for though he would not heed the bidding of Ulmo, he perceived that the fate of the Noldor was wound with the one whom Ulmo had sent

Great became Maeglin hate.The only thing he ever desired was now possession of his greatest enemy.That was the moment in which his heart turned to the darkness.
He the most capable among the Nolodorin princes couldn’t have Idril,but a mortal could!!!!Desire for a revenge grew in his heart.Leaded by his unstoppable desire and his hate towards Tuor,and all those who underestimated him after Tuor’s coming,Maeglin caused The Fall of Gondolin.:

But often Maeglin went with few of his folk beyond the leaguer of the hills, and the King knew not that his bidding was defied; and thus it came to pass, as fate willed, that Maeglin was taken prisoner by Orcs, and brought to Angband, Maeglin was no weakling or craven, but the torment wherewith he was threatened cowed his spirit, and he purchased his life and freedom by revealing to Morgoth the very place of Gondolin and the ways whereby it might be found and assailed. Great indeed was the Joy of Morgoth, and to Maeglin he promised the lordship of Gondolin as his vassal, and the possession of Idril Celebrindal, when the city should be taken; and indeed desire for Idril and hatred for Tuor led Maeglin the easier to his treachery, most infamous in all the histories of the Elder Days

Pain was among the reasons why Maeglin showed Morgoth where was The Hidden King,but the biggest reason for his betrayal was the offer the Dark Lord proposed to him.Once again evil made use of the circumstances as well as the despaired love of and strong hate of one.
Maeglin cannot be claimed to be evil.Actually he was the one elf who contributed most for Gondolin’s prosperity,up to the moment he completely despaired himself and the coming of Tuor.Meaglin was not able to stop the call of his heart and his desire.He rushed into the love with all the passion and emotion he had,just like the way he gave everything from himself in smithing and minning.Thus his fate was pre-determined.He was blinded by the power of his desire and he was ready to pay any price for Idril.Morgoth’s proposal was just a chance for him to escape from torments and to have finally the one he ever desired. That is why when he came back to Gondolin

he abode in the halls of the King with smiling face and evil in his heart, while the darkness gathered ever deeper upon Idril.
Yes he was happy,because he would have the only thing he had ever wanted and desired for.

The impossibility to possess his love and the despair , which grew day by day,made him vulnerable.And Morgoth made use of his passionate and emotional love.

[Gil-Galad]

Men,naturally evil or just victims of the weakness?

We have had several debates in TTF whether Men were evil by nature or not,whether they have been inherently evil or not.
I would say that Men and The Fathers of Men were not naturally evil,but their descendants inhereted the evil seed which had been planted in Men’s hearts in the days of their awakening.From Theological point of you this fact corresponds to the conceprion of the Orignal Sin.No one was naturally evil,but everyone beared in himself the Original Sin.No one was evil,but everyone could become evil.Probably the biggest problem in their case was that they had free will and and they could choose whichever side they wanted.That made them vulnerable because sometimes they made their choices deceived by the Dark side.

But when he questioned him concerning the arising of Men and their journeys, Bëor would say little; and indeed he knew little, for the fathers of his people had told few tales of their past and a silence had fallen upon their memory. 'A darkness lies behind us,' Bëor said; 'and we have turned our backs upon it, and we do not desire to return thither even in thought. Westwards our hearts have been turned, and we believe that there we shall find Light.’But it was said afterwards among the Eldar that when Men awoke in Hildórien at the rising of the Sun the spies of Morgoth were watchful, and tidings were soon brought to him; and this seemed to him so great a matter that secretly under shadow he himself departed from Angband, and went forth into Middle-earth, leaving to Sauron the command of the War.Of his dealings with Men the Eldar indeed knew nothing ,at that time,and learnt but little aftewards;but that a darkness lay upon the hearts of Men (as the shadow of the Kinslaying and the Doom of Mandos lay upon the Noldor)they perceived clearly even in the the people of the Elf-friends whom they first knew

The first and most important thing we can infer from this quote is that Men were not created evil.The Secondborn were created by Eru,the One,the Symbol of Good.I doubt he could creat something evil ;).
I don’t know whether we should blame somebody for the fact that Men were not protected in the beginning and darkenss fell upon them.It was probably Eru’s design ,but we shall not learn the truth.But it is true that Melkor made use of the fact that Men were alone and unexperienced in Arda.He planted his seeds of evil in their hearts,in the very beginning of their lives and the seeds stayed there forever.
Some of them did not desire to stay in the Darkness and went west,but others did not go.They cannot be blamed for their choice.They were unexperienced and and the lies and fear spreaded by Melkor and his servants were deceiving them.Actaully they did not know anything or much about the Good,Eru,Valinor and etc-the things which were embodiment of the Light.They just became victims of Melkor’s actions and the fact that they were left alone.

Some went westwards and became great friends with the Firstborn,but still they could not escape completely from the darkness.They all beared the Original Sin.Thus some of them again turned themselves to the dark side,because of Melkor’s lies:

Yet neither by wolf, nor by Balrog, nor by Dragon, would Morgoth have achieved his end, but for the treachery of Men. In this hour the plots of Ulfang were revealed. Many of the Easterlings turned and fled, their hearts being filled with lies and fear; but the sons of Ulfang went over suddenly to Morgoth and drove in upon the rear of the sons of Fëanor, and in the confusion that they wrought they came near to the standard of Maedhros.

Men became one of the main reasons for the great tragedy called Nirnaeth Arnoediad.Yes,we can blame them for what Ulfang’s people do,but we cannot call them naturally evil.They were deceived.

It is more interesting to take a look at Numenorean’s case and what happened to them.

To the Fathers of Men of the three faithful houses rich reward also was given. Eönwë came among them and taught them; and they were given wisdom and power and life more enduring than any others of mortal race have possessed. A land was made for the Edain to dwell in, neither part of Middle-earth nor of Valinor, for it was sundered from either by a wide sea; yet it was nearer to Valinor

Those who choose to fight and die for the Good receive a great gift.And in the beginning were happy and everything seemed perfect:

Thus the years passed, and while Middle-earth went backward and light and wisdom faded, the Dúnedain dwelt under the protection of the Valar and in the friendship of the Eldar, and they increased in stature both of mind and body. For though this people used still their own speech, their kings and lords knew and spoke also the Elven tongue, which they had learned in the days of their alliance, and thus they held converse still with the Eldar, whether of Eressëa or of the west-lands of Middle-earth. And the loremasters among them learned also the High Eldarin tongue of the Blessed Realm, in which much story and song was preserved from the beginning of the world; and they made letters and scrolls and books, and wrote in them many things of wisdom and wonder in the high tide of their realm, of which all is now forgot

For the Dúnedain became mighty in crafts, so that if they had had the mind they could easily have surpassed the evil kings of Middle-earth in the making of war and the forging of weapons; but they were become men of peace. Above all arts they nourished shipbuilding and sea-craft, and they became mariners whose like shall never be again since the world was diminished; and voyaging upon the wide seas was the chief feat and adventure of their hardy men in the gallant days of their youth.

They had everything they could have wanted(except for immortality)
The Numenoreans bacame great craftsmen and sailor,their civilization became mighty and glorious and they achieved so many things.They achieved everything they want,but one thing was not allowed to them-to sail westwards.In the beginning that was not a problem for them,but with the time ,when they gained enough knowledge about Middle-earth and everything else they natural curiosity made them curious about the West lands.But that was not the only reason for their desire-immortality was what they desired most.:

Now this yearning grew ever greater with the years; and the Númenóreans began to hunger for the undying city that they saw from afar, and the desire of everlasting life, to escape from death and the ending of delight, grew strong upon them; and ever as their power and glory grew greater their unquiet increased. For though the Valar had rewarded the Dúnedain with long life, they could not take from them the weariness of the world that comes at last, and they died, even their kings of the seed of Eärendil

Numenoreans desire for perfection and absolute happiness grew throughout the years.The mightier they beacme the more they desired for immortality-they had everything else.The fear of death was growing stronger and stronger in their hearts.

Thus it was that a shadow fell upon them: in which maybe the will of Morgoth was at work that still moved in the world

The mightier they became the stronger they desired to reach immortality..But the more powerful they became the more vulenrable they became because their fear of death was growing.And Sauron made use of it.

And he was crafty, well skilled to gain what he would by subtlety when force might not avail. Therefore he humbled himself before Ar-Pharazôn and smoothed his tongue; and men wondered, for all that he said seemed fair and wise

[Gil-Galad]

And using their fear and desire Sauron managed to turn them to the Dark side:

Yet such was the cunning of his mind and mouth, and the strength of his hidden will, that ere three years had passed he had become closest to the secret counsels of the King; for flattery sweet as honey was ever on his tongue, and knowledge he had of many things yet unrevealed to Men. And seeing the favour that he had of their lord all the councillors began to fawn upon him…

Then behind locked doors Sauron spoke to the King, and he lied, saying: 'It is he whose name is not now spoken; for the Valar have deceived you concerning him, putting forward the name of Eru, a phantom devised in the folly of their hearts, seeking to enchain Men in servitude to themselves. For they are the oracle of this Eru, which speaks only what they will. But he that is their master shall yet prevail, and he will deliver you from this phantom; and his name is Melkor, Lord of All, Giver of Freedom, and he shall make you stronger than they.'”
Then Ar-Pharazôn the King turned back to the worship of the Dark, and of Melkor the Lord thereof, at first in secret, but ere long openly and in the face of his people; and they for the most part followed him.”
So blinded by their desire for immortality and by their pride were the Numenoreans and their King(Ar-Pharazon)that they turned themselves to Melkorism.Evil times came to Numenor.Evil became the Numenoreans(except for the Faitfull).And there was no chance for them,thus they caused their destruction-leaded by proud and anger.Only those who stayed Faithfull survived.
The Numenorean civilization ended because of Numenoreans evil actions.But there were not evil in the beginning.They beared the fear of death ,planted by Melkor and this fear combined with their growing might ,pride,confidence and unstoppable desire for perfection caused their fall.They made their choice ,but the circumstances deceived them,especially after the capture of Sauron.At the same time Sauron made use of their weakness and their desire for immortality and turned them to the Melkorism.He was like a catalyst for their fall.The Numenoreans became evil due to the their desire for things they could not possess,but clearly they were not evil by nature.



Well,I think it is getting boring so I will stop here.

I suppose that I will be criticised for my idea about evil,but that 's my personal view,supported with quotes from
The Silmarillion,The Book of Lost Tales and with some help by Nom ;).
I would like to thank also Luke Sheehan-Master in Theology for his help.

Now GG is going to his long-expected vacation. ;) :p

[Eriol]

Hey, G-G, why give us the abridged version? I wanted to see it in full...

:D

I'll comment soon. It takes a while to read ;).

[Eriol]

Wow, where to begin… I’ll make comments and give my overall opinion at the end.

You didn’t offer a definition of evil, and this led to a few hazy passages. I think you should work on that.

Everything starts from the One who is by no means an embodiment of everything Good

I didn’t understand what you mean with this sentence. It apparently runs contrary to the spirit of the Introduction.

Also, you speak of evil being “created”. In Tolkien usage, “creation” is reserved to the direct action of Eru. Check the Letter in which a reader accuses Treebeard of attributing creative powers to the Dark Lord, and in which Tolkien draws attention to the distinction between the sentences “The Dark Power created Orcs” and “The Dark Power made Orcs”.

I’m sorry if this sounds nit-picking, it’s not my intention – I only want to help with refining the precision of the essay’s language. When we are discussing these things, precision in language is essential. Another example is

“Evil persons were not naturally born.”

Detached from context, you see how this can be confusing. How were they born, if not naturally?

And that’s about it on language, in this post of mine. If you want to hear more instances in which more precision would be helpful I’ll PM them to you.

If we analyze carefully all evil persons we will definitely notice that all of them are extremely clever, talented, naturally curious, with great ambitious and abilities. They all had the chance to improve themselves, but their ambitions grew with the bigger abilities they had. Thus they were easily seduced by the dark side, because when they saw they could not achieve their aims or the things they wanted, they made their choice to become evil.

Could you explain your reasoning in this passage a bit further? You are apparently saying that the (1) most talented a being is, the more likely he is to become evil, and that (2) this happens because of their failures in reaching the goals they set for themselves.

Surely those less talented would fail in reaching goals more often than the more talented. It seems to me that the link must be between ambition and evil, not between talent and evil. One can be extremely talented and not ambitious (Finrod, or Gandalf), extremely talented and ambitious (Sauron), not talented – in this “big” sense, of making big things – and not ambitious (the prototypical hobbit), or not talented and ambitious (Gollum, who wanted to “find all the secrets in the roots of the mountains”). Evil apparently follows ambition, not talent.

Or that’s how I see it :).

Melkor

But he was the most talented, the most powerful one. He realized his power and strong ambition grew in his heart, because he wanted to improve himself. His natural curiosity leaded him to places beyond our imagination and the more he realized his abilities, the more he wanted to create things by himself.

Again you associate ambition with talent. I don’t see this link…

His desire to create things by his own, to improve himself, to have his own song, could not be crushed.

And here we see what is – in my opinion – the true root of Evil. Not ambition, but rather the delusion that you can do better than Eru. The notion that you are good enough to overrule Eru on what should or should not be done. Since no matter what you do, you can never gainsay Eru, this delusion leads directly to rebellion – if I could have done better than Eru, and Eru does not follow my own ideas, then of course Eru is not worthy to be God. I would be a better God than He; this is the root of Evil in my opinion.

Thus Melko had to make a choice, to reconcile with the fact he would never have what he most desired, or to continue searching for it, whatever it takes.

What he most desired was dominion; the absolute freedom to overrule Eru. This is the delusion of the creature that leads to Evil (again, in my opinion :) ). It was not something external to Melkor; Melkor would not be satisfied with achievements. He couldn’t be satisfied with less than dominion over Creation.

I guess my point is to emphasize that while I think you are correct in saying that Evil is not inherent to any of Eru’s creations, it is still a fault; it is not predestined, forced, or “natural” in any way. It is not mandatory, from the nature of things, that the most powerful creature should become Evil. In the old controversy about Melkor, my position is clearly “Evil by Will”, and not by Nature.

Will is a very curious and mysterious thing.

His song could not be as great and beautiful as Ilúvatar’s, but how could he know it?

For me the question is “how could he not know it?” Who of Eru’s creatures could be so deluded as to believe that he could make a song greater than Eru’s?

Although he desired to create a theme of his own, it could not be as great as Eru’s one, it was a digression of the “proper” way.

Eru never forbade “digressions”, quite the contrary. He encouraged them. The Ainur took active part in the Song, and in the shaping of Arda. The theme was proposed by Eru, but how to develop the theme was a matter open to each Ainu’s judgment. This is in direct contrast with Catholic theology, by the way, in which God creates the world without any help from the angels.

As long as Melkor was developing Eru’s theme he was free to digress in any way, as all other Ainur were. What he could not do was to attempt to change the theme, through force. And that was precisely what he attempted to do.

Thus he had no choice,Eru’s words gave him no choice and his choice now was destined.

I strongly disagree here. There is always a choice. There was a choice offered to Gollum when he almost repented in Cirith Ungol; there was a choice offered to Saruman many times. There was a choice offered to Sauron at the end of the First Age. And there was a choice offered to Melkor at that moment. If he repented and began to work for (as opposed to against) Eru’s themes, there would be no evil. But he didn’t. This was a result of Melkor’s choice, not of Eru’s will.

This is a very delicate matter if you look at Catholic theology for enlightenment, a method you used quite well in your essay. You see, the source of error in material creatures is the less-than-perfect apprehension of God’s truth, due to the imperfections of the flesh that get in the way of our intellect. But a purely spiritual creature has no imperfections that could lead to that, he apprehends Truth directly (and not through the senses, angels have no “senses”)… so that when an Angel “looks” at God, he “sees” God in His full Glory. So far so good. But once you have seen God in His full Glory, there is no way you can delude yourself that this is not Absolute Perfection (knowledge, a matter of the intellect), and then you must make a choice (acceptance or rejection – a matter of the will, not of the intellect). Satan made such a choice, after apprehending God’s nature with his intellect – which is not limited by senses, and which apprehends truth directly instead of mediately.

The point of this long digression is this: in Catholic theology, Satan’s “moment of choice” happened before the creation of the world, and it was irrevocable, because Satan’s intellect could never find “new data” to make him think better about it. Satan can’t repent. He could choose differently, but he can’t “repent” (i.e. change his mind), because his mind can’t be changed. And by the same token a good angel can’t be seduced. All the angels that could be seduced were seduced at the first moment, and they made their choice, and they will never change it.

This is not exactly what we see in Tolkien’s world. Ossë changes his mind; Sauron is believed to be redeemable at the end of the First Age; Saruman falls. (Saruman’s case is a bit different, since he was incarnated at that moment. Incarnation may (and does) cloud the perception.)

There is always a choice. And to choose evil is not forced by any characteristic – talent, ambition, etc. There is a reductio ad absurdum lurking here; if evil could be attributed to a characteristic, the characteristic would be evil, and therefore evil would be created by Eru (or the characteristic would have to be attributed to another characteristic, and so on). But Eru can’t create evil by definition. So evil can’t be forced by a characteristic.

Thus once again an evil “deed” was done by Melkor,not because he was naturally evil,but because of his ambtions,desire for possession and mostly because he realized he was not able to create such things [The Silmarils].

I think that at that moment any distinction between “naturally evil” and “turned evil” becomes of less importance. Melkor was envious of Fëanor, envious of the Eldar, envious of the Valar, envious of Valinor… and he hated all of them. He thought he was better than all of them. He thought that his proper place was ruling them, as well as all creation, and there he was, the lowest in Valinor.

(to be continued)

[Eriol]

The Darkening of Valinor

From all these passages it could be stated that Melkor managed to spread his darkness everywhere,in everything.It was only waiting till the appropriate moment ,till the appropriate circumstances to grow up,to give its fruits.

I think that the marring of Arda – the planting of evil seeds – took place much earlier than the attack on the Two Trees. Check HoME X (I think “The Stature of Míriel”) for that. When the Elves arrived on Valinor they were already marred. Morgoth marred the substance of Arda in the very first ages when the Valar were shaping the world.

It’s a minor point, perhaps.

Gorthaur

He was the mightiest Maia of Aule.The most capable one, the most ambtitious one and of course the proudest Maia among Aule’s servants. That was enough to be easily seduced by the Dark Side and Melkor.

Besides giving (again) my opinion that ambition and talent does not force anyone to become evil, there isn’t much to be said :). The right choice to an Ainur is obvious, and to defy Eru is just plain crazy. Yet that’s what these guys were doing… couldn’t Sauron remember Eru’s words to Melkor?

I guess not ;).

All abilities Gorthaur possessed he put in favour of the dark side.He is the main reason for evil’s improvement with the time

I don’t understand what you say about “evil’s improvement”. It doesn’t seem that you are saying that Sauron is “better” at evil than Morgoth. And Morgoth also created evil’s finest achievements – orcs, dragons…

I don’t understand.

Fëanor

His talent and pride as well as natural curiosity made him vulnerable and evil made use of them.

When we talk about incarnate beings, the chances of error become clearer, and the choice less obvious. But even so, to victimize the evil ones is not right in my opinion. What does it mean, “evil made use of them?” Was Fëanor a victim?

This can be asked of everybody in your essay, G-G. When you talk about “being led to evil by X”, it seems you are taking choice out of it. Who is to be blamed by Evil, Eru or the individual agent? Was Fëanor destined to become Evil due to his inherent traits?

Your answer to this question is very important to clarify your stance on this matter.

Maeglin

Thus Eol’s son proved himself as the most capable of the Noldorin princes.

I don’t think many people would agree with you! :D

Maeglin cannot be claimed to be evil.

I don’t think ANYONE would agree with you! This is the point where a definition of Evil is most needed.

Love and desire are not the same thing. Maeglin did not love Idril. If he loved her he’d be happy for her marriage with Tuor. Maeglin lusted after her. It’s not the same thing. I’ll even use a few more exclamation marks here. Not the same thing!!

***

A great (in more than one sense ;) ) essay, G-G. Your effort was encyclopedic, and the ideas well presented. Well done :). I think it is very close to what Tolkien thought about Evil in his works, as I interpret them… or, to put it in a less fancy way, I agree with much of what you said :D.

I’ll wait for your answers to my specific questions.

[Gil-Galad]

Oooo I see an interesting discussion is about to start.
Well you want to clarify many things and I will do it soon.As you know at the moment I am in Bulgaria for a holiday and I do not have the books around me,as well as any time to answer to your questions.

I will do it for sure,because it seems I have to clarify so many things :) .
Let me just have some more days without internet and studying,days full of fun,and I will post my replies.

[Finduilas]

It was a real pleasure reading GG's work. It is written with great passion and that's what makes it vivid. I loved it and...yet there are some questions I'd like to raise.;)
Ok, I see Eriol has been faster...so I'll try not repeat his questions.

* * *
First of all, let me start with probably one of the most important things which were missed to be clearified, just as Eriol said, Evil. This is, unfortunately, essential to most of the questions. However, I know GG's been extremely busy those days, in Belgium, when he had been writing the lecture, so he hadn't had enough time to check and 'shape' his work to perfection. Therefore, I believe that most of the questions, Eriol and I too, are about to raise are due to misunderstanding and lack of correction.

So here I begin:
Yes,his song was different,for he did not possess the might of Eru,but still Melko desired to create his own things,just like Iluvatar.And the result was terrible.The desire of Melko to create a song of his own made him do that mistake.His song could not be as great and beautiful as Iluvatar’s ,but how could he know it?His long search for the Secret Fire brought him to the darkness.And great was Eru’s answer:

As a whole, this is the place where I'm going to start stating my point of view on this matter, which I am afraid is definetely not matching yours.
Now, you say that the results were terrible, that Melkor made a mistake. But had he? Isn't this 'a mistake' too subjective in order to be refered as a fact?
It's like Maths: you have an equation with an unknown quantity and some parametres. You can't say straight ahead what the answer is, you have to check what it is in the different cases.
Well, it's the same. A mistake. Ok. but a mistake judging whom;towards whom?If we assume it is a mistake concerning Melkor, yes, I would agree. For he fell in the Void because of his choice. But if we consider it as a mistake towards the whole Arda, then I would disagree strongly.
Imagine what would happen if Melkor hadn't chosen to take the path of Evil; can you imagine a world without Evil? A world without Evil=a world without Good. We wouldn't have the basis on which to compare, to appreciate Good. I doubt that we (understand ME people too) would be able to actually realize what Good is. This inevitable connection between Good/Evil is well expressed by GG in his later passage:
Bitter were Iluvatar’s word for Melkor,but the One was right.
Iluvatar is called the One and so is the One Ring...isn't this indicative?
Yes,with the time evil became part of Middle-earth and its habitants and this fact corresponds with the idea of the Original Sin,which is part of the Christian Theology,but still as Eru said ,evil would not last forever.Its true place was not Middle-earth.
Thus a feeling of anger and desire for revenge filled Melkor’s heart.
Now here comes the essential part. We know that Evil leads to revenge and anger - feelings Melkor felt (I'm sorry for the repetition). But was Melkor evil? Initially, I mean.
Let's follow the history. Melkor was one of the 'Saints' of Eru. He had to act as he was expected - with good intentions and devoted to Eru's will. but he didn't...why? Only because he was too ambitious? Other Valar were very ambitious too but didn't take the wrong path...so what made him do that?
Melkor is assumed to be the most ambitious, ok, but his power and abilities could be directed to good deeds, then why didn't Eru try to direct him? On the contrary, Eru, challanged him, kept on firing his emotions which finally grew to anger. Why?
I only have one answer, and that is that Eru realized the segnificance of Evil and it's part in the 'bringing-up' of a world and its peoples. He founds his wisdom speaking of interaction between Good/Evil and its consequences - the mental, moral and historical development of his creation, Arda.
World without Evil...well, this world is imcomplete, let's call it.
So what I mean is that Eru didn't put Evil in Melkor, neither Melkor created it, no. What I mean is that Eru challanged this Melkor's stormy emotions, he actually was leading him and yet Melkor had a choice - to follow his emotions, just as Feanor, or to listen to his reason and 'obey' to Eru. Iluvatar was testing him, and the results were not terrible, on the contrary, they were wonderful, for they created Middle Earth.
Evil is not something you can actually say you own or that it is in you, it is something that you sometimes feel and sometimes forget about it. It shows up when you have to make a choice. And Eru gave Melkor his choice for He was sure Morgoth is too ambitious and would follow his emotions.
This 'leading role' of Eru is also here:
But diferent was Iluvatar’s attitude towards another Ainu when he crossed Eru’s will. I mean Aule when he created the Dwarves.
At the same time Melkor was unmasked in front of all Ainur.Was that fair?
And what Eru wanted to accomplish is this:
Everyone had a grain of evil in himself,the question was whether he would be seduced by it,whether he would let the seed of evil grow in his heart.It was a question of choice and feelings.
...check, whether they would seduce.
This test had to present in ME, for it was from then on, the leading path, the choice.

From that moment he started losing faith in his abilties,from that moment he was led by his “sick ambtions”,ambitions which made the whole world suffer,even Aman.
I don't think the whole Arda suffered, no, it was learning! As the old saying says: 'You only appreciate something when you lose it.'
Morgoth made the peoples of ME lose many dearest relatives, homes,etc...That learned them appreciate, respect. It's the way life goes on-learning. We gain experiance throughout our entire life, entire history. Morgoth was their 'text-book'.

To be continued...

[Finduilas]

Another point which seems interesting to me; that Morgoth was actually learning from Eru too:
Melkor did something which changed everything.He started using the element of surpise and he used it till The War of Wrath.
Eru used it too. The Music.

it was not his fault.or made use of him and his character.And the moment of the Darkening of Valinor was close.

Every person is responsible for his actions. As being said, we 'carry' in ourselves the grains of Evil and Good and it is upto us which ones we would plant. You either make a choice or not but you cannot blame someone else for it.
Another point I would like to raise, concerning Feanor, is actually a comparison. Feanor is like Faust. Eru knows Feanor's abilities, ambition and 'allows' Morgoth to test him. Will he fall or not...? It's upto Feanor...

Pain was among the reasons why Maeglin showed Morgoth where was The Hidden King,but the biggest reason for his betrayal was the offer the Dark Lord proposed to him.Once again evil made use of the circumstances as well as the despaired love of and strong hate of one.
I don't think Love is responsible here. If Love is assumed Good (which I disagree with) then it is Good the reason for Gondolin's downfall here. For a Love that you cannot have and share is an unbearable grief which may make you do everyhting but hurt in any way the one you love! S o if Eru is the embodiment of Good, blame him, but if not - blame everyone's personal character, choice!
I think that it was Meaglin's personal choice the reason for the downfall. He didn't love! He simply wanted to posses her! That's different.

Well, that's for now, if I come to something else when i reread the lecture I'll post it.
Otherwise, GG, congratulations on your achievement! It's really impressing!

[Gil-Galad]

Wow,it seems I will have to make a whole new lecture in order to answer to your questions.
As I have already said I am on vacation at the moment and I will be able to write my answers after January 14th.
A great discussion is about to start ;)

[Gil-Galad]

Finally (or actually unfortunately I am back in Belgium) and now I can answer all comments or at least I can try to do it.
I am glad that Eriol and Findi spent so much time reading my work.
I know there are some things that should be clarified.As you know I was late with more than a month and I did not check my work for mistakes or bad ideas.I did not change anything in it,I posted in its first version,which means it has too many things to be explained and changed.I just did not have enough to make some changes in my draft and I posted.
Honestly I expected more problematic poments in my work. ;)

First of all I would like to say that I really enjoy Eriol's comments,one of the most interesting posts I have ever read. :)
by Eriol:
I didn’t understand what you mean with this sentence.
What I mean is that Eru is the beginning of everything(just like God)and he is good.The beginning cannot be bad,it cannot have evil in itself.

by me:
Evil persons were not naturally born.
This sentence should be change to :Persons were not born naturally evil.

I think that your thoughts about the reasons for becomming evil are really impressive.The link is between talent and evil as well as ambitions.Actually it is quite complicated I think.
The problem of the talented persons is when they realize their talent.It very much depends how they will accept that fact.In most of the cases they become too confident in their abilities,too pride and that makes them vulnerable.(for example-Melkor,Feanor).
The less talented will fail earlier and they will probably have the chance to repent when they are not "too far away" from the good side or they will not have such confidence to go further, while those who are more talented can go further believing in the rightness of their actions.Here I think it is a question of self-esteem as well as ambtions.

by me:
their ambitions grew with the bigger abilities they had
I think it could be said that talent is a kind of catalyst for becoming evil,the link between evil and ambitions.When somebody realizes he is talented,his ambitions usually become bigger and bigger (for example Melkor).
The problem of becoming evil is complicated.But I believe that the main "substances" which have a link with evil are-ambitions,talent,pride,curiosity and as you said delusion.These "substances" are in different amount in everybody's case.For example in Melkor's case we have really complex reason for becomin evil.Feanor was leaded by his pride,which was based on the fact that he realized his talent,Gollum was leaded by curiosity and ambitions,Eol-pride,Maeglin-ambitions(and why not love ;) ).Aule was leaded by his talent and curiosity,yes he did not become evil,but the reasons for that was his lack of pride and delusion.

by Eriol:
Evil apparently follows ambition, not talent.
isn't it better:
Evil apparently follows ambition,talent,pride,curiosity.?


by Eriol:
And here we see what is – in my opinion – the true root of Evil. Not ambition, but rather the delusion that you can do better than Eru. The notion that you are good enough to overrule Eru on what should or should not be done. Since no matter what you do, you can never gainsay Eru, this delusion leads directly to rebellion – if I could have done better than Eru, and Eru does not follow my own ideas, then of course Eru is not worthy to be God. I would be a better God than He; this is the root of Evil in my opinion.
Delusion?Excellently said,but what leaded to that delusion?
Melkor realized his talent,his abilities,his pride grew,his ambitions grew too and it was much easier for him to think he was better than Eru.

by Eriol:
Who of Eru’s creatures could be so deluded as to believe that he could make a song greater than Eru’s?
The most talented one.Melkor.

There is always a choice
There is always a choice.But it depends whether a person can accept these choices.It is a question of what a one can accept and what one cannot accept.Melkor had other choices,but could he accept them?Could he maje other choice?From his point of view he had no choice,his pride,ambitions etc. did not allow him to see any other choice.

This is a very delicate matter if you look at Catholic theology for enlightenment,
Honestly,that was one of my biggest problems.There are lots of problematic "things" in the Bible as well as in the Theology(some heresies for example are due to these "problematic things" which have unclear meaning or cause controversy)
The Bible is not perfect as well as Tolkien's mythology.

if evil could be attributed to a characteristic, the characteristic would be evil, and therefore evil would be created by Eru (or the characteristic would have to be attributed to another characteristic, and so on). But Eru can’t create evil by definition. So evil can’t be forced by a characteristic.
one of the problems.Probably we can say that these charactersitcs(pride,ambtions etc.)are good but in the proper amount.
to be continued

[Gil-Galad]

I don’t understand what you say about “evil’s improvement”. It doesn’t seem that you are saying that Sauron is “better” at evil than Morgoth. And Morgoth also created evil’s finest achievements – orcs, dragons…
Well,it is very difficult for every student(if we can say that Sauron was Melkor's student)to become better than his teacher,but the good teacher will make his student better.I think that Melkor was a good teacher.Sauron did not manage to become as better as Melkor in everything,but he did "imrove" some things in my humble opinion.One of the examples I have:
He managed to turn men to Melkorism.Yes men were weak and Sauron made use of Melkor's fruits(men's fear of death),but he did something that even his master couldn't do.

When we talk about incarnate beings, the chances of error become clearer, and the choice less obvious. But even so, to victimize the evil ones is not right in my opinion. What does it mean, “evil made use of them?” Was Fëanor a victim?

This can be asked of everybody in your essay, G-G. When you talk about “being led to evil by X”, it seems you are taking choice out of it. Who is to be blamed by Evil, Eru or the individual agent? Was Fëanor destined to become Evil due to his inherent traits?

Your answer to this question is very important to clarify your stance on this matter.
Can I leave the answer for me? :confused: :rolleyes: ;)
Yes,I do believe that Feanor was a victim,evil in the face of Melkor made use of his characteristcs.Actually victim is too strong word.Evil made use of the features he had,it managed to use his pride and ambition for its own aims.

Feanor was not destined to become evil.

I don’t think many people would agree with you!
I know ,but Tolkien's words are really strong proof,that if not the most capable he was among the most capable princes.

Love and desire are not the same thing. Maeglin did not love Idril. If he loved her he’d be happy for her marriage with Tuor. Maeglin lusted after her. It’s not the same thing. I’ll even use a few more exclamation marks here. Not the same thing!!
I see the point of your words.There are many ways of how people love other people,it depends on character.But you are right in one thing-he lusted for her.

Thank you for the nice words Eri,I am flattered :rolleyes:

[Eriol]

Yes men were weak and Sauron made use of Melkor's fruits(men's fear of death),but he did something that even his master couldn't do.

?

Melkor made all men worship him. All men. This was the "First Fall of Mankind" alluded to in the Letters (the Second being Númenor), and is explained in the Athrabeth (HoME X).

I still think of many talented people (Finrod is the best example) who exhibited curiosity, and never turned evil.

[Gil-Galad]

?

Melkor made all men worship him. All men. This was the "First Fall of Mankind" alluded to in the Letters (the Second being Númenor), and is explained in the Athrabeth (HoME X).
He made them worship him,but at that time they did not know anything about Valinor and the light.Later they went to the west because of the light and realized the true face of Melkor.Before that they were unexperienced and couldn't compare their lives under Melkor's rule with anything else.Thus it was easier for him to conquer them in the very beginning.
But when they found the truth(the three kins of men)they were ready to die but not live under his rule.
The Numenoreans were descendants of the Edain,they knew about Melkor and they could unmask evil.They knew the true face of Sauron,but let him deceive them.This was Sauron's great success.

I still think of many talented people (Finrod is the best example) who exhibited curiosity, and never turned evil.
There are always exceptions. ;)

[Gil-Galad]

Well,I would like toe add some things concerning Finndi's comments.

Now, you say that the results were terrible, that Melkor made a mistake. But had he? Isn't this 'a mistake' too subjective in order to be refered as a fact?
It is a mistake.The dark side was not designed by Eru,Evil was not thought to be part of Middle-earth.The mistake that Melkor did was the way he chose.He could have stayed together with the other Ainur and Eru,but he didnot.He chose the way which leaded him to his fall.Melkor's end showed that he did a mistake.If it hadn't been a mistake,he would have won and defeated the Valar.

Iluvatar is called the One and so is the One Ring...isn't this indicative?
There is a difference.Eru is the ONE,who created everything,the from whom starts everythig.We can even say that the One ring is a result of Eru's action,because everything starts from him.
The One Ring is "the one" in terms of power.With this "one"Tolkien means that it is the ring which rules the others.
I believe that there is a difference between these two "the one".

I have some other things to add,but I will do it tomorrow.
to be continued...

[Finduilas]

Well,I would like toe add some things concerning Finndi's comments.


It is a mistake.The dark side was not designed by Eru,Evil was not thought to be part of Middle-earth.The mistake that Melkor did was the way he chose.He could have stayed together with the other Ainur and Eru,but he didnot.He chose the way which leaded him to his fall.Melkor's end showed that he did a mistake.If it hadn't been a mistake,he would have won and defeated the Valar.


There is a difference.Eru is the ONE,who created everything,the from whom starts everythig.We can even say that the One ring is a result of Eru's action,because everything starts from him.
The One Ring is "the one" in terms of power.With this "one"Tolkien means that it is the ring which rules the others.
I believe that there is a difference between these two "the one".

I have some other things to add,but I will do it tomorrow.
to be continued...

Ok, let me answer the first point, while I might agree with you about the different interpretation in the second one.

You say, Evil was not planned to be a part of Middle Earth? And yet Eru allowed/let It to sneak into his creation...Yes, he is "The One" in terms of power and creator, he is "The One" that controlled everything at least in the period of creating Arda and Middle Earth. And here we are back to the question: did he accidently miss Evil? I would rather say no. He couldn't have! You say, that if it hadn't been a mistake, Melkor would have defeated the Valar? Do you really think so? Let's assume this and ask ourselves another question: "If Melkor was a mistake, then why didn't the Valar defeat him?"
See, it's a matter of interpretation. If Melkor was a mistake, then why did he destroy Middle Earth?
I think Evil was a vital part of Eru's world, which he had very closely examined and planned. And even though he realised that, he couldn't let his creations to know that Evil is actually vital, they would be "enchaned", more people would have gone on the Evil's side and that was not ...fair.