The Root of all Evil. - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Boromir88 · 08-31-2005, 12:59 PM

We all know of that saying "Money is the root of all evil," but what is the "root of evil" in Tolkien? (If there is one). Well, it seems to be gold...

Quote:

It is quite possible, of course, that certain 'elements' or conditions of matter had attracted Morgoth's special attention (mainly, unless in the remote past, for reasons of his own plans). For example, all gold (in Middle-earth) seems to have had a specially 'evil' trend - but not silver.~Morgoth's Ring

Gold seems to be the connection to the evil characters in Tolkien's stories. There's the Barrow-wights, Dragon's hoards, it almost caused Thorin's dwarves to cause much bloodshed. And of course the One Ring, being a simple "band of gold."

Then there is the case between Boromir's gold belts and Merry and Pippin's silver belts. They are laid directly one after the other in Farewell to Lorien. While, I don't think it's Tolkien trying to say Boromir's evil, I think it foreshadows and symbolizes his draw to gold, most specifically his lure to the Ring. Where Merry and Pippin were given belts of Silver and Tolkien goest out to specifically say that Silver has no evil trend like gold. It's sort of like the "ungold."

So, why does Tolkien choose gold to tie in with "evil?" What is it specifically about gold that Tolkien says it tends to have an evil trend? And why is Silver not evil? What makes it pure and good and not connected to evil the way gold is?

Alcarillo · 08-31-2005, 01:09 PM

Well, gold was the original color of money when it was used for coinage, and thus symbolic of greed. Silver's good connotations might have to do with its white-ish quality, and white symbolizes purity.

Boromir88 · 08-31-2005, 01:18 PM

Good thoughts on gold, it was the basing for money. For our paper to be worth something we need gold to back it. So, I guess the saying should be "Gold is the root of all evil," because without it, the paper money would be worthless.

Also, there's the stories of the conquistadores and other ancient stories of people who are so driven by gold they spend their life and dedication ever searching for it in hopes of finding it. And in many cases killed over gold. So, I think gold has a historical background to it to explain why Tolkien makes the connection.

I'm still not sold on silver. I don't know what is it about silver that makes it purer than gold, and so...ungold?

alatar · 08-31-2005, 01:38 PM

Are we speaking strictly about the metal or does the 'color' count? If so, I would point out the obvious "Golden Wood" and of course the "Lady" therein, whose hair was like gold. Also, is not the light of Laurelin golden? These would offset the negative observations.

If we are restricted to the metal, then I wonder if it is the value of the metal (gold traditionally valued more than silver) that is the issue. Surely mithril ("true silver") is much more prized than even gold, but I thnk that it is so rare and 'magical' that it is only used sparingly in the story, and so maybe not given as much thought. Then again, mithril was the downfall of the Dwarves at Khazad-dûm yet also was the saviour of Frodo. Hmmm...

Will give it more thought.

Nuranar · 08-31-2005, 03:38 PM

Aha, one of the most mis-quoted sentences in the entire Bible!

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." (I Timothy 6:10a, NIV, emphasis mine. Anyone want to share another translation? My KJV has hidden itself...)

The key operator there is that the money itself isn't the problem. It's the untoward lust for it that leads to evil.

If something is the root of all kinds of evil, does that make it evil itself? As alatar observed, if "gold" in all forms is the root of evil for Tolkien, what does that say about the Galadriel and the Golden Wood? And what of Laurelin? If I made a list of things unmarred and without evil, the Golden Tree of Valinor would be pretty high up there.

~ Nuranar, who will be late for class unless she cuts her eloquence short

Kath · 08-31-2005, 04:42 PM

Nuranar you beat me to it!

I completely agree that it is the lust for gold/money and not gold/money itself that causes the problems. The desire to have more than you have is the same whether in the real world with money or in Middle-Earth with the Ring. Everyone who has gone after the Ring has wanted it because it will bring them more than they have, whether that be power or strength.

08-31-2005, 01:18 PM	#3
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,518	Good thoughts on gold, it was the basing for money. For our paper to be worth something we need gold to back it. So, I guess the saying should be "Gold is the root of all evil," because without it, the paper money would be worthless. Also, there's the stories of the conquistadores and other ancient stories of people who are so driven by gold they spend their life and dedication ever searching for it in hopes of finding it. And in many cases killed over gold. So, I think gold has a historical background to it to explain why Tolkien makes the connection. I'm still not sold on silver. I don't know what is it about silver that makes it purer than gold, and so...ungold? __________________ Fenris Penguin

08-31-2005, 01:38 PM	#4
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	Are we speaking strictly about the metal or does the 'color' count? If so, I would point out the obvious "Golden Wood" and of course the "Lady" therein, whose hair was like gold. Also, is not the light of Laurelin golden? These would offset the negative observations. If we are restricted to the metal, then I wonder if it is the value of the metal (gold traditionally valued more than silver) that is the issue. Surely mithril ("true silver") is much more prized than even gold, but I thnk that it is so rare and 'magical' that it is only used sparingly in the story, and so maybe not given as much thought. Then again, mithril was the downfall of the Dwarves at Khazad-dûm yet also was the saviour of Frodo. Hmmm... Will give it more thought. __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.

08-31-2005, 03:38 PM	#5
Nuranar Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: STILL a drought Posts: 529	Aha, one of the most mis-quoted sentences in the entire Bible! "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil." (I Timothy 6:10a, NIV, emphasis mine. Anyone want to share another translation? My KJV has hidden itself...) The key operator there is that the money itself isn't the problem. It's the untoward lust for it that leads to evil. If something is the root of all kinds of evil, does that make it evil itself? As alatar observed, if "gold" in all forms is the root of evil for Tolkien, what does that say about the Galadriel and the Golden Wood? And what of Laurelin? If I made a list of things unmarred and without evil, the Golden Tree of Valinor would be pretty high up there. ~ Nuranar, who will be late for class unless she cuts her eloquence short __________________ I admit it is better fun to punt than be punted, and that a desire to have all the fun is nine-tenths of the law of chivalry. Lord Peter Wimsey

08-31-2005, 04:42 PM	#6
Kath Everlasting Whiteness Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Perusing the laminated book of dreams Posts: 4,533	Nuranar you beat me to it! I completely agree that it is the lust for gold/money and not gold/money itself that causes the problems. The desire to have more than you have is the same whether in the real world with money or in Middle-Earth with the Ring. Everyone who has gone after the Ring has wanted it because it will bring them more than they have, whether that be power or strength. __________________ “If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”

08-31-2005, 01:09 PM	#2
Alcarillo Shadow of the Past Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Minas Mor-go Posts: 1,007	Well, gold was the original color of money when it was used for coinage, and thus symbolic of greed. Silver's good connotations might have to do with its white-ish quality, and white symbolizes purity.