Mythic Unities in The Lord of the Rings - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Aiwendil · 02-28-2005, 05:38 PM

The Silmarillion proper ends with the fall of Angband. You could say, of course, that this was also "asked for" by Earendil and granted by the Valar. But I don't see how that makes it non-eucatastrophic. A eucatastrophe doesn't need to be completely unexpected and unsought. In LotR, Gandalf, Aragorn, and many others are aware of Frodo's quest. And the fall of Morgoth is unexpected.

I would say that the requirement for a eucatastrophe is that there is a happy ending following a moment of utter hopelessness.

02-28-2005, 05:38 PM	#20
Aiwendil Late Istar Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 2,224	The Silmarillion proper ends with the fall of Angband. You could say, of course, that this was also "asked for" by Earendil and granted by the Valar. But I don't see how that makes it non-eucatastrophic. A eucatastrophe doesn't need to be completely unexpected and unsought. In LotR, Gandalf, Aragorn, and many others are aware of Frodo's quest. And the fall of Morgoth is unexpected. I would say that the requirement for a eucatastrophe is that there is a happy ending following a moment of utter hopelessness.