morgoth & sauron - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

davem · 10-08-2002, 10:53 AM

In vol 10 of the history of ME series, there's an essay by JRRT, in which he says that, taken to his logical extreme, Morgoth would destroy everything, reduce it to its primal elements, whereas Sauron would want to exercise absolute control over everything. So Tolkien seems to believe that either position, taken to its extreme, is just as evil. Is there any significance in the way its the Elves, who are the main opponents of Morgoth in the First age, & Men who are the main opponents of Sauron in the Third?
Morgoth is 'Dionysian' - are the Elves Appolonian? Sauron is Appolonian - are Men Dionysian? Would Men naturally be more easily corrupted by Morgoth, & Elves more easily corrupted by Sauron?
Am I confusing myself? Yes.

10-08-2002, 10:53 AM	#1
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	morgoth & sauron In vol 10 of the history of ME series, there's an essay by JRRT, in which he says that, taken to his logical extreme, Morgoth would destroy everything, reduce it to its primal elements, whereas Sauron would want to exercise absolute control over everything. So Tolkien seems to believe that either position, taken to its extreme, is just as evil. Is there any significance in the way its the Elves, who are the main opponents of Morgoth in the First age, & Men who are the main opponents of Sauron in the Third? Morgoth is 'Dionysian' - are the Elves Appolonian? Sauron is Appolonian - are Men Dionysian? Would Men naturally be more easily corrupted by Morgoth, & Elves more easily corrupted by Sauron? Am I confusing myself? Yes. __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."