![]() |
![]() |
Visit The *EVEN NEWER* Barrow-Downs Photo Page |
![]() |
#1 | |
Spirit of Mist
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Tol Eressea
Posts: 3,352
![]() ![]() |
The Silmarils and the Rings
While the Concerning... The Hoard discussion continues regarding whether that note represents, in whole or in part, a final conception of The Fall of Doriath and The Wanderings of Hurin, (for the full text and that discussion, see http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=19607), a couple of lines at the end of that document have caught my attention. Tolkien writes:
Quote:
__________________
Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Loremaster of Annúminas
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,307
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Well, the Rings certainly were "instruments of power," and arguably were "symbols of power" as well depending on whether Celebrimbor originally intended them to be wielded openly. He would in effect have created a class of nineteen Ringbearers, superior in power and inevitably in influence to all other Elves: a ruling caste based on might.
Contrast the original purpose of the Silmarils - as the ultimate works of pure Art - compared to what they became by the end of the First Age- objects of lust and desire, and not devoid of power either.
__________________
The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 | |
Gruesome Spectre
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Heaven's doorstep
Posts: 8,035
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Quote:
The Silmarils were made by Fëanor after he had considered how he might preserve the light of the Trees, and The Silmarillion intimates that he could have had a bit of foresight as to their coming fate. Celebrimbor fashioned the Three as instruments of preservation also, to retain in a fading world some semblance of what had been lost. I would posit that, as a Noldo, he could have had been indeed inspired by the Silmarils. After all, the Jewels gained a negative aspect only after the Fëanor's Oath, and the further deeds of he and his sons. No such corrupting aspect tainted the Three.
__________________
Music alone proves the existence of God. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 | |
Loremaster of Annúminas
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,307
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Quote:
__________________
The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 | |
Overshadowed Eagle
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: The north-west of the Old World, east of the Sea
Posts: 3,857
![]() ![]() |
When I first read that statement, I connected it to the earlier claim in the text that 'The “War of the Rings” is, as it were, a breaking out again of the “Wars of the Jewels”, though in a different mode.' But on thinking about it again, I'm inclined to link it to a different part of the text:
Quote:
hS
__________________
Have you burned the ships that could bear you back again? ~Finrod: The Rock Opera |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
King's Writer
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,714
![]() |
As Tolkien explains in some length that the pure idea of perservation of the state of affairs is sinfull in a world that is based on change/progression, I do not think that neither the Silmarills nor the Rings of Power needed any farther taint. The concept that leads to the making of both was a step away from a true belive and trust in Ilúvatar.
But since that 'road of sins' is slipery and step, these artefacts rapidly collect more taints when used or desired. Respectfully Findegil |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 | |
Pile O'Bones
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 16
![]() |
Quote:
The analogies for me are simply two: 1) Both the Silmarils and the Rings are meant to preserve. In the rings there's clearly a negative elements as the preservations does not permit time to evolve naturally. They are not only "memory" 2) Both the Silmarils and the Rings are the objects behind the wars of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd ages. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Wight
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 245
![]() |
I believe that Tolkien's intention in the sentence is already exposed in everything you have already said.
The Silmarils ended up as instruments of power and desire, because of the Dark Lord. I mean before Eärendil's use of it. And the rings began the same way, as instruments of power, perhaps at first with good intentions on the part of Celebrimbor, but ultimately because of the Dark Lord, the other. Greetings |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
|
![]() |