Fact: Shelob was akin to Ungoliant.
Shelob, like Ungoliant, did not take any sides. As stated in The Two Towers, Sauron did not bother her, she did not bother him. They formed a symbiotic relationship, but were in no way allied. This type of relationship can be seen with Ungoliant and Melkor.
When Melkor first sought out Ungoliant, it is true that they aided each other in a mutually beneficial relationship, but this changed when Morgoth would not surrender the Silmarils to her, and she thus attacked him.
Is Shelob evil? Based on her predecessor (who was undoubtedly evil to begin with) I would say yes. She is evil and loves to eat.
Speaking of eating... Gilthalion (I believe) had a wonderful site dedicated to finding the relationships between characters of LotR and the Bible. A point was made there about Shelob being a perfect manifestation of gluttony, which is a sin--one of the seven deadly ones at that. Since Tolkien was a devout Christian, I would have to say that Shelob was meant to be regarded as evil.
[ July 27, 2002: Message edited by: Feanaro ]
__________________
'See half-brother! This is sharper than thy tongue. Try but once more to usurp my place and the love of my father, and maybe it will rid the Noldor of one who seeks to be the master of thralls.' -Feanor, threatening Fingolfin with his sword. ~Moderator of the Mordor RPG.~
|