Just Wondering... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Peri · 11-16-2002, 05:06 PM

Hi all. Here's a question for you. The greatest evil to first inhabit Ea was Melkor. He was supposedly rotten from the beginning, even before Iluvatar created Ea. The thing is though that the root word "mel" means love. Praytell, can anyone explain? [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Aylwen Dreamsong · 11-16-2002, 08:59 PM

Quote:

The meaning of Melkor was "He who arises in might";

So says the index of the Silmarillion. Melkor had his name before the Elves were even made. Maybe he doesn't have an Elvish name (Although it probably is one.). Anyway, he was not a total "bad Seed". He merely created discord in the great music of the Ainur due to his lingering thoughts of desire for the Imperishable Flame.

Just a thought,
Aylwen

davem · 11-17-2002, 03:41 AM

Yeah, & Kor means 'round'. So Melkor means 'Love-round'.
(Oh, I don't know - Was all this Elvish a plot by Tolkien to confuse us?)

Starbreeze · 11-17-2002, 10:21 AM

[img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] I think it was all a plot by Tolkien to test us - to see if we would delve deep enough into his work to find this. There probably isn't an answer, every language has exceptions to the rules, and Tolkien would have know that for sure, so I wouldn't worry about it, just enjoy what you read. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

11-16-2002, 05:06 PM	#1
Peri Wight Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Rivendell Posts: 124	Just Wondering... Hi all. Here's a question for you. The greatest evil to first inhabit Ea was Melkor. He was supposedly rotten from the beginning, even before Iluvatar created Ea. The thing is though that the root word "mel" means love. Praytell, can anyone explain? [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] __________________ "Ah, but I'll begowk ye there!" cried the gentleman. "Play me false, and I'll play you cunning."

11-17-2002, 03:41 AM	#3
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	Yeah, & Kor means 'round'. So Melkor means 'Love-round'. (Oh, I don't know - Was all this Elvish a plot by Tolkien to confuse us?) __________________ “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."

11-17-2002, 10:21 AM	#4
Starbreeze Ghost of a Smile Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Mirkwood - Middle Earth Posts: 389	[img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] I think it was all a plot by Tolkien to test us - to see if we would delve deep enough into his work to find this. There probably isn't an answer, every language has exceptions to the rules, and Tolkien would have know that for sure, so I wouldn't worry about it, just enjoy what you read. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] __________________ Do not tamper with the affairs of wizards, they are not all that subtle - Terry Pratchett To write is to make dreams, to make dreams is to awaken the fantasy of the mind, to awaken the mind is to be a master.