Faithfulness in Middle Earth - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mungo of Bracegirdle · 11-03-2003, 05:28 PM

In reviewing the Ainulindale last night, I started to think about JRRT's message here on loyalty/faithfulness. This idea is undoubtably central not only to this portion of the professors writings, but seems to be the unifing theme of his entire mythology. Perhaps most interesting is how he deals with the unfaithful, more specifically traitors. Melkor, being the greatest traitor of all, through his disloyalty to Eru's vision, sets a precident that follows throughout the rest of Middle Earth's fate. Every major historical event revolves around the idea of treachery. Also, the traitors in these events all seem to share a similar fate. Some of my favorites are Melkor, Feanor, Mim, Sauron, Gollum, Saruman, and Grima. I question the professor's "obsession" with disloyalty and ask how do these ideas resonate in a larger context. What is JRRT trying to tell us about how we live? Any ideas....

PS this is my first post. I'm very excited about joining this new community.

11-03-2003, 05:28 PM	#1
Mungo of Bracegirdle Pile O'Bones Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 16	Faithfulness in Middle Earth In reviewing the Ainulindale last night, I started to think about JRRT's message here on loyalty/faithfulness. This idea is undoubtably central not only to this portion of the professors writings, but seems to be the unifing theme of his entire mythology. Perhaps most interesting is how he deals with the unfaithful, more specifically traitors. Melkor, being the greatest traitor of all, through his disloyalty to Eru's vision, sets a precident that follows throughout the rest of Middle Earth's fate. Every major historical event revolves around the idea of treachery. Also, the traitors in these events all seem to share a similar fate. Some of my favorites are Melkor, Feanor, Mim, Sauron, Gollum, Saruman, and Grima. I question the professor's "obsession" with disloyalty and ask how do these ideas resonate in a larger context. What is JRRT trying to tell us about how we live? Any ideas.... PS this is my first post. I'm very excited about joining this new community. __________________ Yet the lies that Melkor...sowed in the hearts of Elves and Men are a seed that does not die and connot be destroyed, and ever and annon it sprouts anew, and will bear dark fruit unto the latest days.