LotR Sauron vs. Silm Sauron?

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

I think you are hitting the nail right to the head here!

The evil principle introduced metaphorically under the name of Sauron couldn't be "meaty" or "juicy". It would have to be formless and behind the curtains so that we only meet his minions. And maybe the prof. was thinking like that when he wrote the LotR? It sounds plausible indeed - until someone with the "letters" comes forwards and proves me just downright wrong...

That made me think...you've reminded me of the sketch Tolkien drew of his son Michael's nightmare which was of a sinister black arm and hand they called 'maddo' creeping down the curtains...I tried to find a pic of it online but couldn't, and in a way I'm glad because the drawing gives me the heebie-jeebies.

So Tolkien had a history in real life of giving names and identities to shapeless horrors....