Morgoth, Sauron and the Tale of Adanel

[Ardent]

Originally Posted by Zigûr

... Is the element of mystery surrounding the identity of the corrupter of Men deliberate, do you think, or was Professor Tolkien recycling old ideas in his characterisation of Sauron to emphasise the stale, recursive nature of Evil?

The concealed nature is consistant with Morgoth's habits. When first arriving in ME he worked in secret and the Valar only detected his presence by the discord he created. It seems to me that a beautiful form is quite appropriate for the stealth attack, but once others know what to look out for (discord) such disguises become useless. Once seduction has failed what other recourse does evil have but to bully? So it's off with the Laura Ashley and on with the full metal jacket.