The Doom of Mandos

[Angry Hill Troll]

A couple of points:

-the Silmarils have not been destroyed, nor can they be destroyed, except by Fëanor.

But not until the End, when Fëanor shall return...shall it be known of what substance [the Silmarils] were made. Like the crystal of diamonds it appeared, and yet was more strong than adamant, so that no violence could mar it or break it within the Kingdom of Arda.

It may be that I can unlock my jewels, but never again shall I make their like; and if I must break them, I shall break my heart...

-Even though it says that Thingol was ensnared within the curse of Mandos, I think a more accurate statement would be that he was ensnared within the oath of Fëanor. It was ultimately Fëanor's sons, seeking to fullfill the Oath, who destroyed Doriath, although Thingol himself was killed by Dwarves. Strictly speaking, the Doom of Mandos didn't apply to Thingol, because he never violated the command of the Valar, as the Noldor did.

-Tolkien seems to have changed his mind about Galadriel (see the Unfinished Tales). In one version, she alone of the Noldor (as the last remaining leader of those who had left Aman against the command of the Valar) was forbidden from returning to Aman at the end of the First Age. (Strange, since Maédhros and Maglor were told to come to Aman for judgement as to whether they had a legitimate right to the Silmarils). In another version, Galadriel was permitted to return but "refused the pardon of the Valar", being proud and desirous of a realm of her own.

-It doesn't seem that having a Silmaril in itself is the problem. Eärendil used one to be able to sail to Valinor, and still has it. Rather it seems to be more a matter of being overly possessive of them, as Fëanor and his sons, and Thingol (and Morgoth for that matter) were, that leads to trouble.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 10:38 PM January 26, 2004: Message edited by: Angry Hill Troll ]