Ungoliant and Melko's envy - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lord of Angmar · 01-01-2004, 10:48 PM

Well, first and foremost, there is no conclusive evidence that Ungoliant was a Maia. It is stated in the Silmarillion that she "descended from the darkness that lies about Arda," and became subject to Melkor, only to "[disown] her Master, desiring to be mistress of her own lust". Descending from the darkness around Arda does not sound to me like an Ainu coming from the Halls of Iluvatar. Also, there is no logic behind the theory that somehow Melkor's envy is what created Ungoliant. I think that the sentence, "...but some have said that in ages long before she descended from the darkness that lies around Arda, when Melkor first looked down in envy upon the Kingdom of Manwe..." was more a statement of coincidence and a means of showing at what time period Ungoliant arrived in Arda than a suggestion that Melkor could somehow create evil spirits with his thoughts alone.

01-01-2004, 10:48 PM	#1
Lord of Angmar Tyrannus Incorporalis Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: the North Posts: 833	Well, first and foremost, there is no conclusive evidence that Ungoliant was a Maia. It is stated in the Silmarillion that she "descended from the darkness that lies about Arda," and became subject to Melkor, only to "[disown] her Master, desiring to be mistress of her own lust". Descending from the darkness around Arda does not sound to me like an Ainu coming from the Halls of Iluvatar. Also, there is no logic behind the theory that somehow Melkor's envy is what created Ungoliant. I think that the sentence, "...but some have said that in ages long before she descended from the darkness that lies around Arda, when Melkor first looked down in envy upon the Kingdom of Manwe..." was more a statement of coincidence and a means of showing at what time period Ungoliant arrived in Arda than a suggestion that Melkor could somehow create evil spirits with his thoughts alone. __________________ ...where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own defence.