Is The Silmarillion a "downer" - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Turin · 02-21-2005, 04:03 AM

I don't think that The Sil is depressing. Of course it is sad, tragic and moving, but there is also an element that Tolkien himself alluded to and, indeed, expanded upon: this was his concept of the "euchacatastrophe". Amidst all the tragedy and loss, there is a final hope that materialises: Earendil finds Valinor and the Valar and their people overcome (finally) the might of Morgoth - just as he seems destined to overrun all of Beleriand.

I can't remember the exact quote from LoTR but there is something about how "evil sometimes is good to have been".

02-21-2005, 04:03 AM	#3
Turin Animated Skeleton Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Birmingham, England Posts: 37	I don't think that The Sil is depressing. Of course it is sad, tragic and moving, but there is also an element that Tolkien himself alluded to and, indeed, expanded upon: this was his concept of the "euchacatastrophe". Amidst all the tragedy and loss, there is a final hope that materialises: Earendil finds Valinor and the Valar and their people overcome (finally) the might of Morgoth - just as he seems destined to overrun all of Beleriand. I can't remember the exact quote from LoTR but there is something about how "evil sometimes is good to have been". __________________ Master of Doom!!!