Sauron, Morgoth and the lust for beauty - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Leaf · 11-24-2014, 07:25 AM

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Originally Posted by Inziladun

Sauron's plan behind the Rings, especially concerning the Elves, was said to be thus:

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Seeing the desolation of the world, Sauron said in his heart that the Valar, having overthrown Morgoth, had again forgotten Middle-earth; and his pride grew apace.....Men he found the easiest to sway of all the peoples of the Earth, but for long he sought to persuade the Elves to his service, for her knew that the Firstborn had the greater power; and he went far and wide among them, and his hue was still that of one both fair and wise.

The Silmarillion Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age

From that, it seems that Sauron had no special liking for the Elves, other than as the most useful slaves available. He would also, I think, have taken a twisted pleasure in corrupting the first, fairest, and wisest of the Children of Ilúvatar.

But that's part of my question. That the elves would be useful slaves is true. But useful to what means? And when Sauron recognizes the elves to be the fairest and wisest among the Children of Ilúvatar, he also acknowledges these traits.

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Originally Posted by William Cloud Hicklin

Tolkien addressed this at length in some of the essays published in Morgoth's Ring, especially the one titled "Melkor Morgoth." When I have time I'll type some relevant excerpts.

For now suffice it to say that Morgoth and Sauron had somewhat different motivations and objectives.

I know that Morgoth and Sauron had different motivations, so keep in mind that this topic is tied to the relation between motivation and lust for beauty. Their motivations can be different and still match up in this matter.

Inziladun · 11-24-2014, 08:34 AM

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Originally Posted by Leaf

But that's part of my question. That the elves would be useful slaves is true. But useful to what means? And when Sauron recognizes the elves to be the fairest and wisest among the Children of Ilúvatar, he also acknowledges these traits.

Sauron had knowledge of the Elves from their beginning. He knew of Morgoth's capturing them, likely using them as a template for Orcs, and forcing them to work at Angband. As the Firstborn they had the most power of all the Children, and the immortality and immunity to sickness they possessed would have been attractive.
Sauron, in fact, did bring about a plague in Middle-earth, which allowed him to re-enter Mordor. I'm not saying that was a prime motivation for wanted to enslave Elves, but perhaps a small part.