Tolkien's Mythology

The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Silmarrillion

This is the story of how the world was created. Illuvatar was the one and only god. From him came the Ainur, sort of like gods or angels who served under Illuvatar. With the Ainur, Illuvatar made music.THis music would create the world and the universe. Our world was called Arda. Now there was was one glitch in the system. Melkor, sort of like the Bible's Lucifer, went into a rebellion and strove to corrupt thing.He disrupted Illuvatar's song several time. Once Arda was created several of the Ainur went down to govern it. Those Ainur who went down to Arda were called the Valar.

What follows is a tale that spans across all three ages of elves, the fourth age belonging to man. THe book tells how Melkor destroyed the works of Illuvatar and how the Valar had to fight him. THe first time Melkor was subdued by Tulkas and chained in the halls of Mandos Lord of the Underworld. It was around this time that the elves were first born at Cuiven. They woke up and say the stars and from that point on revered Elberteth Gilthoniel, consort to Manwe who is head of the Valar. Orome went to guide them to Valinor. Some elves stayed behind under the sway of Melkor and these are called Dark Elves or Avari. Those that followed are called Eldalie. THey that arrived in Valinor were divivided into three tribes. Ingve led the Vanyar, who were most loyal to the Valar. Next were the Noldoli who were builder and crafters like Aulie, crafter of the Valar. Finally there were the Teleri, the boat builders.

Aftr Melkor served his time and was released he did not give up his evil schemes. he seduced the Nildoli and convinced them to rebel  against the Valar. WIth the Help of Ungoliant he also destroyed the two saced trees of Valinor and stole the Silmarrillion. The Silmarrillion were three jewels crafted from the light of the trees. After Melkor stole them, the sons of Finwe, rulers of the Noldoli went after him.

Second age tells how Melkor fought against the elves and how he dominated Middle Earth. It tells how Thingol met Luthien and formed a kingdom in Doriath. His wife, Melian was of the Maia, which are a little less in power then the Valar. THese two have a cheld named Luthien. She falls for the human named Beren who retrieves one of the Silmarillion. and dies yet there love is eternal . THe book also tells of the tale of Turambar and the madness he is afflicted with because of Melkor. The kingdom of Doriath falls over greed and desire for possession of the Silmarillion.

Turgon also sets up a kingdom that is hidden from Melkor but soon that falls as we'll. Such was fortold by Ulmo, lord of the sea. After there realm is destroyed the survivors flee and link up with the survivor of Doriath. From them produced the heir called Elrond.

The book tells also the tale of Numenor and how Suaron swayed them against the Valar. Such betrayal led to their destruction.  I will not blow the ending by telling you what happened to Melkor and Sauron. Needless to say there is an encapsulating of the last war against Sauron which many of you are familiar with as the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. This story will give you good background into some of the things you see in the movies that is not explained in the book "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings" Such background would give depth and understanding, especially with the Hobit movies that have been stretched into a trilogy.

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