[ Daily Tolkien ] A Tolkien Virgin: Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin

Tolkien Online ^ | February 04, 2000 | Mark-Edmond

[JameRetief]

A Tolkien Virgin: Of the coming of Men into the West
by Mark-Edmond

The Journey Continues

Destruction, Destruction, Destruction. I'm worn out after reading this chapter. Tolkien has made no secret about the evil to befall the Noldor and Beleriand, and I know it gets worse, but his account of the Fall of Beleriand is absolutely devastating. So many Elves and Men die it's not comprehensible. Morgoth's forces detroy entire regions before they are (temporarily) stopped.

I was most taken by the account of the fall of Fingolfin. I couldn't believe when he went as far as the very gates of Angband and demanded Morgoth face him. In fact, I think the most dread inducing statement in the book thus far is the very short sentence, "And Morgoth came." It's just unbelievable...but not in a bad way. As amazing as the description of their combat was, I was really surprised that Fingolfin did so much physical damage to Morgoth. Actually, I have a tough time comprehending his wounds. I mean, according to the Ainulindale their bodies are like clothing they can wear or not, as they desire. So, how is it that Melkor's body sustains permanent damage? What would happen if his head (instead of his foot) were cut off? Would he die? Is that even possible? Something to ponder.

Author: Mark-Edmond
Published on: February 04, 2000

The next Tolkien Virgin article continues with The Silmarillion: Of Beren and Luthien

[JameRetief]

The Daily Tolkien articles by various authors	The Tolkien Virgin articles by Mark-Edmond
ARTICLES 01-10	ARTICLES 01-10
ARTICLES 11-20	11) Of the Sindar
ARTICLES 21-30	12) Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor
ARTICLES 31-40	13) Of Men
ARTICLES 41-50	14) Of the Return of the Noldor
51) And Now for the Other Love Story	15) Of Beleriand and its Realms
	16) Of the Noldor in Beleriand
	17) Of Meglin
	18) Of the coming of Men into the West
	19) Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin

[JameRetief]

Your Tolkien Virgin Ping!

Read along with a Tolkien Virgin as he discovers and comments on the history of Middle Earth as he reads it for the first time.  These articles start with The Silmarillion, journeys through The Hobbit, and finishes with the epic Lord Of The Rings.  At the pace of 2 articles per week (Mondays and Fridays) the articles will wrap up about the same time that the final movie of the Lord Of The Rings story is released. 

If anyone would like for me to ping them directly when I post the Tolkien Virgin articles or my Daily Tolkien articles let me know. I hope that you enjoy them!

[ecurbh]

Ring Ping!!

[Stopislamnow]

Before Morgoth destroyed the trees he was transfixed into his "dread lord" form for all eternity. It doesn't say how, but I imagine that this form was mortal much in the way Sauron became mortal, and that he could die yet not be destroyed completely but really suffer a death then having to reform himself over a period of years, having spent so much of his power beforehand.

He could "never appear fair" again I think is the reference.

And yah, this is a sad chapter.