Morgoth

Morgoth Bauglir (Morgoth means "The Dark Enemy", Bauglir is "The Constrainer"), originally named Melkor ("He Who Arises in Might"), is a fictional character of Middle-earth, created by J. R. R. Tolkien. At the creation of Tolkien's world, he was the most powerful of the Ainur (angelic beings). He contended with Eru (the creator) in the Music of the Ainur, increasingly attempting to alter the music to his own design, but only ended up perverting its harmony. Melkor was incarnated into Middle-earth as the first to bear the title the Dark Lord and is the principal antagonist in the book The Silmarillion. As a fallen "angelic" being, he is largely based on Christian teachings about Satan (Satan is a seraph, the most powerful servants of God, and the Ainur also are the most powerful servants of Eru). Morgoth drew about him an army of Balrogs and other assorted demons, who were Maiar whom he managed to trick or corrupt, and made war on Middle-earth and the Children of Ilúvatar, but was defeated by the Valar and was overthrown. He was first taken away in chains, and later cast out of the circles of Arda after being weakened by dispersing his essence into the fabric of the world, marring it permenantly.

Characteristics

Melkor initially could take any shape, and at first had a fair appearance, like his fellow Valar. However after he had succeeded in alienating the Ñoldor from Valinor and stealing the Silmarils, he descended in the pits of Angband, and his shape eventually became that of the Dark Lord, the Morgoth: gigantic and terrible to behold. During this time he lost the ability to change shape, and in effect became bound to this one, terrible form. His hands had been burned by the theft of the Silmarils, and never healed. During the one time he emerged to fight the High King Fingolfin, he was stabbed in the foot, and had a limp ever after. That battle also saw Thorondor, the great Eagle, swoop down and scar the face of Melkor with his talons, a wound which also never healed. In battle he wielded Grond, the Hammer of the Underworld.

Related Topics:
Silmaril - Fingolfin - Thorondor - Eagle - Grond

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Melkor's powers were originally immense, at the very least equivalent to those of his brother Manwë's, and possibly greater. He shared a part of the power of all other Valar, but unlike them used this for his own gain. However, as Morgoth he dispersed his power over all of Middle-earth, tainting the very fabric of Arda itself with his will, and thereby lost most of his personal power. (This was later emulated in miniature by his servant Sauron, by creating the One Ring.) When, at the end of the First Age, Morgoth was dragged out of Angband in chains, he could not even resist the army of Valinor.

Related Topics:
Manwë - Sauron - One Ring - First Age

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Morgoth was very greedy and selfish, and he would destroy all that did not serve him if he thought that they were a threat to him. Pity was beyond his understanding, as was courage, for he alone of the Valar knew fear.

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