Maeglin Character Analysis in The Silmarillion

The son of Aredhel and Eöl, Maeglin grows up with an interest in his mother’s family, the Noldor elves. Eöl keeps Aredhel and Maeglin in the forest, but the two of them flee to the hidden city Gondolin when Maeglin is grown. Enraged, Eöl follows them and accidentally kills Aredhel. Before he’s executed (by being thrown from the walls of the city), he curses Maeglin to die the same way. Maeglin has his father’s temperament—reticent and possessive—and falls in love with his uncle Turgon’s daughter Idril. He becomes Turgon’s counselor and follows him to war, but later becomes jealous and spiteful when a man named Tuor arrives in Gondolin, marries Idril, and wins favor with Turgon. When Maeglin disobeys Turgon and wanders outside the city, he’s captured by Melkor and exchanges Gondolin’s location for the promise of power and Idril’s hand in marriage. During Melkor’s invasion, Maeglin tries to take Idril for himself, but Tuor throws him from the walls of the city.

Maeglin Character Timeline in The Silmarillion

The timeline below shows where the character Maeglin appears in The Silmarillion. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...seeking sunlight or meeting any of the Noldor. They have a son, who Eöl names Maeglin, meaning Sharp Glance, because Maeglin can “read the secrets of hearts.” He grows up much... (full context)

While Eöl is at a feast with the dwarves, Maeglin urges his mother to guide the two of them to Gondolin, and they depart. Eöl... (full context)

...in Gondolin but can’t ever leave. Eöl refuses to remain in Gondolin and demands that Maeglin leave with him. When Turgon insists that Eöl’s choice is to stay or die, Eöl... (full context)

Though Turgon’s daughter Idril mistrusts him, Maeglin is loved by the people of Gondolin. When Turgon finally leaves the city and marches... (full context)

...and Turgon allows it since they don’t know how to find the entrance to Gondolin. Maeglin is glad to see them leave but tells them they’re lucky to be allowed. The... (full context)

...that the Noldor’s “true hope” comes from the sea, but he’s become proud, and when Maeglin speaks against Tuor, he decides to reject Ulmo’s counsel. However, because of the warning of... (full context)

...remains in Gondolin and falls in love with Idril, and Turgon allows them to marry. Maeglin hates Tuor, since he wants to marry Idril and become king after Turgon. The next... (full context)

While outside the city against Turgon’s orders, Maeglin is captured by orcs and tortured into revealing Gondolin’s location and weaknesses to Morgoth. Morgoth... (full context)