The Silmarillion

by

J.R.R. Tolkien

Melkor/Morgoth Character Analysis

Melkor, later called Morgoth by the elves, is the greatest of the Ainur created by Ilúvatar and the central antagonist of The Silmarillion. His own pride leads him to rebel during the Music of the Ainur and empower his own part of the song that plans the world, altering it and creating the idea of evil. Ilúvatar reveals that, no matter what Melkor changes or destroys in the world, it still contributes to the divine plan and only makes it more beautiful in the end. Driven by jealousy and an inflated sense of self-worth, Melkor corrupts and destroys what he can’t take for himself. He ruins the natural landscapes the Valar create, throws the world into darkness by repeatedly destroying sources of light, and seduces some of the lesser spirits into joining him in his endeavor to rule the world. When the elves and men awaken, he torments them, teaching them fear, jealousy, hate, and suspicion. Melkor himself fears and hates the Valar, elves, and men and is the only Valar to experience fear. After his first imprisonment by the Valar, he feigns kindness while sowing the seeds of discontent among the elves of Valinor, leading to the departure of the Noldor. Melkor establishes himself as a king in Middle-earth and wages war with the people of Beleriand until his own arrogance creates an opportunity for his downfall. He underestimates both Fingolfin, who injures him with wounds that never heal, and Lúthien, who enchants him and steals one of the Silmarils from his crown. Later, after winning a decisive victory and suppressing the elven kingdoms, Melkor believes that there is no one powerful or daring enough to oppose him. Consequently, he is unprepared for an attack from the Valar and bound in chains in the Void. Though he begs for mercy, the Valar refuse, recognizing that Melkor is no longer capable of love or repentance. His evil lives on in the world after his imprisonment in the form of Sauron, his lieutenant, and the lies and fear he created among men and elves.

Melkor/Morgoth Quotes in The Silmarillion

The The Silmarillion quotes below are all either spoken by Melkor/Morgoth or refer to Melkor/Morgoth. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Unity vs. Division Theme Icon
).
Ainulindalë Quotes

Never since have the Ainur made any music like to this music, though it has been said that a greater still shall be made before Ilúvatar by the choirs of the Ainur and the Children of Ilúvatar after the end of days. Then the themes of Ilúvatar shall be played aright, and take Being in the moment of their utterance, for all shall then understand fully his intent in their part, and each shall know the comprehension of each, and Ilúvatar shall give to their thoughts the secret fire, being well pleased.

Related Characters: Ilúvatar, Melkor/Morgoth
Related Symbols: Light
Page Number: 15
Explanation and Analysis:

But being alone he had begun to conceive thoughts of his own unlike those of his brethren.

Some of these thoughts he now wove into his music, and straightway discord rose about him, and many that sang nigh him grew despondent, and their thought was disturbed and their music faltered; but some began to attune their music to his rather than to the thought which they had at first.

Related Characters: Ilúvatar, Melkor/Morgoth
Page Number: 16
Explanation and Analysis:

And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.

Related Characters: Ilúvatar (speaker), Melkor/Morgoth
Page Number: 17
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 3 Quotes

Yet this is held true by the wise of Eressëa, that all those of the Quendi who came into the hands of Melkor, ere Utumno was broken, were put there in prison, and by slow arts of cruelty were corrupted and enslaved; and thus did Melkor breed the hideous race of the Orcs in envy and mockery of the Elves, of whom they were afterwards the bitterest foes. For the Orcs had life and multiplied after the manner of the Children of Ilúvatar; and naught that had life of its own, nor the semblance of life, could ever Melkor make since his rebellion in the Ainulindalë before the Beginning: so say the wise.

Related Characters: Ilúvatar, Melkor/Morgoth
Page Number: 50
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 7 Quotes

Thus ere the Valar were aware, the peace of Valinor was poisoned. The Noldor began to murmur against them, and many became filled with pride, forgetting how much of what they had and knew came to them in gift from the Valar. Fiercest burned the new flame of desire for freedom and wider realms in the eager heart of Fëanor; and Melkor laughed in his secrecy, for to that mark his lies had been addressed, hating Fëanor above all, and lusting ever for the Silmarils. But these he was not suffered to approach […] for Fëanor began to love the Silmarils with a greedy love, and grudged the sight of them to all save to his father and his seven sons; he seldom remembered now that the light within them was not his own.

Related Characters: Melkor/Morgoth, Fëanor, Finwë
Related Symbols: The Silmarils, Light
Page Number: 68-69
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 9 Quotes

Then perforce Morgoth surrendered to her the gems that he bore with him, one by one and grudgingly; and she devoured them, and their beauty perished from the world. Huger and darker yet grew Ungoliant, but her lust was unsated. ‘With one hand thou givest,’ she said; ‘with the left only. Open thy right hand.’

In his right hand Morgoth held close the Silmarils, and though they were locked in a crystal casket, they had begun to burn him, and his hand was clenched in pain; but he would not open it. ‘Nay!’ he said. ‘Thou has had thy due. For with my power that I put into thee thy work was accomplished. I need thee no more. These things thou shalt not have, nor see. I name them unto myself for ever.’

Related Characters: Melkor/Morgoth (speaker), Ungoliant (speaker), Fëanor
Related Symbols: The Silmarils, Darkness , Light
Page Number: 80
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 13 Quotes

Then Fingon the valiant, son of Fingolfin, resolved to heal the feud that divided the Noldor […] Long before, in the bliss of Valinor, before Melkor was unchained, or lies came between them, Fingon had been close in friendship with Maedhros; and though he knew not yet that Maedhros had not forgotten him at the burning of the ships, the thought of their ancient friendship stung his heart. Therefore he dared a deed which is justly renowned among the feats of the princes of the Noldor: alone, and without the counsel of any, he set forth in search of Maedhros; and aided by the very darkness that Morgoth had made he came unseen into the fastness of his foes.

Related Characters: Melkor/Morgoth, Fëanor, Maedhros, Fingolfin, Fingon
Related Symbols: Darkness
Page Number: 109
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 17 Quotes

All these were caught in the net of the Doom of the Noldor; and they did great deeds which the Eldar remember still among the histories of the Kings of old. And in those days the strength of Men was added to the power of the Noldor, and their hope was high; and Morgoth was straitly enclosed.

Related Characters: Melkor/Morgoth
Page Number: 148
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 19 Quotes

Farewell sweet earth and northern sky
for ever blest, since here did lie
and here with lissome limbs did run
beneath the Moon, beneath the Sun,
Lúthien Tinúviel
more fair than mortal tongue can tell.
Though all to ruin fell the world
and were dissolved and backward hurled
unmade into the old abyss,
yet were its making good, for this—
the dusk, the dawn, the earth, the sea—
that Lúthien for a time should be.

Related Characters: Beren (speaker), Ilúvatar, Melkor/Morgoth, Lúthien
Related Symbols: Light, The Silmarils
Page Number: 178
Explanation and Analysis:

Then Morgoth looking upon her beauty conceived in his thought an evil lust, and a design more dark than any that had yet come into his heart since he fled from Valinor. Thus he was beguiled by his own malice, for he watched her, leaving her free for a while, and taking secret pleasure in his thought. Then suddenly she eluded his sight, and out of the shadows began a song of such surpassing loveliness, and of such blinding power, that he listened perforce; and a blindness came upon him, as his eyes roamed to and fro, seeking her.

Related Characters: Melkor/Morgoth, Sauron, Lúthien, Beren, Finrod Felagund, Melian
Related Symbols: Darkness , The Silmarils
Page Number: 180
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 20 Quotes

Thus was the treachery of Uldor redressed; and of all the deeds of war that the fathers of Men wrought in behalf of the Eldar, the last stand of the Men of Dor-lómin is most renowned.

[…]

Last of all Húrin stood alone. Then he cast aside his shield, and wielded an axe two-handed; and it is sung that the axe smoked in the black blood of the troll-guard of Gothmog until it withered, and each time that he slew Húrin cried: ‘Aurë entuluva! Day shall come again!’

Related Characters: Húrin (speaker), Melkor/Morgoth, Fëanor, Maedhros, Turgon, Fingon, Gothmog
Related Symbols: Light
Page Number: 195
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 21 Quotes

‘Farewell, O twice beloved! A Túrin Turambar turun ambartanen: master of doom by doom mastered! O happy to be dead!’

Related Characters: Nienor/Níniel (speaker), Melkor/Morgoth, Túrin Turambar, Húrin, Glaurung, Gwindor
Page Number: 223
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 22 Quotes

But Thingol perceived their hearts, and saw well that desiring the Silmaril they sought but a pretext and fair cloak of their true intent; and in his wrath and pride he gave no heed to his peril but spoke to them in scorn, saying: ‘How do ye of uncouth race dare to demand aught of me, Elu Thingol, Lord of Beleriand, whole life began by the waters of Cuiviénen years uncounted ere the fathers of the stunted people awoke?’

Then the lust of the Dwarves was kindled to rage by the words of the King; and they rose up about him, and laid hands on him, and slew him as he stood.

Related Characters: Elwë/Thingol (speaker), Melkor/Morgoth, Lúthien, Beren
Related Symbols: The Silmarils
Page Number: 233
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 23 Quotes

Then Turgon pondered long the counsel of Ulmo, and there came into his mind the words that were spoken to him in Vinyamar: ‘Love not too well the work of thy hands and the devices of thy heart; and remember that the true hope of the Noldor lieth in the West, and cometh from the Sea.’ But Turgon was become proud, and Gondolin as beautiful as a memory of Elven Tirion, and he trusted still in his secret and impregnable strength, though even a Vala should gainsay it; and after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad the people of that city desired never again to mingle in the woes of Elves and Men without, nor to return through dread and danger into the West.

Related Characters: Melkor/Morgoth, Turgon, Tuor, Ulmo
Related Symbols: The Silmarils
Page Number: 240
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 24 Quotes

‘If it be truly the Silmaril which we saw cast into the sea that rises again by the power of the Valar, then let us be glad; for its glory is seen now by many, and is yet secure from all evil.’ Then the Elves looked up, and despaired no longer; but Morgoth was filled with doubt.

Related Characters: Maglor (speaker), Melkor/Morgoth, Fëanor, Eärendil, Elwing, Maedhros
Related Symbols: The Silmarils, Light
Page Number: 250
Explanation and Analysis:

Yet it is said that Morgoth looked not for the assault that came upon him from the West; for so great was his pride become that he deemed that none would ever again come with open war against him. Moreover he thought that he had for ever estranged the Noldor from the Lords of the West, and that content in their blissful realm the Valar would heed no more his kingdom in the world without; for to him that is pitiless the deeds of pity are ever strange and beyond reckoning.

Related Characters: Melkor/Morgoth, Eärendil
Page Number: 250
Explanation and Analysis:

Yet the lies that Melkor […] sowed in the hearts of Elves and Men are a seed that does not die and cannot be destroyed; and ever and anon it sprouts anew, and will bear dark fruit even unto the latest days.

Related Characters: Melkor/Morgoth
Related Symbols: Darkness
Page Number: 255
Explanation and Analysis:
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Melkor/Morgoth Quotes in The Silmarillion

The The Silmarillion quotes below are all either spoken by Melkor/Morgoth or refer to Melkor/Morgoth. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Unity vs. Division Theme Icon
).
Ainulindalë Quotes

Never since have the Ainur made any music like to this music, though it has been said that a greater still shall be made before Ilúvatar by the choirs of the Ainur and the Children of Ilúvatar after the end of days. Then the themes of Ilúvatar shall be played aright, and take Being in the moment of their utterance, for all shall then understand fully his intent in their part, and each shall know the comprehension of each, and Ilúvatar shall give to their thoughts the secret fire, being well pleased.

Related Characters: Ilúvatar, Melkor/Morgoth
Related Symbols: Light
Page Number: 15
Explanation and Analysis:

But being alone he had begun to conceive thoughts of his own unlike those of his brethren.

Some of these thoughts he now wove into his music, and straightway discord rose about him, and many that sang nigh him grew despondent, and their thought was disturbed and their music faltered; but some began to attune their music to his rather than to the thought which they had at first.

Related Characters: Ilúvatar, Melkor/Morgoth
Page Number: 16
Explanation and Analysis:

And thou, Melkor, shalt see that no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite. For he that attempteth this shall prove but mine instrument in the devising of things more wonderful, which he himself hath not imagined.

Related Characters: Ilúvatar (speaker), Melkor/Morgoth
Page Number: 17
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 3 Quotes

Yet this is held true by the wise of Eressëa, that all those of the Quendi who came into the hands of Melkor, ere Utumno was broken, were put there in prison, and by slow arts of cruelty were corrupted and enslaved; and thus did Melkor breed the hideous race of the Orcs in envy and mockery of the Elves, of whom they were afterwards the bitterest foes. For the Orcs had life and multiplied after the manner of the Children of Ilúvatar; and naught that had life of its own, nor the semblance of life, could ever Melkor make since his rebellion in the Ainulindalë before the Beginning: so say the wise.

Related Characters: Ilúvatar, Melkor/Morgoth
Page Number: 50
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 7 Quotes

Thus ere the Valar were aware, the peace of Valinor was poisoned. The Noldor began to murmur against them, and many became filled with pride, forgetting how much of what they had and knew came to them in gift from the Valar. Fiercest burned the new flame of desire for freedom and wider realms in the eager heart of Fëanor; and Melkor laughed in his secrecy, for to that mark his lies had been addressed, hating Fëanor above all, and lusting ever for the Silmarils. But these he was not suffered to approach […] for Fëanor began to love the Silmarils with a greedy love, and grudged the sight of them to all save to his father and his seven sons; he seldom remembered now that the light within them was not his own.

Related Characters: Melkor/Morgoth, Fëanor, Finwë
Related Symbols: The Silmarils, Light
Page Number: 68-69
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 9 Quotes

Then perforce Morgoth surrendered to her the gems that he bore with him, one by one and grudgingly; and she devoured them, and their beauty perished from the world. Huger and darker yet grew Ungoliant, but her lust was unsated. ‘With one hand thou givest,’ she said; ‘with the left only. Open thy right hand.’

In his right hand Morgoth held close the Silmarils, and though they were locked in a crystal casket, they had begun to burn him, and his hand was clenched in pain; but he would not open it. ‘Nay!’ he said. ‘Thou has had thy due. For with my power that I put into thee thy work was accomplished. I need thee no more. These things thou shalt not have, nor see. I name them unto myself for ever.’

Related Characters: Melkor/Morgoth (speaker), Ungoliant (speaker), Fëanor
Related Symbols: The Silmarils, Darkness , Light
Page Number: 80
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 13 Quotes

Then Fingon the valiant, son of Fingolfin, resolved to heal the feud that divided the Noldor […] Long before, in the bliss of Valinor, before Melkor was unchained, or lies came between them, Fingon had been close in friendship with Maedhros; and though he knew not yet that Maedhros had not forgotten him at the burning of the ships, the thought of their ancient friendship stung his heart. Therefore he dared a deed which is justly renowned among the feats of the princes of the Noldor: alone, and without the counsel of any, he set forth in search of Maedhros; and aided by the very darkness that Morgoth had made he came unseen into the fastness of his foes.

Related Characters: Melkor/Morgoth, Fëanor, Maedhros, Fingolfin, Fingon
Related Symbols: Darkness
Page Number: 109
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 17 Quotes

All these were caught in the net of the Doom of the Noldor; and they did great deeds which the Eldar remember still among the histories of the Kings of old. And in those days the strength of Men was added to the power of the Noldor, and their hope was high; and Morgoth was straitly enclosed.

Related Characters: Melkor/Morgoth
Page Number: 148
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 19 Quotes

Farewell sweet earth and northern sky
for ever blest, since here did lie
and here with lissome limbs did run
beneath the Moon, beneath the Sun,
Lúthien Tinúviel
more fair than mortal tongue can tell.
Though all to ruin fell the world
and were dissolved and backward hurled
unmade into the old abyss,
yet were its making good, for this—
the dusk, the dawn, the earth, the sea—
that Lúthien for a time should be.

Related Characters: Beren (speaker), Ilúvatar, Melkor/Morgoth, Lúthien
Related Symbols: Light, The Silmarils
Page Number: 178
Explanation and Analysis:

Then Morgoth looking upon her beauty conceived in his thought an evil lust, and a design more dark than any that had yet come into his heart since he fled from Valinor. Thus he was beguiled by his own malice, for he watched her, leaving her free for a while, and taking secret pleasure in his thought. Then suddenly she eluded his sight, and out of the shadows began a song of such surpassing loveliness, and of such blinding power, that he listened perforce; and a blindness came upon him, as his eyes roamed to and fro, seeking her.

Related Characters: Melkor/Morgoth, Sauron, Lúthien, Beren, Finrod Felagund, Melian
Related Symbols: Darkness , The Silmarils
Page Number: 180
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 20 Quotes

Thus was the treachery of Uldor redressed; and of all the deeds of war that the fathers of Men wrought in behalf of the Eldar, the last stand of the Men of Dor-lómin is most renowned.

[…]

Last of all Húrin stood alone. Then he cast aside his shield, and wielded an axe two-handed; and it is sung that the axe smoked in the black blood of the troll-guard of Gothmog until it withered, and each time that he slew Húrin cried: ‘Aurë entuluva! Day shall come again!’

Related Characters: Húrin (speaker), Melkor/Morgoth, Fëanor, Maedhros, Turgon, Fingon, Gothmog
Related Symbols: Light
Page Number: 195
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 21 Quotes

‘Farewell, O twice beloved! A Túrin Turambar turun ambartanen: master of doom by doom mastered! O happy to be dead!’

Related Characters: Nienor/Níniel (speaker), Melkor/Morgoth, Túrin Turambar, Húrin, Glaurung, Gwindor
Page Number: 223
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 22 Quotes

But Thingol perceived their hearts, and saw well that desiring the Silmaril they sought but a pretext and fair cloak of their true intent; and in his wrath and pride he gave no heed to his peril but spoke to them in scorn, saying: ‘How do ye of uncouth race dare to demand aught of me, Elu Thingol, Lord of Beleriand, whole life began by the waters of Cuiviénen years uncounted ere the fathers of the stunted people awoke?’

Then the lust of the Dwarves was kindled to rage by the words of the King; and they rose up about him, and laid hands on him, and slew him as he stood.

Related Characters: Elwë/Thingol (speaker), Melkor/Morgoth, Lúthien, Beren
Related Symbols: The Silmarils
Page Number: 233
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 23 Quotes

Then Turgon pondered long the counsel of Ulmo, and there came into his mind the words that were spoken to him in Vinyamar: ‘Love not too well the work of thy hands and the devices of thy heart; and remember that the true hope of the Noldor lieth in the West, and cometh from the Sea.’ But Turgon was become proud, and Gondolin as beautiful as a memory of Elven Tirion, and he trusted still in his secret and impregnable strength, though even a Vala should gainsay it; and after the Nirnaeth Arnoediad the people of that city desired never again to mingle in the woes of Elves and Men without, nor to return through dread and danger into the West.

Related Characters: Melkor/Morgoth, Turgon, Tuor, Ulmo
Related Symbols: The Silmarils
Page Number: 240
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 24 Quotes

‘If it be truly the Silmaril which we saw cast into the sea that rises again by the power of the Valar, then let us be glad; for its glory is seen now by many, and is yet secure from all evil.’ Then the Elves looked up, and despaired no longer; but Morgoth was filled with doubt.

Related Characters: Maglor (speaker), Melkor/Morgoth, Fëanor, Eärendil, Elwing, Maedhros
Related Symbols: The Silmarils, Light
Page Number: 250
Explanation and Analysis:

Yet it is said that Morgoth looked not for the assault that came upon him from the West; for so great was his pride become that he deemed that none would ever again come with open war against him. Moreover he thought that he had for ever estranged the Noldor from the Lords of the West, and that content in their blissful realm the Valar would heed no more his kingdom in the world without; for to him that is pitiless the deeds of pity are ever strange and beyond reckoning.

Related Characters: Melkor/Morgoth, Eärendil
Page Number: 250
Explanation and Analysis:

Yet the lies that Melkor […] sowed in the hearts of Elves and Men are a seed that does not die and cannot be destroyed; and ever and anon it sprouts anew, and will bear dark fruit even unto the latest days.

Related Characters: Melkor/Morgoth
Related Symbols: Darkness
Page Number: 255
Explanation and Analysis: