| Re: CotW Silmarillion 6 - Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor [message #192156] |
Mi, 28 Dezember 2005 14:31 |
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[cross-posting to AFT and removing rec.arts.books]
RoRowe <rorowe-501 [at] sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> SUMMARY
>
> We begin Chapter 6 with the Eldar in the Blessed Realm. Things are
> going well for the Firstborn and Melkor is still chained. We are told
> that the bliss of the Eldar is at its Noontide but that the bliss is
> all too brief. [1]
>
> Fëanor's birth is announced. He is born in the House of the King,
> the eldest son of Finwë. His given name is Curufinwë (curu meaning
> "skill") but he is called Fëanor by his mother, Fëanor meaning
> "Spirit of Fire". We are told that Fëanor's mother is skilled in
> weaving and needlework and that "The love of Finwë and Míriel was
> great and glad, for it began in the Blessed Realm in the Days of
> Bliss." Míriel was consumed in body, mind and spirit by the carrying
> and birthing of Fëanor. She said that the strength needed to nourish
> the life of many went forth into Fëanor. [2]
>
> Finwë wanted to have many more children but Míriel continued to
> languish after giving birth to Fëanor. Finwë sought healing for
> Míriel and delivered her into Lórien for care. He thought she could
> regain her strength there but her spirit left her body and she passed
> into the halls of Mandos. Afterward, Finwë poured all of his love into
> his son Fëanor.
>
> The next section gives a very detailed description of Fëanor as to his
> strengths, his gifts, his mood and his demeanor. It is clear from the
> beginning that Fëanor is exceptional. He is skilled in hand as he made
> great gems and he devised letters (later called the Fëanorian script)
> for the recording of speech. Fëanor was well named by his mother
> Míriel as his spirit burned bright and hot.
>
> Fëanor married Nerdanel of the Noldor. She was more patient than
> Fëanor and sought to understand minds rather than to master them. [3]
> We are told that at the beginning of their relationship she had a
> calming effect on Fëanor. Later they grew estranged but Nerdanel bore
> Fëanor seven sons. Nerdanel's mood was bequeathed to some of her
> sons but not to all. [4]
>
> Finwë took a second wife, Indis the Fair who was a Vanya. Fëanor did
> not love Indis nor her sons Fingolfin and Finarfin, Fëanor's half
> brothers and Fëanor lived apart from his father. We are told that this
> breach in Finwë's house had a lasting impression on Fëanor that
> caused great sorrow to the Eldar and others in later years. [5]
>
> At this time, the term of Melkor's bondage came to an end and he was
> released to dwell within the gates of Valmar. Upon seeing the bliss
> of the Eldar and the richness of Valmar, Melkor was filled with
> hatred. He feigned redemption before Manwë and was allowed to move
> freely about the land because Manwë believed Melkor had truly
> repented. Melkor offered services to repair the damage he had done in
> the past but he secretly plotted vengeance.
>
>
> Manwë did not suspect Melkor's motives because "Manwë was free
> from evil and could not comprehend it, and he knew that in the
> beginning, in the thought of Ilúvatar, Melkor had been even as he ...
> and did not perceive that all love had departed from him for ever. [6]
> However other of the Valar were not deceived by Melkor, especially
> Ulmo and Tulkas. But they did not interfere with Manwë's decision to
> allow Melkor freedom because "those who will defend authority against
> rebellion must not themselves rebel." [7]
>
> Melkor revealed knowledge to the Noldor but the knowledge contained
> lies that caused great strife. Among these lies was Melkor's claim
> that he had instructed Fëanor in the greatest of his works. [8]
> However, none of the Eldalië hated Melkor more than Fëanor who first
> named Melkor Morgoth. [9] Even though Fëanor was snared in Melkor's
> web of lies, he never took counsel from him. In fact, Fëanor took
> counsel from no one in Aman save his wife and then only for a short
> time. [10]
>
> DISCUSSION POINTS
>
> [1] Does this opening paragraph remind anyone of the opening line to
> "A Tale of Two Cities"? Something like "It was the best of times;
> it was the worst of times."
>
> [2] Fëanor has truly exceptional talents and skills that are described
> in this chapter and are demonstrated later in the QS. It seems clear
> that Fëanor's spirit consumed more strength from Míriel than was
> required for creating a normal life. Is this the reason that Fëanor is
> extremely gifted?
>
> [3] What is the deal with the extremely gifted in Tolkien's QS? Why
> are they the ones that want to master the minds of others? (I'm
> thinking of Fëanor and Melkor.)
>
> [4] Which of Fëanor's sons received Nerdanel's mood? Which took
> their mood from Fëanor?
>
> [5] Why does Fëanor bear grudges against Fingolfin and Finarfin? Was
> it simply sibling rivalry?
>
> [6] Does it seem odd that Manwë does not comprehend evil at this point
> considering Melkor's past acts? If Manwë had perceived that love had
> departed from Melkor for ever, would Manwë then have suspected evil?
>
> [7] Well now, here's something. Those who defend authority must not
> rebel against it. What should Ulmo and Tulkas have done at this point?
>
> [8] Why does Melkor zero in on Fëanor? Is it because Fëanor is their
> best and brightest or does Melkor sense a threat? By Fëanor's
> greatest works, does this refer to the Simarils?
>
> [9] Why does Fëanor hate Melkor so much? Is it because of Melkor's
> past deeds? How much do Fëanor and Melkor have in common?
>
> [10] Why did Fëanor stop taking counsel from Nerdanel the wise? Did he
> stop trusting her judgment or was it his ego?
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