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***Mithadan*** · 01-07-2003, 08:43 AM

There are two elements to Arda Marred. The first is Melkor's disruption of the Music of the Ainur. The second is Melkor's actual influence on the stuff of Arda itself. For a time, Melkor worked with the Valar in constructing Arda. Then he rebelled openly so that nothing was ever as planned. Mountains were raised and he toppled them. Seas were filled and he spilled them. So he had his hands in all aspects of Arda'a assembly and, infused everything with his taint.

The Osanwë Kenta is also relevant to this discussion. There, it is revealed that Melkor's nature was, at bottom, that of the ultimate anarchist. He wanted to do what he wanted, when he wanted. In the Osanwë Kenta it is revealed that the Valar were subject to two sets of restrictions: those things that should not be done and those things that cannot be done. It relates that Melkor strove to do all things which should not be done and raged against the second set of rules which governed what is possible and impossible within Arda. This is why he was released after his imprisonment by the Valar. Manwë could not conceive that any of the Valar would wish to violate the first set of rules.

The Children of Iluvatar, being made of the stuff of the earth, were made up of Arda Marred. Melkor's marring became part of them and was the ultimate source of any "Fall". Further, the second set of rules (things which are impossible to do) prevented Melkor from changing the fundamental nature of Elves and Men; he could not make Men deathless (or if they were deathless, take that aspect of their being away) or make Elves mortal. But his violations of the first set of rules allowed him to twist them or cause them to misunderstand their natures. So he could cause Men to fear and hate Eru's Gift of mortality.

So accepting Tolkien's words and thoughts rather than seeking allegory or implication requires the view that Middle Earth, indeed all of Arda, was tainted by Melkor and that the Marring of Arda is the root source of evil.

[ January 07, 2003: Message edited by: Mithadan ]

01-07-2003, 08:43 AM	#7
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,393	There are two elements to Arda Marred. The first is Melkor's disruption of the Music of the Ainur. The second is Melkor's actual influence on the stuff of Arda itself. For a time, Melkor worked with the Valar in constructing Arda. Then he rebelled openly so that nothing was ever as planned. Mountains were raised and he toppled them. Seas were filled and he spilled them. So he had his hands in all aspects of Arda'a assembly and, infused everything with his taint. The Osanwë Kenta is also relevant to this discussion. There, it is revealed that Melkor's nature was, at bottom, that of the ultimate anarchist. He wanted to do what he wanted, when he wanted. In the Osanwë Kenta it is revealed that the Valar were subject to two sets of restrictions: those things that should not be done and those things that cannot be done. It relates that Melkor strove to do all things which should not be done and raged against the second set of rules which governed what is possible and impossible within Arda. This is why he was released after his imprisonment by the Valar. Manwë could not conceive that any of the Valar would wish to violate the first set of rules. The Children of Iluvatar, being made of the stuff of the earth, were made up of Arda Marred. Melkor's marring became part of them and was the ultimate source of any "Fall". Further, the second set of rules (things which are impossible to do) prevented Melkor from changing the fundamental nature of Elves and Men; he could not make Men deathless (or if they were deathless, take that aspect of their being away) or make Elves mortal. But his violations of the first set of rules allowed him to twist them or cause them to misunderstand their natures. So he could cause Men to fear and hate Eru's Gift of mortality. So accepting Tolkien's words and thoughts rather than seeking allegory or implication requires the view that Middle Earth, indeed all of Arda, was tainted by Melkor and that the Marring of Arda is the root source of evil. [ January 07, 2003: Message edited by: Mithadan ] __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.