[Imladris]

I like what you guys are saying (especially Davem) but I don't think we are going back far enough.

I was in my Modern Mythology class today and we sort of touched on this subject. Melkor, since the beginning of time, has wanted to possess the Flame Imperishable so that he could create, and become Illuvitar. He even tried his own pidley attempt at creating his own theme.

The Silmarils represent the Flame Imperishable because everything that was created comes from the Flame -- it is the Flame that gives life. So, the Silmarils are a "cheap" imitation of that.

Yet the Flame is pure, and Melkor cannot touch even an imitation of that Flame without being burned (makes you wonder what would happen if he got is hands on the real Flame). However, I'm thinking that he hates it because it is of Illuvitar, yet he wants it, lusts after it because he wants to create.