The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Melian's Heir and Other Mothers of Middle-Earth

Childlike Empress · 09-14-2002, 09:20 PM

I'd like to mention another mother I see as something of a failure: Aredhel.
I always thought Eol was slightly psychotic in the extent of his rejection of the rest of the world and Aredhel failed to protect Meaglin from his father's insanity. I'm not saying she didn't try; she did when she agreed to escape to Gondolin, but her effort was, as I see it, too little, too late. Meaglin had already had all of his childhood and his young-adulthood learning his father's prejudices and when they did get to Gondolin, she failed give him the guidance he needed to grow up as a balanced human being (so to speak).
I see Aredhel as weak. She allowed all these things to just "happen" to her without really doing anything to empower herself. As a result, her son betrayed her and her homeland to destruction.

Did he also kill her? I couldn't find the account of her death in my copy of the Silmarillion, so if someone would point me to it, I'd appreciate it.

09-14-2002, 09:20 PM	#13
Childlike Empress Wight Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Fantasia Posts: 109	I'd like to mention another mother I see as something of a failure: Aredhel. I always thought Eol was slightly psychotic in the extent of his rejection of the rest of the world and Aredhel failed to protect Meaglin from his father's insanity. I'm not saying she didn't try; she did when she agreed to escape to Gondolin, but her effort was, as I see it, too little, too late. Meaglin had already had all of his childhood and his young-adulthood learning his father's prejudices and when they did get to Gondolin, she failed give him the guidance he needed to grow up as a balanced human being (so to speak). I see Aredhel as weak. She allowed all these things to just "happen" to her without really doing anything to empower herself. As a result, her son betrayed her and her homeland to destruction. Did he also kill her? I couldn't find the account of her death in my copy of the Silmarillion, so if someone would point me to it, I'd appreciate it. __________________ Fantasia is with you in your heart. It is the story of which we are a part. Take my hand, come with me, join in my Neverending Story.