Iluvatar and Melkor.

[Hookbill the Goomba]

Ok, I got a copy of the Unabridged CD's of The Silmarillion. (DONT LAUGH! You all want one, if you haven’t got it!) Which was interesting, as I had just finished a re-reading of the book.
As I was listening to Ainulindalé a thought came into my mind; All of the Ainur preserved only that part of the mind of Iluvatar from which he / she (We have to be politically correct) was from. Now, If Evil came into the heart of Melkor, dose that suggest that Iluvatar was in part evil?
Moreover, This is strange seeing as Tolkien was a devoted Catholic, Iluvatar I assume to be an interpretation of God. Therefore It is a contradiction that this should occur. Is the fact that Melkor became Evil dew to That part of Eru's mind(I'll just say Eru its easier to type) or was it something else?
So, Melkor is evil, we know that. What of Sauron? Being corrupted by Melkor he "was only less evil in that for a time he served another". However, when Melkor was defeated with no hope of returning why would Sauron continue his evilness? Was it to for fill the will of his master? Did he wish the power for himself? Or was he corrupted beyond all hope of return? It could be all of these things, but we see , i think its in Akallabéth, that the seeds of Melkor's evil would stay in the world for ever.
It is my belief that Sauron perhaps was wrathful and wished revenge on the ones who had defeated his master, and corrupted by the power left to him by Morgoth, he went into deep evil. What do you think of both these matters?

[Legolas]

A very thought-out post. This is a popular topic as you will find by searching:

Melkor's Choice
Why is Melkor so utterly evil?
Was Sauron evil?
Inherent Evil
Ilúvatar and Melkor
Melkor; Evil by Will or Evil by Nature?
If Eru knew about Melkor, why create him?
the discord of Melkor - harmonius to Iluvatars theme ?
Of Evil, Free will, and Fate (from 'Gollum')
Eru letting Melkor go
Original Sin in Arda
Why Sauron wanted to take over Middle-earth
Sauron's plans for the Dagor Dagorath
Inherent Evil

One basic question asked is this one, essentially...

But see, if Eru was good, then wouldn't he just want to create good characters. Then why can't he control Melkor and make him good? He must have had some sense, and if he knew that Melkor was going to be evil, why did he create him? {From Master of Sauron}

No, he created spirits who had wills separate from his own. He could have controlled Melkor and made him good, but he didn't. Instead, he designed a world in which his will would ultimately be done - all 'dischord' will finally resolve. This is why Melkor was tossed into the Void.

Eru spoke:

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.

Part of free will is that one still does not have the power to change what Eru would have happen in the end from the beginning. In every part of his creation exsists his ultimate goodness. It is also important to remember that Melkor didn't simply decide to become evil - it arose out of a desire to imitate his creator. One problem with that - no one else can do that, as shown by Aule's attempt. Aule realized what he had done and repented; Morgoth refused.

I recommend that you check out the Osanwe-kenta and the quotes I provided about this in Of Evil, Free will, and Fate (from 'Gollum'). Please continue discussion on *any* of these threads. There is plenty to read and talk about and many take views and concepts into account that others might not. Closing this duplicate.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 2:52 PM January 08, 2004: Message edited by: Legolas ]