What was Shelob, and more importantly, what was Ungoliant? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Bêthberry · 01-09-2008, 07:52 AM

Interesting comparison with Tom and Goldberry. They are supposed to be a happily mated couple whereas S/U are rather rough with their partners.

Then again, spiders are a fear and nightmare from Tolkien's childhood. But when assimilated to the loathesome personification of unbridled female appetite . . . well, maybe that makes them a nightmare from Tolkien's adulthood (manhood not being quite the right word here.)

Meriadoc1961 · 01-09-2008, 09:58 AM

I have always considered Ungoliant sort of the equivalent of Lilith in Jewish legend, a demon creature of darkness who took on her form as she allowed the evil to possess her.

Merry

01-09-2008, 07:52 AM	#1
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Interesting comparison with Tom and Goldberry. They are supposed to be a happily mated couple whereas S/U are rather rough with their partners. Then again, spiders are a fear and nightmare from Tolkien's childhood. But when assimilated to the loathesome personification of unbridled female appetite . . . well, maybe that makes them a nightmare from Tolkien's adulthood (manhood not being quite the right word here.) __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

01-09-2008, 09:58 AM	#2
Meriadoc1961 Wight Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 101	I have always considered Ungoliant sort of the equivalent of Lilith in Jewish legend, a demon creature of darkness who took on her form as she allowed the evil to possess her. Merry __________________ "If I yawn again, I shall split at the ears!"

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