The Silmarils a precursor? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Ravenna · 08-30-2002, 09:41 AM

Despite the fact that the Silmarils, Unlike the rings of power, had no inherent power of good or evil within themselves, I think Eol may have a point.
Rather than saying that the Silmarils foreshadow the ring, rather, you could say that the rings echo the Silmarils, if only in the obsession they cause in the minds of those who possess them. If it began to obsess Thingol to the point where he was unwilling to let it out of his sight, so did the One Ring have a similar effect on Bilbo, who took to carrying it everywhere because he was uneasy when he did not have it with him.
I do think that despite the obvious differences between the two treasures, they do in fact have a similar effect on their owners, if only in this one regard. I wonder if this was done deliberately by Tolkien, or is an accident, and also if all great treasures would have the same sort of effect.

08-30-2002, 09:41 AM	#1
Ravenna Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: witney, oxfordshire Posts: 70	Despite the fact that the Silmarils, Unlike the rings of power, had no inherent power of good or evil within themselves, I think Eol may have a point. Rather than saying that the Silmarils foreshadow the ring, rather, you could say that the rings echo the Silmarils, if only in the obsession they cause in the minds of those who possess them. If it began to obsess Thingol to the point where he was unwilling to let it out of his sight, so did the One Ring have a similar effect on Bilbo, who took to carrying it everywhere because he was uneasy when he did not have it with him. I do think that despite the obvious differences between the two treasures, they do in fact have a similar effect on their owners, if only in this one regard. I wonder if this was done deliberately by Tolkien, or is an accident, and also if all great treasures would have the same sort of effect.