Thoughs on M[a]eglin

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Urwen

Also, have you seen the new forum? I wonder what it's for?

As it says on the new forum, it is for rescuing Downer fan-fiction that was posted on the old site (http://www.barrowdowns.com/theme-frodo.php). There is a link for the fancfic section on the right, but the page doesn't work. So stories that were saved or accessed through a magic internet portal (which is what it sounds like to me when Mithadan describes it ) can be resurrected to the new forum. Once those stories are dealt with, chances are it will be opened for new stories from BDers.

Originally Posted by Urwen

And it just occurred to me than Morleg didn't necessarily have to be the one who betrayed Gondolin. So why did Tolkien choose him for it?

No, it could have been the other highly jealous, self-loving, angry, putting-himself-above-the-law, irrational bloke.

[Urwen]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

No, it could have been the other highly jealous, self-loving, angry, putting-himself-above-the-law, irrational bloke.

And you're saying that Morleg is the only one with those qualities? Or in other words, you're saying that Morleg is the Silmarilion Martin?

[Galadriel55]

Originally Posted by Urwen

And you're saying that Morleg is the only one with those qualities? Or in other words, you're saying that Morleg is the Silmarilion Martin?

Are you saying that Tolkien described another character in Gondolin who combines both the personal qualities, the physical ability, and the motivation to do the job the way Maeglin did it?

[Urwen]

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

Are you saying that Tolkien described another character in Gondolin who combines both the personal qualities, the physical ability, and the motivation to do the job the way Maeglin did it?

No, but there could have been one. Ultimately, Tolkien decided who'd do it, so why did he make Morleg have all the qualities needed to do it in the first place, rather than someone else? That's what I am asking.

[Huinesoron]

Originally Posted by Urwen

No, but there could have been one. Ultimately, Tolkien decided who'd do it, so why did he make Morleg have all the qualities needed to do it in the first place, rather than someone else? That's what I am asking.

The unfortunately-boring answer to this is 'Meglin was created for that purpose'. If he hadn't been the jealous traitor, he wouldn't have existed at all. That's the only reason he's in the original Fall of Gondolin text. You could argue that there needed to be a Lord of the House of the Mole as well, so he could have just had that role - but then he'd be no more a character than wossname, Duilin or something?

The back story that makes Morleg-Maeglin a semi-sympathetic character came later, and was written in service of his role. If Aredhel and Eol's tragic son hadn't grown up to be Maeglin of the Mole, he would never have existed at all - because that was why he was created.

hS

[Urwen]

Originally Posted by Huinesoron

The unfortunately-boring answer to this is 'Meglin was created for that purpose'. If he hadn't been the jealous traitor, he wouldn't have existed at all. That's the only reason he's in the original Fall of Gondolin text. You could argue that there needed to be a Lord of the House of the Mole as well, so he could have just had that role - but then he'd be no more a character than wossname, Duilin or something?

The back story that makes Morleg-Maeglin a semi-sympathetic character came later, and was written in service of his role. If Aredhel and Eol's tragic son hadn't grown up to be Maeglin of the Mole, he would never have existed at all - because that was why he was created.

hS

Interesting line of thinking. I suppose that's one of the reasons why I adore him/defend him when no one else does.

[Urwen]

I wonder what would happen if Meglin and Glorfindel's roles were swapped? Wouldn't it have been funny to read about reborn!Meglin helping Hobbits?

Maybe he'd even fall in love with 'little woman'.