Why were the Silmarils so important? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

metropolis_part_one · 01-06-2004, 04:28 AM

I don't understand why the Elves would wage terrible wars and risk thousands of lives just so they could look at shiny jewels. Didn't these jewels do anything? Didn't they have any magical powers (other than allowing Earendil to get to the Undying Lands)? If not, then they just wanted them to look at?

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 01-06-2004, 06:35 AM

Pride and vengeance. Some of them were also tired of the Valar bossing them about.

Falagar · 01-06-2004, 10:21 AM

The jewels wasn't the only reason (and not the most important, IMO). Among other we have the murder of their king, Finwë, the unrest among them (caused by Melkor's lies) and the wish to see Middle-earth again.

Rider of Rohan · 01-06-2004, 10:44 AM

They were also the last reminders of the 2 trees. Melkor's crime was complete with the stealing of the Silmarils. I also heard from a friend that they did have a power of a sort, but it was only the desire to possess them. Is this true?

Failivrin · 01-06-2004, 02:58 PM

Yes, lusting for a Silmaril was a dangerous thing (Thingol). The Silmarils, like Rider said, contained the last of the two trees, that had created bliss in Valinor. Plus, just the belief that they belonged to the Elves, specifically the Sons of Feanor.

I don't really think the Silmarils had a particular power, but they shone of their own light and only through them could the Two Trees be rekindled.

Knight of Gondor · 01-06-2004, 09:48 PM

Yes, I'd say the pride of the sons of Feanor played a large part. They were a token of his works, and his sons were jealous to keep it in the family. Just another way Melkor marred the original harmony of the original Creation.

Orophin · 04-27-2004, 04:21 PM

I agree with those that say that the pride of the sons of Feanor and Feanor himslef are the main cause for the war. But when you think about it, these jewels are beyond price. The obviousley can't be made agin or else Feanor would have just made more. These things represent everything that Feanor worked for and his pride so when they were stolen from him he went nuts, and his sons followed him.

luthien-elvenprincess · 04-27-2004, 04:49 PM

The story of the elves' dealing with the Silmarils show us that elves had some of the same basic flaws as men. Elves tended to disdain men for their lust for power (which some men certainly had, but not all). Yet, the story of the Silmarils show us that elves also had a problem with lust (again, some elves, not all).
It is interesting to note that the Valar suffered the same loss as the elves, yet didn't react in such a manner as to bring sorrow and grief to the world.

Voralphion · 04-27-2004, 09:20 PM

As to the silmarils having any power, it is said that the elf colony at Tol Sirion where Earendil left from was made green by the power of the Silmaril of Elwing that brought healing. Although this was attributed to the Elessar in another version of the story, the silmaril did have healing powers.

dkhyrosha · 04-28-2004, 12:08 PM

I think it was a combination of the killing of Finwe, the pride of Feanor, and the fact that the light of the jewels was all that was left of the Trees

bilbo_baggins · 04-28-2004, 01:25 PM

Maybe not so much the loss of the light of the Trees...

Weren't the Trees detroyed and then the Valar made an appeal to Feanor to give of his Silmarilli to return life to the trees? Feanor turned them down and returned home, only to find that his precious jewels had been lost. Then Feanor went a rampage of vengeance and retrieval. Feanor cared only for his creation, and he was the main instigator of vengeful thoughts among the Elves of Tol Sirion.

That's just my thoughts,

Frodo2968thewhite · 05-01-2004, 10:51 AM

it is true that the Elves cherished the jewels for the fact that they hold the last light of the two trees, but Fate also must have played a huge role in it...The way I see it, everything that happens 'in any world' is for a reason. I do believe that Arda once existed, and that Iluvatar must have had a plan for the Silmarils. It's not just the physical power that they beheld that is amazing, but also the spiritual aspect of it. Let us go to the second prophecy of Mandos...

Quote:

Thereafter shall the Silmarils be recovered out of sea and earth and air; for Earendil shall descend and yield up that flame that he hath had in keeping. Then Feanor shall bear the Three and yield their fire to rekindle the Two Trees, and a great light shall come forth; and the Mountains of Valinor shall be levelled, so that the light goes out over all the world. In that light the Gods will again grow young, and the Elves awake and all their dead arise, and the purpose of Iluvatar be fulfilled concerning them. But of Men in that day the prophecy speaks not, save of Turin only, and him it names among the Gods." (The Shaping of Middle Earth - HOME 5)

So from this I conceive the fact that The Silmarils were important because of fate and roles that they have yet to play...

01-06-2004, 04:28 AM	#1
metropolis_part_one Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 25	Why were the Silmarils so important? I don't understand why the Elves would wage terrible wars and risk thousands of lives just so they could look at shiny jewels. Didn't these jewels do anything? Didn't they have any magical powers (other than allowing Earendil to get to the Undying Lands)? If not, then they just wanted them to look at? __________________ For forty days and forty nights They rode through red blood to the knee And they saw neither sun nor moon But heard the roaring of the sea

01-06-2004, 06:35 AM	#2
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,992	Pride and vengeance. Some of them were also tired of the Valar bossing them about. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

01-06-2004, 10:21 AM	#3
Falagar Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Norway Posts: 69	The jewels wasn't the only reason (and not the most important, IMO). Among other we have the murder of their king, Finwë, the unrest among them (caused by Melkor's lies) and the wish to see Middle-earth again. __________________ Auta i lomë! Aurë entuluva! "Take no heed! We speak as is right, and as King Finwë himself did before he was led astray. We are his heirs by right and the elder house. Let them sá-sí, if they can speak no better." -Son of the Therindë

01-06-2004, 02:58 PM	#5
Failivrin Wight Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: England Posts: 201	Yes, lusting for a Silmaril was a dangerous thing (Thingol). The Silmarils, like Rider said, contained the last of the two trees, that had created bliss in Valinor. Plus, just the belief that they belonged to the Elves, specifically the Sons of Feanor. I don't really think the Silmarils had a particular power, but they shone of their own light and only through them could the Two Trees be rekindled. __________________ no one in particular

01-06-2004, 09:48 PM	#6
Knight of Gondor Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kentucky Posts: 744	Yes, I'd say the pride of the sons of Feanor played a large part. They were a token of his works, and his sons were jealous to keep it in the family. Just another way Melkor marred the original harmony of the original Creation. __________________ Eagerly awaiting the REAL Return of the King - Jesus Christ! Revelation 19:11-16

01-06-2004, 10:44 AM	#4
Rider of Rohan Pile O'Bones Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: IWU Posts: 14	They were also the last reminders of the 2 trees. Melkor's crime was complete with the stealing of the Silmarils. I also heard from a friend that they did have a power of a sort, but it was only the desire to possess them. Is this true?

04-27-2004, 04:21 PM	#7
Orophin Animated Skeleton Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lothlorien Posts: 48	I agree I agree with those that say that the pride of the sons of Feanor and Feanor himslef are the main cause for the war. But when you think about it, these jewels are beyond price. The obviousley can't be made agin or else Feanor would have just made more. These things represent everything that Feanor worked for and his pride so when they were stolen from him he went nuts, and his sons followed him. __________________ Yrch!

04-27-2004, 04:49 PM	#8
luthien-elvenprincess Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: what are you doing here? did you come here to eat my popcorn? Posts: 1,034	The story of the elves' dealing with the Silmarils show us that elves had some of the same basic flaws as men. Elves tended to disdain men for their lust for power (which some men certainly had, but not all). Yet, the story of the Silmarils show us that elves also had a problem with lust (again, some elves, not all). It is interesting to note that the Valar suffered the same loss as the elves, yet didn't react in such a manner as to bring sorrow and grief to the world. __________________ York Peppermint Patties taste better than Pearson's Peppermint Patties! But, Junior Mints are the best!

04-27-2004, 09:20 PM	#9
Voralphion Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Sharkey's End Posts: 267	As to the silmarils having any power, it is said that the elf colony at Tol Sirion where Earendil left from was made green by the power of the Silmaril of Elwing that brought healing. Although this was attributed to the Elessar in another version of the story, the silmaril did have healing powers. __________________ His sword was long his lance was keen His shining helm afar was seen The countless stars of heavens field Were mirrored in his silver shield

04-28-2004, 12:08 PM	#10
dkhyrosha Pile O'Bones Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Washington, USA Posts: 11	I think it was a combination of the killing of Finwe, the pride of Feanor, and the fact that the light of the jewels was all that was left of the Trees __________________ There can be no triumph without loss. No victory without suffering. No freedom without sacrifice. Dani

04-28-2004, 01:25 PM	#11
bilbo_baggins Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2003 Location: In my front hallway, grabbing my staff, about to head out my door Posts: 275	Maybe not so much the loss of the light of the Trees... Weren't the Trees detroyed and then the Valar made an appeal to Feanor to give of his Silmarilli to return life to the trees? Feanor turned them down and returned home, only to find that his precious jewels had been lost. Then Feanor went a rampage of vengeance and retrieval. Feanor cared only for his creation, and he was the main instigator of vengeful thoughts among the Elves of Tol Sirion. That's just my thoughts, __________________ "For with much wisdom comes much sorrow, and with more knowledge comes more grief."