The Quenta Silmarillion Eucatastrophe-less - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Imladris · 10-28-2004, 08:27 PM

Yes...I know that the Quenta Silmarillion is part of a larger story, yet I also think that it is a myth in and of itself. It has a beginning, middle, and at the end everything is neatly tied. The story of the Silmarils is done...so, as a myth, it is also deserving of a eucatastrophe. Yet, in my opinion, it does not have one.

The Silmarils are all safe and sound, yes. Yet, what of Maedhros and his brother? They who kept their oath even though hated it...what do they get? They finally regain their father's Silmarils, and it burns them. In my mind, the jewels should not haved burned them, for they kept their oath against all odds.

And at the very end, they are denied the Silmarils (I guess the Valar forgot about that oaths are binding), Maedhros throws himself into a lava pit with the Silmaril, and his brother throws his into the sea and wanders alone full of angst. How is that happy -- it's not even a happy disaster. Why? There is no joy. Only one Silmaril is regained. The Light of the Trees is only partially recovered. So many people die.

Fingolfin died, Thingol died, Turgon died, and countless others. And for what? Where is the eucatastrophe?

10-28-2004, 08:27 PM	#1
Imladris Tears of the Phoenix Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Putting dimes in the jukebox baby. Posts: 1,453	The Quenta Silmarillion Eucatastrophe-less Yes...I know that the Quenta Silmarillion is part of a larger story, yet I also think that it is a myth in and of itself. It has a beginning, middle, and at the end everything is neatly tied. The story of the Silmarils is done...so, as a myth, it is also deserving of a eucatastrophe. Yet, in my opinion, it does not have one. The Silmarils are all safe and sound, yes. Yet, what of Maedhros and his brother? They who kept their oath even though hated it...what do they get? They finally regain their father's Silmarils, and it burns them. In my mind, the jewels should not haved burned them, for they kept their oath against all odds. And at the very end, they are denied the Silmarils (I guess the Valar forgot about that oaths are binding), Maedhros throws himself into a lava pit with the Silmaril, and his brother throws his into the sea and wanders alone full of angst. How is that happy -- it's not even a happy disaster. Why? There is no joy. Only one Silmaril is regained. The Light of the Trees is only partially recovered. So many people die. Fingolfin died, Thingol died, Turgon died, and countless others. And for what? Where is the eucatastrophe? __________________ I'm sorry it wasn't a unicorn. It would have been nice to have unicorns. I'm your huckleberry.