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08-29-2004, 04:49 AM | #1 |
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Character analysis: Eöl, Maeglin
Short outline of the story of Eöl and Maeglin:
In the published Silmarillion, Eöl is said to have been "of the kin of Thingol", "a tall Elf of a high kin of the Teleri, noble though grim of face; and his eyes could see deep into shadows and dark places." But he did not feel comfortable i Doriath, and when the Girdle was set around the forest he left eastward to dwell in Nan Elmoth. Here he caught sight of Aredhel on one of her wanderings out of Celegorm's realm, and he used his powers of enchantment to make her come to his house and took her to wife more or less by force. Still, Aredhel seemed to be content for many years, and she and Eöl has a son, Maeglin. Aredhel and Maeglin fled from Nan Elmoth during one of Eöl's journeys abroad, and they headed for Gondolin, where they were both received with honour by Turgon. Eöl followed them, having a brief but unpleasant encounter with Curufin, kinsman and old friend of Aredhel, on his way. At his arrival in Gondolin in front of Turgon's seat he bids Maeglin to return with him to Nan Elmoth, but the king forbids it. Then Eöl, being full of hatred against the Noldor and unwilling to see his son among them, makes an attempt to kill Maeglin, casting a poisoned javelin to him, but ends up killing his wife instead. For this deed he is sentenced to death and executed. Maeglin becomes great among the Noldor in Gondolin, but he is not content. He desires Idril, but she avoids him. Then Tuor comes as a rival both for the heart of Idril and the King's favour, Idril weds Tuor and they have a son, and Maeglin's hate towards Tuor and his son Eärendil grows deep. Thus, when Maeglin later is captured by Orcs and brought to Angband he is led to treachery, being promised the lordship of Gondolin and the hand of Idril if he would reveal to Morgoth the exact whereabouts of Gondolin and how it could best be assailed. During the following sack of Gondolin Maeglin attempted to kill Eärendil, trying to cast him onto the flames beneath the city walls, but was hindered by Tuor. Tuor and Maeglin fought on the walls, and Tuor cast Maeglin far out, and so he died in the same way as his father. Eöl's name and origin Eöl is called the Dark Elf, but though it is said in the published Sil that he preferred the shadows and the darkness of the deep woods, I don't think this is a sufficient reason for the name. However, in later versions of the Sil Eöl was not from Doriath but an Avari, one of the Elves to refused the march west, but entered Beleriand long after. This serves also to explain the lack of meaning of the name Eöl in both Quenya and Sindarin. At one point Tolkien pondered about making Eöl a former captive of Angband, thus explaining his dark mood and his skills in the smithies, which he was supposed to have learned from Morgoth. This idea was abandoned, and Eöl returned to being learned in smithcraft from the Dwarves. Maeglin's name Maeglin means 'Sharp Glance', derived from mik (=pierce), maika (=sharp, penetrating, going deep in) and glim (=gleam, glint, particularly applied to light of eyes). It is said that "Maeglin had, even more than his father, very bright eyes, and was both physically very keen-sighted and mentally very penetrant, and quick to interpret the looks and gestures of people, and perceive their thoughts and purposes." Another explanation of the name Maeglin is that Eöl named his son after the metal that he devised, because the metal was "dark, supple, and yet strong, and even so was his son". Eöl did not give his son a name before he was 12, until then he was called only 'Iôn' (=son), but Aredhel in secret named him Lómion (=son of Twilight, in Quenya). In other versions of the Sil, Maeglin is called Meglin, or Glindûr. Sources: The published Silmarillion HoME 11 - Maeglin HoME 11 - Quendi and Eldar HoME 11 - The Grey Annals
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08-29-2004, 04:52 AM | #2 | |
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Discussion about Eöl:
Was he just a bad, evil villain, or did he have some good sides? Did he love Aredhel? Did he love Maeglin his son? Why did he come to shun the light of day? What do you think about his grudge against the Noldor? Can you sympathise with it? Do you feel sorry for him? Discussion about Maeglin: Was he just a bad, evil villain, or did he have some good sides? Did he love his father? Did he love Idril, or was she just a way to gain more power in Gondolin? He had the power in his voice to move those who heard him, and overthrow those who withstood him. In what way did he use this power? Why is it that no one, except Idril, perceived his dark mood and his secret hatred? Is there any excuse for his treachery? Is there any excuse for his attack on Idril and Eärendel? Do you feel sorry for him? At last I'd like to put in here a few lines from "The Lay of the Fall of Gondolin": Quote:
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--Life is hard, and then we die. Last edited by Artanis : 08-29-2004 at 04:54 AM. |
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08-29-2004, 05:34 AM | #3 | |||||
Fëanorophobic
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Wow! Great intro, Arty! Thanks for taking the effort.
Some thoughts: Discussion about Eöl Quote:
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I'll post my thoughts about Maeglin later, this is all I can manage for now. Again: great job, Arty! |
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08-29-2004, 05:40 AM | #4 |
the Shrike
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I don't think Eol can be considered to be entirely evil. I think he fell in love with his wife, and even though he didn't exactly capture her through any fair means, she stayed willingly enough with him.
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08-29-2004, 07:13 AM | #5 |
Warrior of the House of Hador
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I never really considered Maeglin evil until Hurin and Huor's departure from Gondolin.
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Then Huor spoke and said: "Yet if it stands but a little while, then out of your house shall come the hope of Elves and Men. This I say to you, lord, with the eyes of death: though we part here for ever, and I shall not look on your white walls again, from you and me a new star shall arise. Farewell!" The Silmarillion, Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Page 230 |
08-30-2004, 02:34 AM | #6 | |
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08-30-2004, 11:00 AM | #7 |
Elf Lord
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I disagree. I think he did love her, and didn't say the spear was posioned becasue of his anger. I'm not sure, but it seems to me that he didn't really care what will happen - as he knew he's going to be killed without ask for forgiveness from the Golodhrim, and prefered Aredhel to come with him to the Halls of Mandos.
Which reminded me... How much time do you think Eöl will stay in the Halls on Mandos? Relatively to otehr elves, that is. |
08-29-2004, 07:18 AM | #8 | |
Elf Lord
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I agree that he was a villain, and loved Aredhel. I can understand his hate to the Noldor.. but don't that I myself would hate them. And I don't feel sorry for him. I think he's the character I hate more than all others. About Maeglin - it is said he was like his father in the mood... but I think he was a bit different. He had good sides - many, even - but he fell to darkness when Tuor came, and he was jelous of his power and love of Idril. Without that, he wouldn't have discovered the location of Gondolin. That's no excuse... but it's like a different person from the moment Tuor came. I do feel sorry for him though. Don't know why. |
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08-29-2004, 07:27 AM | #9 | |
Fëanorophobic
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08-29-2004, 07:39 AM | #10 |
Warrior of the House of Hador
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I agree that Aredhel loved Eol but I do not think he had many good sides.
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Then Huor spoke and said: "Yet if it stands but a little while, then out of your house shall come the hope of Elves and Men. This I say to you, lord, with the eyes of death: though we part here for ever, and I shall not look on your white walls again, from you and me a new star shall arise. Farewell!" The Silmarillion, Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Page 230 |
08-29-2004, 08:05 AM | #11 | |
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08-29-2004, 12:05 PM | #12 | ||
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Much to respond to here, I'll start at the beginning.
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More later ...
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--Life is hard, and then we die. Last edited by Artanis : 08-29-2004 at 12:06 PM. |
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08-29-2004, 01:18 PM | #13 |
Warrior of the House of Hador
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It showed he really did hate the Noldor, to try and kill his son instead of having him live with his wifes kin.
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Then Huor spoke and said: "Yet if it stands but a little while, then out of your house shall come the hope of Elves and Men. This I say to you, lord, with the eyes of death: though we part here for ever, and I shall not look on your white walls again, from you and me a new star shall arise. Farewell!" The Silmarillion, Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Page 230 |
08-30-2004, 11:54 AM | #14 | ||||||||||||||
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"Whither go you?" she said. "North away." he said: "to the swords, and the siege, and the walls of defence - that yet for a while in Beleriand rivers may run clean, leaves spring, and birds build their nests, ere Night comes." AboutNewJersey.com - New Jersey Travel and Tourism Guide |
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08-31-2004, 03:54 AM | #15 | ||||
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Mental illness - do you by that mean a tainted fëa? Quote:
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What strikes me when I read about Eöl and Maeglin is that they must both have been very lonely most of their lives. If nothing else, that makes me feel sorry for them. Quote:
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08-31-2004, 10:29 AM | #16 | |||||||
Queen of Nargothrond
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"Whither go you?" she said. "North away." he said: "to the swords, and the siege, and the walls of defence - that yet for a while in Beleriand rivers may run clean, leaves spring, and birds build their nests, ere Night comes." AboutNewJersey.com - New Jersey Travel and Tourism Guide |
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08-31-2004, 11:03 AM | #17 | |
Greatest Elven woman of Aman
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Some good quotes there SGH. Thanks.
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08-31-2004, 11:04 AM | #18 |
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In general, I have felt sorry for Maeglin. Not completely though.
While the parallel isn't complete, I just now see some similarities with him and Grima Wormtongue - oddly enough. Each desired a 'daughter' (in one case an actual niece, but treated as daughter) of a king, was in relative close counsel with that king - and betrayed their kingdom to an enemy - with the promise of rulership of that kingdom and possession of the woman they desired. Pretty much ends there though, I think...
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08-31-2004, 11:15 AM | #19 | ||||||||
Fëanorophobic
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Discussion about Maeglin:
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09-04-2004, 03:32 PM | #20 | ||||||
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I always saw a sort of parallel too between the way Túrin was followed by doom everywhere he went and the way Fate had inmeshed Maeglin in a situation in which each of his decisions created new, negative consequences: his flight to Gondolin ended in his mother's death, his love for Idril gave Morgoth an opening to get Maeglin where he wanted, ect.... I think Maeglin is a true tragic figure and in that prospect I do feel sorry for him.
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