Tolkien is rather clear on Sauron and Morgoth’s various motivations.
Morgoth Is The Original And Greatest Evil In The World.
Morgoth
More than anything, Morgoth is envious. Within the limits of Middle Earth, Morgoth is a god. But, no matter how hard he works or how much power he expends, he will never exceed the power of Eru Illuvitar.
So, all that’s left is to twist and corrupt the creations of his better.
Strangely, this seems to be his purpose for Arad. All things derive from the will of Eru and cannot be other than he intends. So, it would appear Illuvitar created Morgoth for the purpose of propagating evil on Middle Earth.
At his core, Morgoth is originally evil.
Sauron
Unlike Morgoth, Sauron is not evil incarnate. Originally, he likely meant well and for many centuries, he was not under the sway of the first darkness. A servant of Aula, the angel of craftsmen, Sauron was a technician, engineer, and tinkerer.
At least, initially, he was more enamored of Morgoth’s methods than his ends. Sauron’s ideal world is not one of corruption. Instead, his perfect Middle Earth is one of gears and sprockets clicking away in seamless unison.
In many ways, the evil Sauron perpetrates is incidental. The goal is not oppression or death. All these messy, free people simply refuse to cooperate.
Who is more evil?
From Tolkien’s perspective, the answer is clear. Morgoth is the original and greatest evil.
It does raise a more interesting question, though. Which is the greater evil? Evil which is intentional or evil which is incidental?
Q1: Who is Morgoth and why is he considered the original and greatest evil in the world?
A1: Morgoth, also known as Melkor, is a fictional character from J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. He is depicted as the original Dark Lord and a powerful Ainu who turns to evil. He corrupts and manipulates the world to achieve his own desires, leading to immense suffering and chaos. His actions set the stage for much of the conflict in Tolkien’s universe, earning him the title of the original and greatest evil.
Q2: What are some of Morgoth’s notable deeds that showcase his evil nature?
A2: Morgoth’s evil deeds include the destruction and corruption of the Two Trees of Valinor, the theft of the Silmarils and the ensuing wars, his creation of monstrous creatures like dragons and orcs, and his manipulation of various races to spread discord and destruction. These actions demonstrate his malevolent and destructive tendencies.
Q3: How does Morgoth compare to other villains in Tolkien’s works?
A3: Morgoth is considered the most malevolent and powerful villain in Tolkien’s works. While other villains like Sauron and Saruman were influenced by Morgoth’s actions, none achieved his level of corruption, cruelty, and impact on the world. Morgoth’s fall from grace and his corrupting influence stand out as particularly significant within the legendarium.
Q4: Is there any hope for redemption for Morgoth?
A4: In Tolkien’s writings, there is no indication of redemption or change for Morgoth. He becomes irredeemably evil and entrenched in his desire for dominion over the world. Unlike some other characters, there is no narrative path for his redemption or change of heart.
Q5: How does Morgoth’s legacy continue in Tolkien’s stories?
A5: Morgoth’s legacy continues through the various creatures he corrupted, like dragons and orcs, who continue to wreak havoc in Middle-earth. Additionally, his actions set the stage for the challenges and conflicts faced by characters in “The Silmarillion” and “The Lord of the Rings.” His impact endures as a shadow that influences the events of Tolkien’s universe.
Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You definitely know what youre talking about, why throw away your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us something informative to read?
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say great blog!