Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Silmarillion, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Unity vs. Division
Fate, Doom, and Free Will
Pride and Arrogance
Greed, Jealousy, and Obsession
Inevitable Loss
Myth and Memory
Summary
Analysis
The last remaining men of the house of Bëor settle near a lake in Dorthonion. One of the outlaws, Gorlim, has a wife who disappeared during the war, so he visits his house secretly to see if she returned. Morgoth’s spies learn of his visits and trap him there. He doesn’t speak under torture, but, after Sauron promises to reunite him with his wife, he reveals the location of Barahir’s camp. Sauron kills Gorlim and sends orcs to ambush and kill Barahir’s men. Only Beren, who is away on a mission to spy on the enemy, survives. Beren has a dream about Gorlim and hastens back to the camp to find the outlaws dead.
Morgoth divides his enemies to weaken them and lead them to betray each other. Cruelly, Sauron uses the promise of reunion to do the same. Both Sauron and Morgoth are skilled at exploiting the weaknesses of their enemies. Often those weaknesses are pride and greed, but sometimes, too, they are love and fear. Morgoth’s attacks, which divide both families and kingdoms, have taken a toll on individual lives, not only on the effort of the war.
Themes
Beren buries his father and swears vengeance. He hunts down the orcs that killed the outlaws and kills their captain, reclaiming Barahir’s cut-off hand and Finrod’s ring. Beren wanders Dorthonion for four years and contributes to the war alone, killing beasts and performing feats of “lonely daring.” Though there’s a price on his head, orcs flee from him, and eventually Morgoth sends Sauron to kill him. Beren flees Dorthonion and climbs the Mountains of Terror (filled with spiders, where no other elf or man has been) into Doriath.
Alone now that all his companions are dead, Beren performs feats of daring that no one else has ever accomplished. One of those feats is his entry into the protected forest of Doriath, which nothing less powerful than Melian can enter without her permission. She predicted that one man’s fate would be more powerful than her magic and allow him to break through the Girdle—that man is Beren.
Themes
As Melian predicted, Beren’s fate allows him to pass through the Girdle, “grey and bowed” from his difficult road. In the summer woods he sees Lúthien (Thingol and Melian’s daughter) dancing and falls in love. With dark hair and grey eyes, Lúthien is the most beautiful of the Children of Ilúvatar. She vanishes before Beren can speak, and he wanders searching for her, calling her Tinúviel, meaning Nightingale.
Beren is fated to enter Doriath, meaning that his own choices will lead him there, but Ilúvatar and the Ainur have already foreseen the result of his choices. No external power forces Beren to fall in love with Lúthien—he simply does. Similarly, it is his own choice to linger in the safety of Doriath, hoping to see her again.
Themes
Near spring, Beren hears her singing and calls out to her. When Lúthien turns to look at him, she falls in love, and her “doom” falls on her. Still, she runs away as the sun rises. Beren lies on the ground, pained. His pain is a “payment” for the grief he’s fated to cause Lúthien—since he’s mortal, Lúthien’s love for him will make her mortal too.
The language around Lúthien’s fate is often obscure and figurative. Her fate falls upon her as she falls in love with Beren—it’s the moment that influences all her choices going forward, which will lead to her fate. From the perspective of the elves, Lúthien is “doomed” both in the neutral sense (meaning fated) and in the negative sense—to die with Beren rather than live on with the elves. To the elves, this is a sorrowful change, though the story itself is happy and beautiful.
Themes
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“Beyond his hope,” Lúthien returns to Beren in the woods and visits him secretly through the spring and summer. Daeron, a minstrel, also loves Lúthien and betrays her meetings with Beren to Thingol. Thingol, who loves Lúthien and hates men, confronts her, but she refuses to say anything until he swears not to kill or imprison Beren. When Thingol has Beren brought into Menegroth as a thief (of Lúthien or her affection), Lúthien welcomes him as a guest. Beren is frightened of Thingol, but, looking at Lúthien and Melian, he finds the courage to speak and announce that he loves Lúthien. Melian advises that Thingol let go of his anger, since Beren’s fate is tied to his.
Beren and Lúthien are joined by love until jealousy separates them. The jealousy is both Daeron’s and Thingol’s—Thingol doesn’t believe a man could be worthy of Lúthien’s love and refuses to allow Lúthien to decide that for herself. Lúthien’s easy way of working around her father’s orders for Beren to be brought in, however, indicates that she is skilled in both dealing with Thingol and eventually getting what she wants. Melian, too, is on her daughter’s side—she, like Lúthien, married outside her own race.
Themes
Beren presents Finrod’s ring as proof of his nobility, but Thingol demands that Beren retrieve a treasure to win Lúthien—he must bring Thingol a Silmaril in his own hand. With that request, Thingol becomes ensnared in the curse of Mandos. Everyone listening assumes Thingol is sending Beren to his death, since not even all the Noldor could retrieve a Silmaril from Morgoth. Beren laughs that Thingol is selling his daughter for a “little price,” only a jewel, and agrees to undertake the task. Melian tells Thingol that whether Beren fails or succeeds, Thingol has doomed either his daughter or himself.
By expressing his desire for a Silmaril and becoming involved in its pursuit, Thingol falls victim to the doom of the Noldor and all its consequences—greed, betrayal, and loss. Though Melian doesn’t know the entirety of Beren’s fate, she recognizes Thingol’s error. Sending Beren after the Silmaril will lead to Thingol’s ruin (if Beren succeeds) and Lúthien’s despair (if Beren fails).
Themes
Beren travels out of Doriath and into Nargothrond, where, sensing he’s being watched, he raises Finrod’s ring and demands to be taken to the king. Finrod recognizes him, and Beren explains the death of his father and his quest for Lúthien. Finrod realizes that, as he predicted to Galadriel, his oath to give aid to Barahir and his family will now lead to his death.
Despite the knowledge that he will die helping Beren, Finrod doesn’t hesitate to fulfill his oath to Barahir. As Barahir once saved his life, he will now protect Beren’s.
Themes
Finrod explains that the Silmarils are cursed with Fëanor’s oath of hatred and anyone that tries to take them “moves a great power from slumber.” Celegorm and Curufin, overcome by the curse of Mandos, insist that they’ll take the Silmaril from Beren if he wins it, but Finrod is bound by his oath to help Beren rather than show loyalty to his cousins. Curufin’s speech before Finrod’s people frightens the elves so badly that they fall from the valor of their predecessors and refuse to go openly into war for the near future, resorting instead to stealth and trickery. Finrod gives his crown to Orodreth and departs with Beren and 10 companions.
The great power Finrod speaks of is twofold; when someone tries to take the Silmarils, the sons of Fëanor are moved to action, and the curse of the Noldor itself spreads, bringing betrayal and ruin. The two sons of Fëanor present certainly make their power known, threatening Finrod and Beren and using rhetoric (a skill inherited from Fëanor) to frighten the elves of Nargothrond from boldness into cowardice and isolation that lasts for years.
Themes
Though the company disguises themselves as orcs, Sauron notices their speed and has them brought to him. Finrod and Sauron battle with songs of magic. Though Sauron strips them of their disguises and imprisons them, Finrod shields their thoughts so Sauron can’t discover their goal. Meanwhile, Melian tells Lúthien about Beren’s captivity. Lúthien plans to go and rescue him herself, but Daeron again reveals her plans to Thingol, who restrains her in a house in a tree. Lúthien uses her magic to grow her hair and weaves it into a cloak of shadow and a rope to climb down.
In this passage, Sauron reveals himself to be a skillful magician, able to defeat Finrod in combat, though not subtle enough to read his intentions. Beren and Finrod are stopped by Sauron’s keen eye and Lúthien is again hindered by jealousy. Though Lúthien proves herself to be both clever and capable (far more powerful than Beren, as a magic-user trained by Melian), Thingol tries to prevent her from leaving to rescue Beren.
Themes
At the same time, Celegorm and Curufin are hunting with the chief of the wolfhounds, Huan, given to Celegorm by Oromë. Though Lúthien is nearly imperceptible in her cloak, Huan notices her and brings her to Celegorm, who falls in love with her and offers her help. When she reveals her intentions to rescue Beren, Celegorm betrays her and imprisons her in Nargothrond. He plans to allow Finrod to be killed, then force Thingol to let him marry Lúthien. However, Huan, who also loves Lúthien, returns her cloak to her, leads her out of Nargothrond, and carries her north.
After escaping her father’s captivity, Lúthien is quickly captured again, plagued by elves who claim to love her and wish to confine her. Celegorm and Curufin, in this episode and in their behavior towards Finrod, reveal their true natures. They don’t simply want to fulfill their oaths and take the Silmarils—they are greedy and want to possess power and beauty, both of which Lúthien has. However, she also has her wits and her kindness, which provoke Huan to aid her in escaping.
Themes
Of their company of 12, only Beren and Finrod are still alive in Sauron’s prison. Sauron sends a werewolf in to kill Beren, but Finrod breaks out of his chains and kills it with his own hands, redeeming his oath to Barahir. Wounded in the effort, he dies. At the same time, Lúthien arrives and begins to sing outside the tower. Beren hears and answers her before he faints.
As he predicted, Finrod dies in darkness to fulfill his oath, but saves Beren’s life in the effort. The occurrence of someone searching for a captive by singing a song appears also in Fingon’s rescue of Maedhros. In each case, the captive’s response is a reunion that creates a harmony reminiscent of the Music of the Ainur.
Themes
Sauron recognizes Lúthien as the daughter of Melian and sends a wolf out to capture her to deliver her to Morgoth. Huan kills the first werewolf and defeats the werewolf Draugluin, whom Sauron sends out next. Sauron, who knows that Huan is fated to be killed by a werewolf, transforms into a werewolf and approaches them. Huan, terrified, leaps aside. Lúthien swoons in fear, but still manages to throw her cloak over Sauron’s eyes and make him drowsy. Huan then leaps in to fight and pins Sauron by the throat. Lúthien promises to free him if he’ll give her control of the tower. Sauron agrees, then flees Minas Tirith.
Lúthien tackles every obstacle she faces with grace and courage, despite her fear. With the help of Huan, she incapacitates Sauron—something very few people ever do and not even Finrod could manage. Sauron emerges from the tower and puts himself in a position to be overthrown because of his arrogance and greed. He longs to be the one to kill Huan and gain the accompanying glory, but he underestimates Lúthien, to his detriment.
Themes
Lúthien casts a spell to break the gates and the walls, freeing the captives. She and Huan find Beren mourning Finrod, whom they bury on a hill. Huan returns to Celegorm, and the people of Nargothrond mourn their king, leading Orodreth to banish Celegorm and Curufin. Beren wants to return Lúthien safely to Doriath and then return to his task, but she refuses to be parted from him again.
Beren, though brave and willing, lack’s Lúthien’s power and skill in magic, an extremely useful tool when attempting to steal a Silmaril. Though Beren might be able to complete the quest alone, history and their own experiences have proven that collaboration is more fruitful than isolation. Beren wants her to be safe, but Lúthien wants to help him and is capable of making her own choices about the danger she puts herself in.
Themes
Celegorm and Curufin see Beren and Lúthien, and Curufin snatches Lúthien onto his horse. Beren leaps up and shoves Curufin from the horse. Celegorm rides up to kill Beren with a spear, but Huan protects him, finally leaving Celegorm’s service. Lúthien prevents Beren from killing Curufin, who curses Beren to a swift death. As the brothers leave, Curufin takes Celegorm’s bow and shoots at Lúthien. Huan bites the first arrow, and Beren jumps in front of her to block the second.
Celegorm and Curufin, banished for their greed and malice, turn their anger on Beren and Lúthien. Their pride is wounded and their supposed allies (first Orodreth and now Huan) have turned against them. This brief battle is a reminder that, though Lúthien is powerful, the world outside of Doriath is a dangerous place. Threats come not only from Morgoth’s servants but also from other elves.
Themes
After Lúthien heals him, Beren sneaks away in the night to return to his task, leaving her in Huan’s care. When Beren has almost reached Angband, he sings the Song of Parting to say goodbye to Lúthien and the world. Lúthien hears him, however, and rides Huan again, following his trail. On the way, Huan acquires disguises, then they reunite with Beren, who tries to convince them again to return to Doriath.
Beren is still concerned for Lúthien’s safety. He doesn’t go so far as to try to lock her up, but he does leave her behind, even knowing that he will almost certainly die without her help. Once again, however, a song reunites them, and Lúthien joins him outside Angband.
Themes
Huan reveals to Beren that he can’t protect Lúthien anymore, since her love ties her life to his. Huan also can’t travel further with them. Beren disguises himself as the werewolf Draugluin, Lúthien disguises herself as Sauron’s messenger, the vampire Thuringwethil, and they go to Angband together. They’re stopped at the door, but some power of the Maiar overtakes Lúthien, who throws off her disguise and raises her hand to put the guard to sleep. As they enter Angband, Beren sits in disguise beneath Morgoth’s throne, but Morgoth recognizes Lúthien, who, undaunted, introduces herself and offers to sing for him.
Beren has a few choices; if he doesn’t want to give up the quest, he can go into Angband alone, leaving Lúthien to die of grief after he’s killed, or they can go in together and have a fighting chance of success. Beren chooses the latter, and they enter Morgoth’s fortress. Lúthien’s disguise is gone and Morgoth notices her immediately, but she isn’t cowed by him, even though he has the power to break the minds of elves with a glance.
Themes
Morgoth, distracted by his “evil lust” and his plan for a terrible and unnamed punishment for Lúthien, allows her to sing. She suddenly disappears and begins to sing a song so lovely that Morgoth’s court falls asleep and the Silmarils in his crown suddenly blaze and weigh down his head. Lúthien throws her cloak of shadow over Morgoth’s eyes, putting him to sleep, and he falls from his throne, his crown rolling away.
As Sauron did, Morgoth underestimates Lúthien, distracted by his own malicious plans for her. Though she freely offers to use the greatest magical power she possesses (her voice), Morgoth doesn’t notice that she’s planning on enchanting him. Lúthien does what all the Noldor combined couldn’t do; she walks into Angband and incapacitates Morgoth.
Themes
Beren cuts a Silmaril from the crown, then tries to take the other two as well. However, that isn’t the fate of the other Silmarils, and Beren’s knife breaks. A shard slices Morgoth’s cheek, making him groan and stir. Beren and Lúthien flee, but their way is blocked by Carcharoth, the wolf Morgoth placed to guard the door against Huan.
Beren’s attempt to take the other Silmarils is motivated less by greed than simple practicality—all of them are there, so why not take them? Still, the attempt to overreach his capabilities nearly gets Beren caught as Morgoth begins to wake.
Themes
Beren holds up the Silmaril to ward him off as he charges them, but Carcharoth bites Beren’s hand off at the wrist, swallowing the Silmaril. Driven mad by the Silmaril, which burns him from the inside, Carcharoth flees Angband and kills everything in his path. Lúthien, exhausted, tries to heal Beren with her fading powers as Angband wakes up from her spell. The giant eagles, led by Thorondor, carry Beren and Lúthien through a thunderstorm back to Doriath.
After all of their efforts to retrieve the Silmaril, it is almost immediately taken from them. Beren and Lúthien are injured and wearied and, though they were successful in breaking into Angband, they have no Silmaril to show for it. Though they escape with their lives, it seems that the quest is at an end.
Themes
Huan helps Lúthien heal Beren, who nearly dies from the poison in his wound. Doriath has been in mourning for Lúthien, and Daeron, who had once been the world’s greatest musician, leaves to wander Middle-earth in despair. Beren and Lúthien stay together in the woods for a time, then return to Thingol. At the same time, Carcharoth rages through the Girdle of Melian into Doriath, and Thingol’s men prepare to fight him.
No one in Doriath expected Beren and Lúthien to survive the quest, let alone succeed in stealing a Silmaril. During the time they’re presumed dead, they linger in the forest as they did during the early months of their relationship. Rather than stay there, however, they return to Thingol to formally complete the quest. It can be inferred—by Beren’s entry into Doriath, and now by Carcharoth’s—that the Silmaril (or Beren’s fate to one day steal it) is what provides them with the ability to pass uninvited through the Girdle.
Themes
Beren tells Thingol that his quest is fulfilled—a Silmaril is in his hand—and shows him his empty left hand and missing right hand. Finally, Thingol realizes that he can’t oppose fate and allows their relationship. As Carcharoth approaches Thingol’s fortress, Beren realizes his quest isn’t over and joins the group that sets out to hunt him. As they depart, Lúthien feels a “dark shadow” fall over her.
Though the Silmaril is not yet present in Doriath, Beren has fulfilled the task that Thingol set him and has a Silmaril in his hand. Beren and Lúthien are determined to be together against all odds—not even Morgoth stopped them, so Thingol can’t either. Still, there is more to the quest and Lúthien has a sense that their streak of successes can’t last.
Themes
Beren attacks Carcharoth with a spear, but Carcharoth knocks him down and bites his chest. Huan jumps on Carcharoth’s back and kills him but is mortally wounded in the effort. He falls down beside Beren, also gravely wounded, and speaks for the third and final time, saying goodbye before he dies. Thingol’s guards cut the Silmaril from Carcharoth’s stomach and place it in Beren’s living left hand. Beren revives, hands the Silmaril to Thingol, and announces that his quest is finished. Lúthien, who meets them in the woods, begs Beren to wait for her in Valinor, and he dies.
Both Huan and Beren reach their fated ends while fighting Carcharoth. The quest is finally finished, with Thingol in possession of the Silmaril, but Beren’s death means that he loses the reward of a life with Lúthien. They will be forever separated by death, since Beren’s spirit will leave the world. Lúthien request for him not to leave and instead wait for her in Valinor, where the spirits of the elves go, is a request for him to defy fate itself.
Themes
Beren’s spirit waits in the halls of Mandos in Valinor, as Lúthien asked him. Lúthien’s spirit leaves her body and travels to the Houses of the Dead where the spirits of the elves live. When she arrives, she kneels before Mandos and sings the most beautiful and sorrowful song that the world has ever heard about the grief of men and elves. Mandos pities her, though he never pitied anyone before and never does again. Mandos brings Beren to her and asks Manwë about the will of Ilúvatar.
Once again, Lúthien’s song is the means of reuniting her with Beren. Elves understand loss and grief differently than men do, but Lúthien, who loves a mortal, joins the sorrow of both races in her song. Lúthien’s songs previously contained powerful magic, but they also contain simple beauty, powerful enough in itself to make the ever-pragmatic Mandos feel pity.
Themes
Because of her labors, Lúthien is given the choice to live among the Valar forever without Beren (since the Valar don’t have the power to prevent men from their ultimate fate of death) or to return to Middle-earth with Beren and become mortal. Lúthien’s fate is joined with Beren’s, even “beyond the confines of the world,” and she decides to live a mortal life. She’s the first elf to die and leave the world. In her descendants, the elves still see her beauty.
Lúthien’s fate is ultimately her own choice, and she chooses to stay with Beren even beyond death. Lúthien’s death, though she chooses it, means her permanent separation from the elves. Still, she lives on in elven tradition through her story and through her descendants, who join the races of elves and men.
Themes
