The Silmarillion

The Silmarillion

by

J.R.R. Tolkien

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Aredhel Character Analysis

Stubborn and independent, Aredhel leaves Gondolin to search for her old friends, the sons of Fëanor. In her wanderings, she gets caught in Eöl’s spell and later marries him. He forbids her from seeing any of her Noldor family, though she secretly tells their son Maeglin stories about them. Aredhel and Maeglin flee to Gondolin, and she reunites with her brother Turgon. She dies protecting Maeglin from Eöl, who follows them to Gondolin.
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Aredhel Character Timeline in The Silmarillion

The timeline below shows where the character Aredhel appears in The Silmarillion. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 5. Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië
Myth and Memory Theme Icon
...are Fingon, the future king of the Noldor, Turgon, the future lord of Gondolin, and Aredhel the White. Finarfin’s children are Finrod, Orodreth, Angrod, Aegnor, and Galadriel, whose hair is as... (full context)
Chapter 16. Of Maeglin
Unity vs. Division Theme Icon
Pride and Arrogance Theme Icon
Aredhel accompanies Turgon to Gondolin but, after two hundred years, wants to leave. Turgon eventually allows... (full context)
Unity vs. Division Theme Icon
Pride and Arrogance Theme Icon
...The region is full of Ungoliant’s creatures and the companions return to Gondolin, assuming that Aredhel is dead. Aredhel is welcomed to Celegorm’s home, but he isn’t there, and she becomes... (full context)
Unity vs. Division Theme Icon
Pride and Arrogance Theme Icon
...friendly with the dwarves, often traveling to their mountains and learning metalwork from them. Seeing Aredhel passing through the forest, he sets enchantments to prevent her from leaving and drives her... (full context)
Unity vs. Division Theme Icon
Pride and Arrogance Theme Icon
Greed, Jealousy, and Obsession Theme Icon
Aredhel isn’t unwilling to be married, but Eöl forbids her from seeking sunlight or meeting any... (full context)
Fate, Doom, and Free Will Theme Icon
Pride and Arrogance Theme Icon
Greed, Jealousy, and Obsession Theme Icon
Inevitable Loss Theme Icon
...Eöl’s choice is to stay or die, Eöl chooses death and attempts to kill Maeglin. Aredhel jumps in front of him, taking the blow, and dies that night from the poisoned... (full context)