The Silmarillion
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Ainulindalë Valaquenta Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Akallabêth Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age
Themes
All Themes Unity vs. Division Fate, Doom, and Free Will Pride and Arrogance Greed, Jealousy, and Obsession Inevitable Loss Myth and Memory
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Ilúvatar Melkor/Morgoth Fëanor Sauron Lúthien Beren Túrin Turambar Nienor/Níniel Húrin Manwë Eärendil Elwing Finrod Felagund Isildur Elwë/Thingol Melian Maedhros Maeglin Turgon Tuor Idril Ar-Pharazôn Elendil Ungoliant Glaurung Maglor Fingolfin Celegorm Caranthir Curufin Ulmo Aredhel Eöl Fingon Finwë Gandalf/Mithrandir/Olórin Galadriel Thorondor Huan Finarfin Beleg Mablung Anárion Elrond Gil-galad Círdan Amandil Gwindor Finduilas Morwen Tar-Palantir Dior Saruman/Curunír Haleth Barahir Brandir Carcharoth Gelmir Uinen Mîm Amrod Saeros Gorlim Amlach
Terms
All Terms Ainu/Ainur Arda Balrog Maia/Maiar Quenya Vala/Valar Valinor
Symbols
All Symbols Light Darkness The Silmarils
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The Silmarillion

by

J.R.R. Tolkien
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Eärendil Character Analysis

Eärendil the mariner is the half-elven son of Tuor and Idril and the savior of Middle-earth in the First Age. Raised in Gondolin, he flees with his parents to the Havens of Sirion, where he marries Elwing. While Eärendil is at sea, the sons of Fëanor attack the Havens to reclaim Elwing’s Silmaril. After Elwing escapes the battle with the Silmaril and meets Eärendil on his ship, they decide to sail to Valinor to beg the Valar for mercy and aid in the fight against Melkor. The Silmaril guides their way to the hidden shoreline of Valinor, and the Valar hear Eärendil as a representative of both elves and men. Because Eärendil is humble and pleads with them on behalf of the world rather than for his own sake, they grant his request and give his ship the power of flight. He sails in the sky wearing the Silmaril, which becomes known as a star and a beacon of hope, and fights the dragons in the Great Battle when the Valar defeat Melkor. As a half-elf, the Valar give him the choice between the fates of men and elves (mortality and immortality), and, unwilling to be separated from Elwing, he allows her to choose immortality for both of them.

Eärendil Quotes in The Silmarillion

The The Silmarillion quotes below are all either spoken by Eärendil or refer to Eärendil. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Unity vs. Division Theme Icon
).
Chapter 24 Quotes

‘If it be truly the Silmaril which we saw cast into the sea that rises again by the power of the Valar, then let us be glad; for its glory is seen now by many, and is yet secure from all evil.’ Then the Elves looked up, and despaired no longer; but Morgoth was filled with doubt.

Related Characters: Maglor (speaker), Melkor/Morgoth, Fëanor, Eärendil, Elwing, Maedhros
Related Symbols: The Silmarils, Light
Unity vs. Division Theme Icon
Pride and Arrogance Theme Icon
Greed, Jealousy, and Obsession Theme Icon
Page Number: 250
Explanation and Analysis:

Yet it is said that Morgoth looked not for the assault that came upon him from the West; for so great was his pride become that he deemed that none would ever again come with open war against him. Moreover he thought that he had for ever estranged the Noldor from the Lords of the West, and that content in their blissful realm the Valar would heed no more his kingdom in the world without; for to him that is pitiless the deeds of pity are ever strange and beyond reckoning.

Related Characters: Melkor/Morgoth, Eärendil
Unity vs. Division Theme Icon
Pride and Arrogance Theme Icon
Myth and Memory Theme Icon
Page Number: 250
Explanation and Analysis:
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Eärendil Quotes in The Silmarillion

The The Silmarillion quotes below are all either spoken by Eärendil or refer to Eärendil. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Unity vs. Division Theme Icon
).
Chapter 24 Quotes

‘If it be truly the Silmaril which we saw cast into the sea that rises again by the power of the Valar, then let us be glad; for its glory is seen now by many, and is yet secure from all evil.’ Then the Elves looked up, and despaired no longer; but Morgoth was filled with doubt.

Related Characters: Maglor (speaker), Melkor/Morgoth, Fëanor, Eärendil, Elwing, Maedhros
Related Symbols: The Silmarils, Light
Unity vs. Division Theme Icon
Pride and Arrogance Theme Icon
Greed, Jealousy, and Obsession Theme Icon
Page Number: 250
Explanation and Analysis:

Yet it is said that Morgoth looked not for the assault that came upon him from the West; for so great was his pride become that he deemed that none would ever again come with open war against him. Moreover he thought that he had for ever estranged the Noldor from the Lords of the West, and that content in their blissful realm the Valar would heed no more his kingdom in the world without; for to him that is pitiless the deeds of pity are ever strange and beyond reckoning.

Related Characters: Melkor/Morgoth, Eärendil
Unity vs. Division Theme Icon
Pride and Arrogance Theme Icon
Myth and Memory Theme Icon
Page Number: 250
Explanation and Analysis:
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