Boldog: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 17:59, 14 September 2020

"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.
Boldog
Orc
Biographical Information
TitlesCaptain
AffiliationMorgoth
Death North-marches of Doriath; killed by Thingol
Physical Description
GenderMale
WeaponryIron spear
GalleryImages of Boldog

Boldog was the name of an Orc chieftain according to the Lay of Leithian.

History

Morgoth, hearing of the beauty of Lúthien and pondering the purposes of Thingol, sent a great force against Doriath, led by Boldog; but with another purpose also - for Morgoth wanted to take Lúthien into Angband, for reasons undisclosed. However, the Elves of Doriath defeated the invading army[1] and Thingol himself slew Boldog.[2]

Some time later, when Finrod, Beren, Edrahil and their companions (clad in Orc-form) were brought before Thû, they said that they were a part of the army under the command of Boldog, and had urgent news to deliver to Thangorodrim - but Thû saw through their disguise, revealing to them that Boldog was slain but lately, and also due to Beren's dismay and anger due to Sauron's mention of Lúthien and how Morgoth coveted her.[3]

Etymology

Boldog is Noldorin for "Torment-slayer", from baul ("torment") + daug ("warrior").[4]

Other versions of the legendarium

In Tolkien's later works, the character doesn't appear again. Instead, the name Boldog is a title borne by Orc-shaped Maiar:

Some of these things may have been delusions and phantoms but some were no doubt shapes taken by the servants of Melkor, mocking and degrading the very forms of the children. For Melkor had in his service great numbers of Maiar, who had the power, as their Master, of taking visible and tangible shape in Arda.
Morgoth's Ring, "Myths Transformed", text X')

Boldog (…) is a name that occurs many times in the tales of the War. But it is possible that Boldog was not a personal name, and either a title, or else the name of a kind of creature: the Orc-formed Maiar, only less formidable than the Balrogs
—Author's footnote to the text X

Melkor had corrupted many spirits — some great as Sauron, or less as Balrogs. The least could have been primitive Orcs.
—Author's note to text

References

Ainur
Valar Lords Manwë · Ulmo · Aulë · Oromë · Mandos · Irmo · Tulkas · Melkor
Valier Varda · Yavanna · Nienna · Estë · Vairë · Vána · Nessa
Maiar Arien · Blue Wizards · Eönwë · Gandalf · Ilmarë · Melian · Ossë · Radagast · Salmar · Saruman · Tilion · Uinen
Úmaiar Sauron · Balrogs (Gothmog · Durin's Bane) · Boldogs
Concepts and locations Almaren · Aratar (indicated in italics) · Creation of the Ainur · Fana · Máhanaxar · Ainulindalë · Order of Wizards (indicated in bold) · Second Music of the Ainur · Timeless Halls · Valarin · Valinor · Valimar