Morgoth
| Morgoth Bauglir | |
|---|---|
| Valar | |
| File:James Stirzaker - Melkor and the Silmarils.jpg | |
| Biographical Information | |
| Other names | Melkor |
| Birth | Before the Music of the Ainur |
| Rule | c. YOTL- YOTL 1500, c. YOTL 1900 - YOTT 1100, c. YOTT 1500 - War of Wrath, F.A. 590 |
| Death | Thrust into the void F.A. 590 |
| Physical Description | |
| Race | Valar |
| Gender | Male |
| Gallery | Images of Morgoth Bauglir |
Morgoth (meaning "The Dark Enemy") was originally named Melkor ("He Who Arises in Might"). The name Morgoth is the more common version of Morgoth Bauglir (Bauglir meaning 'The Contrainer'). At the creation of Eä, he was the most powerful of the Ainur (angelic beings). He contended with Eru (the Creator) in the Music of the Ainur, increasingly attempting to alter the music to his own design, but only ended up perverting its harmony. Melkor was the first to bear the title the Dark Lord and is the principal antagonist in the book The Silmarillion. As a fallen "angelic" being, he is largely based on Christian teachings about Satan (Satan is a seraph, the most powerful servants of God, and the Ainur also are the most powerful servants of Eru). Morgoth drew about him an army of Balrogs and other assorted demons, who were Maiar whom he managed to trick or corrupt, and made war on Middle-earth and the Children of Ilúvatar, but was defeated by the Valar and was overthrown. He was first taken away in chains, and later cast out of the circles of Arda after being weakened by dispersing his essence into the fabric of the world, marring it permanently (see Arda Marred).
History
Even before Arda was created Melkor was jealous of his creator, and he wanted to be king of other wills himself. He spent a long time looking for the Secret Fire, either unaware or uncomprehending that this was a quality exclusive to Eru and his servants through him. During his search, which took him far away from Eru and his brethren, his thoughts gradually became less and less in harmony with their own, and this was the beginning of his downfall. During the Music of the Ainur Melkor directly competed with Eru's theme, and managed to draw many lesser Ainur to him. Melkor's competition with the themes of Eru only enriched the creation; however, when Ulmo thought of water Melkor tried to destroy it with immense heat and then immense cold, only achieving clouds and ice. When Eru revealed the results of their song to the Ainur (the material world, called Arda), Melkor was one of the first to enter it, mainly from this desire.
Melkor fought with the other Valar for a long time for the control of Arda. While he was the single most powerful Vala, he was not able to stand up to the might of all other Valar combined. However, these were busy ordering the new world, creating the mountains, the sky, the earth, the waters, and were desperate to create order among Melkor's chaos
