In the universe of The Lord of the Rings, created by J.R.R. Tolkien, characters like Sauron and the Fellowship are at the center. Yet there are others who are often overlooked – even though they play a central role. One of these figures is Morgoth.
Who is Morgoth? Before Sauron terrorized the world of Middle-earth, there was Morgoth, originally known as Melkor. He was the most powerful of the Ainur, created by Eru Illúvatar (the creator god). Melkor was directly involved in the creation of Arda (the world of Middle-earth).
But Melkor, driven by his own ambition and lust for power, rebelled against Illúvatar – marking the beginning of his rise to the embodiment of evil.
From Ainur to Great Evil
What makes Morgoth the origin of great evil? Melkor was far stronger than Sauron and also more dangerous. He was a renegade of the Valar and the origin of all evil. Morgoth declared himself the sole ruler of Middle-earth. He sought to control Arda (the world) and Valinor with his dark cosmic powers. During his reign, he could enormously enhance his power through the corruption of beings and objects.
Morgoth stole the three Silmaril jewels, precious and powerful artifacts created by Fëanor that captured the pure light of the Two Trees of Valinor. After Morgoth destroyed the Two Trees that brought light to the land of the Valar, chaos broke out. The destruction of the Trees led to darkness and resulted in numerous wars and tragedies.
In the First Age, he also waged wars against the Valar, Maiar, Elves, Men, and other peoples. Morgoth captured Elves and twisted them through torture and corrupted magic to create the first Orcs, which then bolstered his army.
What does Morgoth have to do with Sauron? Morgoth was also the one who shaped Sauron, one of his most loyal servants, in his image and made him his successor. While Sauron is the main villain in The Lord of the Rings, he is actually just a pupil of the much more evil Morgoth.
He was a Maiar and less powerful than Morgoth, who was a renegade of the Valar (original divine beings). Sauron received much of his power and knowledge from him. Without Morgoth’s influence, Sauron would likely never have become that threatening power.
Morgoth’s reign ended with the War of Wrath
(War of Wrath), in which the Valar ultimately defeated him. He was banished into the Void, a kind of other-worldly dimension, and his influence on the world diminished. Nonetheless, his presence remains palpable, as the evil he sowed lives on in many forms, not least in the actions of his pupil Sauron. Thus, his reign of terror was thus realized.
Morgoth often stands in the shadows of other characters. Yet his role and influence are central. In the novel The Silmarillion
by J.R.R. Tolkien, his story is described in detail. He also appears in the Amazon Prime series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
. Another character who often stands in the shadows is finally making her debut in the Lord of the Rings
series.
