The Silmarillion: The Work of His Heart
Shippey’s 5th Chapter The Silmarillion deals largely with the heritage of the elves. In the beginning he makes the distinction on Dark and Light Elves and how they were eventually deciphered. Pop culture I’ve found generally classifies, in video games such as Oblivion, the Dark Elves as having a balance between magic and combat skills while the Light Elves are almost solely magical intellectuals. Tolkien’s interpretation categorizes them in term of whether or not they have witnessed the Two Trees. The Dark Elves, also known as wood elves are the ones who have stayed behind to live in the turbulent Middle Earth instead the perpetual peaceful Undying land. To some degree this parallels what I have heard pertaining to Dark and Light Elves.
I found the section about Lays especially significant because it is something I’ve discussed in my research paper. Lord Macaulay in the preface to “Lays of Ancient Rome” Argues aginst the claim that others are misusing the term Lay to refer to a long epic poem about a hero. The Oxford English Dictionary states that “lay” is only appropriately used what referring to a historical and popular ballad. In terms of Tolkien that would imply that he has faltered when titling the “Lays of Bereriand” which contains the story of the star crossed Beren and Luthien. In my paper I chose to stick with the Tolkien’s and the more generalised definition of “lay” which is used to describe a story such as Beowulf.
Connections between Christianity and Tolkien’s work continue to appear in Shippey’s book. After reading two rough drafts concerning the topic it was thought provoking to hear other comparisons not already addressed in my fellow student papers. The Fall of man is altered somewhat in the text of the silmarillion rather the the fabled sin of Adam and Eve Tolkien implies the it was when Cain and Able first made use of invention and weaponery. We see the connection to evil firstly through Cain violent killing of Able and in the Lord of the Ring, Saurons creation of the Ring. Sarumon also is a man of invention creating a new breed of Ork and devices of War, his peaceful beginning seem to become tainted the more he delves into his machines. I have heard of Sauron being compared to Satan but Melkor appears to be a better match in my mind. His tampering with the lands of Arda closely aligns with the fall of Lucifer as he attempts to makes himself all powerful.
I read the Children of Hurin edited by his son Christopher at the beginning of the school year and Shippey book is the first I’ve read to directly address the tale. The question of Fate and to what extent it control the characters life comes into question. The entire story seem to revolve around disobeyed warnings and chance happening on one big tragic mess of a family. Is the prophecy the cause of all the evil doings or is it the negligence of the family to heed the good advice of others. Really this question is never answered.
