Summary
The Silmarillion is a seminal work of fantasy by J.R.R. Tolkien, published posthumously in 1977. Providing the mythological and historical backdrop for Tolkien’s more famous novels The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Silmarillion recounts the creation myth and early history of Middle-earth. Written in an archaic, biblical style befitting its mythological subject matter, it tells sweeping tales of the angelic Valar, the heroic Elves, and their centuries-long struggle against the dark lord Morgoth. Central to the story are the Silmarils, three jewels of surpassing beauty that become the catalyst for devastating wars. Despite its encyclopedia-like formatting and complex narratives, The Silmarillion provides crucial context for Tolkien's other Middle-earth stories. The book has sold over a million copies and become an essential text for devoted fans of Tolkien's legendarium.
Plot
The Silmarillion begins with the creation of the universe by Eru Ilúvatar, who first brings forth the Ainur, powerful spiritual beings. The Ainur sing a great song that gives shape to the world, but one of them, Melkor, introduces discord. Ilúvatar then creates the physical world of Arda, and many of the Ainur descend into it to prepare it for the coming of Elves and Men. The most powerful Ainur become the Valar, while Melkor seeks to dominate Arda for himself.
The narrative then follows the history of the Elves, who awaken in Middle-earth but are invited by the Valar to dwell in the blessed realm of Valinor. There, the Elf Fëanor creates the Silmarils, jewels containing the light of the Two Trees that illuminate Valinor. Melkor, now named Morgoth, steals the Silmarils and destroys the Two Trees. Fëanor and many of the Noldor Elves pursue Morgoth to Middle-earth, beginning centuries of war.
The book recounts various tales of the Elves' struggle against Morgoth in Middle-earth, including the tragic story of Túrin Turambar and the romance of Beren and Lúthien. It also tells of the creation of the great realms of the Elves and their interactions with the Dwarves and the newly awakened race of Men. The war culminates in the voyage of Eärendil to Valinor, leading to the intervention of the Valar, the defeat of Morgoth, and the end of the First Age.
The final sections of The Silmarillion briefly recount the history of the Second and Third Ages. It tells of the rise and fall of Númenor, a great island kingdom of Men, and the forging of the Rings of Power. The narrative concludes with a summary of the events of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, including the final defeat of Sauron and the departure of the Elves from Middle-earth.
Themes
Creation and destruction
The corrupting nature of power
The fall from grace
The struggle between good and evil
Fate and free will
The price of immortality
The fading of magic and wonder from the world
Setting
The events of The Silmarillion take place in the fictional world of Arda, primarily during its early ages known as the Years of the Trees and the First Age. This mythological prehistory occurs thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The initial creation of Arda by the godlike Ainur is described, followed by the shaping of the world and the awakening of the first Elves in Middle-earth.
Much of the narrative unfolds in the region of Beleriand, a vast land west of the Blue Mountains that was later destroyed and sank beneath the sea. Key locations include the Blessed Realm of Valinor across the ocean, where the angelic Valar dwell; the hidden Elvish kingdoms of Doriath and Gondolin in Beleriand; and the northern fortress of Angband, stronghold of the first Dark Lord, Morgoth. The geography shifts dramatically over time, as battles between good and evil forces reshape the land.
While spanning thousands of years, the core of The Silmarillion focuses on the exile of the Noldor Elves from Valinor to Middle-earth and their long war against Morgoth to recover the Silmarils. The tale culminates in the voyages of Eärendil and the War of Wrath that ends the First Age. Brief accounts of the Second and Third Ages provide context for Tolkien's primary works set in Middle-earth. Throughout, the vast scope of time and space creates a mythic backdrop for the more personal stories of Elves, Men, and other beings.
Characters
Eru Ilúvatar: The supreme deity and creator of Arda. He created the Ainur and set in motion the events of the world through the Music of the Ainur. While mostly removed from direct intervention in the world, Ilúvatar occasionally steps in at crucial moments. His ultimate plan for Arda remains a mystery to even the Valar.
Melkor/Morgoth: The main antagonist and most powerful of the Ainur. He rebelled against Ilúvatar and sought to dominate Arda, corrupting much of the world in the process. Melkor waged war against the Valar and Elves for ages before finally being defeated and cast into the Void. His actions and influence are the primary source of evil and strife in Arda.
Manwë: King of the Valar and ruler of Arda under Ilúvatar. He has dominion over the winds and air. Manwë strives to fulfill Ilúvatar's plan for the world, though he does not fully comprehend it. He is the main force opposing Melkor, though at times he fails to understand the depths of Melkor's malice.
Varda: Queen of the Valar and spouse of Manwë. She is associated with light and stars, creating many of the celestial lights of Arda. Varda is greatly revered by the Elves, who call upon her in times of need. Her beauty and power are said to be too great for any being in Arda to fully comprehend.
Fëanor: Greatest of the Noldor Elves and creator of the Silmarils. His pride, ambition, and desire for vengeance against Morgoth led to tragedy for the Noldor. Fëanor's actions set in motion many of the key events of the First Age. Despite his flaws, he was unmatched in skill and charisma among the Elves.
Beren: A mortal Man who embarked on a quest to retrieve a Silmaril from Morgoth's crown. His love for the Elf maiden Lúthien drove him to accomplish seemingly impossible feats. Beren's tale is one of the most prominent love stories in the legendarium, bridging the divide between Elves and Men.
Lúthien: Daughter of the Maia Melian and the Elf king Thingol. She aided Beren in his quest for the Silmaril through her beauty, magic, and cunning. Lúthien chose a mortal life to be with Beren, becoming the first Elf to do so. Her actions played a crucial role in the fate of the Silmarils and the struggle against Morgoth.
Túrin Turambar: A tragic hero of the First Age, son of Húrin. He was cursed by Morgoth to bring doom upon those he loved. Túrin's life was marked by pride, misfortune, and ultimately incest and suicide. His tale is one of the most fully developed and sorrowful in The Silmarillion.
Eärendil: Half-Elven mariner who sailed to Valinor to seek aid against Morgoth. He became a symbol of hope, sailing the skies with a Silmaril. Eärendil's voyage led to the intervention of the Valar in the War of Wrath, ending the First Age.
Sauron: Chief servant of Morgoth who later became the primary antagonist of the Second and Third Ages. He played a key role in many events of the First Age, including the fall of Númenor. Sauron's desire for power and order led him to create the Rings of Power.
Fingolfin: High King of the Noldor in exile. He led his people across the grinding ice of the Helcaraxë. Fingolfin famously challenged Morgoth to single combat, wounding him seven times before falling.
Thingol: King of Doriath and father of Lúthien. His desire for a Silmaril ultimately led to the ruin of his kingdom.
Galadriel: One of the greatest of the Noldor, she played a minor role in the events of the First Age but became a central figure in later ages.
Ungoliant: A primordial, spider-like spirit of darkness who aided Melkor in destroying the Two Trees of Valinor.
Yavanna: Vala associated with nature and growth. She created the Two Trees of Valinor.
Aulë: Vala of craftsmanship who created the Dwarves. He is the spouse of Yavanna.
Quick facts
J.R.R. Tolkien began working on the stories that would become The Silmarillion in 1914, long before writing The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings.
The Silmarillion was published posthumously in 1977, edited by Tolkien's son Christopher from his father's unfinished manuscripts.
The SiIt provides the mythological and historical background for Middle-earth, spanning from its creation to the events of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
The title refers to the three Silmarils, jewels created by the elf Fëanor that play a central role in the book's mythology.
Major influences on The Silmarillion include the Finnish national epic Kalevala and elements of Greek and Norse mythology.
The Silmarillion contains five main parts, including the creation myth “Ainulindalë” and the history of the First Age “Quenta Silmarillion."
It introduces many characters and races only alluded to in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, such as the Valar and Maiar.
The book’s style is more formal and archaic than Tolkien's other works, resembling mythological texts.
Christopher Tolkien later published a 12-volume series called The History of Middle-earth detailing the development of the mythology.
Despite mixed initial reviews, The Silmarillion has sold over a million copies and inspired various musical works.
About the Author
J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973) is one of the most influential fantasy authors of the 20th century. His first major published work was The Hobbit (1937), which introduced readers to the magical realm of Middle-earth. Its tremendous success led Tolkien to write an epic sequel, The Lord of the Rings, published in three volumes between 1954 and 1955. This sweeping tale of hobbits, elves, dwarves, and the struggle against evil became a cultural phenomenon, selling over 150 million copies worldwide.
For most of his adult life, Tolkien taught English language and literature, specializing in Old and Middle English, and served as a professor at Oxford University for more than 30 years. During his academic career, he began developing his richly detailed fictional world of Middle-earth, drawing inspiration from his deep knowledge of medieval literature and languages. A gifted linguist, he created multiple fictional languages for his stories, most notably the Elvish languages of Quenya and Sindarin. He viewed these invented languages as inseparable from the mythology and history of Middle-earth. Tolkien was also an accomplished artist, producing maps, illustrations and calligraphy to accompany his writings. His deep Catholic faith informed much of his work.
Tolkien's legacy extends far beyond literature. His works have been adapted into popular films, inspired countless other authors, and even influenced fields like linguistics and video game design. Decades after his death, Tolkien remains a towering figure whose richly imagined secondary world continues to enchant new generations of readers. His son Christopher Tolkien posthumously edited and published much of J.R.R. Tolkien's unfinished writings, providing further glimpses into the vast mythology of Middle-earth.
