In the Lord of the Rings universe created by JRR Tolkien, characters like Sauron and the Fellowship of the Ring take center stage. But there are others who are often overlooked – despite playing a central role. One of these characters 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 – which marked the beginning of his rise to the epitome of evil.
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From Ainur to Great Evil
What makes Morgoth the source of the great evil? Melkor was far stronger than Sauron and also more dangerous. He was a renegade of the Valar and the source of all evil. Morgoth declared himself sole ruler of Middle Earth. He wanted to use his dark cosmic powers to control Arda (the world) and Valinor. During his reign he was able to increase his power enormously by corrupting beings and objects.
Morgoth stole the three Silmaril gems, 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 gave light to the land of the Valar, chaos broke out. The destruction of the trees led to darkness and numerous wars and tragedies occurred.
In the First Age, he also waged war against the Valar, Maiar, Elves, Men, and other races. Morgoth captured Elves and transformed them through torture and corrupt magic to create the first Orcs, who then reinforced his army.
What does Morgoth have to do with Sauron? Morgoth was also the one who shaped Sauron, one of his most loyal servants, according to his ideas and made him his successor. Sauron may be the great villain in Lord of the Rings, but he is actually just a student 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 probably never have become the threatening force he was.
Morgoth’s reign ended with the War of Wrath, in which the Valar finally defeated him. He was banished to the Void, a kind of otherworldly dimension, and his influence on the world diminished. Nevertheless, his presence remains, for the evil he sowed lives on in many forms, not least in the actions of his apprentice Sauron. This is how his reign of terror came about.
Morgoth is often overshadowed by the other characters. But his role and his influence play a central role. His story is described in detail in the novel The Silmarillion by JRR Tolkien. He also appears in the Amazon Prime series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Another character who is often overshadowed is finally making his debut in the Lord of the Rings series.