Úlairi
Crying in the Wilderness
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2002
- Messages
- 1,947
This is the first of a series threads that has been in contemplation for quite some time (over a few years) and I have titled such threads as I Liar Núra Sanwëo - The Threads of Deep Thought. And no, this should in no way be misconstrued to mean that other threads don't require deep thought 
- the name simply derives from my own personal liking of the name.
Translation: The Threads of Deep Thought: Magic (Deep Lore) - Morgoth's and Sauron's Rings: Arda Marred and the Rings of Power.
Magic (Ingolë) is an intrinsic quality of myth and especially in Tolkien's Legendarium. However, magic is distinguished into a dichotomy of good magic and bad magic - the Magic (or Lore) of the Elves and the Magic of the Enemy (be it Morgoth or his successor Sauron). The inherent nature of this dichotomy is perhaps the fundamental difference in the expenditure of being between the Elves and Sauron when devising the Rings of Power.
It is here where Tolkien differentiates between the native qualities of Elvish Magic and The Magic of the Enemy. Magic is used by the two in diametrically opposed methods. As can be seen from the quote: Elvish Magic was devised for purposes of Art. The usage of magic employed by the Enemy is however for the corruption, perversion and ultimate domination of Arda (or Imbar). Magic in this context is intrinsically mechanistic. The last reference in the quote above apropos of the corruption of good motive to evil is a potential reference to the Elvish design behind the Rings of Power.
The difference between the two magic forms is elucidated further into a bifurcation of magic, sorcery or low magic (magia) and high magic (goeteia). Another interpretation of goeteia is the invocation of magia or simply the purpose for which magia is used (and this is the definition I will continue with). The inherent purpose of the Elves' practice of magic were artistic which derivated from a desire to do good. The magia of the Enemy was used in the domination and subversion of Arda itself (although Sauron sought moreso to dominate the minds and wills of the Peoples of Arda). The most important aspect of this mechanistic use of magic was the ultimate reduction of cause and effect to the whim or choice of the Enemy. Let there be Dark and Dark was made, so to speak (and such practices by The Holy Ones were transcendentally blasphemous in the repugnant desecration of the Flame Imperishable). The magia of the Dark was devised essentially for the extension of being throughout Arda. When sentient life is dominated it is then put to Dark Purposes and the will of its master expands. It was this use of magia (which Tolkien equated with expenditure of inherent being which led to the mechanical sub-creation and dominion of the One Ring over that of the lesser Rings of Power. The One Ring was a mechanical device devised by Sauron's desire to usurp the minds and wills of the Eruhíni in which the effect was the reduction of their wills to mindless servitude; as we see with the Nazgûl. He essentially bulldozed people. Morgoth's (Quenya Moringotto) tastes were far more nihilistically diabolic, however, the operations of both Enemies were always towards the destruction of minds and wills; but simply for different purpose or motive.
The objective of both Morgoth and Sauron was the unequivocal subjagation of the people's of Middle-earth. The motives were however, quite antithetic (the ultimate philosophical synthesis being Eru's design). Morgoth's motive for the subjagation of the people's of Middle-earth was the fallacy that he could absorb their being into his own being; which was impossible (see below). Sauron's motives were far more productive. His desire for subjagation for the perpetuation of servitude; he simply wished to be master of all sentience in Middle-earth.
Morgoth's sheer nihilism was extraordinarily unprofitable due the inherent indestructibility of the fëa; which was impregnable. Thus, as aforementioned, Morgoth could never absorb such intelligence into his own being. Sauron's modus operandi was far more profitable as it was achievable (without the intervention of Valinor).
...to be continued...
- the name simply derives from my own personal liking of the name.I Liar Núra Sanwëo: Ingolë - Moringottova i Saurova Milli: Arda Sahta ar i Milli Túrëo
Translation: The Threads of Deep Thought: Magic (Deep Lore) - Morgoth's and Sauron's Rings: Arda Marred and the Rings of Power.
Part I: Magic and Morgoth's Ring - Ingolë i Moringottova Millë
Magic (Ingolë) is an intrinsic quality of myth and especially in Tolkien's Legendarium. However, magic is distinguished into a dichotomy of good magic and bad magic - the Magic (or Lore) of the Elves and the Magic of the Enemy (be it Morgoth or his successor Sauron). The inherent nature of this dichotomy is perhaps the fundamental difference in the expenditure of being between the Elves and Sauron when devising the Rings of Power.
It is here where Tolkien differentiates between the native qualities of Elvish Magic and The Magic of the Enemy. Magic is used by the two in diametrically opposed methods. As can be seen from the quote: Elvish Magic was devised for purposes of Art. The usage of magic employed by the Enemy is however for the corruption, perversion and ultimate domination of Arda (or Imbar). Magic in this context is intrinsically mechanistic. The last reference in the quote above apropos of the corruption of good motive to evil is a potential reference to the Elvish design behind the Rings of Power.
The difference between the two magic forms is elucidated further into a bifurcation of magic, sorcery or low magic (magia) and high magic (goeteia). Another interpretation of goeteia is the invocation of magia or simply the purpose for which magia is used (and this is the definition I will continue with). The inherent purpose of the Elves' practice of magic were artistic which derivated from a desire to do good. The magia of the Enemy was used in the domination and subversion of Arda itself (although Sauron sought moreso to dominate the minds and wills of the Peoples of Arda). The most important aspect of this mechanistic use of magic was the ultimate reduction of cause and effect to the whim or choice of the Enemy. Let there be Dark and Dark was made, so to speak (and such practices by The Holy Ones were transcendentally blasphemous in the repugnant desecration of the Flame Imperishable). The magia of the Dark was devised essentially for the extension of being throughout Arda. When sentient life is dominated it is then put to Dark Purposes and the will of its master expands. It was this use of magia (which Tolkien equated with expenditure of inherent being which led to the mechanical sub-creation and dominion of the One Ring over that of the lesser Rings of Power. The One Ring was a mechanical device devised by Sauron's desire to usurp the minds and wills of the Eruhíni in which the effect was the reduction of their wills to mindless servitude; as we see with the Nazgûl. He essentially bulldozed people. Morgoth's (Quenya Moringotto) tastes were far more nihilistically diabolic, however, the operations of both Enemies were always towards the destruction of minds and wills; but simply for different purpose or motive.
The objective of both Morgoth and Sauron was the unequivocal subjagation of the people's of Middle-earth. The motives were however, quite antithetic (the ultimate philosophical synthesis being Eru's design). Morgoth's motive for the subjagation of the people's of Middle-earth was the fallacy that he could absorb their being into his own being; which was impossible (see below). Sauron's motives were far more productive. His desire for subjagation for the perpetuation of servitude; he simply wished to be master of all sentience in Middle-earth.
Morgoth's sheer nihilism was extraordinarily unprofitable due the inherent indestructibility of the fëa; which was impregnable. Thus, as aforementioned, Morgoth could never absorb such intelligence into his own being. Sauron's modus operandi was far more profitable as it was achievable (without the intervention of Valinor).
...to be continued...
