tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5746173806126403959.post5072541983032022908..comments2023-11-07T06:20:12.181-08:00Comments on Tolkien: Medieval and Modern: Four Gems: Feanor and the Silmarils"Tolkien: Medieval and Modern"http://www.blogger.com/profile/04348913969813157482noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5746173806126403959.post-48520908687150918712017-06-03T00:33:30.815-07:002017-06-03T00:33:30.815-07:00I agree with your sentiment that Feanor is almost ...I agree with your sentiment that Feanor is almost not a sentient being, since he is so singleminded and focused like a laser beam, even if it means the destruction of the Eldar. It is noteworthy that he is described as flame-like, when the Flame Imperishable is the fundamental creative power in Tolkien's Legendarium. All of Iluvatar's power comes from his possession of the flame imperishable which, it is implied, would give anyone omnipotence if they were able to find it. In the Ainulindale, Melkor looks for it, and Iluvatar has to hide it. This is clearly there to imply that, if Melkor had found it, he would have the same creative power. It is possible that Feanor is meant to be some kind of incarnation of the flame imperishable. That same fire that makes him so hotheaded is also what makes him such an amazing craftsman.<br />-H.O.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16047171776160832596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5746173806126403959.post-43479918489125710642014-06-06T13:05:21.498-07:002014-06-06T13:05:21.498-07:00This is an incredibly fascinating interpretation o...This is an incredibly fascinating interpretation of Fëanor. I wonder whether examining the contrasts with his wife, Nerdanel, might also shed some light on his character. Like Fëanor, she is a creator herself, yet she is presented in contrast to Fëanor. Fëanor creates the Silmarils, while Nerdanel creates impossibly lifelike sculptures. In personality, too, she is described as Fëanor’s opposite, despite her fiery hair. I would argue that this opposition is carried into her work, as well. Nerdanel’s creations have an outwards semblance of life, but lack the inner fire that truly makes them alive. Fëanor’s Silmarils, on the other hand, have fire in plenty, yet are, on the surface, just gems. What this contributes to your argument, I suppose, is that clearly appearances have no bearing on inner nature. Therefore I see no reason why, Fëanor, despite his outwards appearance as an elf, could not be interpreted as a gem himself.Estelle O.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11325472841149538992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5746173806126403959.post-54950038249042738642011-05-15T09:34:09.239-07:002011-05-15T09:34:09.239-07:00Beautifully observed! Yes, Feanor is meant to be, ...Beautifully observed! Yes, Feanor is meant to be, in some way, himself a jewel. His marring is clearly likened to the marring of Arda itself by Morgoth's actions. Is it the case that the Silmarils themselves could not be marred, however? Certainly, Feanor's choice after the killing of the Trees would be meaningless if they could not, at least, be broken so as to release the light. But would this constitute a marring in the same way as Feanor's? I'm not sure!<br /><br />RLFB"Tolkien: Medieval and Modern"https://www.blogger.com/profile/04348913969813157482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5746173806126403959.post-49858216488779800742011-05-13T09:50:37.830-07:002011-05-13T09:50:37.830-07:00It it an interesting thought that Feanor is himsel...It it an interesting thought that Feanor is himself a jewel. Can all of the Elves, Humans, Hobbits, etc. be jewels also by virtue of having a body housing an inner fire/soul?<br /><br />I think the fire imagery also draws a parallel between Feanor and Melkor who element power is also fire. Both are flawed individuals, were the most abitious (and probably arrogant) members of their kind. Also, both of their fates were intertwined through the silmarils in ways that neither fully understood. For both of them, their desire for the jewels led to their ultimate downfall.<br /><br />Going back to the jewel imagery, I'd say Feanor was a flawed jewel. His housing was too weak to contain his inner light. However, he was also unlike a jewel. One the primary aspects of a jewel like diamond, ruby, etc. is that they are incoruptable. They cannot rust or melt or warp. Feanor was corruptable. His heart could be darkened both by the words of Melkor was well as his own personal failings.<br /><br />-Jason A Banks"Tolkien: Medieval and Modern"https://www.blogger.com/profile/04348913969813157482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5746173806126403959.post-76499390276313571602011-05-11T19:11:36.160-07:002011-05-11T19:11:36.160-07:00Beautifully observed! Yes, Feanor is meant to be,...Beautifully observed! Yes, Feanor is meant to be, in some way, himself a jewel. His marring is clearly likened to the marring of Arda itself by Morgoth's actions. Is it the case that the Silmarils themselves could not be marred, however? Certainly, Feanor's choice after the killing of the Trees would be meaningless if they could not, at least, be broken so as to release the light. But would this constitute a marring in the same way as Feanor's? I'm not sure!<br /><br />RLFB"Tolkien: Medieval and Modern"https://www.blogger.com/profile/04348913969813157482noreply@blogger.com