King Fëanor, Crafter of the Silmarils - Epic Character History

[@IronDragon-2143]

Tolkien's books have to be the most serious and epic discussions about jewelry in the history of literature.

[@riassslave558]

And the corrupting influence of adorning yourself with said jewellery...you know I never looked at it from that point of view but it is totally a valid point for sure 👍

[@IronDragon-2143]

@@riassslave558 Let no man say that J. R. R. Tolkien wasn't a literary genius who knew how to convey a deep and meaningful message to the readers of his stories.

[@Dyundu]

I mean, you’re not wrong.

[@davidalan528]

If you think the Silmarillion has unlovely things to say about love of jewelry, think about their inspiration - The Ring of the Nibelungs. The Oath of Feanor is like a Vegas marriage vow by comparison.

[@riassslave558]

@@IronDragon-2143 absolutely & considering that while he was constructing what could be arguably the most well known piece of long form fiction of all time he was amidst trenches during the most horrific world war that claimed the majority of his closest friends. I always got the feeling that he was able to imbue his parallel history because it was his one true escape from the reality of what was happening around him 24 hours a day non stop from the moment he was commissioned to the current theatre of battle until he fulfilled his commitment to his country and was allowed to go back to Britain to finish his Masters in Pre-English languages which was a small but serious niche area of study as a philological major. It was what allowed him to construct 7 very distinct languages all fleshed out Sindarin ; Quenya; Dwarfish (plus their secret language Khazad ancient ritualistic dwarven the one they never taught a person of alien race) Adûnaic or High Númenórean which became eventually the High Gondorian tongue which descended from Beleriand before the deluge of destruction the Valar decreed upon the world when Ar Pharazôn attempted to take the undying lands by force under Sauron's tutelage & misleading most deviously upon the aging King of the Numenórean's to their downfall and the Isle of Elenna as well as the majority of Beleriand; Ossiriand & Lindon was forever drowned in the abyss of Bêlegàĕr the Great Western Ocean

[@lambielikesit]

Fëanor “declining” to send the ships back must be the understatement of the year

[@MenoftheWest]

LOL fair enough haha

[@morgothbauglir8687]

“Then Fëanor laughed as one fey, and he cried: ‘None and none! What I have left behind I count now no loss; needless baggage on the road it has proved. Let those that cursed my name, curse me sill, and whine their way back to the cages of the Valar! Let the ships burn!’”

[@alfredrestivo2713]

Also ' he is one of the most morally gray characters in all of Tolkien'. How? Like saying Morgoth is 'Morally gray'. Love your videos but you are way off.

[@scatterthewinds3126]

@@alfredrestivo2713 I think he's got it right.

[@FranciscanGypsy]

@@morgothbauglir8687 I need to get to that part of the Simarillion. Wow, Feanor really was quite a jerk!

[@GoroScornshard]

Last time I was this early Melkor was still causing a ruckus in the orchestra

[@trevorp8124]

Eru be like "NOT MY F***ING TEMPO!", whips a cymbal at his head

[@electricfan1085]

He was just off key

[@LordTalax]

Last time I was this early, kids repeated the same phrase endlessly like drones

[@tappingninja]

@@trevorp8124 was Melkor rushing or dragging?!?!

[@samuilvalchev3803]

@@tappingninja gotta be dragging

[@trevorp8124]

Teleri: "Nah dude, these are our boats" Feanor: "Cowabunga it is..."

[@sofiu-v3p]

Teleri: Sorry dude we can't Fëanor: .... Teleri: These ships are to us what the silmarils are to you. Fëanor: *EXCUSE THEE?*

[@kulciaq7195]

Fëanor: Our ships 🤣

[@kwazooplayingguardsman5615]

Feanor: we come to appropriate these ships for the silmarils Teleri: You can't just come here demanding our ships Feanor: you mean MY SHIPS!

[@steveblanmag7410]

How do you say "cowabunga" in Quenya?

[@RichardLeslieWhereat]

Fëanáro Noldoran don't fuck with that.

[@thedunadan8021]

Feanor is certainly a fascinating, complex, and ultimately TRAGIC individual. So much accomplishment. So many tears.

[@sashanesmejanow841]

My thoughts exactly. Hubris

[@KillNamniaR]

He was an arrogant narcissist a fool

[@zoetropo1]

Feanor was an extreme opposite of Melkor. Feanor was the most original mind under Eru, whereas Melkor could only twist or destroy others' works. Feanor progressively discarded his followers to face danger alone, but Melkor sought to enslave everyone and when threatened he hid behind his minions. Extreme opposites, and foolish both.

[@KillNamniaR]

@@zoetropo1 Melkor was a sigma king

[@ratatataraxia]

Tolkien “all that is gold does not glitter..” Feanor: “hold my beer”

[@c.antoniojohnson7114]

Knowing Fëanor,it would be "hold my wine"

[@brianc9374]

He is the greatest of all Tolkien's characters. When he shines, he shines brighter than all others; which makes his fall so much more tragic.

[@akuntansibersamaratna2166]

His fall is truly one of Morgoth's best achievement.

[@daybraeburn6172]

Maybe, but Elu Thingol was cooler....the tallest of all, who alone formed a union with a Maiar. The lines that Elu Thingol spoke to the Dwarves immediately prior to being slew, were among the best in the Silmarillion. Same with when he spoke to Finrod about the kinsalying of the Teleri. Just saying.

[@SwevikingLol]

SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND

[@indio4-215]

​@@daybraeburn6172 We'll agree to disagree on Thingol being "cooler", though Thingol is one of my favorites (with Fëanáro being my favorite).

[@romeoiipunzalan1079]

Elu thingol was banging an angel... Melian got thingoled...

[@bgcvetan]

In the IVth age Gimli meets Fëanor in Mandos. Gimli: Hey Fëanor wanna hear a joke ? Fëanor: maybe ? Gimli: Galadriel's hair. Fëanor: I don't get it ? Gimli: That's right you will never get it.

[@justinajostin9006]

that again ?

[@bgcvetan]

@@justinajostin9006 You've read my original rework of the meme ? I'm honored.

[@grandmasteryoda5241]

hilarious

[@DuduRossetto]

That wound will never heal. He will bear the scar until the end of his life

[@dylanberg7110]

MINT 🤣🤣

[@malcolm1148]

Knowing that Galadriel refused to give Feanor her hair gives much more depth to the fact she gave some to Gilmli. Feanor wanted it as a tool, a ingredient. He didn't care about the person who it belonged to. Gimli on the other hand only wanted it to treasure it, to keep it as a memory of the Lady of Lorien

[@karenglenn2329]

Good point of observation.

[@marcorc5167]

Gimli, the only respectable simp xD

[@mikethomas4423]

Feanor asked three times and got nothing Gimli asked once and got three strands .

[@bashsibda6289]

Feanor is Moses in reverse. He leads his people out of the promised land to attack Pharaoh.

[@lordheklsmosh9490]

Hahaha! That is hilarious. At my church we are right now going through moses leading Israel to the promised land.

[@ahmedst5735]

@@lordheklsmosh9490 isreal gods land now full of atheists & gays

[@Thewolverine0865]

Fire, powerful, potential for advancement, yet destructive if not measured. An elf of greatness, and potential for unimaginable more, all ruined by his own demise and generations there after. An epic and sad tale. One of my favorite lores of middle earth.

[@orrointhewise87]

"I asked for one hair on her golden head; she gave me three" One of the most polarizing characters in all of literature For every good thing he did or made he countered it with a horrible sin or downfall: He made the most beautiful and holy gems in all of creation but ended up cursing them. Yet his wrath and anger was the beginning of the downfall of Melkor. Of all the elf lords of old he is perhaps the strangest and most perplexing.

[@stalhandske9649]

It also sets light on Tolkien's ability to pose intertextual motifs into his works. If a reader of LoTR has no knowledge of these elder days, Galadriel's gift to Gimli only seems a strange dwarf's quirk (a rather clumsy and reluctantly admitted show of mutually surprising adoration perhaps), satisfied by a graceful hostess. The scene remains heartwarming and all, but only that. If one does know of the divine quality of Galardiel's hair and Fëanor's repeatedly denied requests, however, the gift transcends into a majestic blessing laid onto Gimli (and no little scandal in Lorien, I like to think), paving his future status as greatest of Dwarven Elf-friends. Three locks, while the great Noldo king himself was thrice denied!

[@The_Bashar]

That's why he's so awesome and wholesome!

[@ShaolinViolin]

@@stalhandske9649 Thanks for the insight. I hadn’t considered that!

[@zoetropo1]

I have to wonder, what did Eru have in mind by making Feanor?

[@zoetropo1]

Yes, Feanor poured much of his pre-madness essence into the Silmarils. Through Earendil, Feanor became Melkor's undoing.

[@ilias5484]

King Fëanor crafter of the six infinity stones

[@davidbrennan660]

Pray they do not make a film of this all GoT style which is the doom of current planned 2nd Age series it seems.

[@XiuFeanaro6]

@@Powerhaus88 🙄

[@beatleblev]

Marion (Sauron), Feanor, and Saruman all so gifted. All consumed by ego. Each followed the other down the path of pride, greed, and envy and fell into darkness and ruin. Their superlative gifts of Sub-Creation turned to domination and destruction. It is obvious that Aule never implemented an ethics course in his curriculum. I suppose it never occurred to the Vala to differentiate the joy of creation from being possessed by your possessions.

[@zoetropo1]

Tolkien had technology issues.

[@skzanarchist]

Teleri: Nah bro we can't lend you our boats Feanor: It is treason then!!

[@pizzadohpaz]

If you're not with me, then you're my enemy!

[@sofiu-v3p]

@@pizzadohpaz Fëanor in a nutshell

[@aesir1ases64]

Its funny you can have parallels between Feanor and Anakin Skywalker, the mightiest of their kind, only to be corrupted by a Dark Lord and fall into disgrace. At least Anakin was redeemed by his child, Feanor's sons were cursed by the gods to darkness till the end, no redemption for them.

[@MAegcuru]

Feanor is truly a tragic character. In any other story he would been lauded as a hero. A paragon for the Noldor elves. Alas, his pride and obsession with the Silmarils lead to his downfall and is the source of grief and loss for countless people in Aman and Middle earth proper.

[@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115]

This deserves a full series.

[@shadowofchaos8932]

The book of Feanor from a first person view would be epic!

[@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115]

@@shadowofchaos8932 As long Netflix not Amazon put their hands on it...

[@Thomas.Wright]

He's no Bill the Pony, that's for sure!

[@shadowofchaos8932]

I'll second that!

[@KS-xk2so]

Word. Bill the Pony is a pimp. Feanor is the biggest load in Arda.

[@davidbrennan660]

Only Bill got the tasty apples though.

[@lambielikesit]

sksjsksjsk

[@petersenseney1029]

Could you imagine his face if he herd you saying that?

[@eaglefangkaratedojo7473]

Something I’ve always wondered is if the “unnamed things” and Ungoliant were both the “evil things” created by the discord of the Ainur, since they didn’t seem to serve Morgoth or interact with Sauron at all.

[@KS-xk2so]

Yeah I always kind of assumed that when Morgoth changed the song, he created a lot of evil things, some may have been on purpose, but others completely randomly. Some he eventually enslaved, others he did not, as they were either not useful, smart enough to hide, or in some cases, a risk to try and tame.

[@Jagonath]

Ungoliant also reminds me of Tulkas. Not a Vala, but apparently as strong as one. Would have loved to see Tulkas vs Ungoliant!

[@samleroy2964]

@@Jagonath Тулкас -Валар. Ты ошибся

[@aesir1ases64]

@@Jagonath Tulkas was the last Vala and send specially to defeat Melkor in single combat. He would wipe Ungoliant in a second.

[@Jagonath]

@@aesir1ases64 I doubt even Tulkas could beat Ungoliant. Melkor was the strongest most powerful being in the whole universe after Iluvatar. Possibly Melkor was weaker than Manwe but that's debatable. But even Melkor lost against Ungoliant. It took all of his balrogs to turn the fight around.

[@Longshanks1690]

Gimli: If it’s not too much trouble, could I perchance have but one strange of your golden hair? Galadriel: Of course, have three. Fëanor: *Excuse me wtf? >:(*

[@Longshanks1690]

* one strand

[@ahmerjadoon7680]

Gimli acted like a simp whereas Feänor acted like an alpha.

[@Longshanks1690]

@@ahmerjadoon7680 And how did that end up for both of them?

[@sofiu-v3p]

Fëanor in the halls: REEEEEEEEE

[@ahmerjadoon7680]

@@Longshanks1690 simp got what he wanted while alpha was refused.

[@pdxholmes]

New Men of the West video? I click. I'm a simple man.

[@federicaesu8580]

Feanor is the most complex character in Tolkien’s legendarium. He was responsible of evil deeds, such the kinslain and the betrayal of Fingolfin which eventually doomed all the Noldor. Yet, he was so brave to kick Melkor off his house and urged the Valar to pursue Morgoth instead of sitting in grief and substantially doing nothing.

[@ghostdreamer7272]

I’d say perhaps Turin is more complex. But yea, Turin and Feanor at the top. With others in this category being Thingol, Maedhros, Maglor, Galadriel, Isildur, Denethor, Thorin

[@TheNotoriousCheeto]

Was it bravery, I wonder? Or arrogance? He believed he knew better than the Valar, and possessed skills and abilities beyond what they knew. It does not take a brave man to charge to his death in battle when he doesn't think he can lose; just a proud fool.

[@SvenTviking]

The greatest weakness of the Silmarillion is the failure of the Valar to deal with one of their own, no matter how much misery he inflicted on the World, leaving it to the Noldor and the Edain and punishing the Noldor for it.

[@marcusviniciusmagalhaesdea3779]

@@ghostdreamer7272 Turin had no choice about his fate, so I don't think that he is really complex, but doomed instead. Like Oedipus.

[@sofiu-v3p]

@@ghostdreamer7272 Yeah, the difference is that Fëanor was conceous of what he was doing and that it was wrong (he just couldn't admit it because of his pride). But Turin was trying to do the right thing yet as they said he had no choice over his doom.

[@dxeka1994]

I gotta respect Feanor for putting it to the Valar in saying that; if they forced him to give the Silmarils they are of Melkors kin. He may have doomed many that day, but he a lone elf BOUND the valar by forcing them to either be just like Melkor or not. There's a sort of dark poetry in that.

[@jamesgwoodwork]

I audibly exclaimed "yes!" When I saw this pop. Feanor gets a raw deal both in universe and among fans.

[@KS-xk2so]

Feanor is the worst. He's the Toby of Arda, for sure.

[@justinajostin9006]

@@KS-xk2so nah mate , he's the best

[@aesir1ases64]

@@KS-xk2so "The mightiest of the Eldar made in BODY AND MIND"

[@intenzityd3181]

The best thing about Feanor is that he did nothing wrong

[@djlejeune-author]

"Matan, a great craftsman who wore a fantastic beard" 😂😂😂

[@fox_e_crow3276]

Man your videos are always dripping with sincerity and I really love them. Keep em coming!

[@Ryan-vl2nn]

I’ve always wondered if Fëanor was powerful enough to defeat Sauron in physical combat. As his half brother Fingolfin was able to go toe-to-toe with Morgoth, a Valar. However, ultimately unsuccessful, was still able to considerably wound the once strongest of the Valar. Man I love all the tales from the First Age as well as the Years of the Trees.

[@hazbojangles2681]

I’ve been waiting a long long time for this one

[@rofflestomp684]

Fëanor was far more epic than Melkor as a song of Elu. Nice to see this.

[@rangerofthenorth1970]

You have so many videos, and yet I always wonder how are they so interesting and so amazing, well done....Happy Easter to all of Arda!!

[@sethmiller2534]

As I peer upon this thumbnail and see the flowing hair, I’m only left to imagine the locks that befall you, Yoystan. Perhaps golden? Perhaps a rich a luscious brown? Oh bless the one who has seen these

[@ShaolinViolin]

Excellent video. Just bought the Silmarillion and these videos really help me to understand it. I learned that Tolkien himself despised allegory; instead favoring universal applicability of stories which is up to the reader instead of authorial intent (as in allegory). I think your statements at the end of each video prove why he felt this why. Keep up the great work.

[@apdarkness905]

A great tale that truly conveys the works, fears and wisdom of the fall of one of the greatest and misguided of the Ñoldorin Elves.

[@timbotook6447]

Love Fëanor, both his boldness and for the frustration he provides. Great video Yoystan.

[@anthonysaich2057]

I know this story front and back many times yet it’s still my favorite

[@jesuscoyt-munoz2753]

Cool video yoystan I’ve always wanted to learn more about feanor and I feel like the reason no elf was like him an elf so full of pride, arrogance, jealousy, and hate was perhaps an experiment created by illuvitar. Perhaps he wanted to see what would happen if just one elf had these virtues and after seeing what he did he vowed to make sure no other elf would gain the personality of feanor and maybe that’s why he did not want him reincarnated.

[@naurielseagle7120]

One of the best feelings- enter yt and see your videos

[@TheNotoriousCheeto]

Feanor was the Eric Cartman of Middle-Earth. He's all "No, Valar; this is my Silmaril. NO VALAR THATS A BAD VALAR! You know what? Screw you guys, I'm going home."

[@KS-xk2so]

Man Feanor's so kewl. If he died, I'd be sad at skewl.

[@davidalan528]

I don’t remember Feanor asking Galadriel for her hair. Makes her gift to Gimli that much more freakin adorable

[@peterconway6584]

It does, doesn't it?

[@KS-xk2so]

Gimli asked her for a single hair, she gave him 3. It's thought that the reason she did give him 3 hairs, is because Feanor asked her 3 times for her hair, and 3 times she denied him.

[@pizzadohpaz]

I think it's in Unfinished Tales rather than the Silmarillion, so that might explain why you hadn't heard of it!

[@legolasgreenleaf727]

The burning at Losgar was so tragic, but it must of been an epic sight

[@CatroiOz]

Morgoth : fucks up the song of creation, tortures elves, wrought incalculable suffering to so many innocents. Says "I'm sorry" and gets released Fëanor does what seemed right to him and takes the battle to litteral Satan. Gets condmened to never be released until the end of the world. Ar Pharazon was right : fuck the Valar

[@zoetropo1]

You make many good points.

[@legolasgreenleaf727]

This is a wonderful video! The accompanying art you’ve found is absolutely amazing 🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@Dare_To_Game]

Feanor is such a wild character. Very unique in Tolkien's work.

[@geviesanta3631]

Happy Easter Yoystan, I hope you're having a wonderful time at this time of the year!

[@MenoftheWest]

Thanks Gevie, you too, my friend!

[@barracuda6900]

Feanor and Ar-Pharazon are the greatest stories of the pain and damage that our anger and arrogance can cause. They were useful life lessons for me.

[@JM-dw8eq]

Thank you for making such excellent content!

[@zaygriffey723]

I’ve been waiting for you too make this video on Feanor now all we need is the Fingolfin one

[@randomradis907]

Don't fear the eyes of the dark lord Morgoth I cried All hope is gone but I swear revenge Hear my oath I will take part in your damned fate

[@richardlee3710]

LOVE it!

[@thekiatty6953]

I will always remember their cries Like a shadow that covers my mind But I also remember mine! After all, I'm still alive!

[@tugbatok9008]

Feanor is like a diluted Melkor of the elves...wanted to be someone greater, doomed to fail, still so mighty but so powerless at the end

[@GrizzLeon]

Gimli: Hey Feanor, check out what i've got!

[@g.thomashart9368]

Feanor is a just example of how wisdom comes from Eru, and only folly derives from Melkor.

[@ethanarnold4441]

Idea for Theory: What if Feanor challenged Morgoth to single combat like his half-brother Fingolfin did?

[@KS-xk2so]

Pfft, he couldn't even take Gothmog. Feanor was more of a smith than a warrior I always thought. Morgoth would've bent Feanor over and made him his prison wife in a 1v1.

[@abdoul5176]

@@KS-xk2so Didn't Tolkien say Feanor was one of the mightiest elves or something along those lines?

[@Mike60606]

@@KS-xk2so Feanor fought alone against Gothmog, and other Balrogs, and trolls, and hundreds of orcs...."long he fought on, and undismayed".... Feanor had no equal.

[@KS-xk2so]

@@Mike60606 Feanor was the best at making shit, being a douche nozzle, and eating dude Elf ass probably. Nothing else.

[@Chronocrits]

@@Mike60606 Fingolfin danced with Melkor, a Valar. It’s hard to argue he’s not the stronger.

[@evancondon1372]

Please do one on Fingon! Please!

[@sofiu-v3p]

YAS YAS YAS. Or even a whole video on Fingolfin's house

[@evancondon1372]

@@sofiu-v3p agreed

[@Sarah_2094]

I wish they would make an animated series on the war of the jewels like the GOT ones or better yet a tv show with Feanor being the main character. He’s the most interesting character in the lotr lore because of how flawed he was, especially as an elf because theyre mostly seen as serene and perfect. Casting would be hell because he’s described as the most beautiful 😆

[@andrewmchugh9545]

Awesome video My Brother! Many think of The Eldar as these invincible and innocent people but there indeed were dark times! Been waiting a long time for this epic character history! Feanor is such a powerful and influential character and my favorite Elf!

[@joshuajoseph5998]

My favorite character in Tolkien's legendarium! The greatest and the most handsome of all the Eldar!

[@melkhiordarkfell4354]

Worth noting that in earlier drafts when Nerdanel begged for one of the youngest to be allowed stay with her, she cursed Faenor that her child would never go to Middle Earth and so when Faenor burned the ships, Amras was still in the ship at the time and was burned to death.

[@thehighguarduk4820]

Fantastic video, really well explained and discussed.

[@richardlee3710]

Love all the info on these ancient tales from The Silmarillion and its constituent texts. Feanor is a fascinating character and, like Melkor himself, an example of the danger of being the most gifted, and the fall into self-aggrandizement. But, one small quibble: I would only advise that you listen to Christopher Tolkien's reading from the early chapters from The Silmarillion on the death of the Trees and the rebellion of the Noldor to get the pronunciation of Fingolfin and Finarfin. One of the challenges of speaking on Tolkien is handling the pronunciation of countless names, and you do quiet well, but Fin-ar-fin and Fin-gol-fin is jarring...Fin-arf-in and Fin-golf-in is more sonorous and matches how Christopher pronounces them.

[@MrBigCookieCrumble]

Fëanor: Give ship, so i can get silmaril! Teleri: Ship for us _is_ like silmaril, so, no. Fëanor: :I >:I

[@johnycoho7830]

Feanor is similar to Samson in at least one way. Although he was the strongest Elf to ever live, most of what we learn from him is what not to do.

[@danielcarter837]

One could argue that Tolkien had Feanor be the 'fruit of knowledge' that led to the Elves getting kicked out of Paradise (Eden). This set in motion a series of events (sins) that would follow the Elves for ages. The elves were not redeemed or saved until the gods chose to help them. He was really the catalyst of everything that happened in all his books. Feanor's grandson, Celebrimbor, made the Rings of Power which drove the events in the second and third ages as well.

[@kenparsons7686]

Fëanor is easy to be in awe of, easy to praise as a great king of lore, but pretty much impossible to love. One of the true giants of the legendarium.

[@zoetropo1]

His wife loved him at least seven times.

[@lordstrogar2721]

This is a very good overview! Thank you!!!

[@theranger6411]

I love this lore of Tolkien Books.

[@morrigandanae]

YESSSS FEANOR!! He's my fav Silm character XDD Actually he's on my list of fav fictional characters of all time

[@zeyadalbadawi8774]

When Fëanor was born, the doctor told his mother: "It's a ma- Oh wait she died" R.I.P Míriel

[@lordofthehouseofstormcrows8615]

Feanor, the gem of all gem makers!

[@plamen2530]

I’m gonna say it, I like Fingolfin way more but Feanor is still cool. Thanks for the great video!

[@KS-xk2so]

Fingolfin was a pimp. Feanor is a little bitch. Finwe clearly needed a practice go at making a kid before he got it right.

[@XiuFeanaro6]

@@KS-xk2so Fingolfin was a lil bitch too.

[@sashanesmejanow841]

Great stuff. Thank you! Nerd of the rings recomended you. A good call. Ill be watching more.

[@xtremeranger30]

Enough of Twitter discussion about Fëanor with you Yoystan. Must watch this epic character history now xD.

[@likac92009]

Valar warned Feanor they won't help them when in fact it was THEIR DUTY to search for Morgoth and Ungolianth and punish him for killing Finwe, stealing Silmarils and destroying Formenos. What a bunch of useless entities.

[@zoetropo1]

The Valar wimped out because of a temporary Shadow woven by Ungoliant. They make the Balrogs look very brave by comparison. Put it this way, if Feanor had been Tulkas, he wouldn't have stopped until Angband, Melkor, and all the Balrogs were pounded to dust. Because the Valar failed to deal with Morgoth early, before he'd built his army up, Beleriand ended up destroyed.

[@weswyleven9540]

Wow. I forgot about this channel. I subbed to you years ago and just noticed you uploaded. Your growth is amazing, and it looks like your video quality is amazing! I got a bunch of videos to watch it seems. And a new content creator to support.

[@fea365y]

“The works of wonder for the glory of Arda that [Fëanor] might otherwise have wrought only Manwë might in some measure conceive. And it was told by the Vanyar who held vigil with the Valar that when the messengers declared to Manwë the answers of Fëanor to his heralds, Manwë wept and bowed his head. But at that last word of Fëanor: that at the least the Noldor should do deeds to live in song for ever, he raised his head, as one that hears a voice far off, and he said: ‘So shall it be! Dear-bought those songs shall be accounted, and yet shall be well-bought. For the price could be no other. Thus even as Eru spoke to us shall beauty not before conceived be brought into Eä, and evil yet be good to have been.’’ -J.R.R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion, “Of the Sun and Moon and the Hiding of Valinor”

[@zoetropo1]

That is one of my favourite passages from Tolkien. So profound.

[@johnpatricktan5545]

another interesting video this is, great job!

[@shadowofchaos8932]

Can we use your jewels to make light? Why not just make light without the jewels?

[@Steel-101]

OK hold on time out! I am overwhelmed here. I mean I knew the middle earth lore was big but not THIS big! How is it possible, that Hollywood hasn’t made ANY TV shows or additional movies with this lore!? Lol 😆. Or any video games!? Mr. West WHY!? Lol 😆. By the way thank you very much for the awesome lore video 😎👍🏼

[@abalogan]

cus Hollywood SUCKS, they can not stick to the original source material, they need to change, to make it "diverse" add "Romance" change this and change that and change until it's a shell of what it was. So Christopher Tolkien was like "fuck that shit" and gave no one permission to do so. In reality, while the LOTR movies are good, and only omit stuff (and it's ok due to time) the "Extended" addition Changes the fuck out of the books, for no reason other than "Hollywood", that is why Christopher hated them. And let's not talk about the abomination that is the hobbit Trilogy. So fuck Hollywood. When and IF someone will come and commit to do it correctly they will allow them. The amazon upcoming show is about the second age, and they will do parts of the time that is not written, and Did sign that they will not change Anything that Tolkien wrote, but again they will just do the show about places and times he did not write about. This agreement was the only thing Christopher allowed, as initially, they wanted to do the first age, and he said fuck no.

[@origami83]

Hollywood, especially in this day an dage would only ruin lore like this. That we got LOTR the way we did can be considered a miracle imo.

[@JariDawnchild]

Much as I would love a film or tv show of this, I fear Hollywood would completely neuter Feanor, turn him into a whiny bitch with anger issues who cheats on his wife rather than a strong, defiant spirit with an impulsive nature who is at least faithful to his absent spouse so far as we are aware. Come to think of it, they'd neuter Melkor, too, complete with daddy issues. I'm so glad Jackson was so gentle with the LOTR trilogy, though the Hobbit movies annoyed me a little (only a little because Thorin telling Smaug he sucks was epic).

[@warthog_almighty]

Theres just too much backstory with all these tales. Example would be to understand Finrods loyalty and relationship with Beren, you would have to know how Barahir saved Finrod. Also you would have to know how Finrod first came upon Beor, and that was the first meeting of man and Eldar. Gravitos of the tales is greatly diminished without the back story and the time that unfolds

[@JariDawnchild]

@@warthog_almighty Right. Reading Tolkien and having studied what's known of his writing process has taught me that every punctuation, letter, space, paragraph and page margin has a story of its own, and that it's okay to not know it yet or how it connects to the larger story. I still adore losing myself in Tolkien's lessons, there's something new and wonderful to explore even if I've read it a thousand times.

[@joerod3396]

Awsome video one of my very favorite Characters from tokens work

[@nathanthaxton7492]

Feanor! Master Craftsman of many MANY problems to come for the race of elves.

[@alphonsesenjutsu]

👑Fëanor and the Silmarils, Fëanor is my FAVORITE character from ALL Tolkien Books. He's the BEST, STRONGEST, GREATEST, MOST POWERFUL tragic character (ELF) ever💯👑 A VERY complex and well-written character

[@ethanarnold4441]

Idea for Theory: What if Feanor let Morgoth keep the Silmarils and not follow him into Middle-Earth?

[@zoetropo1]

Well, that's boring. Melkor wipes out the Sindarin and enslaves or kills all the Men. The Valar go, "La-de-da", all day long for eons. Maybe eventually the Silmarils burn Melkor totally to a crisp and he dies in agony. That would be the only high note.

[@davidpike4439]

Not even a huge Tolkien fan but I just love you videos

[@Robridgy93]

Cool video man, Happy Easter buddy!

[@MenoftheWest]

Thanks Ridge, you too man! Have a great day brother!

[@quinn4091]

4:44 Lol at Celeborn's name "Teleporno" 😆

[@Corristo89]

The quote "The candle that burns twice as bright, burns half as long" fits perfectly for Feanor. Incredibly passionate and talented, but also arrogant and single-minded to the point of being self-destructive and quite willing to drag everyone down with him. All of his sons met a tragic end, the Noldor committed incredible acts of barbarism, strife followed in his and his sons' wake and the result was his ultimate goal, his beloved three Silmarils, being utterly unreachable (in the sky, in the earth and in the sea).

[@KTChamberlain]

There's an elf who could have used a little humility here and there. Then again lots of elves, Maiar, and Valar are notoriously prideful and arrogant.

[@zoetropo1]

Unstable too. Especially the Ainur. "Oh! A little Darkness. Better give up the pursuit, then." "Hey, Feanor! Don't you dare show us up by being braver than us!" "We won't keep you if you really want to leave. ... Guess what, we lied! ... What do you mean, we're not the good guys?" "My husband was killed by Dwarves. I guess I'll just abandon everyone else."

[@thedimer4653]

Great Video!

[@LegalSC]

I know he's an asshole and everything, but I kind of love this guy. Something about that fiery prideful spirit. It's like...he's defiance itself somehow.

[@JariDawnchild]

Right? He reminds me of the Native American Thunderbird. A dickhead, but still badass.

[@sofiu-v3p]

You doomed yourself to the void with that intro

[@MenoftheWest]

Yeah, I did :(

[@Taistelukalkkuna]

@@MenoftheWest *Starts scribbling pleacase for Eru* "O´ Allfather. My client is innocent to oath he uttered in thy name. He, in temporary madness did so, so he could do these "episodes" his followers. He is Sage of Men of renown, in matters of Middle-Earth. Surely condemning him to void for such act would be great injustice, and great harm for passing the lore among the Men? I ask clemency for You...Jou....This man, Sage of Men of the West?" *Eru* :"We find defendant guilty of false oath. However, considering the circumstances, his punishment is commuted to thar he has to keep doing these "Episodes" about lore."

[@SwordlordRoy]

Me: "One book on what Feanor did wrong please." Me upon seeing the size of the book: "that's a support beam..."

[@zoetropo1]

But what he did wrong was actually right.

[@SwordlordRoy]

@@zoetropo1 I'm not sure I follow how the Kinslaying was "right"...

[@MrYTGuy1]

The oath of the silmarils: A story of not knowing when to quit lol

[@christosvoskresye]

From the tale of Feonor, we see that it is a mistake to get too attached to our jobs. Middle Earth would have been a happier place if Feonor had spent less time smithing and more time bowling, or even golfing.

[@MenoftheWest]

Lol so true!

[@JoeQuake]

Feanor couldn't have played golf because the game wasn't invented until the Battle of Greenfields. I think it was Bullroarer Took who knocked a Goblin's head down a rabbit hole.

[@shredspectrum356]

I love what Gandalf tells pippen about feanor and the seeing stones

[@yongo1304]

What does he tell him?

[@shredspectrum356]

@@yongo1304 Gandalf tells Pippin that the palantír was made by the Elves long ago and were used to guard and unite Gondor, but most of them were lost. Sauron acquired one and when Saruman used the Orthanc-stone to gaze on Mordor, trapped him. Now one Nazgûl has come to see what Saruman has been doing after the failed Orc raid, and another will be coming for Pippin. Gandalf fears that they will discover that he is alive or that an heir of Elendil lives, and so they flee to Gondor.

[@shredspectrum356]

@@yongo1304 basically telling him maybe Fëanor himself made them maybe and that the dark lord didn’t make them and they were made so long ago

[@kaidorade1317]

Fitting that the greatest jewels’ creator is mentioned on what Christians call Easter Sunday. Now to discuss next week: the Easter Bunny of Middle Earth

[@Max1990Power]

easter bunny of Middle earth? Maybe radagast would have something to say about that :D

[@Chronocrits]

Well the Easter bunny must be Anatar, lord of gifts. Going around distributing little gold rings. What a cutie.

[@GirlNextGondor]

Ah yes, Feanor, king of the Noldor... for about five minutes.

[@hughgedney3393]

A very extremely great video as always Men of the West.

[@madambutterfly1997]

Tbh I assumed Fëanor's features where the features of all noldor elves. And then I find out that Galadriel is Fëanor's niece, also noldor and both her parents were fair-haired. I thought vanyar and teleri would be the only fair-haired elves.

[@abalogan]

Galadriel's Mother was Taleri (daughter of Olwë) and her grandmother from the father's side is Vanyar and was named Indis the Fair, THAT is why Fëanor was so angry at his dad, Mudding the gene pool with Fair hair Vanyar, and his brother Finarfin with a Taleri.

[@madambutterfly1997]

@@abalogan and then whenever he was around Galadriel she started acting like that creepy Uncle you're never allowed to be left alone with

[@sophiejones7727]

You are correct. What happened is that Finarfin’s mother, Indis, was Vanyarin. Hence Finarfin was blond: and since he married a Telerin, so were his children. The other blondes in the family are Idril and her son Eärendil: which again, is because Idril’s mother was Vanyarin. All the other noldor were dark haired, with the exception of Maedhros and the twins: who had their mother’s red hair.

[@davidalan528]

@@sophiejones7727 Alas for the sundering of the elves.

[@XiuFeanaro6]

@@abalogan he was mostly angry at his father because, he saw him marrying another elf as a betrayer for his mother. You know, because, elves married only once.

[@kulciaq7195]

it is true that Fëanor has ten children. Three of them are loved more than the rest. Such a Fëanáro with a stroller and cute silmarils in it. 🥰😂

[@lauriephillips4286]

I am one. I am his daughter. He was good,until damned Valar Morgoth!! I repeat my father's cry,,,,curse the Valar!! Curse the dark one!!! He will burn for the fall of my family!!! Come Dag Dagorath!! Let me burn them all!!!!!

[@zoetropo1]

7 sons a doom to share, 3 jewels beyond compare, one elf knew no despair.

[@exelltori7328]

hey, could we get a bit more on the Palantír? it was such an interesting part of the story with Pippin and all that I feel doesn't get enough attention 👍

[@MenoftheWest]

For sure, my friend! Here is my older video on them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmGZpnaXZ9Rnlc0

[@exelltori7328]

@@MenoftheWest oh thank you so much! I've been needing to learn more about it 😁

[@riassslave558]

Wasn't he not accepted by the entire Noldor as King I was fairly certain a large number backed his half brother as King

[@MenoftheWest]

Indeed! After his oath that was most certainly the case.