The History of Morgoth [COMPILATION] | Tolkien Explained

[@markyochoa]

This video series holds a special place in my heart because one time I took an edible that I didn't know would be that powerful and I was losing it. So I put the Melkor series on repeat and it soothed the mind.

[@redbeardthegreat78]

Word

[@myriadmediamusings]

Melkor's and Sauron's back to back for me.

[@KINgKONg-dy3tb]

Watching lotr high hits diff

[@tysker22]

lmaoo same this dudes videos are such a vibe when you’re baked af

[@alexandersykes9042]

😂😂😂…😎

[@kidpeligro7878]

Crazy to think Fingolfin, an elf, was able to duel a Valar to a virtual stalemate and was only defeated because he ultimately lacked endurance of a Valar and was outlasted by Morgoth. Them elves who lived under the light of the trees were something else. No wonder Galadriel was so powerful

[@davidshapiro292]

I thought that it was stupid.

[@chase5298]

lmao@@davidshapiro292

[@azriel2865]

I belive melkor used up some of his strength making literally all the evil in the world

[@lordhelwintr283]

Galadriel from rings of power is fanfic Galadriel.

[@akeelyaqub2538]

Prime Melkor would have stomped him before he could even swing his sword but yea even battling a weakened morgoth is no small feat, let alone damn near stalemating him.

[@elcotera8042]

Cannot state more the sheer badassery of Fingolfin challenging Morgoth to single combat, one of the most if not the most epic combat in fantasy, the strength of the house of Finwë in the elder days was otherworldly

[@nicholasmiller835]

"alone of the Valar he knew fear."

[@Tadzioreik]

The first time I read it, i had to repeat it like 4-5 times lmao i was like wtf!?

[@kingfisher7960]

F yeah nerd!😮😮

[@foreignfat6009]

Yeah. Elves are erus children, dwarves and humans are his toys.

[@stellachimpson]

⁠almost like he made Melkor feel mortality

[@spitfire4sergi]

I just picture Melkor screaming into the mic like Yoko Ono at a Beatles recording session, the rest of the Valar just rolling their eyes

[@rodericktenvoorde3486]

😂

[@rot_studios]

LMAO, that's a great mental image

[@markanthony1004]

Oh that image is perfect 🤣

[@sosemiteyam562]

This is beautiful, certainly how it must have been. Got a few fringe groupies to follow him with those... amazing... noises?

[@PositiveOnly-dm3rx]

😂suddenly melkor isn't nearly as imposing.

[@dlxmarks]

The reason Morgoth can recover and eventually return is because he invested so much of his innate power into Arda. Volume X of the History of Middle Earth is titled _Morgoth's Ring_ and discusses how he can't be permanently defeated until the entire world is broken and remade to remove his influence.

[@Patrick-qed]

Exactly. "Arda Marred" in Tolkien's words.

[@Chazebrimbor]

A.k.a. Dagon Dagorath and the followings of.

[@royalhero4608]

Is it true that Turin Turambar will be the one to finally defeat Morgoth for all eternity during Dagor Dagorath? As that would be karma at its finest

[@johns1625]

He will cast down the Sun and Moon in order to break the Door of Night and return to cast Arda into a third darkness. The final theme of the Music of the Ainur. The spirits of the fallen Balrogs and Sauron will be recovered and renewed. A tree with deep roots that cannot be killed, and will bear dark fruits until the end of time.

[@jazuqua]

​​@@johns1625He doesn't, he escapes because the guards of the Door of the Night are sleeping. It's only after he escapes the Timeless Void through the Door that he destroys the Sun and Moon.

[@peterrusso9123]

The coolest thing Feanor ever did, slamming the door in Melkors face.

[@jackfoxx6351]

Like imagine the devil shows up and is like "im going to steal your stuff" and you chase it off by screaming "not today!".

[@rafexrafexowski4754]

​@@jackfoxx6351 Now imagine your friend coming to you and you realise he was the devil the whole time. That's even worse.

[@MoonChild-yg3nw]

​@@jackfoxx6351😂😂😂

[@shawnthompson2303]

It’s up there with “Frodo did not offer Lobelia any tea.”

[@blenderbanana]

​@@shawnthompson2303"And I told the black fellows to be off!" - Butterbur

[@JessWLStuart]

Wow! Hearing the entire history of Morgoth makes me amazed at Tolkien's creativity!

[@BigBrotherMateyka]

Damn straight.

[@AndreyMakarov-i7h]

He's literally just satan from the bible

[@realtalkwithj-man5195]

Tolkien was a genius , to think of the world and characters he did , the creation story of his world was so complex it's like the bible but on steroids. He was ded inspired by the Bible story alot and was very spiritual person as well . He was such an amazing author and genius . He laid down the blue print for other fantasy authors to follow for sure .

[@SaurabhSiingh818]

​@@realtalkwithj-man5195 having your 2nd most powerful being loose to men, dwarves and elves with no superpowers, yeah real genius. Also that being spent his entire life trying to conquer and rule a tiny planet but failed.

[@hadesunderworld4203]

@@SaurabhSiingh818lol this is not a good comment at all lol were you having a bad day ? Tolkien was incredibly smart. All he wrote and created … in stories , it always ends this way . Your issue with it shows much deeper issues in your world . Good luck

[@ianmiller6040]

The thought of Erendil battling the Great Dragons in his flying ship is incredibly badass! The image at 45:31 really sells it. Loved this video!

[@Cryptid_Renfri]

As someone who has only relatively recently watched all the LOTR/Hobbit movies for the very first time, and has been immediately captivated and enamoured with Tolkeins works, I have to say I really, genuinely appreciate this channel. I don't yet own any of the books, and have yet to read a single line of any, so this channel has become my go-to resource for quenching my current autistic hyper-fixation on this fictional world. I just can't believe that it's taken me 23 years to take an interest in this amazing story. I never knew what I was missing out on. To the dear friend who insisted that I watched the OG trilogy with him, thank you. You introduced me to a beauty I was blind to.

[@Cryptid_Renfri]

By the time I was 10 I'd read (and absolutely loved) every Narnia book, but had never heard of Tolkien. Strange how that works, especially now knowing the close connection between him and C. S. Lewis.

[@john-er6or]

I strongly urge you to read Tolkien’s books. You won’t be disappointed. And if you need help understanding what you’re reading, this channel and another favorite of mine, (Tolkien Untangled), will definitely help. Happy reading! Hint: the books are better than the movies.

[@ArtsiBurn]

I've watched the 3 parter probably 50 times over the years, in my opinion that 3 part video is the greatest tolkien lore video on the platform. Glad to see it in a more accessible form for newer fans

[@giorgiograffino3724]

It's like having the whole Silmarillion book in a 48 minute video

[@Scuba837]

I LOVED reading the Silmarillion but was having a tough time grasping everything I was reading. Your videos helped immensely. Thanks for all the hard work!

[@bradsimpson8724]

I tried to read it when I was about 10, and couldn't wrap my head around it. I wish I would have had these videos as a kid, when I was a full-on nut for this world.

[@Some_Average_Joe]

Simultaneously the most interesting and boring book I ever read lol

[@realtalkwithj-man5195]

I read it as a child prop 11 or 12 alor of it was hard for me to grasp to . The older I got though it made more sense to me . He was a literal genius , I can't think of any other fantasy authors that weaved a creation story for the world as complex this was .

[@ashleighyoung1295]

I really appreciate the little pics of people every time you say their name. I cannot remember any of these names and your videos are the only way I can understand what is happening. You're my hero.

[@xyz-lo3jv]

I was a little goth in highschool but Melkor was definitely Morgoth

[@isaacmartinez7557]

I hate you so much for making me laugh at this 😂😅

[@tipuuddin4087]

@@isaacmartinez7557 💯😩😂

[@xyz-lo3jv]

Lol I hate myself too ​@@isaacmartinez7557

[@julianakleijn9254]

😂

[@Spartan-Of-Truth]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@andersonic]

Tolkien's concept that Creation requires strife, and must be repeatedly broken and mended to achieve its purpose, is unbelievably profound, sad, and beautiful. It's why his stories are so irresistible to re-tell and re-discover for generations.

[@StandardGoose]

It's literally Christian theology. He didn't invent the idea.

[@kennyrich599]

Tolkien did indeed use Judeo Christian themes, but he uses other mythologies, fairy tales and folklore s inspiration in his story.

[@notfromhere8889]

I knew it was based on Christianity before I found out for sure, though. Music, angels, an angel who turns and becomes the lord of evil, etc

[@PuddingXXL]

​​​​@@notfromhere8889 Funnily enough though Christian influence is definitely there, Tolkien specifically said that he thought the modern world needed a new mythology akin to Celtic mythology. He said Christianity was basically dead after WW1 as that war contradicted so many tennents.. In light of the death of God, a new mythology had to replace it in his perspective. That's why he tried to create a merge of the two to give the modern world a new mythology to create a new founding belief that a given nation can unite behind. (In this case European nations, Tolkien wasn't a fan of anything that had a darker skin tone then white and it shows especially in his numenor tales.)

[@notfromhere8889]

@PuddingXXL that's hard to believe 🤣 but I'll look it up. Tolkien seemed too intelligent to think God could die. His lore is just like Christianity, plus everyone knows he made it up.

[@Self-Aware-Russian-Bot]

I love that Melkor is basically the kid who wanted to be the best in the group but realized he wasn't so he decided to throw a fit a ruin it for everyone else.

[@Erintii]

Or a bully kid who refuse to play according to rules and when other kids kicked him he destroys all toys. He is powerful but has emotional maturity of spoiled, rotten child. He decided to burn a world as Valar did not like his music and did not recognize as their king. He behaves as the archetype of chaotic evil character from DnD.

[@AndreyMakarov-i7h]

He literally is the best.

[@sam-ht6qv]

How do you get it so wrong? He's the most knowledgeable of the Valar, so he's anything but a spoiled child 😂​@@Erintii

[@sam-ht6qv]

​@@AndreyMakarov-i7hExactly, the previous commenter is soft ASF 😂

[@sam-ht6qv]

Except he WAS the best

[@Whiteylolz]

These Melkor videos got me back into Tolkien and the deeper lore of Tolkien so thanks for this!

[@Tadicuslegion78]

Anyone remember their first time reading the Silmarillion and you realize Sauron was only the mini-boss of a much bigger story and his master was literally a factor in the shaping of the universe who could yeet Sauron with his pinky?

[@indio4-215]

I recall quite vividly when I was introduced to the Silmarillion for the first time just how much of a small-fry Sauron truly is in the grand scheme of things, especially compared to his master, Melkor, let alone when Melkor was in his prime before he continually grew weaker as the ages passed. As much as I love Sauron, I can't exactly take him seriously as a threat anymore, at least not completely so now that I know of Melkor's existence and everything he was capable of, alongside his fellow Valar as well.

[@carson11100]

@@indio4-215 Same here… Melkor is a total beast and I wish we could see a film about him! Having said that Sauron still caused a hell of a lot of trouble on his own for a Maiar…. he still stands as one of the greatest Dark Lords and villains ever!

[@oguzhanenescetin5702]

You should remember Sauron and Morgoth has different characteristics and roles in the story. Their gole is not even the same

[@Monkeyboy2457]

Totally amazed that Morgoth raised the Misty Mountains. Sauron could only dream of that level of power.

[@edwardbrown7986]

True Melkor was far more powerful, but magic and power gets lesser as time passes in middle earth, so Sauron in the third age is still impressive, despite being nothing in comparison to Melkor’s power

[@lyars5965]

this video is so beautiful.. the story, choice of words, sound of your voice, the artwork, the sheer brilliance of Tolkien.. can't help but shed a tear

[@johns1625]

3:16 I really love this artists rendition of Melkor by Kimberly80. He is undenyably handsome, even beautiful, but with a very obvious dark sense about him. Kind of like Frodo describing servants of Sauron as "looking fair but feeling foul". She also does many other portraits of Tolkien characters that are equally as wonderful.

[@toddkurzbard]

I have read portions of The Silmarillion, and have been utterly confused by most of it due to all the detail, the terminology, and keeping various groups straight. For the first time, with this video, I can understand a lot more of it. This makes it for me a great help and to me worth multiple viewings to clear up what I still do not understand, and eventually read and comprehend the whole story (hopefully). Well met, My Lord. (Okay, I realize that may not be the correct usage, but I just always wanted to say it.)

[@hadesunderworld4203]

What helped me was audiobook . The one read by Andy Serkis is great . Yes it can be confusing , all the names at first. But once it gets going and you start remembering the names . It’s just amazing . I also recommend pausing and doing some research into the characters if you aren’t sure , helps you remember the tales that are mentioned

[@ericmathieu7944]

MAGIC ! This is a pure moment of beauty, of emotion. I felt so moved by the voice, the story, the music, the images. Just sublime ! Thanks a thousand times for that.

[@herrdave920]

35:55 Outstanding voiceover for one of the most villainous lines ever uttered in Tolkien's Legendarium

[@hendrickson3414]

Imagine Fingolfin a mere elf, battling and wounding the most powerful being among the Ainur.

[@calamitysangfroid2407]

the power of being extremely mad

[@karolswieboda1781]

​@@calamitysangfroid2407yeaaaah, if I remember correctly, when Fingolfin rode to meet Morgoth, all the other evil being on the way would run away or cover in fear, so amazing was his fury

[@AndreyMakarov-i7h]

@@karolswieboda1781 So amazing was his plot armor

[@johnkamadeva4747]

Sadly Morgoth was no longer in his prime when Fingolfin confronted him, but that being said if Morgoth was in his prime form he would’ve just easily flick Fingolfin out existence before he can unsheathe his sword, no Grond (Morgoth’s Warhammer) needed

[@PuddingXXL]

​@@AndreyMakarov-i7h Your comment is akin to saying "Jesus had plot armor". It's not about that. Also quite ironic you say plot armor when he was literally SLAIN which is the exact opposite or antithesis to plot armor lol

[@carson11100]

Before learning of the vastness of Tolkien’s universe you assume Sauron is the Devil and as it turns out he is only the first general to the Devil himself! Just knowing that he serves someone even worse and more evil than himself is astounding.

[@bobo577]

Indeed. Sauron is more of a Anti-Christ/False Prophet character but still a threat.

[@JrClips27]

For people that don’t know the lore, finding this out really blows their mind lol

[@Patrick-qed]

Indeed. I think it is in Morgoth's Ring (HoM-e vol. X) where we see Tolkien's writings about the different motivations of Melkor/Morgoth and Sauron. And the Valaquenta tells us of Sauron: "and [Sauron] was only less evil than his master in that for long he served another and not himself."

[@shaidanwheel6199]

Indeed. I read it once in unbelievable facts that Sauron is a just lieutenant of a greater evil. I was shocked. Then I thought if such destruction was struck by a mere servant, what kind of destruction was struck by the master himself

[@very_not_emo]

honestly i think sauron was more evil despite being weaker

[@josephhoskins7354]

I just want to say thank you for a longer video. I REALLY appreciate these

[@matthewmiller9485]

The character study is a really good way to get the gist of a lot of the Silmarillion. Because it is about the main antagonist of that story, it touches at least in some part on most of the main stories and events that happened before the Second Age. Now all previous 3 parts in one video, this is a great resource for people to become decently familiar with a lot of the events. Well done!!!

[@DataWorf]

Starting tonight, I start reading the Silmarillion for the first time. Haven’t been this excited for a long time.

[@12classics39]

How’s it going? Have you finished? I love that book!!

[@Solcitse]

while im quite familiar with these tales, your voices for Melkor and Gandalf are wonderful and i can listen to you tell these stories all day. thank you!

[@icelacreyo1222]

Holy s.... Thats some Deep Lore that even i (who haven't read the books) can understand, and solve many doubts. Nice video. I would really like to see (as long as it takes) a whole time-lapse. 48 minutes long and i would like it to be even longer

[@johncurtis6815]

This video series about Morgoth, is by far my most favorite of your videos. For some reason, I find him to be significantly more malicious, powerful, dark, brooding than Sauron. Melkor’s character arc/destruction is so much more interesting in the context of Tolkiens world 🌎 to me.

[@jasonwalker9471]

That's because he *is* more malicious, powerful, and dark than Sauron. Sauron only desires to bring order to the world. But he's so OCD and such a micromanager that the only order that is possible is to bind all to his will. He has to control everything, or the world is in chaos. He's narcissistic. Morgoth is more chaotic evil than anything else. Yes he's a narcissist too, but he doesn't just want to put the world in order like Sauron (who was basically born as a minor angel of bookkeeping and took things too far), he wants to destroy everything because he can't stand the idea that anyone who wasn't him created anything. He can't find beauty in the works and deeds of others. Sauron may be evil, but he can still admire what others do, and want to learn from their skills. Morgoth can't.

[@Dahnyule]

Just imagine a proper big screen rendition of the War of Wrath .... it would break the standards of epic spectacles like Endgame, Avatar, Dune, etc. and remain unmatched in all future Hollywood creations until the end of time. I just don't trust anyone currently in show business to bring us that holy grail of movie magic.

[@Monkeyboy2457]

It would be easier to snatch a Silmaril from Morgoth's crown than it would be to get a proper movie from Hollywood.

[@sarthak1990]

@@Monkeyboy2457especially as Prime is pooping on the legacy of Tolkien currently

[@aaronhpa]

It would require a quality greater of LOTR, and that is not in our hands this very moment.

[@orichiorichi2552]

Do it urself instead of complaining

[@concept5631]

Oh please. ​@@orichiorichi2552

[@TheRyan555]

Amazing video! I have always found it difficult to visualise Morgoth and the scenes of some of these great battles but these illustrations helped a lot! Thank you

[@treyowen9213]

God I love watching the big villains go to work.

[@ImperialistFan]

Long Live Nerd of The Rings! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@johanabigasova6770]

Melkor, later known as Morgoth, is best villain I ever read of. Most powerful Vala that can destroy source of light and change the world, because he want to do it.

[@nerdwatch1017]

16:48 man I really hope one day we will get to see on screen this battle between Melkhor Balrogs VS Ungoliante. Especially in IMAX 3D it would be so awesome

[@jfleming2203]

Wow. An outstanding video. The quality of your content has always been high, but this one is something extra special. The entire history of Morgoth in a single watch. Fantastic work. I'd love to see these stories adapted to film one day, even CGI animated movies. That day will probably never come, which is why I'm thankful for this channel and the content you produce. Thank you.

[@dylantorres2496]

Love this style! More compilation / longer form please!

[@AnomolousGrandeur]

Hey, I haven’t been on this channel in about a year and a half. It’s nice to watch your content again thank you.❤

[@nickfoster9350]

This is such a rad video. It feels like actual, true history. Keep up the incredible work.

[@saltedllama2759]

Hurin's story is so dark and tragic, but absolutely brilliant at the same time.

[@johnborheck3022]

This is an amazing video and explanation. I'll have to watch it 20 times to get it all down, cuz it's just so beautifully vast. My favorite author since the 80s for me.

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

Morgoth's shadow is briefly glimpsed in the flashback in the first episode of The Rings of Power. It was the closest we can get for a live action Morgoth.

[@JrClips27]

Agreed. The show was god awful, but seeing that particular image was really awesome.

[@TheSMR1969]

​@@JrClips27what's wrong with the show

[@JrClips27]

@@TheSMR1969 it’s actually really bad how they depicted certain events. How they 3 rings were created, the depiction of Numenoreans and Galadriel. Also, the creation of mithril. I didn’t lounges much of it at all really.

[@lewisdyment5290]

@@JrClips27the production is also terrible, I wish Disney took on the franchise and made marvel like films

[@wesleycanner8001]

Yeah and that just sucked.

[@juniorm.3220]

For some reason I’ve never went down the LOTR lore rabbit hole till today, but I appreciate this page for making it easy 💯.

[@thenardedgamer247]

Babe wake up Nerd of the Rings just posted a compilation of our favorite dark lord!

[@floodkevin4716]

I've watched this ten times. Its so good. I love learning about all of this as I read through Silmarillion. Its just so good, I've finished it once and halfway through again! Thank you!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Thought it would be a good week for a Morgoth compilation with all the SDCC interviews this week! Brand new video coming next week and more interviews coming soon!

[@Melkor8249]

​@@GrappIerhe's got them in the description

[@jimbb1832]

You absolutely killed it with this video. Great writing. Love it.

[@Allenmarshall]

I'm so thankful to all the artists that help bring the stories alive with these fine depictions. 🌌🌠

[@fingolfin_6909]

Your videos are always so solid and in depth. You're an excellent steward of the lore.

[@GRWelsh7]

This summary with your narration over the maps and illustrations was truly first class. You really know how to Nerd it up!

[@hipsterhunter4eva901]

The illustrations of Morgoth with the iron crown are new to me. I always pictured him with more of a circlet with the Silmarils in place than a full blown helmet

[@WhoIsCalli]

Remember watching the original part 3 during your Lego 24hr live stream. Nice to have them together. Thanks Matt

[@ChronoMoogle]

Such a great retelling, awesome work!

[@sadzebrahead4423]

I've been subbed since you were new. I'm so glad to see you're channel has gotten so big. Your videos are so amazing, and I love every single one.

[@Machina_EX_Machina]

Beautiful work as always. Keep it up my man:)

[@TheCsb1996]

How theres not more tv series/films of tolkeins master work is beyond me

[@phillhansen7238]

Tolkien had a real blind spot for names. They all sound so alike that casual fans, such as myself, would never be able to keep them all straight.

[@tjkilleen809]

could be a blind spot, could be intentional thematics

[@paulw4848]

Excellent work telling the history of Morgoth. I also enjoyed the voices you put on for certain characters, it reminds me of storytime in elementary school.

[@scribblescribble]

If you enjoy narrators who use different voices and accents for different characters, I highly recommend any audiobook read by Stephen Fry. He does Harry Potter, Sherlock Holmes, and many more, and also has his own book series retelling Greek mythology--Mythos, Heroes, and Troy.

[@behystudio]

"The History of Morgoth EXTENDED EDITION" Lets GOOOOOOO

[@nailsi-am5324]

Awesome video. The quality of editing art and voiceover were perfect.

[@Yggi11]

Morgoth's curse on Hurin has to be one of the cruellest deeds in all of fantasy.

[@hadesunderworld4203]

It truly is .

[@panner11]

It was definitely the part of the video that stood out to me the most. True horror and tragedy imagining what he went through. And the disturbing fate of his children which was a glimpse of the universe diving into some more mature topics.

[@orusaemekakelechi2051]

I hope they make several animations . Your narration was wonderful

[@Tomm_Bombadil]

We need a huon the hound video, best doggo in all middle earth

[@hardcorepoetic]

100% agree!!!

[@conniesmith5665]

I keep returning to this video, it is the best telling of this story. If I were to make a series or movie this would be the standard I would hold it to. Thank you for your efforts.

[@ryankwon8785]

Melkor changed in the Timeless Void and was banished to the same place that made him evil in the end. Poetic.

[@Vexyl-17]

Just recently discovered your channel maybe 2 days before this post and have been deep diving into the lore here! Love the content.... you're presentations and engaging detailing of events is top notch! Really wish i had found your channel sooner, so much lore i had no idea existed

[@soloistdeve]

Can you make a video about Tolkien's theme behind the whole story? Melkor is alone in music and conflicts. Gandalf inspires togetherness like an agent of Eru himself. Feanor's obsession with things rather than his people's future. Lonely Gollum. 😁

[@gelatinousjoe7979]

There are themes and takeaways throughout Tolkien’s work, but I would be surprised if there was some general takeaway to the whole legendarium.

[@kilsgb]

Fingolfin is seriously the most badass character in all of Tolkien's work.

[@TheCrazyCanuck420]

Peter Jackson turning the Silmarillion into a movie series would be wicked 😊

[@saschiaemma8299]

So this is a summary? 😳 my head is smoking xD it’s astonishing and fascinating but still sooooo much!

[@timelordaxl7]

I have just finished reading The Silmarillion for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it, all the more so by watching your videos making everything so much easier to understand. I can't wait to start Unfinished Tales! Keep up the good work, good sir!

[@shellybadger7727]

Somehow most of this feels like the real history of ancient earth.

[@ethanmlife]

Thank you so much for this, as a newbie to the stories, I'm both enthralled by the lore and kept captivated by the way you're telling it. Thank you and well done.

[@micha-elvanluijtelaar3331]

Absolutely loved this episode! Keep em coming!😍 Funny sidenote that sometimes the artists have it wrong: "and he stumbled and fell back before the feet of Morgoth, and Morgoth set his LEFT foot upon his neck..." - shows picture of right foot 😂 (26:37)

[@TheSilentHeel]

Love it! I actually just watched the three part series for the second time just last month, but had to watch this to give support! This is definitely the definitive way to watch this series now. Thanks for this! Any plans to do more of these?

[@Kornheiser10]

Were all Ainor created at the same time, or we're some created over different ages? I presume the Valar were, but we're the Maiar? If so, wouldn't Gandalf had "known" not only Sauron, but the Balrog, Durin's Bane ? There should be a musical made, like Wicked, about the backstory of the original friendship of Gandalf and Durin's Bane.

[@Patrick-qed]

The writings don't really say. It seems a good inference that the Maiar would have been aware of each other, but the texts don't say so expressly, so it's possible some were strangers. We don't even know how many there are, and many didn't descend into Arda. We don't really know if the Ainur were in separate groups that didn't have any contact at the time of the Ainulindalë. We know that some of them did sing in groups. And we know that the Ainur are not omniscient, and even Mandos doesn't know everything. The Balrogs were corrupted by Melkor before they descended into Arda, making it more likely that Gandalf wouldn't know them personally, but Sauron wasn't seduced by Melkor until he was already in Arda. It's possible that Gandalf (Olórin) would have known Sauron (Mairon) when he was still a Maia of Aulë. The writings say that when the Valar were selecting the Istari (Wizards), Gandalf said he was afraid of Sauron. I'd say that is a bit of evidence that they knew each other personally, but not conclusive.

[@istari0]

@@Patrick-qed The Ainulindalë speaks of the Ainur being created first so they weren't created over the Ages. We don't know how many Ainur there were or how many went to Arda. Whether they all knew each other or not is never said but existence in the Timeless Halls of Eru Ilúvatar would have been very different from anything found in Arda.

[@StandardGoose]

We know that some of the Valar knew each other before coming down to Arda. Varda knew Melkor before the creation of Arda; he hated her most of all the Valar because she rejected him. So it seems likely that many of the Ainur knew of each other and had at least some of their memories of existing before Arda. But there were countless numbers of them, so there's no reason to assume Gandalf knew about Sauron specifically.

[@marcusbrutus606]

This was absolutely excellent. Thank you very much for this.

[@myriadmediamusings]

Sauron or Morgoth is like the LOTR mirror equivalent of Kirk or Picard. Everyone's gonna have their preferences on who is the better lord of darkness.

[@JrClips27]

Eh, I disagree. When you look at the things both dark lords have done, it’s really incomparable. Simply put, there’s evil in the world because of Melkor, and it will remain as such until the world is broken and remade. That’s his very influence.

[@royalhero4608]

Sauron is a footnote compared to Morgoth. If his master were to return from the void, he'd bend the knee straight away

[@Chazebrimbor]

My favourite NOTR video of the past year+!

[@primal1233]

Morgoth lore is one of my favorite things about The World of The Lord of the Rings

[@chelsegorn]

I’ve been binge watching your videos, they are so well done. I really love the voices you do, top notch! Thanks for taking the time to make these videos, no small feat.

[@BryantPP]

I may have asked before, maybe it's common knowledge, but did you learn all of this Tolkien strictly on your own through the books or did you study at University? It seems you have your doctoral degree. It's very admirable. I'm just as passionate about fashion history. I have tons of information nobody ever really needs, or cares about, but it makes me feel good.

[@DankMoonBlade]

Your voice is perfect for narration, I've found a bunch of good channels, but their voices are grating to me or going off script, so thank you.

[@ainetmonroe]

Dude, you and your channel are amazing. I love the lore but not the biggest reader. I am eternally grateful for your videos

[@awgates85]

I know Mandos keeps his secrets, but it is implied that Morgoth found the elves first, possibly killing some as well to instill fear, so would that mean elf spirits just started to randomly appear in the Halls of Mandos? And if orcs are corrupted elves, or at least mostly descended from them, do they get their redemption under the guidance of Mandos when they die too?

[@versacehippy131]

Oh my god thank you for combining the videos about morgoth. Goodness these are my favorite

[@NorrisCFuhReal]

Peter Jackson needs to make “The Silmarillion Trilogy” already. We need this especially after that Rings Of Power travesty.

[@theblackflame4002]

Thing is anything made today would be just about as bad with all the forced identity politics. maybe this strike...and people's apathy to it, might make them see how disgusted they've made people in the last few years

[@jaimy_games]

After he made the Lotr, yes definitely. After he made the Hobbit, I hope he never gets his hands on The Silmarillion. That was truly a horrible greedy abuse of a good story. let's pray to Ilúvatar that The Silmarillion remains untainted and pure.

[@royalhero4608]

The irony of the Rings of Power series is that it is Morgoth's philosophy come true - he cannot create, only corrupt. As with the R.O.P., it's not a new beautiful creation but merely a corruption of Tolkien's works for the purpose of moneymaking

[@NorrisCFuhReal]

@@theblackflame4002 I agree

[@NorrisCFuhReal]

@@jaimy_games Yeah the original trilogy was magic. The Hobbit not so much 😂😅

[@EricHorchuck]

26:39 The narrator says "Morgoth set his left foot upon his neck", as the picture shows his right foot upon his neck.😅. Seriously though, amazing video! (FYI: The edit was needed the correct the timestamp.)

[@olegkerbikov36]

A few moments were omitted for instance when Tulkas tried to pursue morgorh and ungoluant he got stuck in darkness

[@shawshank_1317]

Really? As a non book reader can you elaborate more on what happen then?

[@niccologregorutti]

​@@shawshank_1317I know this is late but still... After the destruction of the Great Trees of Valinor, Tulkas immediately tries to pursue and capture Melkor and Ungoliant. However Ungoliant, now made extremely powerful after drinking the light of Valinor, started to belch thick,dark and poisonous fumes to hide their escape. What is peculiar is that Ungoliant's fumes are not just very dark,they could be called "unlight",they are impenetrable and you are essentially blind while looking through them

[@feverkane]

Vid. Felt 10 mins long. Brilliantly done.

[@pirojfmifhghek566]

The thing I find most fascinating about this story is the fact that he *found* Ungoliant. She was not some twisted creation of his. Or was she? It's described that she was born out of the 'darkness' that had spread throughout Arda. Does that mean that she's actually a true creation of his in some indirect way? But it's also described that she was a being from "before the world." Was she a twisted maiar? Was she a primordial being of the void? What is the true nature of this void? Is it something that existed before Eru? Did Eru or some other valar create it? Man, this raises so many questions.

[@myriadmediamusings]

A theory discussed in another video that Matt summarized from elsewhere is that during the Ainulindale (Song of the Ainur) some unintentional run-off came into being while Eru, Melkor and the rest of the Ainur were creating music. Ungoliant, the watcher in the water, and even Tom Bombadil may have been this byproduct.

[@natestanavech4948]

@@myriadmediamusings I was just thinking this as well she is a product of Melkorss discourse in the initial songs and also one of the things the ainur and maia were frightened of and stopped their singing and showed why when she wounds morgoth and thats why she is not a servant of his but he finds her, neat others came to similar conclusions

[@Patrick-qed]

@@myriadmediamusings And the "Nameless Things" that Gandalf mentions: "Far, far below the deepest delving of the Dwarves, the world is gnawed by nameless things. Even Sauron knows them not. They are older than he." I interpret the older-than-Sauron part as meaning they existed before Sauron descended in Arda with others of the Ainur.

[@Your-Least-Favorite-Stranger]

Dissonant notes from the music of creation birthed unspeakable unnamed things, Ungoliant being one of them.

[@istari0]

I don't remember exactly where this is but Tolkien did write that Ungoliant was one of the first beings Melkor corrupted to his side. She later left his service until Melkor found her lair in Aman and recruited her to join his attack on The Two Trees. I believe she most likely another one of the Ainur.

[@fangorn9826]

I'm rewatching this just for the way you read the dialogues out loud. It's just so atmospheric.

[@toddkurzbard]

There is one thing that always confuses me about Melkor: he, as well as all the Valar and Maier, were created by Eru Illuvitar at the very beginning, just before he commanded them to sing. Melkor was ALREADY corrupted at this point, yet, it is explained elsewhere that he was originally another loyal Valar, but went into the void where he began to have ideas of his own that differed from Eru Illuvater, which caused his corruption. Yet, if he was created already corrupted (just before The Music), how could he have existed BEFORE his creation by Eru to wander around the void?

[@istari0]

Tolkien wrote that even Melkor was not evil in the beginning.

[@christopherwall2121]

"I think it had something to do with free will." -- Eru, probably.

[@Bismo]

Now this is a DARK one. Thanks for the video!

[@mattb7069]

If this was made into a string of movies (though untouched by Amazon Prime pseudo writers) it would be fantastic.

[@EV50400]

Exceptionally well done. Big thumbs up from me.

[@Comando729]

Fingolfin: tell me do you bleed? You will!

[@emperorfloch]

Wow what an amazing video I learned so much and enjoyed it even more! 🙌🏼😁

[@OzrenkoSudar]

melkor is so overpowered

[@michaelkelleypoetry]

And yet, he keeps losing to the other Valar and peoples of Middle Earth. In the Dagor Dagorath, it's a Man, Turin Turambar, who deals Morgoth the final death blow.

[@OzrenkoSudar]

@@michaelkelleypoetry are you sure it was morgoth? I think you are talking about the worm Glaurung

[@myriadmediamusings]

​@@OzrenkoSudarYeah Turin does kill Glaurung but it is indeed part of the Dagorath that Turin will be the one to kill Morgoth once and fall.

[@OzrenkoSudar]

@@myriadmediamusings oh yes, but that is in the end that tolkien never finished, you were right

[@7yep4336dfgvvh]

​@@michaelkelleypoetrykeeps losing? Yes, he loses eventually. But he lost like twice and he got his way most of the time

[@iljagaimovic9166]

Other Valars while Melkor doing what he is doing... "Imma... I am not getting paid enought for that!" Specialy Tulkas who main existence to do that kind of job (I don't think he was doing anything else) 😂