Fëanor - Maker of Silmarils | Was he a hero? An anti-hero? Or a straight up villain?

Tolkien's most complex elf! He created the Silmarils, he led his people to Middle-earth, and he did unspeakably evil things in the process...
Learn more about the life of Fëanor in this Silmarillion Explained playlist:
1) Fëanor & the Silmarils - • The Crafting of the Si...
2) The Unrest of the Noldor - • The Unrest of the Nold...
3) Ungoliant - • Ungoliant | Of Fëanor ...
4) The Oath of Fëanor - • The Oath | Of Fëanor a...
5) The First Kinslaying - • Kinslaying & The Doom ...
6) The Fall of Fëanor - • The Battle Beneath the...
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[@calebowen2006]

Whether good or bad you gotta respect this dude chased the most powerful being across the world to fight him

[@collinhawkins4857]

And was swiftly killed

[@calebowen2006]

@@collinhawkins4857 okay but he still put more effort in than I ever would

[@collinhawkins4857]

@@calebowen2006 I mean if by effort you mean destroying family, dooming your children, and killing other elves, yeah. Tons of effort.

[@BK5250]

@@collinhawkins4857 by a host of balrogs

[@collinhawkins4857]

@@BK5250 true, but in retrospect maybe charging off with only part of your own host, and burning boats after kinslaying is foolish--not something to celebrate.

[@skatemetrix]

Feanor had Arda's biggest ego save for Melkor. But Feanor, despite the bloody, genocidal and insane path he took, did something extraordinary: the Children of Illuvatar were going to fight the Dark Lord when before it was the Valar who always fought on their behalf or fought Melkor to prepare Arda for the coming of the Children. Feanor took a stand, for all the wrong reasons, which scuppered Morgoth's plans for at least four centuries and half. Without the arrival of the Noldor then Beleriand would have soon fallen and then Morgoth's legions would swept across Middle Earth and enslaved all Men and Elves- and ultimately corrupted and twisted all Men, perhaps making them as irredeemable as the Orcs. What Feanor did started a growing trend where Elves and Men would directly fight the Dark Lords and their armies often with little assistance from the Ainur and seemingly only one direct intervention (War of Wrath). It reached a point where Men grew so mighty that the Kingdom of Numenor could march upon the second Dark Lord, Sauron, and he knew he could not defeat them militarily. And during Sauron's first defeat the Ainur neither intervened nor assisted the Children of Illuvatar, an alliance of Elves and Men defeated Sauron's armies and destroyed Sauron's body and separated him from his ring- which would take him thousands of years to only partially recover his power. And it was Sauron's second and final defeat, again without any intervention of the Ainur (save for the assistance of Gandalf), which ended the menace of the Dark Lords and ensured that Men would take full dominion of Middle Earth. Without Feanor I think the Elves would not have taken greater responsibility and would have dependent still on the Ainur, and Men would be either enslaved by Morgoth or underdeveloped having shown no evidence of independently fighting the Dark Lords. Feanor produced beautiful objects and inventions- the first theme of Illuvatar. Feanor committed terrible deeds- the second theme of Illuvatar. But Feanor's evil eventually yielded a greater good, and so Feanor was Illuvatar's instrument all along- the third theme of Illuvatar.

[@billlosapio7571]

Bravo! One of the best comments ever.

[@BK5250]

I agree whole heartedly, with out Feanor, the elves would have stayed in Valinor, and would have never brought there knowledge, wisdom, and craftsmanship to middle earth.

[@aesir1ases64]

Thank you, my take is the same! Feanor was but an instrument of Eru Illuvatar to defeat Morgoth, I will even say Feanor is kind like of a "chosen one" that was build from the begin to fullfill a task. It has its parallels to one of my other fav fiction character Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, where they have immense natural power and greatness, but due their lack of humility, patience and the horrible influences and misfortunes they had, it led them to a destruction path and eventually their downfall, though all those dark deeds they made eventually led to the greater good.

[@st.michaelsknight6299]

The Ainur, and Eru actually intervene alot. It was eru that gave gandalf the urge to to talk to thorin on the road it was eru again that degined that bilbo would join thorins company it was in turn eru's intention that bilbo would find the ring for two reasons. He would spare gollum, and He would give up the ring willingly. Therefore inturn, it was eru's intervention frodo get the ring. Eru's intervention is all throughout the story

[@zoetropo1]

Eru placed his Flame Imperishable in Feanor to enable him to create marvels beyond the imagination of the Ainur. Morgoth lusted after the Silmarils because Feanor imbued them with that transcendent creative power which Morgoth had sought since his own beginning outside of time. A light that consumes not, but does not dim.

[@callingcthulhu407]

The funniest thing about Feanor to me, is that he's a guy that's built up to be this towering figure of history, a real big-shot that would no doubt change the history of Arda forever... And then he just dies almost as soon as he gets off the boat to Middle-Earth, not a bit closer to actually getting his revenge. As a result, his entire people end up suffering from an Oath made to a guy who died immediately after he swore it and never had to actually deal with it.

[@gearzofwar123]

This right here lol. He’s a blowhard, not even close to being the greatest he was portrayed as. His brother Fingolfin was 5 times the elf lord he was

[@saelind73]

I always say that to people when they bring me Ned Stark as the first example to be killed early in the story. I remember the first time I read the Sil. I was loving Feanor, he's still one of my favorites. When they departed from Valinor I was pumped. I couldn't wait for them to arrive in Middle-earth. When he was killed upon arrival, I was; What the hell just happened?! 🙄😒😢lol

[@jadonsmith3224]

But you gotta admit: his final moments were spectacular. If he had just waited for his reinforcements to catch up, Fëanor probably would have lived and perhaps even taken down a balrog or two.

[@nseven1117]

@@jadonsmith3224 not as spectacular as fingolfin. feanor only made an oath to fight morgoth and take back his silmarils, fingolfin actually fought and crippled the dark lord

[@_Feanor_.]

He did die almost immediately but he did change the history of Arda forever. Had he not done what he did, Middle Earth wouldn't be what it became. No Gondolin, no Nagothrond, Doriath might fall way sooner depending how long it would have taken the Valar to take action. No children of Hurin, no story of Turin, no Numenor, possibly no Beren and Luthien, no Palantir in Middle Earth, no Galadriel in Lothlorien. It pretty much all changes with with decision.

[@ericjohnson9623]

Galadriel giving Gimli the hair says everything about what Tolkien considers "worthy." Feanor is a genius, a great warrior, her own kin, someone whose influence on the world lasts almost 10,000 years, and none of that means shit compared to a "lowly" dwarf who humbly asks.

[@Orovingwen]

also the three strains. Gimly only ask for ONE and she gave him THREE. Probably for the three times she refused Feanor. I liek to think in her mind she goes "take THAT uncle!" :D

[@ismata3274]

Well, when picturing feanor asking for hair strands, all I can picture is: "nephew, I require your hair"... In BBC Sherlock's demeanor... In fact, it would be epic if he played him. Yes, iron man's actor is a very good Sherlock adaptation too but his Sherlock is not arrogant enough for feanor. Not that the actor can't.

[@grassblock7668]

@@ismata3274 Lmfao- in my mind he approached her a bit differenty, something like : "Howdy my beutiful niece, *makes a highly poetic compliment* may I recieve from thou a string of thy golden hair?" "No" "But I-" "No" "Why won't you let me finish I'm trying to-" "Bro I said no, leave me tf alone" "Ugh, fine! Just know thou don't understandeth my genius and might and skill and *keeps praising himself till Galadriel completely leaves his range of sight* "

[@ismata3274]

@@grassblock7668 😳😳😳🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Makkaru112]

That and Gimli is of the line of Durin the deathless so... ❤

[@Themaxxrad99]

I am super bias, I love Fëanor, his story is that of tragedy. To say he did nothing wrong is madness for sure, but through him and his sons he really is a linchpin to the world of Arda. He is wonderfully crafty, loving, like his birth right (Spirit of Fire) a flame of passion would be the best way to describe him for me, an is one of the best cautionary tales of how to not be blinded by your own lust or desires.

[@shrutheeshraman1213]

I believe his decision to refuse to hand over to the valar goes to the complicated section for a better reason. Melkor spends years whispering to Feanor that the valar would take his silmarils from him, making him more paranoid about them. And when they outright ask him to hand them over, Feanor believes Melkor's words. So, his decision to refuse is definitely not all on him

[@grassblock7668]

He was so paranoid and felt so attacked that he probably ignored that if he hand them over it would have been for the greater good. He was probably also blinded by rage and arrogance in the heat of the moment and could not think "wait, they don't want them because they're gelous or greedy, they want them because they're trying to save the world from permanent darkness!" Also we have that whole theory made by him in person that substains that if someone breaks open a Silmaril a piece of Fëanor's soul would be broken too and he would have straight up died, which yk kinda understandable of him to not give them, just not wanting to die, but we don't know if that's true either. After all of this a random herald comes in and goes "Ehem, so your dad's dead and your gems are all gone". Yeah my man's mental health went DOWN in those moments lol.

[@greenknightable]

@@grassblock7668 but elves don't die. They go to the house of Mandos, never perishing when they grow weary of the world.

[@Shaner9er]

I concur so I think this video is just allowing the valar to seem so pure and not taking into account that he has been being manipulated for a long time.

[@user-xu6ox2rq4p]

@@grassblock7668 It isn't like that. He would die because he was an artist above all. And it is stated in Silmarillion that some works only come once in a lifetime. That is why Yavanna cannot just recreate the trees. The trees were her masterpiece. Silmarillion was Faenor's masterpiece. And it would be too much for an artist to destroy his masterpiece. He would lose his will to live and he would die because he does not want to live. Not because of something more complicated.

[@grassblock7668]

@@user-xu6ox2rq4p That actually makes a lot of sense, and seeing Tolkien (and myself) was an artist I get why he'd go with this idea, very cool. Thx for the insight!

[@girliealmighty]

And he’s back with a bang! I just adore Feanor for all his complications, controversies, and nuances that Tolkien gave him!

[@seanhartel5362]

Adoring a murderer and sociopath is a bit of a stretch, but hey, to each their own.

[@girliealmighty]

@@seanhartel5362 good thing he’s fictional

[@seanhartel5362]

@@girliealmighty a very well fleshed out, morally complex character. Ultimately you see where that road leads. That is what is fascinating about Feanor. All his ambition and genius can’t save himself from his lustful vengeance.

[@BillyTheBigKid82]

@@seanhartel5362 Yeah I was thinking the same thing. I hate characters like Feanor with a passion, be they real or imaginary. The guy is a complete asshat and one of the reasons I dislike fantasy elves in general.

[@Gorlim_the_Unhappy]

Fëanor is an expression of eru illuvitar, just as melkor, bestowed with the greatest gifts and doomed to bring destruction to Arda... Or so it seems. Without his silmaril upon the brow of Eärendil, hope would have failed, Ancalagon would reign uncontested, and the second age never would have come to pass. "And thou, Melkor, wilt discover all the secret thoughts of thy mind, and wilt perceive that they are but a part of the whole and tributary to its glory." Fëanor is a necessary part of the story, he's clearly not a good guy, but without his craft, oath aside, Morgoth would surely have gained his desire for dominion over middle-earth

[@tolkienuntangled]

"Shall prove but mine instrument", is another hugely significant line of Iluvatar's that seems to resonate with Feanor. In the end, he still did what he had to do to fulfil Iluvatar's plan. Just like Sauron and Melkor did.

[@Grimlock1979]

Feanor taking on several Balrogs in battle was from an earlier period of Tolkien's writing. He imagined them too be far weaker and more numerous at the beginning and they regularly died in battle. He changed his mind later on and they became a lot more powerful and he said there shouldn't have been more than 7.

[@christiancividino455]

Still impressive he could survive for a while against that many 3-7 when Ungoliant couldn’t withstand them and had to flee. Also, let’s not forget Fingon couldn’t fight even two on one.

[@gearzofwar123]

@@christiancividino455 I’m pretty sure more than 7 went to rescue Morgoth from Ungoliant, considering Ungoliant literally battered Morgoth easily and Morgoth is way stronger than multiple Balrogs. Which makes Fingolfin fighting and wounding Morgoth 7 times far more impressive than Feanor being killed by Gothmog and a few others. No matter what, Feanor still is the weakest out of everyone in the discussion lol. It’s not stated that he killed any Balrogs either, just held against them.

[@grassblock7668]

@@gearzofwar123 Well then, I guess we could say: Fingolfin for the wingolfin.

[@zoetropo1]

There were only 7 balrogs later, because Feanor had killed the hundreds.

[@zoetropo1]

@@gearzofwar123 Who says there were only a few? The (at least 7) surviving Balrogs ran for their lives when Feanor's sons caught up with them, so that's a measure of comparative strength.

[@CarlPottsprofile]

I think Feanor is a warning of the dangers of Hubris, as is Melkor

[@CarlPottsprofile]

as is Lucifer (which would undoubtedly have influenced Tolkiens Catholicism)

[@kevinmartinez3500]

Another thing about burning the ships is how important they were. He massacred his fellow kin for these ships and then turns around and burns them, on top of that the ships were a cultural aspect of the telleri and they were as important to the telleri as the silmarillions are to feanor and he without hesitation destroys them. Just seems exceptionally cruel and prideful

[@alpfeanor6431]

teleri is such a garbage. Even at the war of wrath, they didn't give their ships. Feanor did the right thing there.

[@grassblock7668]

@@alpfeanor6431 Bro-?!The poor Teleri were minding their business up to that moment,they never ever bugged anyone and just fished and built boats and lived the chillest of lives. In what for them was the most random of days the light goes out (literally,cuz yk the Trees get killed and alll that mess) and they see an angry ass dude probably walking on water towards Middle Earth, while cursing everything and everyone that ever existed and will exist. Understandably they're pretty scared already, then this decked out, angry ass group of Noldor comes to them and asks them to give away the ships they've worked so hard for because "wE sWoRe We WoUlD kIlL aNyOnE tHaT sTanDs BeTwEen Us aNd sHinY rOcKs". To the Teleri, Feanor (I can't do the proper e letter thing, i'll write it wrong every time lol, i apologize) was nothing but a suicidal, egocentric, arrogant, careless and essentialy fucking delusional dude who came there with his whole ass army to "friendly" ask for their ships.The Teleri just didn't want to get in trouble with Melkor (aka the most powerful dude in the deadass universe) who had left them alone so far, nor did they want to get in trouble with the Valar (aka the other most powerful beings in the deadass universe, that also happen to have saved their asses ages prior from that same other guy they were trying not to anger) who were understandably upset by the whole situation. After the Teleri decline the offer Feanor orders his men to take out swords and kill everything that breathes essentially. And it's not even to say it was a fair battle, it was a literal massacre endured by the Teleri from Feanor's hands. Tolkien tells us how the Teleri weren't used to fight so they were armed with crappy bows, while the Noldor had: 1. Feanor himself, basically the greatest Elf ever to exist in terms of skill and iq and beauty and literally everything that doesn't include ethics. 2. The greatest craftsmen and swordsmen and fighters and weapons. I want to clarify I do not wanna hate on Feanor cuz I do like him a lot as well, the point is we can't pretend he was a saint. We are allowed to like complicated anti-heros and even reckless villains (examples that stay in the context are Melkor and Sauron, they are literal demons yet they're both fan favorites) because guess what? It's fiction! None of it is real, heck I don't care if you like a character who's a serial killer as long as it's a character and it is all fiction, i draw the line at people saying fucking Ted Bundy was missunderstood or smth, that's different cuz that's real and he killed real people. We don't have to justify ourselves liking morally gray/straight up wicked characters by glorifing/justifying their actions. We can all like Feanor but we all should be aware that he is no hero and he did bad things.

[@krozas5187]

@@grassblock7668 Yes, the poor Teleri, that would not even help the Noldor to build their own boats to reach Middle-earth, and thus denying the indirect help to their brothers that were in ME with Morgoth just because they were afraid of defying the Valar. Was it a massacre tho? The book said that the battle was evenly matched until Fingon arrived and joined. As you said Feanor is anything but a saint, but in fact, nobody in the Silmarillion is a saint, except Finarfin.

[@shannonmcglumphy5967]

@@krozas5187 He killed people for sparklies. Yes, they were 'special' sparklies, but to value them over actual living people is sheer contempt for any claims about holiness from the light of the trees or the hallowing of Varda. Otherwise they're just really pretty sparklies. Why are you invested in trying to justify that kind of behavior? Do you work for DeBeers or something?

[@jacobchurchwardtruered116]

@@krozas5187 the Teleri had no responsibility to help the Noldor and its not like it's for the greater good either. The Teleri took the Swiss route and tried to stay out of it but got attacked anyways. Feanor did not respect the Teleri at all. No one knew anything about Middle-earth at the time, for all they know the Sindair are all dead. I'm sure it they knew they would have did something but they didn't. And yes, evenly matched until Fingon showed up and tipped the scales and them resulted in a massacre.

[@cgrimes34]

Feanor is definitely a morally gray character. Probably one of the few true gray characters, including Sméagol. Oddly enough, my favorite part of his story is his end. The fact that Morgoth felt the need to dispatch Balrogs to take out Feanor speaks to how powerful an Elf he was.

[@zoetropo1]

It cost Morgoth hundreds of Balrogs, leaving only seven. Had Feanor not raced ahead to prevent them escaping to Angband, the War of Wrath would have failed, even if it had happened, which it wouldn't without the Elves and Men surviving until Earendil. Also, Tolkien had to kill off Feanor, then keep him in Mandos. Had Feanor been released in the Second or Third Age, Sauron would have been mincemeat and the story would have ended early.

[@rollingslothmachine3431]

A grey character is not one that does good or at least great things as well as evil stuff, like Feanor did. Feanor is evil, selfish and cruel. Nothing he did even remotely redeemed his worst actions. He is important for the history Arda as a whole, but not because he made it a better place willingly. That would be like to say Hitler was not that bad because through his rash decisions the Nazis were defeated way sooner. A morally grey character does some questionable things that may have worse repercussions then anticipated, or they do something pretty bad but chose to do so to save some or many . However, they don't mass murder their own kin or leave them to die in a frozen wasteland without any benefit to even their own goals.

[@jacobwalsh1888]

You have utterly failed to understand Fëanor. He is not evil. He is, however, passionate to the point of madness. The kinslaying at alqualonde was not a cold act of pure evil. He did ask for the ships first. There was an argument, and then devolved into a fight. Yes, Fëanor is an exemplar of prideful passion and it's dangers, however had he and his silmarils been left alone, he wouldn't have bothered anyone. Calling him pure evil reveals a total lack of grasp of the subject matter.

[@user-xu6ox2rq4p]

@@jacobwalsh1888 People really underestimate the power of Melkor at the height of his power. Faenor was the focus of Melkor's will. Which corrupted him somewhat and magnified his bad qualities. Even after Morgoth was banished, his will in the world was responsible for men falling to evil. When he tempts you it isn't the same as a human tempting you. His will changes reality and you really need to fight it.

[@starkilr101]

Welcome back. I’m not the biggest fan of Feanor beyond a couple things, but him keeping the Silmarils remind me of Christopher Tolkien making sure his father’s work is kept intact. Only a little though. And shoutout to Christopher for probably being the best son of the last century

[@keithbass1094]

This was well worth the wait! Feanor was so complicated it was always a love him hate him relationship. The “He’s complicated” helped put some perspective on his character. Can’t wait for Fingolfin next week!

[@rotwang2000]

Feanor has two modes, off and ON !!!! His on-mode is superlative, I don't think there are more "on" characters in the whole of Tolkien's works. He's the Elf that under any other circumstances would have achieved nothing but great things, but he's so intense about doing even simple things that every setback is a huge down to him, again more so than anyone else. He's the victim of his own passion, he puts his soul into his work and then Morgoth. If Morgoth had kicked Feanor's sand castle he would have brained Morgoth on the spot with a plastic beach bucket and rammed his plastic shovel into his throat. If you cross Feanor he goes the full 1000% because Feanor is in some ways a force of nature. Feanor being the most intense elf ever, his reaction is so intense it ends up causing the unthinkable. Feanor can't go half speed or crank down, it's not in his nature and because he can't and above all will not, he's punished for it. And the results are disastrous and Feanor's intensity continues to drive elves long after he died. To call him a villain is silly, though he ends up causing much harm. He's a deeply tragic figure who is victim to the evils of Morgoth. I certainly don't see him as a hero or even an anti-hero. He's the scorned guy who ends up making things worse because there is no "Hold on for a minute" setting in Feanor, it's either nothing or everything. That's why when he's angry he takes it out on all those that he suspects of the even the remotest slight and sees it as deadly betrayal. The one really fatal flaw is that Feanor simply does not have a reverse speed, it's full speed forward or nothing.

[@valentinomiller6251]

By your logic, then "we are what we were created to be" should apply to all of us, right? "Having no restraint" should apply to all. "The inability to control oneself" should apply to all. While I'm not in the "Feanor is a bad dude" club, I certainly understand those who are. We could apply your logic to real-wolrd figures who are thought "bad guys" by coddling them as "tragic", and maybe that would be true for some, but where would be the accountability?

[@rotwang2000]

@@valentinomiller6251 Feanor is similar to characters like Denethor. They are all great and noble figures, wise and keen, but they end up blindsiding themselves. Denethor uses the Palantir in an attempt to see something that might help him in the fight with Sauron, but his perception becomes warped. They both have a clear intention, but they lead to tragedy, not the "boohoo, I'm sad" stuff, but horrible things happening tragedy. Tolkien really tries to show us that even the mightiest and wisest cannot see all ends and can make mistakes, and the mightier they are the more consequences their actions have. Feanor is not an alien mind or mystery, he is a driven elf who acts like a bull in a china shop and his deeds cause horrible things to happen. Is he evil, in the moustache twirling sense ? No, I don't think he ever has true evil intent, but his actions do cause gruesome deaths and great sorrow, many centuries after he gets himself killed. Hence a tragic figure in every classic sense of the word or to put it more succinctly, Feanor often acted like a complete dick.

[@annafdd]

I like your characterization of Fëanor not having a “pause and think” setting.

[@CaveMan72]

I'm so glad you're back, I've been patiently awaiting your return. I follow several Tolkien channels but you are my favorite. If you were to do an audio book, I'd pay for that. Keep up your passion in life, let it burn and shine like the star of Earendil

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks so much! I'm really glad you enjoy the channel.

[@theelevatedone2536]

I remember when I first read the Silmarillion, Feanor became such an instant favorite of mine that when he started doing all those bad things I blamed Tolkien for writing him that way. 😅😭 He was such a like able character at first that later on, I was like, “What did you to my boi????”

[@valentinomiller6251]

REal question: what has Feanor done to be so "likeable"?

[@theelevatedone2536]

@@valentinomiller6251 Well, he created the famous Feanorian Tengwar, the lamps, the Palantiri, and the Silmarils. Overall, he was a very skilled and talented craftsman, but was written to be arrogant and hot-headed. :(

[@valentinomiller6251]

@@theelevatedone2536 you've listed his achievements, but again, what has he done to be likeable? One can craft and create, but having done those deeds doesn't, as a result, make one likeable. Throughout Feanor's story, there really isn't any listed acts of kindness or heroism that makes him likeable. He's haughty, ill-tempered and irrational -- generally very UNlikeable qualities?

[@shawnnorton2218]

@@valentinomiller6251 I kind of like him already! 😂😂 I admit I don’t read a lot, so trying to re read the Lord of the Rings, eventually I’ll get to the simils~ so don’t get too hot and heavy about the comment, but he sounds interesting and I like that!

[@valentinomiller6251]

@@shawnnorton2218 No doubt he's interesting, but so are Melkor and Sauron and Glaurung lol. Almost EVERY character, except Hobbits, is interesting in Tolkien's world.

[@bienenfluegel]

After repeatedly getting shown the new trailer for rings of power as advertisement and making my blood curdle, it’s such a joy to watch something actually appreciating Tolkiens work!

[@BillyTheBigKid82]

That piece of crap show will be a huge shitshow for sure. I kinda knew this before the trailers, I knew they will destroy the show with piss poor casting and unforgivable changes.

[@lukeblundell5610]

Fëanor is just a 'real' pinnacle / operating at the extremes character. Most of his notable works resulted in a scarred world... But some were invaluable and improved the world in ways no other character did. As an Elf he knew who he was, a fire in Arda; skilled, focused, disciplined and principled. ... And just as fire cooks food and brings light, it can be uncontrollable and destructive too.

[@FrodoACM]

Great video! Though, I would like to notice that you saying that Feanor was just "sad" after Finwe's death is a big understatement, it is said that “His father was dearer to him than the Light of Valinor or the peerless works of his own hands: and who among sons, of Elves or Men, have held their fathers of greater worth?”, so I assume his wrath for his father's death was even more of a driving force than the theft of his works. Anyway, thanks for the great video and I am looking forward to your video on Fingolfin!

[@mypeeps1965]

Boy, you have come back strong! I think Eru punished Feanor for his arrogance, lack of humility/empathy for anyone. Feanor had to lose everything before he could understand what he had. I believe he repents and helps in the last battle before all things are remade. I find it interesting that both Turin and Feanor are said to have major roles for the side of good in the Dagor Dagorath. Welcome back Dave!

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks! Very good point about Feanor and Turin coming back for the Dagor Dagorath.

[@Makkaru112]

@@tolkienuntangled and i recall there was a special someone or two buried below aman under the sands of this what I call a beach gif lack of better term at the moment and they were kept pristine. And they too rose up and joined the battle. This was mentioned a bit even way before Dagor Dagorath too and Galadriel’s hair is what is used to revive the two trees as it’s described in the book this mountain breaks which basically gives the light of these trees to go on full blast!! Before the battle started or partway through. Amazingness! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Harpyr1031]

Glad to see you back. I’ve been looking forward to new content. I also had a hunch it was Fëanor. He is definitely one complicated character.

[@chrisschmalhofer4348]

We don’t speak of David of Many Colors…

[@eugenemonti5755]

To summarise the Sillmarion Everyone in Eä: Fëanor NO Fëanor: Fëanor YES Then everybody suffers

[@valentinomiller6251]

Precisely, which is why I don't understand why some think him a hero. Surely, he's the ultimate of all attributes, it seems, but that doesn't make one a hero.

[@annafdd]

@@valentinomiller6251 oh, he’s not a hero. Fingon is a hero. Still a murderer, though.

[@christiancividino455]

He still stirred the hearts of the Noldor so yeah they did say yes initially. Even Galadriel’s heart was stirred to leave.

[@matthewclark7955]

😂 100%

[@MrVictor1227]

@@valentinomiller6251 He is cool. Who cares if he is not a hero

[@hodgrix]

"It may be that I can unlock my jewels, but ... if I must break them, I shall break my heart" lmfao I love the way you said that. Feanor is a drama queen lol. So nice to have you back Dave!! Your vids are so fun!! Can't wait for Fingolfin and the rest of your Silmarillion vids! They really help me read through it and understand nuances of the text.

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks! I'm really glad you enjoy the videos.

[@zoetropo1]

Aule understands better than mortal man can.

[@keyboarddancers7751]

4:56 I think it should be made clear that the Quenya lingusitic symbol *'Þ'* is not a P and is represented or voiced in 'English' as an S or TH. I still can't understand why the producers of the forthcoming Tolkien series on Amazon didn't think to consult with and indeed directly employ ANY of the numerous excellent KZbin Tolkien Loregivers such as *Tolkien Untangled* - truly a missed opportunity.

[@maxxor-overworldhero6730]

Well, they had Shippey, and they kicked him to the curb because he kept challenging their mangling of the lore. Amazon - or as I like to call them nowadays Annatar - only wants shills and people who fall into line with their plans.

[@TrangDB9]

They fired Shippy instead

[@mootynedge]

So happy you're back, currently making my way through all your playlists again. Happy we've got some new content.

[@lordofthehouseofstormcrows8615]

Well met RD! I've missed ya my guy. Feanor was the ultimate anti-hero. Gothmog got him, but then ECTHELION smashed Gothmog. Keep up the greaT work! Also, it speaks volumes that he wanted some of Galadriels hair and she said no, but then gave Gimli 3 strands...that tells me everything about this elf.

[@TheCounterCulture2023]

So glad you're back Dave, by far my favourite Tolkien KZbinr!

[@christiancividino455]

I never understood the reasoning of the changing power level of Balrogs being a big deal because either way Fëanor fought in a battle beyond winning. Either he fought a thousand weak ones or 3-7 Maia Balrogs. It’s not like Tolkien would have went back and said Fëanor didn’t fight any Balrogs. It’s a great scene because it puts a hard limit on the Noldor advancement and attempted victory over Morgoth. Seeing their greatest though flawed die must have given the Noldor pause. And we see this happen because the Noldor focus on realm building and containing Morgoth rather than another direct assault. There’s a reason Balrogs are called an elf bane.

[@LeRoiDuFresne]

Elf bane

[@aesir1ases64]

The biggest proof of Balrog's power level is that Morgoth calls upon them to rescue him from Ungoliant. Feanor fighting multiple Balrogs at the same time is the same feat that Fingolfin had of fighting the weakened Dark Lord alone.

[@jameswhite8840]

So happy you’re back with more videos!

[@alanmike6883]

Will you ever do one on the differences between the relationship of faramir, Boromor and denathor one day and the complex family dynamic?

[@tolkienuntangled]

Good idea. Maybe in the future.

[@joemck74]

I always thought that Galadriel giving Gimli her hair was frakkin hilarious, since arguably if she had given it to Feanor when he asked then he might not have made the Silmarils, and without the Silmarils much of the history of arda just wouldn't have happened or would at least been very different.

[@ismata3274]

That boy wasn't unrulr because of silmarils. Its just silmarils s beauty made his heart more visible. If she had given her hair, no doubt the casing he would end up making for the holy light from those strands would be marvellous too. Who can assume people and him too won't be just as enamoured with the resulting lightcase? And the attraction of silmarils was the living light in them. And the refractions of the light in it. Thus, making the silmarils just as property of valar (most definitely at the least varda and yavanna, as it's their joint creations fruit in silmarils) as it is feanors. He had no right to refrain from giving back the light to revive the two trees back to the valie that created it in the first place. Granted, to give it back, he would have to destroy his creation. And valar saw fit that it's not a boundary that they're willing to cross, no matter the cost to all involved. Feanor didn't see fit that he should be just as respectful to property (and artistic, and to life damn it, trees were dying there! ehem.... aaanyways) rights as he was shown/given sadly. Not a fast learner in that regard.

[@zoetropo1]

@@ismata3274 Recall that the trees drew their sustenance from the earth, so that when the trees' roots were poisoned, they died, and their light died. Whereas the Silmarils were indestructible and regenerated light without an external power source. Feanor's work transcended the Laws of Thermodynamics, which weary even the Valar.

[@ismata3274]

@@zoetropo1 Tolkien verse....... Laws of thermodynamics 😳😳😳

[@kylemoore687]

So glad you're back brother, another fantastic video as always.

[@GulienIthilmir]

Another excellent video. And about one of my favourite Silmarillion elves - I cannot WAIT for the next one, Fingolfin is my all-time favourite Silmarillion characterand I'm absolutely delighted that you decided to make his character's analysis.

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks! Fingolfin is one of my top favourite elves ever!

[@oldkingspook]

Good to see you back, Rainbow Dave, I've missed your videos. I'm not sure how I feel about Feanor. He's an unparalleled genius and craftsman (craftself? XD), but led his sons and people into peril. I've seen in someone I would loosely term a friend how unchecked genius can spiral into paranoia and madness. Melkor couldn't have picked a better elf to head the destruction of the Noldor.

[@williethenerfherder2193]

Morgoth killed his father, and stole a part of his soul as well as the lifeblood of the spirit trees. I'd argue he was partially in the right, and his anger at the Valar's inaction was justified.

[@CarolinaPine]

Great video. Unfortunately Feanor is more a jerk than a hero, and he is indeed complicated. He's not my favorite elf, but I love learning more about him - he is fascinating.

[@valentinomiller6251]

I wholly agree

[@donpula6349]

Me too...

[@MrEd1024]

I knew you would pull through, David of many colors. Beautiful as per usual, Thank you for your service.

[@mpalfadel2008]

Glad to have you back

[@sayftaleb6020]

thank you for the great video, so much passion was put into it, amazing.

[@amberdawn2296]

I am so happy to see you Rainbow Dave! Been waiting avidly for the next video. Almost an hour long too! Thank you :)

[@herbthompson8937]

Great to have you back!!!!

[@MellowMutts270]

You have no idea how excited I am! For the past week I have been wondering when a new video would be released! You definitely didn’t disappoint and this was well worth the wait. Thanks Rainbow Dave!

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thank you! I'm really glad you enjoyed it.

[@AdamNRose]

It's about time TU!!!! I enjoy all your videos. Thanks for the great work!!!

[@karlarden6260]

Happy Friday, Rainbow Dave! Stay groovy. So glad your back with a great video!

[@csehszlovakze]

he's back!

[@chaiwarrior111]

Yay! Will be watching this later tonight! Thanks for some more awesome content, DoMC.

[@fran5594]

Great video as always Dave! Can’t wait for the Fingolfin deep dive!

[@misterp4865]

Fantastic video! Great job! Imagine Feanor and Fingolfin taking on Morgoth together. Maybe they would have won!

[@astridchladek1927]

Finally! Finally! Long anticipated and utterly enjoyed! The next Tolkien untangled video! Thanks! ☺️☺️☺️

[@michaellovecat]

Welcome back, mystical colors, I am eagerly excited for these 2 videos you've made, just didn't have the time to watch when they were recommended to me

[@vindictivemage]

hell yea, welcome back mate!!!

[@gunders85]

Great to see you back Mr. Dave :)

[@hanyolo4131]

Thank you. Been craving new content!

[@badsitvfx652]

Thank god you’re back!!!

[@alanmike6883]

As soon as I charge this my phone up, I can't wait to watch this Dave 👍👍

[@ellengoodman1297]

Yay!!! So glad you’re back and hope you’re doing well. The new intro is awesome!!!

[@justinpiliste5157]

Welcome back man my drive home from work on Fridays is not the same without listening to you

[@Makkaru112]

I could be wrong but I recall there was an exact passage about he had a vision of a coming darkness to Valinor which led to him wanting to creat something. It was supposed to be Galadriel’s hair to make the relic but he created the Silmarils instead, the said prophetic vision came to pass. Amazing stuff. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Makkaru112]

❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@DarkAngel69604]

Well done! This was very enjoyable to listen to. Also loved the little animated intro.

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thank you!

[@chrisschmalhofer4348]

I’m gonna cross the streams a bit with this comment, but the idea of being great but terrible pops up from time to time and other stories as well. If I remember correctly, Harry Potter is told something very similar when he first gets his wand. Because, of course, the twin his wand went to Voldemort.

[@mlebrooks]

Yeah and maybe the infinity stones were inspired by Feanor.

[@veronicadavanzo2064]

Yes! He’s back! And with almost an hour of video on one of my favorite characters!

[@Stratocumulus25]

Welcome Back !! Love the new intro !! Looking forward to your future installments.

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks!

[@dazedsam]

can't wait to listen to this! keep up the good work 👌🏼

[@Durins_Babe]

There it is friends !! The wait was definitely worth, as always. ❤️

[@javarnhewitt9336]

I love this new intro, so finally excited for a new video keep it up my dude ❤️

[@Fancy_Lebowski]

Speaking of Fingolfin at the end, I believe "Chadliest Elf" best describes him.

[@hazeldavis3176]

This channel is amazing. Thanks for the vid!

[@theBeags]

When I go on road trips I listen to your videos. I love your channel!

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks!

[@icantthinkofafunname]

You are easily the best Tolkien KZbin channel. Keep up the great work

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoy the channel.

[@dannyfiumano6320]

Ah, how good it is to hear that wonderfully whimsical voice once again. Welcome back Rainbow Dave, we missed 'ye!

[@wrathandflame3987]

Man unbelievably good analysis. I laughed so hard through it all and at the end I got literally chills where you talked about the lines of Fingolfin and Finarfin. Really puts into perspective their contribution to the legacy of the First Born and in extesion of the Second Born

[@Charlie.a]

Thank you for all your hard work.

[@Whowascooley]

Great video as always Dave of Many Colors. Welcome back, you have been missed!😁

[@justinah7400]

Great job Dave!

[@staiton3889]

This is one of the greatest videos you’ve done so far. I loved it. Thanks for the really long video, I love your channel.

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks! I'm really glad you enjoy the channel.

[@staiton3889]

@@tolkienuntangled can you please set up a Patreon page? I need to help support this channel! I’m subscribed to about 10 of the biggest Tolkien scholar channels on YT and you are by far the best! I adore your content and you take it to the next level by making EVERY SINGLE EPISODE an epic story! I have to help the channel.

[@zenocrate4040]

I posted another comment and somehow forgot to say: awesome work as usual! Thank you for bringing this Fingolfin-fan so much joy. It is difficult to feel affection for Feanor but it is impossible to not be drawn to him.

[@uhnanomous]

Damn man, super informative as always! I'm so proud of your channel growth! I remember when you first started! Way to go man, keep up the great work!! I can't wait for more from you!

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks so much! It's only possible because of viewers like yourself.

[@tglrod]

Yeah! It a great day as we have a new video from your channel ❤️

[@ifeelfree123]

Awesome...can't wait for next one

[@rsbcjester]

Dude, we understand life happens. Or at least hopefully most of us do. Happy to have your content back though. By far my favorite Tolkien channel

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thank you!

[@rosie_gamgee]

Welcome back! I'm a new subscriber so I didn't realize you were gone, but all your videos that I've seen have been grand so I look forward to seeing more soon 😊

[@WhoIsCalli]

I really enjoyed this, thanks 👍

[@fohat50]

really great story telling dude, thank you

[@cuddles31]

Welcome back RD!!

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks!

[@ghostdreamer7272]

I heard a theory that the Silmarils are Three because Feanor created them to represent himself, his mother Miriel, and his father Finwe, all together and happy in harmony with the light of life.

[@Agreus93]

I miss you my dude! glad you are back!

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks! Glad to be back.

[@TheMarcHicks]

BTW, awesome to see you back again 🙂

[@_spacegoat_]

It's been a while, RD. Welcome back!

[@thehighguarduk4820]

Awesome video, really well explained and discussed. Feanor is a fascinating character, a deeply flawed personality but undoubtedly brilliant in skill and genius. Yet for all his genius he had not wisdom or humility and near the end of his life a profound lack of empathy for anyone but himself, any other needs of anyone else were second to his own even those of his family. How great he was made, how wonderous his creations and how little he chose to become. Great video as always!👍😁😎

[@zoetropo1]

Had Feanor not rushed across sea and land to fight those Orcs and Balrogs, all our favourite characters would have died or never been born. Had he not made his sons swear the Oath, the Silmarils would not be in Sky, Earth and Sea. Give the creator of the Palantiri credit for foresight.

[@ChallengeIdeas]

@@zoetropo1 By that reasoning, Gollum was not only right but a downright visionary and a great man, because had he not murdered his cousin, the One Ring wouldn't have been destroyed. But nobody gives him "credit for foresight", and for good reason.

[@johnmclain5899]

Hi, just want to say thanks a lot for those ALL your Silmarillion videos I enjoy them a lot Im watching them for the 3rd time when I want to remind myself of the story . your the best , Thanks again :)

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks, I'm really glad you enjoy them!

[@MrARock001]

Welcome back! 💚

[@tolkienuntangled]

Thanks!

[@staiton3889]

I’ve missed your videos!

[@Crafty_Spirit]

Melkor convinced several Noldor to forge weapons and they somehow all thought that they had exclusive knowledge, like they didn't know others were also creating swords... the revelation must have been kind of awkward how well they were prepared for war the moment the Noldor chose to commit to exodus

[@tolkienuntangled]

Very true!

[@Enerdhil]

It is amazing that Melkor actually helped the Noldor to make weapons to kill his orcs and Balrogs better. Talk about helping your enemy.

[@Crafty_Spirit]

@@Enerdhil Yeah, but imagine the moment... "Hold on, he also told you how to make swords? I felt so special" xD

[@Enerdhil]

@@Crafty_Spirit I am sure Melkor's swords had dull blades, but Fëanor perfected a blade-sharpening technique that would be used by all Elves going forward. The tips of the swords were probably rounded to.😂

[@pablorammerthorn8975]

Welcome back!

[@annafdd]

Heyyy! Welcome back, you’ve been missed!

Thank you ! I always thought Feanor was overstretched. Never a tender moment. You really captured his flaws.

[@abigailg9188]

What a joyous Friday! It’s great to have you back, Rainbow Dave! And with a lovely video. I’ve had a question rolling around in my mind for a long time and don’t recall reading or hearing anything regarding it and you’re the foremost Tolkien scholar I know. If the orcs are descendants of tortured and corrupted elves, do they retain the immortality of their elven ancestors? Are there orcs in the service of Sauron who have served him through multiple ages just as there are elves who have resisted him for that duration? It’s so good to have you back!

[@tolkienuntangled]

Very good question, and the truth is we just don't know. Tolkien defines death as a separation of the Fea from the hroa, and if an orc is a tortured elven fea, that's somehow been housed in an evil hroa made by Melkor, then by that definition they've kind of already died once. We know that orcs are just a mockery of true life, so perhaps their fea will depart their hroa before too long like a mortal's does, but on the other hand, if they retain their elven characteristics perhaps not. It certainly is very possible that some of Sauron's orcs are ancient, although considering they're bred only for war and labour, I can't imagine there are too many that have particularly long lifespans. Also, I think there's probably a distinction between the original orcs that were made from corrupted elves, and the orcs that were born 'naturally' from orcish parents. Maybe the first orcs were immortal, but their naturally conceived children weren't?

[@abigailg9188]

@@tolkienuntangled I know there’s not an exact canonical answer to my question, but I really appreciate your thoughtful response. It’s fun to roll around the maybes in the world of Tolkien. I envision there being at least some trusted servants who are ancient and ruling over others. I also wonder if there are orcs who could return to a more natural state after the destruction of the ring. Could they be rehabilitated in form, thought, and action and return to a more elven state? If they were corrupted, could they be healed? I know it’s a stretch.

[@tabby_cat]

@@abigailg9188 I would hope they could be healed after death, as their corruption was originally through no fault of their own.

[@jamesrossi1910]

Missed you, Dave!!!

[@CarlPottsprofile]

He doesn't have a scrap of humilty he's Fëanor

[@CaveMan72]

I wonder if the crystalline housing of the silmarils wasn't in fact a piece of Fëanor's soul, considering the art of creation in Tolkien's works, as well as the comment "and I shall be slain" I am a craftsman and its only rhe pieces that hold my soul that I would say that about

[@tolkienuntangled]

That's a very interesting point!

[@saelind73]

"For Fëanor was made the mightiest in all parts of body and mind: in valour, in endurance, in beauty, in understanding, in skill, in strength and subtlety alike: of all the Children of Ilúvatar, and a bright flame was in him." It absolutely is. The guy was a genius. Think of someone like Leonardo but turned up to 11, and ask him to destroy the masterpiece of his life, where he has put all his passion, the might of his skills and mind, and the beauty of his soul. Not gonna happen. He would rather die.