Morgoth’s defeat in The Lord of the Rings explained

Morgoth was the original villain of JRR Tolkien’s legendaries, but he was defeated long before the events of The Lord of the RingsLeaving the novel’s eponymous novel to take center stage. Destructive Vala Morgoth was referred to in Tolkien’s seminal novel, The Lord of the RingsBut was detailed in The Silmarillion. Morgoth’s antics are relegated to the First Age and earlier, while Amazon Prime Video The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Takes place in the second age and the Warner Bros movies take place in the third age.

Morgoth’s defeat in the First Age was so devastating that it changed the structure of Middle-earth forever. This was so significant in the history of Middle-earth that it began the second age of Middle-earth, ending the first. But the intriguing details of Morgoth’s defeat are only hinted at “The Lord of the Rings” Appendices, with the full story including many battles that culminated in what was probably the worst war in Middle-earth history. And yet, in a way, the story of Morgoth’s defeat began at the beginning of time.

Morgoth was initially taken back to Valinor by the Valar (but returned to Middle-earth)

Initially, the Valar forgave Morgoth for his crimes

Before the universe was made, the semi-divine Morgoth wanted to compete with Middle-earth’s god, Eru Ilúvatar, leading him to rebel against Eru and his agents, who forgive his indiscretions on many occasions. Living in the Eternal Halls with Eru and the other Ainur, Morgoth searched the void for the imperishable flameWhat was the gift of life itself, and love itself, to give. He is unable to find it. While singing with other Ainur in the song that visualized the creation of Arda, Morgoth introduced discord, arrogantly dissatisfied with Eru’s theme.

Putting that aside, Morgoth is allowed to descend into Arda as one of the 15 Valar – Tolkien’s demigods. Together they built Arda. however, Morgoth wanted complete control And constantly sabotaging the other Valar’s work. He destroyed their first source of light, the two lamps, and was eventually captured and imprisoned by the Valar. His sentence passed and the Valar allowed him to roam Valinur under their supervision. But again, Morgoth stole Arda’s light, destroying the two trees and fleeing to Middle-earth.

The Valar refused to fight Morgoth until Eärendil intervened

Eärendil asked the Valar for their help in fighting Morgoth

Morgoth is unleashed on Middle-earth, after his escape from Valinor. at this point, The Valar began to withdraw their intervention from Middle-earth. Morgoth stole the Silmarils from the Noldor – three great jewels forged by the great Noldorin elf, Fenor. Fueled by pride and revenge, Fëanor and his sons pursued the jewels to the ends of Middle-earth, and the great battles of Beleriand ensued. Morgoth’s forces and the Noldor alike spilled much innocent blood. But the Valar were absent from the battles of Belriand.

The Valar warned the Noldor of their bloody pursuit of the Silmarili but their warning went unheeded. Therefore, the Valar exiled the Noldor elves, but still watched from afar and cared for the fate of all elves, creating new sources of light – the sun and moon. It was not bitterness that fueled the Valar’s withdrawalBut fearing the impact their fight will have on Middle-earth, knowing how destructive it was before the elves woke up and knowing that people would soon wake up in Hilduren. Eventually, the half-elven Earendil begged for the Valar’s help.

The First Age’s war against Morgoth explained

The first age culminated in the War of Wrath

The Valar enacted the Hiding of Valinor, placing their continent of Aman behind enchanted isles in the Shadowy Seas. This protected their realm from Morgoth and also kept the Noldor out, ensuring mariners were somehow shunned. Only one mariner came to Valinor – Eärendil. Earendil asked the Valar to harm the Noldor and help them in their failing struggle against Morgoth, and his request was granted. The Valar sent an army to Middle-earth And the cataclysmic war of wrath ensued. Morgoth’s dragons fought in the war and the largest, Ancalagon, was killed by Earendil.

The War of Wrath was so devastating to Middle-earth that it sank the majority of the realm of Beleriand, leaving only a small part of it above water. This proved that the Valar were right to be concerned about the effect of their military presence in Middle-earth. Nevertheless, it was crucial to put the threat of Morgoth to bed once and for all, and that is what the War of Wrath did. Although so devastating that it ended the first age, The War of Wrath defeated Morgoth And again in prison, but much more permanently than the last time.

Morgoth is imprisoned by the Valar (but not killed)

Morgoth was cast into the void

As a spirit of Ainur, Morgoth could not be killed, so he was cast into the Void by the Valar Through the one entrance and exit, the doors of night. The doors of night are sealed and guarded forever by Earendil. This was Eärendil’s sentence for entering Valinor beyond his exile. In a complex interplay of fate and free will, Eärendil was destined to enter Amman but was not meant to. Since stepping foot on Aman, Eärendil never saw Middle-earth again but bore the one Silmaril he wore on his face.

Eärendil, therefore, became one of the brightest stars in heaven The light reflected in Galadriel’s mirror was later captured in Galadriel’s bowl and given to Frodo in The Lord of the RingsHelping him defeat. Meanwhile, Morgoth is trapped in the void. in the silmarillion, Tolkien referred to a prophecy discussing Morgoth’s return from the Void for a final battle called the Dagor Dagorath, but Christopher did not include the full prophecy in the final edit. However, later editions of Tolkien’s work imply that Tolkien took the prophecy seriously.