atalante_starScholar of Imladris and Theodens LadyPosts: 1365 Send Message |
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atalante_starScholar of Imladris and Theodens LadyPosts: 1365 Send Message |
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atalante_starScholar of Imladris and Theodens LadyPosts: 1365 Send Message |
 RE: Atalante's stuff [keep]
on: December 30, 2007 10:44
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ED: From "Greatest Elf" now deleted.
OK ... Maiaman wanted to know my opinion on the Feanor / Fingolfin issue. ... as if anyone here doesn't really know what my conclusion is going to be LOL.
Anyway, I've been meaning to write an article on the Noldor for Elrond's Library for weeks, so I went a bit over-the-top on this so I can use it afterwards as a bit of the Noldor essay. And I've added Finarfin into the Feanor / Fingolfin issue.
And I don't pretend that its unbiased. Because it's not. Its blooming obvious to everyone here that I much prefer Feanor to Fingolfin, and I'm not going to pretend otherwise. I've tried to bring out some questions about Fingolfin and Finarfin's characters - not to try and run them down, but really to try and work out my thoughts about their parts in the Rebellion and the initial events on Middle-earth.
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Fëanor, Fingolfin and Finarfin
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I'm going to write this, but I know already what the conclusion will be. Fëanor, Fingolfin and Finarfin are such utterly different characters that I'm not really sure that they are readily comparable. Who you prefer will depend on the characteristics that you admire. The quote that sums the whole thing up is:
"Fëanor was the mightiest in skill of word and of hand, more learned than his brothers; his spirit burned as a flame. Fingolfin was the strongest, the most steadfast, and the most valiant. Finarfin was the fairest, and the most wise of heart."
(Silmarillion; Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië)
I am not going to go into details about Fëanor here as there is an article already in Elrond's Library about Fëanor - link is here.
Childhood
Fëanor – the only pure-blooded Noldor of the brothers – lost his mother at an early age, Míriel having been consumed in body and spirit by the birth of her son. Here there is a distinct parallel between Fëanor and Tolkien – who also lost his mother at an early age, and Tolkien considered to have died for her sons. Fëanor's father, Finwë, adored his firstborn son, forever considering him his favourite. All knew, even after Finwë's second marriage, that "of all whom he loved Fëanor had ever the chief share of his heart."
Fëanor disliked his father remarrying, and he didn't like Indis – his new Vanyar wife very much either. The dislike soon spread to his new half-brothers, Fingolfin and Finarfin, and Fëanor spent most of his time apart from them, gaining knowledge and learning crafts.
"many saw the effect of this breach within the house of Finwë, judging that if Finwë had endured his loss and been content with the fathering of his mighty son, the courses of Fëanor would have been otherwise, and great evil might have been prevented" (Silmarillion, Of Fëanor and the Unchaining of Melkor).
Fingolfin and Finarfin had their mother present through their younger days, and they also had the constant love of their father. What they did not have was the adoration of their father - that belonged solely to Fëanor.
The split between Fëanor and Fingolfin
The initial split between Fëanor and Fingolfin was, for once, not just caused by Fëanor:
"High princes were Fëanor and Fingolfin, the elder sons of Finwë, honoured by all in Aman; but now they grew proud and jealous each of his rights and his possessions."
Melkor saw this, and started his active meddling in Fëanor's life:
"Then Melkor set new lies abroad in Eldamar, and whispers came to Fëanor that Fingolfin and his sons were plotting to usurp the leadership of Finwë and of the elder line of Fëanor, and to supplant them by the leave of the Valar
…
Thus with lies and evil whisperings and false counsel Melkor kindled the hearts of the Noldor to strife; and of their quarrels came at length the end of the high days of Valinor and the evening of its ancient glory. For Fëanor now began openly speak words of rebellion
…
Then there was great unrest in Tirion, and Finwë was troubled; and he summoned all his lords to council."
(Silmarillion, Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor).
Fingolfin came to believe that Fëanor thought himself the leader of the Noldor, and he resented that fact, knowing that there was still only one King - Finwë. He went to his father's Hall, and pleaded with Finwë to restrain Fëanor and to stop his uprising.
But then Fëanor entered the hall, and on seeing Fingolfin try to persuade his father against him, he became enraged and told Fingolfin to leave the Hall.
"Fingolfin bowed before Finwë, and without word or glance to Fëanor he went from the chamber. But Fëanor followed him, and at the door of the king's house he stayed him; and the point of his bright sword he set against Fingolfin's breast. "See half-brother!" he said. "This is sharper than thy tongue. Try but once more to usurp my place and the love of my father, and maybe it will rid the Noldor of one who seeks to be the master of thralls." (Silmarillion, Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor).
Fingolfin then left the King's House, and went in search of Finarfin.
There are a few interesting points that come out of that paragraph.
- It is Fingolfin who first utters words against Fëanor.
- Fingolfin already had the presence of mind to ignore Fëanor's scorn.
- Fingolfin still absolutely saw Finwë as in charge of the Noldor, and would acknowledge only his authority.
- Fëanor's real issue with Fingolfin was to do with his father's love. Sibling rivalry was at the base of the argument as Fëanor was determined that Fingolfin would not replace him in the affections of Finwë. The affections of the Noldor race came second in his mind.
- Fëanor still did not want to consider Fingolfin as a sibling – saying "my father", not "our father".
When the unrest of the Noldor came to the notice of the Valar, they judged Fëanor the main trouble-maker, even though they acknowledged that the entire race had become proud. Was he the main trouble-maker? Yes, of course he was, but I believe that the Valar chose to downplay the role of Fingolfin, who could be said to deliberately aggravate Fëanor about his familial and Noldorin position.
The exile of Fëanor
The Valar then exiled Fëanor from Tirion for 12 years. After that time, they said that the matter would be held redressed, if Fingolfin would release him. Fingolfin immediately said that he would forgive his brother, but Fëanor was silent, and he stalked away from Máhanaxar and left Valmar.
Finwë and Fëanor's seven sons went into banishment at Formenos with him, Finwë simply because of the love he bore Fëanor:
"While the ban lasts upon Fëanor my son, that he may not go to Tirion, I hold myself unkinged, and I will not meet my people." (Silmarillion, Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor).
Fingolfin was left to rule Tirion.
When the twelve years were up, Fëanor travelled down from Formenos to Valmar. The brothers were reconciled, at least superficially, with Fingolfin officially forgiving Fëanor the raising of his sword against kin. (ooooh that’s an interesting choice of words …)
"Then Fëanor took his hand in silence; but Fingolfin said: "Half-brother in blood, full brother in heart will I be. Thou shalt lead and I will follow. May no new grief divide us."
"I hear thee," said Fëanor. "So be it." But they did not know the meaning that their words would bear." (Silmarillion, Of the Silmarils and the Unrest of the Noldor).
Here again Fingolfin showed his willingness to be subservient to Fëanor. While he was the second son, and therefore nominally under the rank of Fëanor, Fingolfin had led the Noldor for 12 years. I would imagine that both the Noldor and the Valar considered him the equal of the fiery Fëanor who abandoned them and took their King with him.
The death of Finwë
When Finwë died during Morgoth's onslaught on Formenos, Fëanor cursed the summons of Manwë that had brought him to Valmar, thus leaving his father (as he thought) unguarded and left to his fate. Yet again we see the influence of love in Fëanor's life. Never did Fëanor again seem so "human", so unguarded in his emotions:
"Then Fëanor ran from the Ring of Doom, and fled into the night; for his father was dearer to him than the Light of Valinor or the peerless works of his hands; and who among sons, of Elves or of Men, have held their fathers of greater worth?" (Silmarillion, Of the Darkening of Valinor)
The flight of the Noldor
After Finwë's death, Fëanor delivered an impassioned speech to the already fairly fired-up Noldor.
"Fierce and fell were his words, and filled with anger and pride; and hearing them the Noldor were stirred to madness.
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he was distraught with grief for the slaying of his father, and with anguish for the rape of the Silmarils. He claimed now the kingship of all the Noldor, since Finwë was dead" (Silmarillion, Of the Flight of the Noldor).
Fëanor and his seven sons then swore the Oath of Fëanor, swearing to regain the Silmarils and to pursue with vengeance and hatred any creature who hid the jewels from their rightful owners.
Fingolfin, Turgon and Finrod spoke to the Noldor against Fëanor's plans, while Finarfin and Orodreth tried to calm the situation down, asking the elves to consider their actions before being hasty and rash. Of Fëanor's brothers and his brothers' children, Galadriel, Fingon, Aegnor, and Angrod stood with Fëanor, eager to be gone to Middle-earth.
However, the host that was to set forth soon became divided into two.
"indeed when Fëanor began the marshalling of the Noldor for their setting-out, then at once dissension arose. For though he had brought the assembly in a mind to depart, by no means all were of a mind to take Fëanor as King. Greater love was given to Fingolfin and his sons, and his household and the most part of the dwellers in Tirion refused to renounce him, if he would go with them; and thus at last as two divided hosts the Noldor set forth upon their bitter road." (Silmarillion, Of the Flight of the Noldor)
It is said that Fingolfin went only because Fingon urged him to go; because he would not be parted from his people; and because he would not leave his people to the rash counsels of Fëanor. Finarfin also went, though he was also loath to depart the Blessed Realm. One must wonder what would have happened if Fingolfin and Finarfin had stayed strong, refusing to leave Middle-earth and refusing to acknowledge Fëanor's leadership.
"the House of Fëanor hastened before them along the coasts of Elendë: not once did they turn their eyes back to Tirion on the green hill of Túna. Slower and less eagerly came the host of Fingolfin after them. Of those Fingon was the foremost; but at the rear went Finarfin and Finrod, and many of the noblest and wisest of the Noldor; and often they looked behind them to see their fair city, until the lamp of the Mindon Eldaliéve was lost in the night." (Silmarillion, Of the Flight of the Noldor)
Fëanor's people reached Alqualondë first, and when the Teleri tried to stop the Noldor from taking their ships, they started to slay the Teleri. Thrice were the Noldor driven back, but eventually were aided in their battle by Fingon and the foremost of the host of Fingolfin. These last rushed into battle before they knew the cause of the fighting, and indeed some thought that the Noldor had been attacked by the Teleri on orders of the Valar.
Finarfin and his people did not taken part in the Kin-slaying, not least because Finarfin's wife was Olwë's daughter.
After the evils of the Kin-slaying, the doom of the Noldor was pronounced on the rebels by Mandos, denying them access to the Blessed Realm, and hinting at the terrible sorrows that would befall them in Middle-earth.
At that, Finarfin and most of his people turned back and returned to Valinor. There the Valar forgave them, and Finarfin became the ruler of the Noldor of the Blessed Realm. However, Finarfin's sons, Fingolfin, and all Fingolfin's people continued onwards with Fëanor. At least some of them feared to go back, as they had taken part in the kin-slaying, and Fingolfin still felt bound by his oath to Fëanor.
So what did that say about Finarfin? There are two very different views on this. One is that he was the only truly upright and moral of the Noldorin princes, choosing to return to possible disgrace rather than take part in the Kin-slaying. It must have taken great courage and strength to admit that he was wrong. He led his people home rather than letting his pride and ego lead his people into terrible hardship. In this argument, Finarfin was in some way, I think, representing the possibility of the Children of Ilúvatar repenting of their sins and coming back to a pure state of Arda before its Fall.
The other is that he was a coward – returning to an easy life when he heard the Doom of the Noldor rather than staying with the Noldor to whatever end. It may have been a wise decision for him and his people to return to Valinor, but what did they actually accomplish there? What deeds of theirs are told in stories? None. Fëanor and Fingolfin, on the other hand, led their people on a crusade that became legendary. They knew full well of the power of their enemy and the danger that they faced and yet it did not stop either from setting out. Finarfin was known for his wisdom, and his ability to stay calm and impassionate. In Middle-earth, he could have done much to heal the rifts that opened among the elven races, and the people that he led back to Aman could have made the Noldor strong enough to consider a direct assault on Angband. Instead, Finarfin abandoned the people who needed him most and returned to safe life of luxury. A quote from Edmund Burke sums up this argument: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
The journey across the Helcaraxë
When they reached the Helcaraxë, Fëanor took those who had deemed loyal, and sneaked out to sea with all the ships. When they had landed on Middle-earth, Maedhros asked how many ships and rowers Fëanor would then send back to Aman to allow the other Noldor to cross. Fëanor laughed as one fey, and he and his sons (save Maedhros) burned the ships on the shore.
"And Fingolfin and his people saw the light afar off, red beneath the clouds; and they knew that they were betrayed. This was the firstfruits of the Kinslaying and the Doom of the Noldor." (Silmarillion, Of the Flight of the Noldor).
Fingolfin and his people were left to cross to Middle-earth across the Helcaraxë. Fingolfin himself was filled with bitterness towards Fëanor, and became more determined to cross the Sea to meet him again.
"led by Fingolfin and his sons, and by Finrod and Galadriel, they dared to pass into the bitterest North; and finding no other way they endured at last the terror of the Helcaraxë and the cruel hills of ice."
The journey that Fingolfin's people undertook must have been horrific. Many people died, including Elenwë, Turgon's wife. The strength of mind that Fingolfin must have had to keep driving his people on and on must have been formidable. As most have been the love for him borne by his people.
The death of Fëanor
Soon after Fëanor and his host arrived in Middle-earth, they were set upon by Morgoth and his troops in the Dagor-nuin-Giliath. After the evil hordes were routed, Fëanor followed Morgoth northwards, in a wild and fey mood, wanting to battle the Vala.
"he laughed as he wielded his sword, rejoicing that he had dared the wrath of the Valar and the evils of the road, that he might see the hour of his vengeance."
On seeing Fëanor draw ahead of his people, the forces of Morgoth turned back to face him, and Balrogs issued from Angband to aid them. The elf was mortally wounded by Gothmog, and was carried from the field of battle by his sons. He died on the slopes of the Ered Wethrin, looking out towards Thangorodrim.
Fingolfin's entrance to Middle-earth
Fingolfin's host eventually arrived in Middle-earth, just as the Sun was arising for the first time. The first description of the second Noldor host in Middle-earth clearly shows that Tolkien intended them to show them as the opposite of Fëanor's people – the light to his dark, the calmness to his chaos.
"Fingolfin unfurled his blue and silver banners, and blew his horns, and flowers sprang beneath his marching feet, and the ages of the stars were ended. At the uprising of the great light the servants of Morgoth fled into Angband, and Fingolfin passed unopposed through the fastness of Dor Daedeloth while his foes hid beneath the earth." (Silmarillion, Of the Return of the Noldor)
Fingolfin then camped out by Lake Mithrim, on the other side of the lake from Fëanor's people. By then, many of the first host of the Noldor had repented of the ship-burning at Losgar, and would have welcomed the new arrivals, but dared not, for shame.
The rift between the Houses started to be healed when Fingon, son of Fingolfin, sought out Maedhros, son of Fëanor. The two had been friends in the Blessed Realm and Fingon realised that the two hosts should be reconciled before Morgoth could set forth again from Angband. So Fingon journeyed to Angband to find Maedhros, and came upon him hung by one of his wrists from one of the faces of Thangorodrim. On Fingon's plea to Manwë, Thorondor appeared and took Fingon up to Maedhros, where he had to cut off his friend's wrist to free him from Morgoth's band of steel. The eagle then took them both back to Mithrim.
Maedhros immediately begged forgiveness for his desertion in Araman, and ceded the kingship of the Noldor to Fingolfin.
Fingolfin – High King of the Noldor
"Therefore when the council came to the choosing of one to be overlord of the Exiles and the head of all their princes, the choice of all save few fell on Fingolfin" (The Grey Annals).
Fingolfin became the first High King of the Noldor in Exile, and managed to keep his kingdom and his people well-cared for, safe and secure for many years, until the advent of the Dagor Bragollach. During that war, the sons of Finarfin were overthrown, and the sons of Fëanor driven from their lands. (For more details of the Dagor Bragollach, see our encyclopedia article on the war *here*.) It seemed to Fingolfin that all around him was the ruin of the Noldor, and that they were heading towards an bitter defeat.
"filled with wrath and despair he mounted upon Rochallor his great horse and rode forth alone, and none might restrain him. He passed over Dor-nu-Fauglith like a wind amid the dust, and all that beheld his onset fled in amaze, thinking that Oromë himself was come: for a great madness of rage was upon him, so that his eyes shone like the eyes of the Valar." (Silmarillion, Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin)
Praise indeed. Tolkien only ever referred to one other person as being like Oromë – and that was Théoden as he rode to his death at the Pelennor Fields. Fingolfin's desperate charge has the same feeling as Théoden and the Rohirrim's 'death and glory' charge – in both cases, both showed evidence of being 'taken over' by some great force (shown through words such as great madness, fey etc), both were sure that they went to their deaths, and both were a willing sacrifice for their people.
What distinguishes Fingolfin from Théoden is that he didn't need to ride to fight Morgoth. In Théoden's case he had to be at the head of the army, giving the Rohirrim behind him courage and strength. Fingolfin's charge was more of a suicidal impulse, which was almost guaranteed to leave his people kingless and wounded by his death. He left his people to face Morgoth without him.
Finally Fingolfin showed some of the Noldorin spark of life that was so prevalent in his half-brother, and he rode forth to challenge Morgoth. He rode to Angband, sounded his horn, and challenged Morgoth to come forth to single combat. Consciously or unconsciously, he was echoing the actions of Fëanor those many years before.
Morgoth came forth, attacking Fingolfin with Grond, the Hammer of the Underworld. Fingolfin managed to injure the Vala seven times before he was borne down by Morgoth's shield. Three times was he brought to his knees, and three times he rose up to fight again. Eventually he fell backwards at the feet of Morgoth, and Morgoth put his foot on Fingolfin's neck. With his last desperate stroke, Fingolfin hewed the foot of the Dark Lord with Ringil, and black blood gushed forth.
"Thus died Fingolfin, High King of the Noldor, most proud and valiant of the Elven-kings of old." (Silmarillion, Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin)
Fingolfin died a hero's death, the only known of the Children of Ilúvatar to injure one of the Valar. After he died, Thorondor came swooping down to rescue his body from the wolves of Morgoth, and the eagle laid his body on a mountain top that looked north upon Gondolin. Turgon later built a cairn over his father.
Descendants
One last way to try and judge a person is by the legacy they leave.
The House of Fëanor lasted only two generations. Of his seven sons, only one was married and had a son. That son was Celebrimbor, the ill-fated smith of the Gwaith-i-Mírdain.
In contrast, both Fingolfin and Finarfin started great dynasties of elves, the lineages coinciding eventually with the marriage of Elrond and Celebrían. Fingolfin's heritage included Fingon, Gil-galad, Turgon, Eärendil, Elrond, Elros. The only bad apple of the bunch was Maeglin. Finarfin's descendants included Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, and Celebrían.
Some random concluding thoughts …
- Race - Fingolfin and Finarfin were both half-Noldor, half-Vanyar. Does this mean the Noldorin spark was diluted in them? Yes, I think it does. But this could be seen as both a good and a bad thing …
- Who was the greatest King? Fingolfin without a doubt. I know I've been fairly nasty to him in this – but I was simply trying to find some questions that could be asked about his character. He is an incredible leader. First, he forgives Fëanor for threatening to murder him, then follows him on a journey that is certain to bring terrible suffering and death and then, even after he is betrayed and abandoned, he still decides to cross the horrors of the Grinding Ice. He has a critical role in the early days of the elven realms in Middle-earth, and the early wars with Morgoth. And then when disaster and defeat seemed certain, he rode forth alone to challenge his worst enemy. Though I can't help but still think that this was a fairly foolish thing to do.
- Who was the greatest elf? Fëanor, for me, again without a doubt. Fingolfin was very diligent, very worth-while, very upright and honest, and utterly dependable. People loved him and saw him as the greatest King of the Elves. But Fëanor … was unique. The spark of life was in him like none other before or after. He inspired total devotion or utter hatred. He was brilliant, a spirit of fire, consuming all in his path, but burning with an intensity unparalleled through the history of Middle-earth.
[Edited on 3/3/2004 by Nienna-of-the-Valar]
[Edited on 31/12/2007 by cirdaneth]
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I've been thinking ...
