“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” finally reveals the real antagonist of J.R.R. Tolkien’s tale in a game-changing development for the live-action Middle-earth. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien has numerous references to Morgoth, the evil name given to the fallen Vala, Melkor. However, the character is only briefly mentioned and his name is never actually pronounced. In Peter Jackson’s film trilogy, which strongly suggests that Mordor’s flaming eye in the sky signifies the end-all and be-all of evilness within Middle-earth, Sauron is shown as the only one and greatest threat to Middle-earth.
Through appendices and The Silmarillion, Tolkien narrates the tale of this prodigal villain who is mentioned in “The Lord of the Rings” as having once had a master. In the First Age, Morgoth struck Valinor hard before wreaking ruin over Middle-earth. At this time, Sauron served as his top lieutenant, yet Morgoth’s influence far outweighs that of his ring-wearing assistant. While the antagonist of “The Lord of the Rings” strives to rule over all of Middle-earth, Sauron never denies the name of his former lord, Morgoth, even in his Second Age peak. There is no doubt that Morgoth is “The Lord of the Rings” true foe.
Morgoth is never shown in Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” or The Hobbit films, despite his crucial role in Tolkien’s literature; nonetheless, Amazon’s “The Rings of Power” finally makes that dive into the shadows. One of Morgoth’s most heinous atrocities, the destruction of Telperion and Laurelin in Valinor, is depicted in the introductory history lesson sequence of “The Rings of Power” episode 1. The sky behind the withering trees changes noticeably into a huge shadow of a person with spiked shoulders and a crown. This is the first time Morgoth has been portrayed in a live-action setting in The Lord of the Rings, and it matches the limited physical descriptions Tolkien gave of the original Dark Lord. Morgoth is described as being incredibly tall, dressed in black armor (which served as the inspiration for Sauron’s movie look), and donning a large helmet.
Where Is Morgoth in “The Rings of Power” and The Lord of the Rings? Can He Come Back?
When Morgoth’s conquest of Middle-earth reached its zenith in J.R.R. Tolkien’s First Age, he was confronted by a vast army made up of Middle-earth elves and men, as well as the Host of the Valar, which Eärendil persuaded to lend help. The horrific battle, known as the War of Wrath, saw Morgoth vanquished. Morgoth was apprehended, tried, and given the punishment of entering the Void through the enigmatic Door of Night by the Valar. Tolkien leaves some room for interpretation regarding the nature of the Void and Morgoth’s fate, but since Eärendil is tasked with guarding the gate—and a guard automatically implies the possibility of escape—The Silmarillion suggests Morgoth’s spirit is merely trapped and disembodied rather than definitively vanquished forever.
A previous edition of The Silmarillion, which contained the Dagor Dagorath prophecy, would have provided evidence of Morgoth’s return. J.R.R. Tolkien intended the Dagor Dagorath to be the last battle of all battles at the end of time, but his son Christopher ultimately decided to leave it out of the collection. Morgoth would plan to reopen the Door of Night and unleash the end of the world. The Valar meet him once more with an army that comprises revived heroes from ancient times. Eventually, Morgoth is defeated (this time permanently), and the entire world is transformed. There has been much discussion regarding the canonicity of the Dagor Dagorath and whether Christopher Tolkien was correct to leave it out of The Silmarillion, but at the very least, the tale shows that J.R.R. Tolkien thought Morgoth would make a comeback. “The Rings of Power” won’t contain it, so don’t plan on it.
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