Silmarillion Ainulindale Major elements of Creation Myth l

Silmarillion Ainulindale

Major elements of Creation Myth l Music of the Ainur l Vision of creation l Ea! the substance of world l Valar to realize vision/music

The Music of the Ainur l The first theme – Ainur spring from Eru’s thought – Eru gives musical themes to Ainur – Ainur sing mostly alone, few together – Eru propounds mighty theme – Ainur sing in harmony

The Music of the Ainur l The second theme – Melkor includes his own thought – Melkor creates discord around him – Others follow Melkor – Music is like storm – Eru smiles, a new theme begins – Melkor’s sound battles with new theme – Many Ainur cease singing

The Music of the Ainur l The third theme – Eru stern, new theme begins – At first soft and sweet, then deep and wide and beautiful – At variance with Melkor’s music, which is loud and in unison, endlessly repeating – Deeper music takes most triumphant notes of Melkor’s music and weaves it into its solemn pattern

The Vision of the Music Eru gives sight where there was only hearing l World unfolds its history (4 th dimension) l Selfishness of Melkor is a part of design l Vision contains ideas Ainur had not thought of: Children of Iluvatar l

The Vision of the Music

The Vision of the Music Melkor desires to go to Arda l Other Ainur marvel at the wonders of this new world, especially in water l Eru points out to Ulmo how Melkor’s interference created the miracles of snow and frost and clouds and rain l The vision fades; the Ainur become aware of darkness l

Ea! Let these things be Eru sends into the Void the Flame Imperishable and the world is l Many Ainur chose to descend to the world and become part of it; they become the Valar, the Powers l They enter at the beginning of time and begin to realize the Vision l

Creation of the world Melkor claims the world as his l Manwe will not let Melkor do this; he recruits many other Valar to work with him, and Melkor withdraws l Valar take shape similar to Children of Iluvatar l Valar choose the sex of their shape l

Battle of the Valar with Melkor envious of beauty, peace of the world l Melkor attacks l The Valar fight back l The earth is the battlefield; as the Valar try to create part of the Vision, Melkor tries to destroy it l

Earth is fashioned Out of the Battle of the Valar and Melkor comes the world as it is prepared for the Children of Iluvatar