As a long-time student of Middle-earth lore, I can confidently say that while Sauron is a formidable force to be reckoned with, he is not quite on par with the mighty Morgoth. Though Sauron held sway over much of Middle-earth for many an age, even nearly taking control of all of it during the Second Age, his power never reached the world-shaping level that Morgoth once wielded.
In Tolkien’s works, we frequently encounter tales where humble, undersized heroes take on overwhelmingly powerful villains. Characters such as Frodo Baggins or Bilbo Baggins, who may seem weak or unassuming, are pitted against formidable foes like Saruman, Shelob, and Smaug. Of course, the ultimate antagonists in Middle-earth mythology are Morgoth and Sauron, ancient spiritual beings known as Ainur, who existed prior to creation and inhabit Tolkien’s version of the physical universe, which he called Eä.
According to “The Silmarillion,” both Morgoth and Sauron are equally evil, but Morgoth is self-serving while Sauron technically serves Morgoth. However, it’s unclear if Sauron was a backup plan or an upgrade when Morgoth fell at the end of the First Age. Despite some ambiguity in Tolkien’s writings, many fans and scholars agree that Morgoth is generally considered more powerful than Sauron.
Before we delve into the specifics, let me clarify one point: Although these two villains possess immense power that has shaped the world, their boasts and arrogance are subject to certain limitations. J.R.R. Tolkien explicitly states that their malevolent intentions only allow them to corrupt, distort, and ruin things but not to create new things on their own. In “The Silmarillion,” it is said, “Nothing with a soul or the semblance of a soul could ever be created by [Morgoth].” Frodo, in “The Return of the King,” explains that Orcs are not original beings but rather corrupted and twisted creatures, saying, “The darkness that spawned them can only mimic; it cannot generate: it cannot produce genuine new entities. I don’t believe it gave life to orcs; instead, it tainted and deformed them.
Regardless of the limitations, the two malevolent forces can accomplish quite a bit using resources at hand, so let’s explore what gives Morgoth the upper hand as he collaborates with Sauron in their campaign to conquer territories, control minds, and ultimately corrupt the peace of Middle-earth.
Who is Morgoth, and why is he so powerful?
Originally known as Melkor, or The One Who Rises in Power, Morgoth is infamously recognized as the Dark Nemesis of the World. In the lore of “The Silmarillion,” it’s mentioned that Morgoth was endowed with immense power by Ilúvatar, a creator figure akin to a god within Tolkien’s universe. The narrative further reveals that Morgoth possesses an extensive range of abilities and wisdom, which he maliciously uses for ill intentions. It is also noted that during times long past, Morgoth challenged Manwë and all the Valar, and for an extended period, he ruled over a significant portion of the lands on Earth, even dominating them with his uprising.
Capturing the magnitude of such a being is no simple task. To put it simply, in our tangible world, he constructs citadels as massive as mountains. His creativity extends to shaping and misshaping races, from Dragons and Trolls to Orcs. He sculpts mountains, floods oceans, splits continents, and confronts all fourteen of his spiritual equals, the Valar, in an endless battle.
In the book “The Children of Húrin,” Morgoth, a deceptive villain, succinctly defines his power by stating, “I am the ancient ruler: Melkor, the most powerful among the Valar who existed before the creation of the world, and I was its maker. The influence of my plan casts a shadow over Arda, and everything within it gradually and inevitably bends towards my control.
In the final moments of the First Age, Morgoth nearly rules all the world. However, his reign is brought to an end when the Valar and their allies from the West, often referred to as the Undying Lands, intervene. They aim to liberate Middle-earth from Morgoth’s oppressive rule. Although defeated, Morgoth’s power remains formidable – it extends not only over other beings but also over the very land itself, a force that is evident even when he is imprisoned.
Who is Sauron and why is he only slightly less powerful than Morgoth?
In “The Silmarillion,” it’s revealed that Sauron wasn’t always the supreme villain; he first served as Morgoth’s right-hand man. The text describes him as one of the most prominent servants of the Valar, whom the Eldar called Sauron or Gorthaur the Cruel. Interestingly, even before his descent into darkness, Sauron was a disciple or subject of the powerful being Aulë, suggesting that he had always been subordinate to greater powers.
Initially serving under Morgoth, Sauron seizes his opportunity as the Dark Lord, demonstrating that his qualifications, abilities, and prior experience align perfectly with the job requirements. For much of two ages, he persistently attempts to dominate Middle-earth. During most of this time, he maintains a tight control over the eastern regions of the continent, including enigmatic areas such as Rhûn. In the Second Age, he comes close to taking over the entire western part of Middle-earth, and during “The Lord of the Rings,” he wields an immense power.
One way to rephrase that statement could be: The most significant power play by Sauron undeniably lies in his creation of the Rings of Power. He exploits these artifacts to manipulate others and carry out his plans. Despite not having the Rings, he consistently instills fear and overpowers weaker entities. However, when examining things from a broader perspective, it’s evident that Sauron does not wield his powers on a world-altering scale like Morgoth. In fact, unlike Morgoth who commands hordes of the infernal demons, Sauron is unable to control even a single Balrog in Moria.
Both Morgoth and Sauron lose their power over time
In summary, both Morgoth and Sauron’s power diminishes over time because they exhaust their spiritual energy by corrupting and controlling other beings. Tolkien explains in a book titled “The Nature of Middle-earth” that eventually, Morgoth is bound to a physical form from which he cannot escape, as he has depleted his original powers in managing his agents and servants. This leaves him weakened, consumed by hatred, and unable to recover from the state he’s in. Furthermore, the text indicates that even his appearance could no longer be concealed, revealing the evil within his mind.
In simpler terms, “The Silmarillion” describes that after Sauron lost his physical form at the end of the Second Age, he spent time in darkness, eventually creating a new form for himself. This new form was terrifying because the beauty that once characterized him had vanished forever.
Instead of merely having an unsightly physique, when Morgoth is vanquished, his spirit is banished to the Timeless Void, a realm devoid of time and space, where his power holds no sway. Similarly, Sauron shares a fate worse than death. In “The Return of the King,” Gandalf explains that the destruction of the One Ring leaves Sauron crippled forever, transforming into a malevolent spirit that haunts shadows but can never regain its former strength or form. The Silmarillion further reveals that Sauron follows Morgoth on the same path of ruin, descending into the Void. Ultimately, their power is rendered irrelevant as both antagonists are deprived of their influence and left stranded in a realm beyond time, space, and hope.
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2024-09-15 15:00