Overview
Morgoth is the original source of evil in the legendarium. Greatest of the Ainur in knowledge and power, he wastes that greatness on destruction and theft, and his record of violence underpins all later ages.
Biography
Melkor the mighty
Melkor was the mightiest of the Ainur and shared in the Music, but sought the Void and his own dominion, marring Arda in its making.
Wars of Beleriand
He destroyed the Two Trees, stole the Silmarils and fought the Elves and their allies across the First Age from his fortress of Angband.
The War of Wrath
He was at last thrown down, and his realm broken; he was thrust into the Void beyond the World.
Character
Personality
- Proud beyond measure
- Destructive
- Envious
- Debasing of all he touches
Abilities & limits
Strengths
- Vast original power
- Deceit and corruption
- Command of Balrogs and dragons
Limitations
- Casts away his own strength into his servants
- Cannot create, only mar
- Ultimately defeated
Deeds
- Marred the Music and Arda
- Slew the Two Trees
- Stole the Silmarils
- Waged the Wars of Beleriand
Relationships
In the histories
Artifacts
Sources
The Silmarillion · 1977
Posthumously edited. Contains the Ainulindalë, Valaquenta, Quenta Silmarillion, Akallabêth and Of the Rings of Power.
Related entries
CharacterSauron
A Maia and former lieutenant of Morgoth, forger of the One Ring and the central antagonist of The Lord of the Rings.
CharacterGlaurung
The first of the great dragons and the “Father of Dragons”, who fought in the Wars of Beleriand.
CharacterAncalagon the Black
The greatest of Morgoth’s winged dragons, destroyed by Eärendil in the War of Wrath.