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Introduction
The Lord of the Rings is a legendary epic of high fantasy that has captured the imaginations of millions of readers and viewers for decades. One of the central figures in the story is the Dark Lord Sauron, who is responsible for the creation of the powerful ring that drives the plot. However, little is known about Sauron’s origins, and even less about those of his master, Morgoth. This has led to much speculation among fans of the series about the race of these enigmatic villains. In this blog post, we will explore the various theories and evidence surrounding the race of Sauron and Morgoth.
Theories About the Race of Sauron and Morgoth
Maia
One of the most widely accepted theories about the race of Sauron and Morgoth is that they were both Maiar. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium, the Maiar were a divine race of spirits that served the Valar, the gods of Middle-earth. Sauron was specifically identified as a Maia in the book The Silmarillion, which tells the history of Middle-earth before the events of The Lord of the Rings. Morgoth, on the other hand, was never explicitly identified as a Maia, but there is strong evidence to support this theory.
The strongest evidence for this theory is the fact that Sauron was a disciple of Morgoth, and served him faithfully for thousands of years. It is highly unlikely that Morgoth would have trusted anyone who was not of his own race with such an important role. Furthermore, both Sauron and Morgoth were capable of wielding immense power, which is consistent with the abilities of the Maiar.
Vala
Another theory about the race of Sauron and Morgoth is that they were both Valar. The Valar were the most powerful of the divine beings in Middle-earth, and were responsible for shaping the world and protecting it from evil. While it is true that Sauron was a Maia, there is evidence to suggest that Morgoth may have been a Vala.
The strongest evidence for this theory comes from The Silmarillion, which describes Morgoth as having immense power and the ability to shape the world to his will. These are both abilities that are typically associated with the Valar, rather than the Maiar. Furthermore, Morgoth was the only Vala who rebelled against the others and sought to dominate Middle-earth, which would explain why he was so much more powerful than the other Maiar.
Dark Elf
A more controversial theory about the race of Sauron and Morgoth is that they were both Dark Elves. In Tolkien’s legendarium, the Elves were divided into two main groups: the Light Elves and the Dark Elves. The Light Elves were those who had never been to Middle-earth and had lived in the undying lands of Aman, while the Dark Elves were those who had lived in Middle-earth and had been corrupted by Morgoth.
The strongest evidence for this theory comes from the fact that Sauron was once a servant of the Dark Elf ruler Melkor, who was later renamed Morgoth. This would suggest that Sauron was also a Dark Elf, as he was serving under a Dark Elf ruler. Furthermore, the abilities of Sauron and Morgoth, particularly their skill in crafting and forging, are consistent with those of the Dark Elves.
Evidence Against the Theories
While each of these theories has some evidence to support it, there is also evidence that contradicts them. For example, while Sauron was identified as a Maia in The Silmarillion, he was also described as having taken on a physical form that was similar to that of the Men of Middle-earth. This would suggest that he was not a purely spiritual being, as the Maiar were supposed to be.
Similarly, while Morgoth’s abilities are consistent with those of the Valar, there is no evidence to suggest that he was one of them. In fact, The Silmarillion specifically refers to Morgoth as the first Dark Lord, which would suggest that he was not one of the Valar.
Finally, while the theory that Sauron and Morgoth were Dark Elves is intriguing, it is not supported by any direct evidence from Tolkien’s works. While it is true that Sauron served under Melkor, it is possible that he was simply a servant and not necessarily of the same race.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the race of Sauron and Morgoth is one of the many mysteries that remains in Tolkien’s legendarium. While there are several theories about their origins, none of them are fully supported by the evidence. However, the fact that both characters were capable of wielding immense power suggests that they were both of divine origin, whether they were Maiar, Valar, or some other race altogether. Regardless of their origins, Sauron and Morgoth remain some of the most fascinating and complex villains in all of literature, and their impact on the world of Middle-earth is undeniable.
