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Faenoriel
Dor-Lomin
May 17 2012, 5:07pm
Post #1 of 14
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The importance of Lúthien and Beren
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Why the lay of Leithian is so important in-universe? Obviously it was important for Tolkien himself, and who's to blame him. But what makes the deeds of Lúthien and Beren so vital for the inhabitants of the universe itself? After all, it's was prophesied Beren would enter the Girdle of Melian, and that the great fate he carried would let him pass. In this light, what was his true fate? What did he and Lúthien really accomplish? And why is the story named "Leithian", release from bondage? What is this bond and how was it broken? Is it death? Or fear of death?
But every word you say today
Gets twisted 'round some other way
And they'll hurt you if they think you've lied
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Darkstone
Elvenhome
May 17 2012, 5:56pm
Post #2 of 14
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"Thy love me drew from bondage drear"
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Love is the answer. That's what drives Frodo, Aragorn, Sam, Gandalf, and the other true heroes of Middle-earth.
As Faramir said: "...I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend..."
"Love" for power, for the sword, for the arrow, for the warrior, for the Ring, is bondage. True love breaks all bonds.
******************************************
The audacious proposal stirred his heart. And the stirring became a song, and it mingled with the songs of Gil-galad and Celebrian, and with those of Feanor and Fingon. The song-weaving created a larger song, and then another, until suddenly it was as if a long forgotten memory woke and for one breathtaking moment the Music of the Ainur revealed itself in all glory. He opened his lips to sing and share this song. Then he realized that the others would not understand. Not even Mithrandir given his current state of mind. So he smiled and simply said "A diversion.”
(This post was edited by Darkstone on May 17 2012, 5:59pm)
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CuriousG
Gondolin
May 17 2012, 6:40pm
Post #3 of 14
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I would add that despite Luthien being half-Maia, she was still weak compared to Morgoth and couldn't have defeated him in a face-to-face duel. So, their story is also a story of underdogs conquering evil, which parallels the hobbits' story in general. And without going into whether Sam & Frodo were lovers or not, there is that more specific parallel of two people bound by some bond of affection, all alone against the ultimate evil of their time, crossing a wasteland, enduring treachery (Gollum; Curufin and Celegorm), and still doing the "impossible" in defeating their enemy.
Other ways that the Beren & Luthien story underlie Tolkien's stories:
1. Virtue. The Sons of Feanor, with their bravery, cunning, and large armies, were never able to defeat Morgoth and regain the Silmarils because of their corruption that sprang from the Oath of Feanor. B&L are pretty virtuous, and they bring out the virtue in some others such as Felagund and Huan. Likewise hobbits are virtuous. So in addition to love being triumphant, it's also about decent people succeeding where the corrupt cannot.
2. Pretty much the whole world. One of their descendants acts as the Evening Star with the Silmaril lthey recaptured, besides being the one who got the Valar to defeat Morgoth and reshape the world. Another descendant was the first king of Numenor. Aragorn is descended from them. Elves and Dwarves are estranged because they won a Silmaril, gave it to Theoden, and the Dwarves killed him for it, leading to more killing that neither race ever forgave or forgot.Their actions inspired the last, disastrous attack on Morgoth that led to the destruction of Beleriand and the estrangement of Elves and (some) Men. They didn't shape the entire fate of the world, but the consequences of their lives were far-reaching in history.
I interpret "Release from Bondage" as Luthien's ability to choose mortality and leave the earth. Elves don't enjoy their immortality that much over time since it makes them weary, but they can't escape the world that they are spiritually bound to. Luthien was able to break that spiritual bond in favor of her bond to Beren.
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Finwe
Menegroth
May 17 2012, 8:22pm
Post #4 of 14
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Darkstone and Curious said it better than I could ever could have. I'll also echo the inspiration aspect, not only amongst Men and Elves, but also the Valar and Eru. If their deeds inspired Eru to grant a mortal a second chance at life, I have to think it was also one of the pivotal events that convinced the Valar the inhabitants of Middle Earth deserved their help.
On a side note, when I first heard about the Lay of Leithian, I just assumed Leithian was an early form of Luthien's name that evolved into her final name, as is the case with many of Tolkien's characters. As a result, I always thought the story was more focused on her than Beren. As a result, I always thought the bondage referred to her escaping Doriath. In a sense, she was Thingol's silmaril. There was no one who was ever going to be good enough to marry her in Thingol's eyes. If Beren hadn't shown up, who knows if she would have ever left Doriath and her father.
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Hamfast Gamgee
Dor-Lomin
May 17 2012, 11:09pm
Post #5 of 14
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One thing, they created a life-blood of Eldar and Maia that existed throughout the Kings of Men down the ages, right down to the fourth age. And to those of a more romantic mind, to Roman Empires and by some to more modern monarchs. Though admittedly the stain would be getting a bit watered down by now!
Also, they gained one Silmaril which later, Earendil used to get around the barriers that existed in getting to Valinor.
One other thing about the tale, is that I think that Luthien made more of a contribution than Beren did!
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CuriousG
Gondolin
May 18 2012, 3:07am
Post #6 of 14
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I always thought the same thing. Tolkien's tales are fairly traditional and male-dominated, but in this one, it's more of the heroic princess rescuing the male-damsel who's repeatedly in distress. When he writes a strong female character, he writes them extremely well.
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CuriousG
Gondolin
May 18 2012, 3:13am
Post #7 of 14
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I hadn't thought of that, but Thingol was so jealously possessive of her, he put her in that Rapunzel-like tree tower so she couldn't escape. I mean, honestly, who does that with a full-grown daughter who loves the wrong guy--you lock them in the attic? He told Beren he had to get a Silmaril to wed Luthien, figuring that was totally impossible, again so he could keep his daughter forever. So yeah, Luthien was pretty bound by Thingol. I've said before I'm not fond of him, but his over-protection of her is pretty natural of most fathers and humanizes him for me. It also seems that Luthien was fond of her father throughout the story, so whatever his failings, his love for her seemed deep and genuine.
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Faenoriel
Dor-Lomin
May 18 2012, 1:03pm
Post #8 of 14
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Tolkien used females sparingly, but when he created one, he put lots of though to it.
But that just me. I've always enjoyed his characters and have never understood where all this "they're so one dimensional" stuff comes from. I'd say Tolkien is too subtle for their unsubtle minds. (And they have unrealistic expectations of realism. Most people are in fact quite decent.)
But every word you say today
Gets twisted 'round some other way
And they'll hurt you if they think you've lied
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DanielLB
Elvenhome
May 18 2012, 1:35pm
Post #9 of 14
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I think this is one of the things non-readers do not appreciate
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Tolkien used females sparingly, but when he created one, he put lots of though to it. Middle-earth is very male-centric, but the female characters that Tolkien creates are just as important as the males. Yes, there may be more males, but he doesn't have his female characters simply do nothing. If that were the case, then I would understand people's annoyance at the lack of female characters
Join the Hobbit Character Elimination Game in the Arena!
Down to the final 2! Gandalf vs. Bilbo. Who will take victory? Come and vote to see your favourite win!
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Faenoriel
Dor-Lomin
May 18 2012, 7:10pm
Post #10 of 14
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Tolkien ranked Lúthien, Galadriel and Fëanor as the top 3 Elves
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of whom the Eldarin tales mostly tell, and then ranked Lúthien as the most important of them all. Of the Valar, Varda is clearly both most beloved and most important on her own way - you can argue Manwë is the official leader, but you just know Varda is the "neck that turns the head". With Hobbits, there's a tradition of important, almost matriarchal power women. In the Mannish societies women there were many great females remembered afterwards, such as Morwen and Haleth. Only with the Dwarves the women are scarce in the most literal sense of meanings.
I'd say in Middle-Earth women didn't often have official political power, but the Middle-Earth societies weren't like ours. They were built around family relationships, kinship and feudal bonds. In this kind of society, personal power is often more important than titles, and the females certainly had lots of personal power. They aren't looked down upon or treated as servants or sinners, but as an integral part of the society. It's just a different way of operating.
But every word you say today
Gets twisted 'round some other way
And they'll hurt you if they think you've lied
(This post was edited by Faenoriel on May 18 2012, 7:11pm)
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Hamfast Gamgee
Dor-Lomin
May 18 2012, 11:23pm
Post #11 of 14
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Lets not foget the doggy contribution as well
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After all how many Werewolves did Huan slay?
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Finding Frodo
Dor-Lomin
May 22 2012, 4:20am
Post #12 of 14
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"And long ago they went away/In the forest singing sorrowless"
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To me, Beren and Luthien represent all the magical and fantastical things that once existed. They have faded away, but at the same time they are still alive and well -- just no longer a part of our world. All the elves, wizards, dwarves and hobbits have gone the way of Beren and Luthien. We are left with their stories and maybe a wistful feeling for what once was.
Where's Frodo?
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Faenoriel
Dor-Lomin
May 22 2012, 8:14pm
Post #13 of 14
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It's the most fairy tale like of Tolkien's stories
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And the one that stands best on its own, imo, sans perhaps Narn i Chîn Húrin.
You're absolutely right, it has very magical quality to it. And gosh isn't it so romantic, in a traditional yet genuine way.
But every word you say today
Gets twisted 'round some other way
And they'll hurt you if they think you've lied
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Hamfast Gamgee
Dor-Lomin
May 22 2012, 11:07pm
Post #14 of 14
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I'm not sure I would like to be eaten by Werewolves in the manner that Finrod was, even though he was re-incarnated, or having my family killed then been tortured and forced to betray my companions and then killed, probably by Werewolves in the same manner that Gorlim was. There is a double side to these tales!
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