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Book Home  Books Information Ainulindalë
Ainulindalë
The Ainulindalë is the title
of the first part of The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien. It
tells of the creation of the material Universe, or Arda, and
of the semi-gods who become the dramatis personae of the following
parts of the Silmar illion.
The supreme deity of Tolkien's universe is called Eru
Ilúvatar (The One who is Father of All). The tale began with
Ilúvatar's creation of spirits of lesser power than him, yet
of independent nature, named the Ainur (The Holy Ones). Ilúvatar
made divine music with them ("Ainulindalë" translates
from Quenya as the Music of the Holy, commonly referred to simply
as Music of the Ainur). Melkor, who was then one of the Ainur, broke
the harmony. Then Ilúvatar began the music once more, in which
Manwë Sulimo, Melkor's brother, sang the leading part. Yet again,
the harmony was broken.
Finally, Ilúvatar began a third theme which the
Ainur could not comprehend since they were not the source of it. Ilúvatar then ceased the music, and showed to the Ainur the essence of what
their song symbolized, the history of a whole world. This is known
as the vision of Ilúvatar. The Ainur became fascinated by it,
and asked Ilúvatar to put it into being. Ilúvatar spoke
the words :"Eä! Let these things Be!". This order created
the universe, and therefore the universe became known as "Eä"
or "The World that Is".
To the mortal Men Eru gave the gift of freedom. So when
they die their souls go somewhere beyond the known existence, as they
were sung into the Creation by Ilúvatar alone. This is the
reason why Men are not constrained by the fate of the Music like the
Elves and other beings of Arda are.
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