Review: The Silmarillion – Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter 1: Of the Beginning of Days
Introduction
J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion is a foundational myth for the world of Middle-earth, chronicling its earliest ages, divine figures, and legendary events. Within its core section, Quenta Silmarillion, the first chapter, Of the Beginning of Days, serves as a bridge between the grand cosmological creation in Ainulindalë and the more narrative-driven history of the First Age. This chapter establishes the fundamental order of the world, detailing the shaping of Arda, the role of the Valar, and the origins of both light and darkness.
Unlike The Lord of the Rings, which focuses on personal quests and individual characters, Of the Beginning of Days unfolds as a mythological account, resembling ancient sacred texts or classical epics. Tolkien’s use of grand, almost biblical language reinforces the sense of timelessness, making this chapter not just an introduction but a critical foundation for everything that follows.
Summary of the Chapter
Of the Beginning of Days recounts the early shaping of the world, the establishment of time, and the dawn of the great conflict between good and evil. The chapter can be divided into several key sections:
1. The Shaping of Arda
After the Music of the Ainur (Ainulindalë), the Ainur who descended into the world became the Valar and the Maiar. They began shaping Arda according to the themes of the Great Song, though Melkor (Morgoth), the most powerful of the Ainur, sought to corrupt and dominate it.
The world was initially undefined, but the Valar labored to give it form, creating mountains, seas, and plains.
2. The Struggle Between the Valar and Melkor
Melkor’s defiance and constant destruction forced the Valar into direct conflict with him. Every act of creation by the Valar was countered by Melkor’s malice, foreshadowing the relentless struggle that defines much of The Silmarillion.
Eventually, the Valar established their kingdom in the West—Aman—and their stronghold Valinor, while Middle-earth remained under Melkor’s shadow.
3. The Establishment of Light
To bring order and beauty to the world, Yavanna created the Two Lamps, Illuin and Ormal, which illuminated Arda in its early days.
Melkor, unwilling to let the Valar rule freely, destroyed the Lamps, plunging the world into chaos. This event marked the first great downfall in the history of Arda.
In response, the Valar retreated to Valinor and created the Two Trees of Valinor—Telperion and Laurelin—which became the new sources of light. Their golden and silver radiance would later inspire the creation of the Sun and Moon.
4. The Ordering of Time
With the establishment of the Two Trees, time began to be measured.
This period was known as the Years of the Trees, preceding the coming of the Elves and the dominion of Men.
Themes and Symbolism
1. Light vs. Darkness
A central motif in Of the Beginning of Days is the battle between light and darkness, a recurring theme throughout The Silmarillion. The Two Lamps, then the Two Trees, and later the Sun and Moon, symbolize the ever-present struggle to preserve beauty and order against Melkor’s corruption.
Light in Tolkien’s mythology is not merely a physical element; it carries deep spiritual significance. The destruction of the Two Lamps signals the first major loss of divine light, a pattern that repeats with the destruction of the Two Trees and the theft of the Silmarils. Each instance reflects the persistent cycle of creation, loss, and attempted restoration.
2. Divine Order vs. Chaos
The Valar embody the divine order envisioned by Ilúvatar, working to shape Arda in harmony with the Great Music. Melkor, however, represents unchecked ambition and selfish desire, constantly disrupting the balance.
This struggle mirrors many real-world mythologies, such as the battle between the Olympian gods and the Titans in Greek mythology, or between the forces of Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu in Zoroastrianism.
3. Cycles of Destruction and Renewal
The destruction of the Two Lamps and the subsequent creation of the Two Trees demonstrate the cyclic nature of Tolkien’s mythology. Every great achievement—be it the Two Trees, Númenor, or Gondolin—eventually falls, but something new emerges from its loss. This theme underscores Tolkien’s perspective on history: a continuous ebb and flow of beauty, loss, and rebirth.
4. The Isolation of the Valar
After the destruction of the Two Lamps, the Valar retreat to Aman, establishing Valinor as a realm of peace and separation from Middle-earth. This decision has profound consequences, as it allows Melkor to corrupt Middle-earth unchecked, ultimately leading to the tragic conflicts of the First Age.
The Valar’s retreat can be seen as both an act of wisdom and a mistake. While they preserve the purity of Valinor, their absence leaves the mortal lands vulnerable to evil—a recurring consequence of inaction in Tolkien’s works.
Writing Style and Narrative Structure
1. Biblical and Mythological Prose
Tolkien’s writing in this chapter is highly formal and reminiscent of ancient mythologies. His use of elevated language and structured storytelling mirrors religious and classical texts, reinforcing the sense that these events are part of a grand, divine history.
2. Poetic Descriptions
Tolkien’s descriptions of Valinor, the Two Trees, and the shaping of the world are deeply poetic. His ability to convey a sense of awe and wonder through language makes the mythical setting feel tangible and vivid.
3. Impersonal, Yet Grand in Scope
Unlike The Lord of the Rings, where the focus is on individual characters, Of the Beginning of Days is presented in a grand, historical manner. The characters—such as Manwë, Yavanna, and Melkor—are more symbolic than personal, representing cosmic forces rather than humanized individuals.
Importance in The Silmarillion
Of the Beginning of Days serves as a crucial foundation for the entire legendarium. It sets up:
The eternal conflict between good and evil, which defines Middle-earth’s history.
The importance of light and its loss, foreshadowing the theft of the Silmarils and the downfall of the Elves.
The Valar’s decision to withdraw from Middle-earth, leading to the unchecked spread of Melkor’s influence.
Without this chapter, much of the later events in The Silmarillion—such as Feanor’s rebellion, the destruction of the Trees, and the doom of the Noldor—would lack their deeper mythological significance.
Conclusion
Chapter 1, Of the Beginning of Days, is a masterful piece of myth-making that encapsulates Tolkien’s vision of creation, struggle, and renewal. While it lacks the personal character arcs found in The Lord of the Rings, its grandeur and depth provide a powerful introduction to the conflicts and themes that shape the history of Arda.
For readers new to The Silmarillion, this chapter may feel dense and abstract, but its significance becomes clearer as the story unfolds. It is not merely background lore—it is the very foundation upon which Middle-earth is built. Through its mythological depth, theological undertones, and poetic storytelling, Of the Beginning of Days stands as one of the most important and beautifully crafted chapters in Tolkien’s legendarium.
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