Silmarillion Beren and Luthien
Importance of Beren and Luthien tale to Tolkien Connection to Edith
Plot of the tale of Beren and Luthien Lay of Leithian (release from bondage) Beren crosses over mountains, sees Luthien Thingol demands Silmaril as bride-price Finrod Felagund to aid Beren Sauron imprisons them in Tol-in- Gaurhoth, wolves slay all but Beren and Felagund Luthien finds Beren
Plot of the tale of Beren and Luthien Luthien imprisoned, Huan rescues her Huan vs. Wolf-Sauron (shape-changer) Encounter with Curufin and Celegrom Beren and Luthien in disguise to Angband Get to see Melkor, Luthien sings Beren cuts Silmaril out of Iron Crown, tries to take second, knife breaks Carcharoth bites off Beren’s hand
Plot of the tale of Beren and Luthien Eagles to the rescue Beren & Luthien back to Thingol Huan kills Carcharoth, speaks and dies Beren wounded, dies Luthien sings to Mandos Choice for Luthien
Beren as hero Fights in Barahir’s company Loses father to death Suffers alone in mountains Asks Thingol for Luthien’s hand Agrees to quest Attempts quest with Felagund Attempts quest alone, leaves Luthien Confronts Thingol Goes after Carcaroth
Beren vs. Turin Heirloom— Felagund’s ring Barahir betrayed by one of his men Father killed by Melkor Celebrates life with song in prison Heirloom – Helm of DorLomin Turin betrayed by Mim Father captured by Melkor Offers to pay ransom for Mim’s slain son
Beren vs. Turin Physically capable but doesn’t fight Takes Curufin’s arrow Marries Luthien Antagonist Melkor and Carcaroth Warrior, Robin Hood, kills Glaurung Lets Finduilas go Marries Nienne Antagonist Glaurung
Beren vs. Turin -- Guilts Goes on quest for honorable reason Leaves to keep Luthien out of danger Tries to protect Luthien from spear Tries to take other Silmaril Kills Beleg Susceptible to dragon’s eyes Does not rescue Finduilas Marries sister Tries to hide identity
Luthien as heroine Half Maia / half elven Inherits power of song from Melian Can change shape, disguise Beren Can call forth Spring, flowers Fearless – goes alone or w/Huan Faces Melkor with Beren
Huan Orome’s hound Follows Ceregorm to Beleriand Chooses to help Luthien Joins Beren and Luthien Can speak 3 times Prediction Defeats Wolf-Sauron Kills and is killed by Carcaroth
Songs Melian’s protection of Doriath Luthien’s song bring Spring Beren’s song in prison Luthien’s song before Melkor Luthien’s song to Mandos
Motifs Shape-shifting Support by friends, Huan
Themes Ultimate Love Greed Choice Honor
Beren & Luthien / Aragorn & Arwen Chance meeting in woods Luthien/Arwen singing and dancing Love at first sight Aragorn mistakes Arwen for Luthien Long quest – fairy tale ending Aragorn sings song of Tinuviel to hobbits Mixed marriage, union of man and elf