All 3 Times Morgoth Was Defeated In The Lord Of The Rings (& How)

This article contains spoilers for The Silmarillion.Sauron is the eponymous villain of J.R.R. Tolkien’s famous The Lord of the Rings, but Sauron followed in Morgoth’s footsteps after Morgoth was defeated. Morgoth was the original villain of Middle-earth, “the Prime sub-creative Rebel,” as described by Tolkien in a letter. Only Middle-earth’s God, Eru Ilúvatar, had the gift of creation – the Secret Fire. Morgoth was of the Ainur, Eru’s first-created species, and he lived in the Timeless Halls outside the Void with Eru and the other Ainur. Morgoth sought the Secret Fire in the Void, wishing to create when he could only subcreate. This foreshadowed his downfall.

Called Melkor at the time, Lord of the Rings’ Morgoth sang with the other Ainur in the Ainulindalë, a song led by Eru that visualized Arda and its future. Harboring rebellious sentiments, Morgoth’s input was discordant, troubling Arda’s course before it began. Eru sent the Secret Fire into the void, creating the universe – Eä – and explaining to the Ainur that it was their task to build what they had visualized. Despite being reprimanded by Eru during the Ainulindalë, Melkor was allowed to build Eä, but he continued to be wayward, fighting the Valar and losing a few times.

3 Morgoth Fled Before Tulkas During The First War

Morgoth Hated Tulkas With A Vengeance

The 15 Valar in The Lord of the Rings were the most powerful Ainur, with the Maiar being the order below them, and they opposed and beat Morgoth in the First War. The First War occurred at Arda’s beginning, which was also roughly when Morgoth corrupted the Maia Sauron. Arda is the world of LotR, contained in Eä. J.R.R. Tolkien’s posthumous The Silmarillion describes how the Valar Manwë, Aulë, and Ulmo built most of Arda while Morgoth fought them. Just as he sought the Secret Fire, Melkor sought control over Arda, clarifying his pride and desire for Godhood.

In his attempt to control or destroy what he couldn’t possess, Morgoth sabotaged much of the Valar’s work, pouring his cruel essence out into Arda as he reformed it. Of what remained of Arda Marred, none was as the Valar had intended. The Valar’s prime physical fighter, Tulkas, tipped the scales in this war and chased Morgoth into hiding. Tulkas had Morgoth’s hatred forever after. This is unfortunate for Morgoth because Tulkas is prophesied to defeat him again in the Dagor Dagorath – the final battle after which Arda will be remade, this time with no marring.

2 Morgoth Was Chained By The Valar After The War Of The Powers

Morgoth Was Imprisoned And Then Released Under Supervision

Finally, the Elves awoke in Arda as the Ainulindalë foretold and the Valar took on Morgoth once again, attempting to protect the Elves. All species on Middle-earth were either Eru’s creation, blessed by Eru with the Secret Fire, or corruptions of lifeforms already in existence. Eru Ilúvatar put Elves and Men into the Ainulindalë, while the Ainur input everything else. After the First War, while the Valar had been busying themselves making the continent of Aman lovely, Morgoth had been corrupting Elves into Orcs on Middle-earth. Eventually, the Valar intervened, resulting in the Battle of the Powers.

Middle-earth’s North-west saw the majority of the fighting, located near Morgoth’s northern Utumno stronghold. Morgoth’s favorite Vala, Tulkas, descended into the pits of Utumno and fought him in single combat with his bare hands, winning and chaining him. The chaining of Melkor has been illustrated by Roger Garland and Jacek Kopalski, inspired by The Silmarillion’s powerful description of Morgoth’s second significant defeat. Morgoth was chained in Valinor for three long ages before he was released under supervision, but he didn’t waste time in turning the Elves against each other and the Valar, causing more war.

1 Morgoth Lost To The Host Of Valinor In The War Of Wrath

Morgoth Was Defeated In The Last Battle Of The War Of The Jewels

Having destabilized the Elves, Morgoth stole their key asset, Fëanor’s powerful Silmarils, but he would lose the war that this caused. Fëanor’s Elves brutally followed Morgoth from Valinor to Middle-earth in war, letting nothing stand in their way. These bright jewels contained the only remaining light of the Two Trees, which Morgoth had destroyed with his giant spider accomplice, Ungoliant. The War of the Jewels was waged across many battles, including the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the Battle of Unnumbered Tears – a decisive victory for Morgoth that devastated the Elves.

Morgoth also won the Dagor Bragollach, while the Sack of Nargothrond and the Fall of Gondolin followed the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, caused by Morgoth’s wrath against the Elves. Morgoth hated the Elves ever since it became clear that the Valar would protect them at all costs, including dislodging him from any position of power he might attain in The Lord of the Rings. This conflict ended with the War of Wrath, which was so cataclysmic it sunk the realm of Beleriand. But Morgoth was beaten and thrust into the Void, guarded by Eärendil until his preordained return in the Dagor Dagorath.