The Silmarillion

When Melkor falls from grace and Middle-earth descends into turmoil, weapons of all kinds become increasingly important. What do weapons symbolize in The Silmarillion? Consider the various types of weapons seen throughout the book, then reflect upon them not only as tools to enact or defend against violence, but also as objects of cultural importance.

Teaching Suggestion: Weapons primarily symbolize the arrival of danger and violence in Middle-earth. They also contribute to the book’s Religion and Mythology regarding what’s required to make them and the forging of alliances between the groups who possess them. The naming conventions of weapons speak to their cultural significance: Weapons are given names (for example, Grond, the Dragon-helm of Dor-lómin, Ringil, Narsil, and Anglachel) and passed down through generations. Individuals can recognize and determine the significance of individual weapons, referencing the acts of a certain weapon and acknowledging the advantages that it brought to the world. The names given to weapons by the Elves also connect them to the overarching mythos of the text through songs, stories, and sagas. Weapons, then, come to indicate certain cultural touchstones. Students who struggle to generate ideas might benefit from being assigned a specific weapon to investigate and analyze.