The Sketch and The Quenta

The first two sections of The Shaping of Middle-earth focus on Tolkien's Sketch of the Mythology (or his earliest Silmarillion) and more detailed Quenta Noldorinwa. In many ways the Sketch lays out Tolkien's thoughts on where his post Lost Tales mythology is headed. While the Quenta builds upon the Sketch and "...was in fact the only complete version of 'The Silmarillion' that my father ever made" (p. 1, The Shaping of Middle-earth); as noted by Christopher Tolkien. It has many features that are similar or used in the published Silmarillion. While I long for what could have been had Professor Tolkien completed this work his interruption, The Lord of the Rings, is no bad thing.

For sake of ease Christopher Tolkien created 19 artificial divisions for the Sketch and Quenta. The sections correspond which makes comparing the two easier. My intention for the next series of blog posts will be to read each of the sections of both, compare, contrast, and comment. However, I begin in the Quenta for it has an opening section (unnumbered) that has no corresponding passages in the Sketch.

This opening to the Quenta essentially lays the context for the realm of Middle-earth. Who made it, who are the powers within it, and how are the being born into it. But there are some notable features that I will highlight below:

• The title harkens back to The Lost Tales as the Quenta is attributed to Eriol of Leithien who read the Golden Book in Tol Eressëa.
• I especially like the opening line: "After the making of the World by the Allfather, who in Elvish tongue is named Ilúvatar..." (p. 78, The Shaping of Middle-earth). I've not picked up The Silmarillion in a while but I do not recollect the name Allfather being used of the Creator in it. There's something appealing to me about the name--Allfather, Father of All, and for all of his absence in Tolkien's writings this name gives the impression that Ilúvatar is not without care and compassion.
• The Valar are now nine; the earliest writings had many more. Each of the nine are given a brief description.
• The other description I found very interest was that of the Valar who went astray. "Last do all name Melko. But the Gnomes, who most have suffered from his evil, will not speak his name (Moeleg) in their own tongue's form, but call him Morgoth Bauglir, the Black God Terrible" (p. 79, The Shaping of Middle-earth). Pretty much encapsulates the epitome of horrific, dark, unrepentant evil.

I must admit one of the hardest things for me to grasp in Tolkien's early writings is the name Gnomes. I just cannot help but think of the garden statue variety with their red pointy hats and odd poses. I am certainly glad who changed this sect of Elves to the Noldor. Plus, Gnomes are Elves? That's just confusing.