April 25, 2015

The Unhappy Lot of Húrin

The next several sections (12 through 14) of the Sketch and Quenta follow the unhappy lot of Húrin. After captured in the battle of Unnumbered Tears and defying Morgoth his children were cursed. The brief few pages outline this great tragedy of Tolkien's writings. Hapless turn after turn happens to Túrin son of Húrin until his death (that's not to say he didn't earn renown and glory in battle).

A couple of interesting differences from these works and the published Silmarillion. In the sketch Morwen seeks to shelter her young son Túrin with Thingol on the account of the friendship of her husband Húrin and Beren. In the published work they are kindred not contemporaries.

Also very alive in both the Sketh and Quenta is the tale of Húrin's wanderings after being released by Morgoth. His gaining of the dragon's cursed gold and his giving of it to Thingol is mockery of his care for his family. No true finality is given to Húrin in any writing. But the cursed gold lays hold of Thingol's heart and leads to his death and the ruin of Doriath. In the published Silmarillion Húrin brings only the Nauglafring, the great necklace of the Dwarves to Doriath.

It makes one pause to think what is the more interesting cause of a downfall: pride? cursed gold? a combination of the two?

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