Expanding the Middle-earth Universe: The Possibility of a Silmarillion Sequel

The ever-curious minds of J.R.R. Tolkienrsquo;s fans often ponder the existence of a sequel to The Silmarillion. This article delves into Tolkienrsquo;s work, the completion of which was cut short, and the possibility of a new narrative in the realm of Middle-earth.

The End of the Silmarillion and the Emergence of an Alternative Past

After completing the Lord of the Rings, Tolkien began developing a sequel to his expansive mythology, aiming to create an alternative past for our present world. However, as he progressed, he found that he had already conveyed his intentions and plans in various works. The detailed documentation and backdrop of the magical world of Middle-earth came to an end in the Third Age, with the ldquo;magicrdquo; slowly dissipating and the world transitioning into one more resembling our own. Tolkien himself acknowledged that the nature of the post-Third Age world was ldquo;depressing,rdquo; ultimately leading him to set aside his sequel.

Tolkien turned his focus to completing stories from the First Age, a process that was inconsistently undertaken. His son, Christopher Tolkien, compiled and published portions of these stories, which were not entirely cohesive. Due to the posthumous nature of Tolkienrsquo;s work, some of these narratives were compiled from incomplete or discarded drafts, such as the origin of the orcs, which Tolkienrsquo;s last revision attributed to humans rather than elves.

Is a Sequel Possible?

Given the fragmented and incomplete nature of the Silmarillion and the ldquo;depressingrdquo; nature of the post-Third Age world as envisioned by Tolkien, discussing a direct sequel is questionable. The Silmarillion cannot be considered fully canon and thus, a sequel might not fit seamlessly into the existing narrative.

Nonetheless, many scholars and fans have delved into the 12-volume History of Middle-earth series to gather further insights and background information on Middle-earth. These volumes provide a wealth of information about the early development of Tolkienrsquo;s mythology and world-building, offering a richer understanding of the themes and motivations behind the works.

Alternative Routes: The History of Middle-earth

Believe it or not, the History of Middle-earth offers a more comprehensive look into the creation of the world Tolkien envisioned. This set of volumes provides readers with a wealth of background information, including early drafts, alternative versions, and letters that reveal Tolkienrsquo;s thought process and narrative.

The series can be considered a precursor to the works included in the Silmarillion, detailing the origins of various characters and events in Middle-earth. Readers can trace the evolution of characters like Sauron, the elves, and hobbits, and understand the intricate mythological tapestry that Tolkien created over years of laborious writing.

Conclusion

While a direct sequel to The Silmarillion may not be feasible due to the fragmented nature of Tolkienrsquo;s posthumous works, the History of Middle-earth offers a more nuanced and detailed understanding of the world Tolkien created. For those interested in exploring the rich mythology of Middle-earth, delving into these volumes can provide invaluable insights and a deeper appreciation of Tolkienrsquo;s creativity and vision.

Keywords: Silmarillion, Lord of the Rings, Tolkien