The God of Middle-earth: Eru Iluvatar and Tolkien’s Universe

Discovering the divine being at the heart of J.R.R. Tolkien's creation, Middle-earth, and exploring the implications of his existence within the fictional realm.

Introduction to Middle-earth and Eru Iluvatar

At the beginning of The Silmarillion, it is explicitly stated that Middle-earth, or Arda, the land upon which it is located, was created by Eru Iluvatar, a supreme being in Tolkien's mythological universe.

Eru Iluvatar is described as the god who stands between the right and left gods, and between the up and down gods, thus placing him at the heart of the cosmos and at the pinnacle of creation. This position emphasizes his fundamental role as the creator and sustainer of all that exists.

Elves’ Beliefs and the Limitations of Knowledge

The elves of Middle-earth believed that Eru Iluvatar sang the universe into being, and this belief is represented through the translation of the elves' mythological traditions by Bilbo Baggins in The Silmarillion. However, it is essential to note that the existence and nature of Eru Iluvatar are not explicitly mentioned in The Lord of the Rings. Tolkien intentionally excluded such discussions to keep the focus on the story's human and hobbit protagonists.

The Relevance of The Silmarillion

Even after the publication of The Silmarillion in 1977, knowledge of the god Eru Iluvatar and the divine beings that existed in Tolkien's world was not a prerequisite for understanding The Lord of the Rings. The inclusion of The Silmarillion was to provide context and background for the mythology within Tolkien's larger universe.

Frodo and his companions, the hobbits, are the focal characters in The Lord of the Rings, and their story is portrayed through their limited perspective. The elves, whose perspective is offered in The Silmarillion, are depicted with a single sentence, further emphasizing their secondary role in the primary narrative.

Tolkien’s Faith and Fictional Continuity

It is vital to recognize that J.R.R. Tolkien was a devout Catholic, and his beliefs significantly influenced his creation of Middle-earth. However, Eru Iluvatar in the stories of Middle-earth is not necessarily the same God as in Tolkien's real-world faith. Tolkien’s intention might have been to present a consistent divine presence across both the real and fictional worlds.

While Eru Iluvatar may represent a form of divine presence in both realms, the elves' understanding of him is undoubtedly imperfect. This reflects the common medieval literary tradition of presenting divine beings through the lens of human and mythological interpretation, often leading to complexity and multiple interpretations of deity.

The Reliability of Narration in Tolkien’s Works

Tolkien was well-versed in medieval literature and was aware of the unreliable nature of narrators in these texts. The story of the War of the Ring as seen through the hobbit perspective in The Lord of the Rings contrasts with the more mythological and extensive saga provided in The Silmarillion. This duality in narrative perspectives underscores the complexity and richness of Tolkien's creation.

For instance, when the elves of Middle-earth describe Eru Iluvatar, their beliefs are filtered through the lens of their own mythology and understanding. This layers of narration and interpretation reveal the deep cultural and theological significance in Tolkien's works, making them both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Conclusion

J.R.R. Tolkien's creation of Middle-earth encompasses a rich and nuanced understanding of divine presence. While Eru Iluvatar stands as the supreme being of the fictional world, his interpretation and influence are filtered through the diverse perspectives and limited knowledge of the characters in his stories. This approach not only highlights Tolkien's faith and its impact on his writing but also underscores the complexity and depth of his creation, making Middle-earth a fascinating and enduring world for readers and scholars alike.