Cruelty Quote by Tolkein J. R. R
““But of those unhappy ones who were ensnared by Melkor little is known of a certainty. For who of the living has descended into the pits of Utumno, or has explored the darkness of the counsels of Melkor? Yet this is held true by the wise of Eressëa, that all those of the Quendi who came into the hands of Melkor, ere Utumno was broken, were put there in prison, and by slow arts of cruelty were corrupted and enslaved; and thus did Melkor breed the hideous race of the Orcs in envy and mockery of the Elves, of whom they were afterwards the bitterest foes. For the Orcs had life and multiplied after the manner of the Children of Ilúvatar; and naught that had life of its own, nor the semblance of life, could ever Melkor make since his rebellion in the Ainulindalë before the Beginning: so say the wise. And deep in their dark hearts the Orcs loathed the Master whom they served in fear, the maker only of their misery. This it may be was the vilest deed of Melkor, and the most hateful to Ilúvatar.””
About This Quote
The excerpt explains that Melkor’s corruption created Orcs, who are both enslaved and hostile, reflecting themes of evil, domination, and the tragic origins of a race in Tolkien’s legendarium.
In simple terms: Melkor corrupted beings into Orcs, embodying evil.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the roots of evil and its consequences.
Themes
evil
corruption
domination
origin
mythology
Mood
dark
mythic
tragic
Type
Cruelty:1
Life:0
Orcs:1
Vile:1
Melkor Hateful:1
Orcs Loathed:1
Ensnared Melkor:0
Life Melkor:0
Elves Bitterest:0
When to use this quote
- fantasy writing
- roleplaying
- academic study
Key Concepts
theology of evil
mythic history
moral decay
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the Orcs’ origin say about free will?
- How does Tolkien portray the nature of corruption?
![“An artist has an obligation to tell the truth. [...] that the true horrors of human history derive not from orcs and Dark Lords, but from ourselves. We are the monsters. (And the heroes too). Each of us has within himself the capacity for great good, and great evil.” quote by George R. R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/783/george-r-r-martin-2-926_art_an-artist-has-an-obligation-to-tell-the_1622821.jpg)
