Done with a Purpose

In The Silmarillion, Tolkien writes the creation story for Middle Earth. The creator, Iluvatar, plans the date when elves and men will come into existence. He has previously created the Valar, or the Holy Ones, who have the ability to create as long as they know the form of the object. One of the Valar, Melkor, rebels against his maker and forms objects of his own design, while a faithful follower of Iluvatar, Aule, creates his own race, which he is not supposed to do. Despite both Valar committing actions counter to the creator’s will, Iluvatar reacts differently to the two. Aule and Melkor’s actions to create are viewed differently by Iluvatar because of the intentions they had while completing their tasks.

Aule’s act of creating his own race violates Iluvatar’s will because it went against the timeline the latter planned out. The former awaits the coming of elves and men, but since he does not know when they will come about, and he sees that Middle Earth is relatively empty, he desires to fill it with beings so he can “have learners to whom he could teach his lore and his crafts” (37). He has grown impatient, and so he acts on his wish to be able to instruct others. However, Aule makes dwarves in secret because he fears “that the other Valar might blame his work” because they would not agree with his actions (37). He does not want to appear like he is attempting to usurp Iluvatar's plan, since that is not his desire, but knows it could appear this way because he is not waiting, and, instead, is forming sentient beings on his own. Iluvatar knows what Aule does, and he confronts him, asking why the latter would attempt to create a person, which is beyond his ability, since he cannot create anything without adequate knowledge about it. Iluvatar then says, “‘For thou hast me from as a gift thy own being only, and no more” (37). While the Holy Ones are given power to create, it does not include other sentient beings, only objects. Iluvatar’s point is that Aule can do nothing outside of him. Since the Valar are not omnipotent, the dwarves Aule created can only move when he thinks about them. His wish is to please Iluvatar, so he picks up a hammer to wipe out the species. While Iluvatar is not pleased that Aule did not follow the original timing, but instead acted out of turn, he has compassion on him and grants the dwarves the ability to freely function, though they are put to sleep until the original plan comes to fruition. Aule sees the error of his ways, and, as a result, seeks to remedy it, which leads to Iluvatar’s graciousness.

The differences between Melkor and Aule lie in their hearts. Melkor sought to corrupt that which Iluvatar made for his own profit, for he wishes to rule and have all the power. He sees the world that Iluvatar creates and grows jealous, desiring the majesty and abilities for himself. When the theme for the world is sung, Melkor begins to weave his own sounds in. Iluvatar comments that “‘no theme may be played that hath not its uttermost source in me, nor can any alter the music in my despite” (6). Melkor desires to change the ultimate creation to his own bidding because he is jealous of the power of Iluvatar, and this feeling leads him to corrupting beings and destroying the work of the Holy Ones. Aule, on the other hand, looks at that which Iluvatar plans and is inspired to create, not out of hate, but out of admiration. He states this point in his conversation, saying, “‘I did not desire such lordship. I desired things other than I am, to love and to teach them, so that they might to perceive the beauty of Ea, which thou hast caused to be’” (37-38). The Valar do not need instruction in his craft, and for an eternal being, waiting for the coming of the new races seems far away. Since the desire to teach is in Aule’s heart, he decides to make a set of beings other than Valar, hence his meaning that the dwarves are other. He declares that his motive is that “the child of little understanding that makes a play of the deeds of his father may do so without thought of mockery, but because he is the son of his father’” (38). In this statement lies the key difference between the actions of Melkor and Aule. Aule’s intentions are pure. He wishes to teach and to imitate his creator, whom he sees as a father. When a child imitates his father, it is usually because he sees admirable qualities and wants to emulate them. Furthermore, The Silmarillion reveals Melkor’s aim to be the opposite when it states, “But as the theme [of creation] progressed, it came into the heart of Melkor to interweave matter of his own imagining that were not in accord with the theme of Iluvatar; for he sought therein to increase the power and glory of the part assigned to himself” (4). Melkor never desired to give glory to Iluvatar like Aule did when he wanted others to enjoy the majesty of the creation. Additionally, the reactions of the two Holy Ones are dissimilar when confronted by Iluvatar. Melkor lashes out when he faces punishment because his aim is to please himself, but when Aule is rebuked, he is willing to sacrifice his desires to make peace with Iluvatar. Melkor is power hungry, the opposite of Aule who desires to share Middle Earth with others.

Aule and Melkor appear to be similar on the surface. Both have the desire to create without Iluvatar. However, once one begins to peel back the layers to reveal their true intentions, their differences become blinding. Melkor desires power so he can elevate himself, whereas Aule wants to create so others may enjoy Iluvatar’s creation. Both go about their plan in similar ways by creating and conspiring in secret, but the intended outcomes are much different. Melkor’s actions are frowned upon because he acts for his own gain, but Aule is forgiven because he is not thinking only of himself. The latter repents, but the former continues to follow his destructive course.