Who kills Morgoth? A look at the destiny of Arda‘s first Dark Lord

Morgoth, once known as Melkor, was the most powerful of the Ainur created by Ilúvatar at the beginning of time. But he turned to darkness and sought to dominate all of creation for himself. After breeding many foul creatures and warring against the Elves, he was finally defeated at the end of the First Age. But prophecies foretold Morgoth would someday return, only to meet his doom at the hands of a legendary hero – Túrin Turambar.

From Melkor to Morgoth – the Fall of a Vala

Melkor was the mightiest of the Valar, surpassing even Manwë who became lord of the Valar. But Melkor was impatient for creation and wanted to realize his own visions. He disrupted the Great Music of the Ainur with discordant tones. After Arda was formed, Melkor went about the world sowing destruction and corruption. He bred twisted creatures like dragons, werewolves, and Balrogs to serve as his minions. From deep underground fortresses like Utumno and Angband, Melkor waged war on the other Valar and Elves. He constructed great machines of war and rivers of fire flowed from Angband when his evil army marched.

Melkor‘s malice only grew as he poisoned the world, ravaging its beauty for his own glory. He put on a terrible dark armor and named himself Morgoth, meaning "Dark Enemy". The Elves renamed him "The Great Enemy" and "Black Foe of the World". As Morgoth, his goal was nothing less than the utter domination of Arda itself.

The Wars of Beleriand

Morgoth unleashed violent wars against the Elves for control of Beleriand throughout the First Age. Some key battles included:

• Dagor Aglareb – The Glorious Battle where the Noldor Elves first defeated Morgoth‘s armies in the 50th year of the First Age.

• Dagor Bragollach – The Battle of Sudden Flame where Morgoth broke a long siege, killing thousands including the High King Fingolfin.

• Nirnaeth Arnoediad – The Battle of Unnumbered Tears where Morgoth annihilated the united armies of Elves and Men.

• Fall of Gondolin – The hidden city of Gondolin, one of the great Elf kingdoms, was finally sacked by Morgoth‘s forces after a long secret siege.

By the end of the First Age, Morgoth had conquered much of northern Middle-earth. But his vicious wars had also awakened the wrath of the Valar across the sea.

The War of Wrath and Morgoth‘s Defeat

In the War of Wrath at the end of the First Age, the Host of Valinor finally came to liberate Middle-earth from Morgoth‘s tyranny. This was the largest battle ever seen in Arda, involving all thehosts of the Valar, Maiar, and Elves. Some key facts about this epic war:

• Lasted over 40 years
• Morgoth‘s forces outnumbered more than 2 to 1
• All of Beleriand was laid waste and ruined
• Most of Morgoth‘s great generals slain – Gothmog, Glaurung, Ancalagon
• Morgoth defeated and bound by chains of Angainor
• Thrust through the Door of Night into the Timeless Void

With Morgoth overthrown, the First Age ended. But many prophecies foretold Morgoth eventually returning at the end of time for a final reckoning.

The Doom of Mandos – Dagor Dagorath

According to the prophecies of Mandos, one of the Fëanturi with powers of foresight, Morgoth will one day break back through the Door of Night to unleash the "Battle of Battles" – the Dagor Dagorath. This will see the final destruction of Arda as the old world order passes away. Some key facts:

• Morgoth returns through the Door of Night with his last remaining servants
• The Host of Valinor comes forth led by Eönwë, banner-bearer of Manwë
• Tumult and war across all Arda – stars rain from sky, mountains topple
• Sun and Moon destroyed, earth broken and flooded
• Morgoth‘s spectral spirit burned away forever by a black sword
• Slain by Túrin Turambar, allowing him to fulfill his tragic destiny

Mandos foretells that Túrin, who was cursed by Morgoth in life, will be the one to vanquish him for good. After shattering his black sword striking the deathblow, Túrin will finally find peace in death. The Second Music of the Ainur shall then remake the world anew.

Túrin Turambar – Doomed Hero of the First Age

Túrin Turambar endured perhaps the most tragic existence of any hero in the First Age due to Morgoth‘s curse upon him and his kin. He fought valiantly against the evil of Morgoth, but ill fate seemed to follow him constantly despite his courageous deeds.

Some key facts about Túrin‘s life:

• Cursed by Morgoth after his father Húrin defied the Dark Lord
• Forced to flee his childhood home when it was attacked by Orcs
• Led the Elf kingdom of Nargothrond to war against Morgoth, but inadvertently led it to ruin
• Accidentally killed his best friend Beleg with his black sword Gurthang
• Married his sister Nienor without recognizing who she was due to an ill curse
• Nienor killed herself after learning Túrin was her kin
• Slew the dragon Glaurung, but died by his own sword soon after

Túrin battled the curse of Morgoth all his life. His weapons and prowess as a warrior were legendary, but sorrow hounded his steps. His spirit passed to the Halls of Mandos after his death. But the prophecy of the Last Battle showed Túrin would return one last time to face his nemesis Morgoth.

Gurthang – the Black Sword of Túrin

Túrin wielded a mighty black sword known as Gurthang that was forged of meteoric metal. Its dark blade seemed to drink in the very light around it. Túrin used this sword to liberate the Elves of Nargothrond, fight against Morgoth‘s armies, and slay the dragon Glaurung. But it also led to tragic mistakes, like accidentally killing his friend Beleg.

When Gurthang shattered after delivering the death stroke to Morgoth, it fulfilled an ancient prophecy of the sword‘s purpose. Some compare Gurthang to other famous swords and weapons of Middle-earth:

But only Gurthang was destined to deal the final blow to Morgoth himself. Its breaking after fulfilling this fate resonates with the shattering of evil‘s power.

Resistance Against the Shadow

While Túrin bore the brunt of Morgoth‘s curse on his kin, others found ways to resist. His father Húrin defied Morgoth‘s torture and remained steadfast. His cousin Tuor escaped the curse and found purpose, helping the refugees of Gondolin escape and marrying the Elf Idril. Their son Eärendil sailed to Valinor and pled for help against Morgoth, leading to the War of Wrath.

Túrin‘s tragic life shows how destructive evil can be, even when it cannot corrupt noble hearts. But goodness persevered even amid such darkness in the First Age.

The Themes of Túrin‘s Tale

The story of Túrin encapsulates several major themes that Tolkien explored about the nature of his created world:

Fate vs Free Will – Are lives predestined, or can we chart our own course? Túrin often felt doomed by fate, though he tried to resist his curse.

Hope and Redemption – Despite sorrow, can we still hope for redemption? Túrin finally overcoming Morgoth offers this possibility.

Evil‘s Self-Defeat – Evil often sows its own destruction. Morgoth‘s curse on Túrin led to his ultimate vanquisher.

Change and Renewal – The old must sometimes be destroyed for new life and renewal. The Second Music promises this after Morgoth‘s end.

Justice and Mercy – Do those who fall deserve justice or mercy? Túrin finally finding peace shows moral complexity.

While sad, Túrin‘s destiny gives his tale power and meaning. His battle with Morgoth resonates across the ages.

Concluding Thoughts on Túrin vs Morgoth

As a Tolkien fan, I find the prophesied final duel between Túrin and Morgoth fascinating in its symbolism and scope. On a cosmic scale, it represents the end of the struggle between light and dark started by Morgoth‘s rebellion in the Great Music. Personally, I see several messages offered by this apocalyptic vision:

• In the battle between good and evil, good shall ultimately prevail even against impossible odds.

• Those who defy evil may suffer greatly, but their sacrifice can help bring evil‘s downfall.

• True courage means standing against darkness even when defeat seems certain.

• There is hope for redemption from sorrow and mistakes, if we persevere.

• In the end, love proves stronger than power. Compassion defeats malice.

The Dagor Dagorath shows the wheel of time coming full circle through ages of struggle and sacrifice. Only after this cosmically scaled reckoning and cleansing can the world be renewed. Túrin‘s destiny is tied to Arda itself – by vanquishing Morgoth‘s shadow forever, he paves the way for a new future shaped by the Second Music of creation.