The White Council

Re: The Greater Purpose of Beren and Luthien

Tolkien and Inklings Discussion

: I suppose this is assuming there is a greater purpose, but I've always been : confused as to why it was so important in the scheme of the universe that : Beren and Luthien were to be brought together (or Idril and Tuor, for that : matter). I tried to look for great deeds that they and their descendents : did, and here's all I found:

: Beren and Luthien themselves - rescued the Silmaril from Morgoth's crown. : Yes, this was a valiant deed, but besides proving their undying love for : each other, I'm not sure what else it did. : Dior - killed some of Feanor's sons. Besides that, I don't think he did : anything spectacular. : Elwing - the wife of Earendil. Again, a character based around love and the : Silmaril : Elrond - hmm. fought in a few battles, gave some good advice. : Elros - I'd consider Elros to be one of the most important descendents of : Luthien, since without him, there would not have been Aragorn (who I would : think would have a great amount of responsibility for overthrowing Sauron). : Arwen, Elladan, Elrohir - Arwen's the wife/love of Aragorn. That's : basically her only role. The boys look like Noldor lords and are messengers : for dad. (excuse the chipiness here) Although, I suppose it could be said : that without Arwen, Aragorn wouldn't have had the incentive to do : everything he did.

: and just for fun, let's look at Idril and Tuor : themselves - survived the fall of Gondolin, Tuor gets to be the first man : counted among the elves in Valinor. : Earendil - This I can understand. He played a major role in the Great War, : by killing Ancalagon and thereby destroying Thangorodrim. Plus, he's the : father of Elros.

: oh yes, I almost forgot: : Eldarion - who, as far as we know, took the throne and admired the peace : that his father established.

: So, there was Earendil and Aragorn (and possibly Arwen as a catalyst for : Aragorn). Were these two the greater purpose for the joining of elves and : men? Obviously for Earendil, Huor even knew that. Then is it safe to say : that the purpose of Beren and Luthien was to be foreparents of Aragorn and : Arwen? : This might be a pointless post here. If it is..please ignore.

Actually the question is intriguing. The closest parallel I can think of is the "begats" in the Bible. Some distant relatives were famous and performed great deeds, others were merely conduits through which later famous folks appeared. And then there's the witticism: "It may be that your whole purpose in life is to be a warning to others." :)