Basic Reading:

The Silmarillion: Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter 18: Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin

*This chapter will be read over the course of two days, so read about half today.

Supplementary Reading:

• Prior Versions:

  • The Shaping of Middle-Earth: Section III. The Quenta, Chapter 9 (including Commentary)

  • The Shaping of Middle-Earth: Section VII. The Earliest Annals of Beleriand, Year 155 (both entries, including corresponding Commentary)

  • The Lost Road: Part Two, Section III. The Later Annals of Beleriand, Years 255 - 256 (including corresponding Commentary)

  • The Lost Road: Part Two, Section VI. Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter 11: Of the Ruin of Beleriand and the Fall of Fingolfin, through paragraph 148 (including corresponding Commentary)

  • The War of the Jewels: Part One: The Grey Annals, YS 455 - 456 (including corresponding Commentary)

Experience:

• Maps:

  • Beleriand: Angband, Ard-galen, Thangorodrim, Hithlum, Mountains of Iron, Dorthonion, Ered Wethrin, Doriath, Nargothrond, Ossiriand, Pass of Sirion, Fen of Serech, Eithel Sirion, Shadowy Mountains, Pass of Aglon, Hill of Himring, Lothlann, Maglor’s Gap, River Gelion, Mount Rerir, Thargelion, Lake Helevorn, Ramdal, Amon Ereb, Taur-im-Duinath, Dor-nu-Fauglith, Gondolin, Crissaegrim, Havens

• Character Cards: Gil-galad

• Timeline: First Age 455 - 456

Discussion Questions:

1. Why do people react differently to fear?

2. Does it make sense for Morgoth to have blood? Why is he physically vulnerable?

3. Was Fingolfin heroic or foolish? Is it possible to be both?