March 4

Day 63

Basic Reading: 

    The Children of Húrin: Chapter 9: The Death of Beleg

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Supplementary Reading:

• Prior Versions:

  • The Book of Lost Tales 2: II. Turambar and the Foalókë - Read the fifth section, ending with “the Orcs found them not.” (including Commentary section 1: The primary narrative, (iii) Túrin and Beleg)

  • The Shaping of Middle-Earth: Section II. The Earliest ‘Silmarillion’ Chapter 12 (including Commentary)

  • The Shaping of Middle-Earth: Section III. The Quenta, Chapter 12 (including Commentary)

  • The Shaping of Middle-Earth: Section VII. The Earliest Annals of Beleriand, Year 189

  • The Lays of Beleriand: I. The Lay of the Children of Húrin, II. Beleg, lines 703 - 1338, including remaining Commentary

  • The Lost Road: Part Two, Section III. The Later Annals of Beleriand, Years 288 - 289

  • The War of the Jewels: Part One: The Grey Annals, YS 489 - 490 (including corresponding Commentary)

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Enrichment Activities:

• Maps:  

  • Beleriand: Angband, Crossings of Teiglin, Brethil, Ford of Brithiach, Pass of Anach, Ered Gorgoroth, Taur-nu-Fuin, Tol Sirion, Anfauglith, Thangorodrim, Lothlann, Ethel Ivrin, River Narog, Nargothrond

  • Timeline: First Age 489 - 490

  • Other: Listen to Cheyenne van L. - The Dancing Bardess’s original composition Laer Cú Beleg from The Children of Húrin on YouTube. Is it a suitable tribute?

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Discussion Questions:

    1. Which was the greater cause of Beleg’s death: Eöl’s treacherous sword, or Morgoth’s curse on Húrin’s kin?
    2. Was it wise of Gwindor to keep Anglachel rather than bury it with Beleg?
    3. Will Túrin find healing and renewal in Nargothrond?