Eru Ilúvatar is the overarching protagonist in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium, and is introduced in The Silmarillion and has a minor yet pivotal role in The Lord of the Rings. He is the supreme being of the universe, creator of all existence. In Tolkien's invented Elvish language Quenya, Eru means "The One", or "He that is Alone" and Ilúvatar signifies "Father of All". The names appear in Tolkien's work both in isolation and paired (Eru Ilúvatar).
His Good Ranking[]
His Heroic Deeds[]
- He created Arda.
- He created the Elves and Men. Despite being angry on Aule for impatience when the latter created the dwarves, Eru still allowed the dwarves to live in Arda and even gave them sapience.
- He decided the fate of the deceased Fëanor.
- At Manwë's request, he resurrected Beren.
- He saved Aman from Ar-Pharazôn's army.
- He removed Aman from the circles of the world.
- He resurrected the wizard Gandalf, who died in the battle with the Balrog of Moria (also known as Durin's Bane), so that he could complete his mission.
- Although he has destroyed Numenor, the narrative makes it clear that Numenor were completely unsullied to their deepest amalgam by impiety and wickedness, there being no further possibility of their redemption through their own choice to follow Sauron. Therefore, he would be more aligned with being a righteous killer than a lethal, extremist, anti-hero or true neutral.
Why Doesn't He Stand Out?[]
- While he created Arda and is one way or another responsible for creating all good that there is in Arda, he doesn't directly partake in the events of Middle-Earth's war-torn history. Due to that, he fails the admirable standards to most of other characters, who, with lesser resources, played more active roles in protecting it.
Trivia[]
- In The Lord of the Rings, Ilúvatar is the Bigger Good because he supports Gandalf in the mission to destroy the One Ring by bringing him back to Middle-earth after the latter died while fighting (and slaying) Durin's Bane. Furthermore, Ilúvatar is the ultimate good in Middle-earth, the same way Morgoth serves as the ultimate evil in Middle-earth.
- Ironically, being the most resourceful character in Middle-earth stories, he's also the most bog-standard, as, despite creating Arda, he lacks significant heroic deeds to be judged for.
External Links[]
- Eru Ilúvatar on the Heroes Wiki