"The Silmarillion" details the rich background of the more well-known tales "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" for dedicated Tolkien fans. How much do you know about the earlier ages of Middle-earth? Take this quiz to find out.
"The Silmarillion" is named after what?
the Silmarils, Elven gems of great power
Silmarellor, the First Lord of Beleriand
"The Silmarillion," a book written in the First Age and handed down through the kings of Numenor
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The longest section of the book revolves around Elven gems called Silmarils, their theft, and the quest to recover them.
What is the name of the divine being who existed before the creation of the universe?
Ea
Eru Iluvatar
Melkor
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Eru Iluvatar (sometimes known as either name separately, sometimes both names combined), is somewhat like Odin and somewhat like the Christian God, both major inspirations for Tolkien.
The Ainur then create Arda, the world where all of Tolkien's other tales take place (Middle-earth is just part of that world). Melkor wants to rule Arda. What happens to him after the Ainur go to Arda?
He disguises himself as a mortal on Arda.
The other Ainur invade his fortress and imprison him in the Halls of Mandos.
He reveals himself to Men and begins to corrupt them.
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Melkor is imprisoned in the Halls of Mandos so he doesn’t corrupt the Elves.
The "Valaquenta" section of "The Silmarillion" describes the Valar, powerful Ainur who come to live on Arda (sort of like Greek gods and goddesses). How many Valar are there?
14
77
four
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There are 14 Valar, plus Melkor, who is no longer considered a Valar due to his evil deeds.
The Valar are the more powerful Ainur of Arda. What are the lesser Ainur called?
Vesta
Olorin
Maiar
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The Maiar are in some ways like pagan nature spirits, though some of them (Sauron, Gandalf, Melian) take a more specific form and play greater roles in the events on Arda.
Each Maia is "attached" to a more powerful Valar. Which one is Sauron attached to?
Aule
Feanturi
Tulkas
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Aule, the Smith, is known for invention and crafting, which explains Sauron's skill in directing the crafting of the Rings of Power and his own crafting of the One Ring.
The true cost of Melkor's theft is that it stirs pride, greed and jealousy and leads someone to commit a terrible betrayal. Who is it?
Feanor
the lesser Maiar
Ungoliant
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Feanor blames the Valar for his father's death. He covets the Silmarils so much he convinces his fellow Noldor to leave Aman for Middle-earth, killing some of his fellow Elves in the process.
The Nirnaeth Arnoediad is a major battle in which Morgoth finally gains control over much of northern Beleriand. What does "Nirnaeth Arnoediad" translate to?
the Mountains of Death
the Battle of Unnumbered Tears
the Battle of the Shattered Heavens
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The battle is marked by horrendous casualties and terrible betrayals and is known as the Battle of Unnumbered Tears.
It's ingested, along with Beren's hand, by the greatest werewolf in the universe.
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The werewolf Carcharoth eats it, but Thingol lets Beren and Luthien get married anyway (although Beren dies and Luthien has him restored to life but becomes mortal herself — it's all very tragic).
The resulting war, known as the War of Wrath, leads to Morgoth's defeat but has what other consequence?
the removal of Aman from Arda
the gradual fading of the Elves
the utter destruction of a huge portion of Middle-earth, which is lost beneath the ocean
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A lot of Middle-earth is obliterated by the war because the Valar are so powerful. The Valar basically look around and say, "Whoa, we will never get involved like this again; this was a bad idea."
