One of the most daunting things about reading The Silmarillion is keeping all of the names straight. I love this, so I want to make it more accessible for the general reader with brief character profiles.
- Name: Lúthien Tinúviel
- Immediate Family:
- Husband: Beren
- Son: Dior Aranel
- Home: Beleriand, almost exclusively Doriath
- Claim to fame: Not only was Lúthien the only one of the Children of Ilúvatar (the blanket name for Men and Elves) to have a Maia as a parent, but she was reputed to be the most beautiful who ever lived. She maintained that reputation thousands of years after her death.
- Why I think he’s interesting: She defied all kinds of cultural norms out of love for Beren, a guy she met only months previously. From a more meta perspective, I’ve never heard of anyone who actively dislikes Lúthien as a character–which is odd, considering she’s essentially flawless and gorgeous. (Note: I don’t dislike her either.)
Photo Credit: Alex Ristea
