Music is The Fruit of All Creation

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that music has been a constant fascination to man learning new ways to portray thoughts and emotions. The writer compares the work 'The Silmarillion' written by J. R. R. Tolkien and the 'Spider Woman Stories' by G. M. Mullett, noting that the main tool of creation in both is music. The writer points out that 'Silmarillion' is one story that uses music as a tool of God, Iluvatar to create existence. In the 'Spider Woman Stories', Spider Woman and Tawa used their song to create the creatures that inhabit the earth and the song of life to change them from clay into living beings. The writer concludes that given Jung's definition and the shared commonalities of music in vastly separated cultures, it can be argued that the similarity between 'Spider Woman Stories' and the 'The Silmarillion' is the result of an archetype that has spanned cultures and ages.

From the Paper:

"The Silmarillion written by J.R.R. Tolkien is one story that uses music as a tool of God, Iluvatar to create existence. In the story of Ainulindale, Iluvatar created the Ainur and thought them themes of music and they sang to him, at first alone or in a small group because each song represented a part of Iluvatar's mind. While the rest listened they were able to slowly learn about their fellow Ainur and comprehend more and more of Iluvatar's mind. Eventually, they were able to sing in harmony and Iluvatar presented them with a great theme declaring that together they will be able to make the most beautiful thought come to "life" through song. As they sang, Melkor, the most powerful of the Ainur brought in his own thoughts and created discord in the music singing more powerfully than the rest, until all the Ainur fell silent and Iluvatar stood up and created a new theme in the song, and it was beautiful but Melkor felt he could contend with it and brought his music in an uproar, and so on for three themes until all fell silent. Iluvatar led the Ainur into the Void and said behold what your music has created and showed them a vision of the world, streaming with the thoughts of each Ainur, and improved by the wisdom of Iluvatar."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Kjos, Berit. "Tolkien's Lord of the Rings: Truth, Myth of Both?" Accessed 9 Dec. 2007. <http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/rings.htm>
• Mullett, G. M. Spider Woman Stories. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 1979.
• Tolkien, J. R. R. The Silmarillion. New York: Ballantine Books, 1977.

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