Morgoth, originally named Melkor, was the first and most powerful of the Ainur created by Eru Ilúvatar at the beginning of time. He turned to darkness and became the original Dark Lord who bred many other evil creatures. After being defeated in the War of Wrath at the end of the First Age, Morgoth was thrust through the Door of Night into the Timeless Void outside the borders of Arda (the world). So where is Morgoth now after his banishment?
Who is Morgoth?
Morgoth is one of the most notorious villains in J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. Some key facts about him:
- Originally named Melkor, which means “He who arises in might” in Quenya Elvish
- The most powerful of the Ainur, the angelic beings created by Eru Ilúvatar
- Corrupted by his own pride and greed, and turned to darkness
- Became the original Dark Lord and source of evil in Arda
- Bred many other evil creatures like Orcs, Dragons, and Balrogs
- Stole the Silmarils and wounded the Two Trees of Valinor
- Defeated and cast into the Timeless Void after the War of Wrath
As the original Dark Lord, Morgoth is the primordial source of evil, chaos, and destruction in Arda. Many of Middle-earth’s evils can ultimately be traced back to him.
Where was Morgoth banished to?
After the War of Wrath at the end of the First Age, Morgoth was defeated and permanently removed from the physical realm of Arda. The Valar captured him and thrust him through the Door of Night, a mystical gateway in the Walls of Night into the Timeless Void.
The Timeless Void is the dark, endless, extra-dimensional space outside the borders of Eä (the physical universe). It is separate from the normal fabric of space and time. The Void surrounds Arda but no living creature can survive there. It is a realm of eternal nothingness and the vacancy between creation. Morgoth was condemned to the Void for eternity.
What is the Door of Night?
The Door of Night is a magical portal through the Walls of Night guarding the borders of Arda. It leads into the Timeless Void. The Door of Night likely refers to the literal void space between Arda and the Walls of Night.
The Door was placed there by the Valar to prevent Morgoth and other ancient evils from ever returning to Arda. It permanantly separated the Void from the rest of Eä. The Valar cast Morgoth into the Void and slammed the Door of Night closed behind him forever.
Could Morgoth ever return?
It is generally believed Morgoth can never return or escape from the Timeless Void back into Arda. The Valar permanently closed and sealed the Door of Night behind him. However, there are some hints he could one day threaten Arda again:
- Mandos foretold Dagor Dagorath (the Last Battle) where Morgoth will return to destroy Arda
- Some versions say Morgoth will corrode the Door of Night and break back through it
- The prophecies suggesting the roles Eldar and Edain will play in his defeat
- Morgoth’s power was so great some theorize he cannot be contained forever
So while return seems impossible, the prophecies suggest the Dark Lord could one day emerge from the Void again. But the peoples of Arda, Eldar and Edain together, have destiny to defeat him once and for all.
What is Morgoth doing in the Void?
Trapped in the endless, timeless emptiness of the Void, Morgoth is cut off from all physical substance and energy. He has only his thoughts and disembodied spirit to occupy him.
It is speculated Morgoth spends his exile brooding on his defeats, nourishing his hatred for Arda and plotting his revenge should he ever escape. His malice still allows him to reach out spiritually to corrupt minds in Arda.
But unable to take physical form or influence events directly, there is little else for him to do but rage impotently in the darkness. The nothingness is likely driving the once mighty Morgoth further towards madness and absolute evil.
Could Morgoth’s spirit still influence Arda?
While unable to return bodily, there are hints Morgoth’s powerful spirit can still reach out and influence minds in Arda:
- Sauron and other villains were corrupted by Morgoth long ago
- The seeds of his old evil persist throughout Middle-earth
- Dark cults like Morgoth-worshippers suggest he influences worshippers
- Prophecies like Dagor Dagorath imply a future return, requiring influence
- Even in the Void it’s said Morgoth’s malice endures and grows
So although trapped physically, Morgoth’s indomitable spirit likely still touches minds open to evil. But his direct interventions in Middle-earth seem permanently ended by his banishment.
Conclusion
In summary, Morgoth the evil Vala was cast permanently through the Door of Night into the Timeless Void after his defeat in the War of Wrath. In that endless emptiness outside time and space itself, Morgoth endlessly broods and waits, unable to return bodily but still influencing events in Arda from afar. One day he may escape to threaten Arda again, but for now he is sealed beyond the Walls of Night where his evil can no longer touch the physical world directly. The peoples of Middle-earth need not fear his bodily return unless the prophecies of Dagor Dagorath come to pass.