Love and Death

“From the shadow of death you can no longer save Lúthien, for by her love she is now subject to it.”

J.R.R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion, “Lay of Lúthien“

I have been enjoying J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic story, The Silmarillion lately, and I’ve been thinking about this quote, taken from the tale of Beren and Luthien. The Tale of Beren and Luthien is one of the major epic stories within The Silmarillion, and there’s a lot of themes and meanings to it. Far more than I can cover.

The Tale of Beren of Luthien, is a wonderful tale of hope against the darkness, and their sincere love for one another. But there is a tragic element to it all too.

In the quote above, the divine hound, Huan, warns Beren that there is no saving Luthien any more for she has been ensnared by love, and despite her immortal Elf status, she will die from it.

This is not unlike the teachings of the Buddha,¹ wherein one’s love and devotion leads to the same clinging that also propels our eventual demise and death. This isn’t to say that love is bad, far from it. But like all such wonderful things, it is bittersweet, entails a heavy cost, and sooner or later the bill comes due.

Or, more succinctly:

Rushing up but then too far, they miss the point; Only causing ever newer bonds to grow. So obsessed are some by what is seen and heard, They fly just like these moths — straight into the flames.

Ud 6.9, the Adhipataka Sutta, translation by Andrew Olendzki

Back to The Silmarillion, the saga centers around three magnificent jewels, the Silmarils. Before they were crafted, the Elves lived in peace both in Middle-Earth, and in West, and there was a long period without any conflict. But with the crafting of the Silmarils, the dark lord Morgoth stole them, and the Noldor elves swore revenge, even killing other elves who got in their way. Thus, the Noldor were cursed. Their craving for Silmarils would lead them again and again to commit evil deeds in their quest for revenge and greed, despite their own semi-divine and noble heritage.

Their efforts came to naught, as Morgoth’s power only grew, and they were very nearly destroyed. Other Elves who sought the Silmarils, such as Thingol king of the Teleri Elves, similarly coveted the Silmarils and this greed ultimately destroyed him too.

Thus when we hold something dear, we risk further suffering.

Better to just let it go.

P.S. As an adult, The Silmarillion is way better than I remember. It’s not an easy read, but it’s really a fantastic book. Also, it’s like ultimate heavy metal epic tale. 🔥🎸

P.P.S. Happy Valentine’s Day!! 😅

¹ Professor Tolkien was of course Catholic, not Buddhist, but I like to think the Dharma is everywhere, and people with a good heart see it and teach it, even if they don’t know it.