Review: The Silmarillion – Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter 1: Of the Beginning of Days

Introduction

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion is a foundational myth for the world of Middle-earth, chronicling its earliest ages, divine figures, and legendary events. Within its core section, Quenta Silmarillion, the first chapter, Of the Beginning of Days, serves as a bridge between the grand cosmological creation in Ainulindalë and the more narrative-driven history of the First Age. This chapter establishes the fundamental order of the world, detailing the shaping of Arda, the role of the Valar, and the origins of both light and darkness.

Unlike The Lord of the Rings, which focuses on personal quests and individual characters, Of the Beginning of Days unfolds as a mythological account, resembling ancient sacred texts or classical epics. Tolkien’s use of grand, almost biblical language reinforces the sense of timelessness, making this chapter not just an introduction but a critical foundation for everything that follows.

評論：《精靈寶鑽》精靈寶鑽戰爭史 — 第1章：天地之初，萬物之始

引言

J.R.R. 托爾金的《精靈寶鑽》是一部奠定中土世界神話基礎的作品，講述了世界最早的時代、神祇的作為，以及那些影響深遠的傳奇事件。在其核心篇章《精靈寶鑽爭戰史》中，第一章《天地之初，萬物之始》承接了《埃努的大樂章》的宇宙創世敘事，並為後續更加敘事化的第一紀元歷史奠定基礎。這一章描繪了世界的根本秩序，詳細講述了阿爾達的塑造過程、維拉的角色，以及光與黑暗的起源。

與《魔戒》不同，本章並不關注個體角色的冒險或個人使命，而是以神話記載的方式展開，風格類似於古代神聖經典或史詩傳說。托爾金在此運用了莊嚴而富有詩意的語言，使整篇章節帶有一種超越時間的永恆感，使其不僅僅是故事的開端，更是整部《精靈寶鑽》的核心基石。

Summary of the Chapter

Of the Beginning of Days recounts the early shaping of the world, the establishment of time, and the dawn of the great conflict between good and evil. The chapter can be divided into several key sections:

1. The Shaping of Arda

After the Music of the Ainur (Ainulindalë), the Ainur who descended into the world became the Valar and the Maiar. They began shaping Arda according to the themes of the Great Song, though Melkor (Morgoth), the most powerful of the Ainur, sought to corrupt and dominate it.

The world was initially undefined, but the Valar labored to give it form, creating mountains, seas, and plains.

2. The Struggle Between the Valar and Melkor

Melkor’s defiance and constant destruction forced the Valar into direct conflict with him. Every act of creation by the Valar was countered by Melkor’s malice, foreshadowing the relentless struggle that defines much of The Silmarillion.

Eventually, the Valar established their kingdom in the West—Aman—and their stronghold Valinor, while Middle-earth remained under Melkor’s shadow.

3. The Establishment of Light

To bring order and beauty to the world, Yavanna created the Two Lamps, Illuin and Ormal, which illuminated Arda in its early days.

Melkor, unwilling to let the Valar rule freely, destroyed the Lamps, plunging the world into chaos. This event marked the first great downfall in the history of Arda.

In response, the Valar retreated to Valinor and created the Two Trees of Valinor—Telperion and Laurelin—which became the new sources of light. Their golden and silver radiance would later inspire the creation of the Sun and Moon.

4. The Ordering of Time

With the establishment of the Two Trees, time began to be measured.

This period was known as the Years of the Trees, preceding the coming of the Elves and the dominion of Men.

章節概要

《天地之初，萬物之始》講述了世界最初的塑造、時間的確立，以及善與惡之間偉大鬥爭的開端。本章可分為幾個關鍵部分：

1. 阿爾達的塑造

在《埃努的大樂章》之後，降臨世界的埃努成為了維拉與邁雅，他們開始按照樂章的主題塑造阿爾達。然而，最強大的埃努——米爾寇（魔苟斯），卻試圖腐化並支配世界。

起初，阿爾達仍是未定形的混沌之地，而維拉竭力使其變得有秩序，塑造出山脈、海洋和平原。

2. 維拉與魔苟斯的鬥爭

米爾寇的反叛與不斷破壞，使得維拉被迫與他直接對抗。維拉的每一次創造，都會遭到米爾寇的惡意阻撓，這場鬥爭成為整部《精靈寶鑽》的核心衝突之一。

最終，維拉在西方建立了自己的王國——阿門洲，並在那裡建造了他們的堡壘維林諾，而中土世界仍然籠罩在米爾寇的陰影之下。

3. 光的創造與毀滅

為了為世界帶來秩序與美麗，雅凡娜創造了兩盞燈——伊露因與歐爾莫，照亮阿爾達的最初時代。

然而，米爾寇不願讓維拉自由地統治世界，他最終摧毀了這兩盞燈，使世界再次陷入混亂，這標誌著阿爾達歷史上第一次重大劫難。

作為回應，維拉撤退至維林諾，並在那裡創造了維林諾的雙聖樹——泰爾佩瑞安與羅瑞林，成為新的光源。它們的金色與銀色光輝，後來啟發了太陽與月亮的誕生。

4. 時間的確立

隨著雙聖樹的誕生，時間開始被計算。

這段時期被稱為雙樹紀元，先於精靈的甦醒與人類的統治。

Themes and Symbolism

1. Light vs. Darkness

A central motif in Of the Beginning of Days is the battle between light and darkness, a recurring theme throughout The Silmarillion. The Two Lamps, then the Two Trees, and later the Sun and Moon, symbolize the ever-present struggle to preserve beauty and order against Melkor’s corruption.

Light in Tolkien’s mythology is not merely a physical element; it carries deep spiritual significance. The destruction of the Two Lamps signals the first major loss of divine light, a pattern that repeats with the destruction of the Two Trees and the theft of the Silmarils. Each instance reflects the persistent cycle of creation, loss, and attempted restoration.

2. Divine Order vs. Chaos

The Valar embody the divine order envisioned by Ilúvatar, working to shape Arda in harmony with the Great Music. Melkor, however, represents unchecked ambition and selfish desire, constantly disrupting the balance.

This struggle mirrors many real-world mythologies, such as the battle between the Olympian gods and the Titans in Greek mythology, or between the forces of Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu in Zoroastrianism.

3. Cycles of Destruction and Renewal

The destruction of the Two Lamps and the subsequent creation of the Two Trees demonstrate the cyclic nature of Tolkien’s mythology. Every great achievement—be it the Two Trees, Númenor, or Gondolin—eventually falls, but something new emerges from its loss. This theme underscores Tolkien’s perspective on history: a continuous ebb and flow of beauty, loss, and rebirth.

4. The Isolation of the Valar

After the destruction of the Two Lamps, the Valar retreat to Aman, establishing Valinor as a realm of peace and separation from Middle-earth. This decision has profound consequences, as it allows Melkor to corrupt Middle-earth unchecked, ultimately leading to the tragic conflicts of the First Age.

The Valar’s retreat can be seen as both an act of wisdom and a mistake. While they preserve the purity of Valinor, their absence leaves the mortal lands vulnerable to evil—a recurring consequence of inaction in Tolkien’s works.

主題與象徵

1. 光明與黑暗的對抗

在《天地之初，萬物之始》中，最核心的主題之一便是光與暗的鬥爭，這也是貫穿整部《精靈寶鑽爭戰史》的重要母題。兩盞燈，繼而是雙聖樹，再到後來的太陽與月亮，都象徵著維護美與秩序的努力，對抗米爾寇的腐化與毀滅。

在托爾金的神話體系中，光不僅僅是一種物理現象，更承載了深遠的靈性意義。兩盞燈的毀滅標誌著神聖之光的首次重大流失，而這一模式又在雙聖樹的毀滅及精靈寶鑽的盜竊中重複出現。這些事件反映出一種持續不斷的歷史循環：創造、毀滅、試圖復興，卻又再度陷入黑暗。

2. 神聖秩序與混亂的對立

維拉代表著伊露維塔所構想的神聖秩序，他們依循大樂章的旋律塑造阿爾達，以和諧與美麗為目標。然而，米爾寇則象徵著無拘無束的野心與自私的慾望，他的存在不斷破壞這一平衡。

這場衝突與許多現實世界的神話有著相似之處，例如希臘神話中奧林匹斯眾神與泰坦的戰爭，或是祆教（瑣羅亞斯德教）中光明神阿胡拉·馬自達（Ahura Mazda）與黑暗神安格拉·曼紐（Angra Mainyu）的對立。

3. 毀滅與重生的循環

兩盞燈的毀滅導致了雙聖樹的誕生，這種模式顯示出托爾金神話體系中的循環性。歷史中的每一項偉大成就——無論是雙聖樹、努曼諾爾還是剛多林——最終都難逃毀滅的命運，但在破滅之後，往往會有新的光輝從灰燼中誕生。

這種「興衰更迭」的模式，反映了托爾金對於歷史的獨特觀點：文明的發展並非線性前進，而是如潮汐般起落，時而輝煌，時而沉淪，卻總有新的希望萌芽。

4. 維拉的孤立

在兩盞燈被毀後，維拉選擇撤退至阿門洲，在那裡建立了維林諾，作為和平與純淨之地，遠離中土世界的動盪與邪惡。然而，這一決策也帶來了深遠的後果：

由於維拉封閉了自己的國度，米爾寇得以在中土世界為所欲為，最終導致第一紀元悲劇性的衝突。

維拉的退隱既是一種智慧的表現（保護維林諾的神聖光輝），也是一種錯誤（放任米爾寇腐化世界），這種「不作為」的後果，成為托爾金作品中的一個重要思想——在邪惡面前的消極態度，往往會釀成更大的災難。

Writing Style and Narrative Structure

1. Biblical and Mythological Prose

Tolkien’s writing in this chapter is highly formal and reminiscent of ancient mythologies. His use of elevated language and structured storytelling mirrors religious and classical texts, reinforcing the sense that these events are part of a grand, divine history.

2. Poetic Descriptions

Tolkien’s descriptions of Valinor, the Two Trees, and the shaping of the world are deeply poetic. His ability to convey a sense of awe and wonder through language makes the mythical setting feel tangible and vivid.

3. Impersonal, Yet Grand in Scope

Unlike The Lord of the Rings, where the focus is on individual characters, Of the Beginning of Days is presented in a grand, historical manner. The characters—such as Manwë, Yavanna, and Melkor—are more symbolic than personal, representing cosmic forces rather than humanized individuals.

寫作風格與敘事結構

1. 聖經與神話般的文體

托爾金在本章的寫作風格極為正式，帶有濃厚的古代神話色彩。他使用莊重典雅的語言與嚴謹的敘事結構，使整體氛圍與宗教經典或古典神話相似，進一步強調這些事件的神聖性，彷彿它們是被載入「神之歷史」的一部分。

2. 詩意的描寫

托爾金對於維林諾、雙聖樹以及世界的塑造都有極為詩意的描寫。他擅長運用華美而富有韻律感的語言，將這些神話場景刻畫得如夢似幻，充滿莊嚴與神聖感，使讀者能夠強烈感受到世界誕生時的壯麗與奧妙。

3. 客觀敘述，卻具宏偉史詩格局

與《魔戒》不同，本章的敘事並未聚焦於個別角色，而是以歷史編年的方式呈現宏大的宇宙故事。在這種敘事風格下，人物如曼威、雅凡娜、米爾寇等，更多地代表了宇宙秩序與混亂的象徵，而非具有強烈個性的個體。這種手法使本章的敘事更具史詩感，如同古代傳說或創世神話一般，將讀者帶入一個遙遠而神聖的神話時代。

Importance in The Silmarillion

Of the Beginning of Days serves as a crucial foundation for the entire legendarium. It sets up:

The eternal conflict between good and evil, which defines Middle-earth’s history.

The importance of light and its loss, foreshadowing the theft of the Silmarils and the downfall of the Elves.

The Valar’s decision to withdraw from Middle-earth, leading to the unchecked spread of Melkor’s influence.

Without this chapter, much of the later events in The Silmarillion—such as Feanor’s rebellion, the destruction of the Trees, and the doom of the Noldor—would lack their deeper mythological significance.

《精靈寶鑽》中的重要性

〈天地之初，萬物之始〉 是整部《精靈寶鑽》的關鍵基石，它奠定了整個傳說體系的核心概念，包括：

善與惡的永恆對立——這場鬥爭貫穿整個中土世界的歷史，成為其發展的主軸。

光明的價值及其喪失——本章預示了精靈寶鑽的盜竊以及精靈的衰落，為後續的故事埋下伏筆。

維拉撤離中土的決定——這一舉動導致米爾寇的勢力在中土世界肆虐，影響深遠。

若無此章，後續許多《精靈寶鑽》中的重大事件——如費諾的叛變、雙聖樹的毀滅、諾多族的詛咒——將失去其更深層的神話意義。

Conclusion

Chapter 1, Of the Beginning of Days, is a masterful piece of myth-making that encapsulates Tolkien’s vision of creation, struggle, and renewal. While it lacks the personal character arcs found in The Lord of the Rings, its grandeur and depth provide a powerful introduction to the conflicts and themes that shape the history of Arda.

For readers new to The Silmarillion, this chapter may feel dense and abstract, but its significance becomes clearer as the story unfolds. It is not merely background lore—it is the very foundation upon which Middle-earth is built. Through its mythological depth, theological undertones, and poetic storytelling, Of the Beginning of Days stands as one of the most important and beautifully crafted chapters in Tolkien’s legendarium.

結論

第一章 〈天地之初，萬物之始〉 是一篇精湛的神話創作，完美體現了托爾金對於創造、鬥爭與重生的願景。雖然它缺乏《魔戒》中那種深入的個人角色弧線，但其磅礴的格局與深度，為《精靈寶鑽》奠定了堅實的基礎，展現了影響阿爾達歷史的關鍵衝突與主題。

對於初次閱讀*《精靈寶鑽》的讀者而言，本章可能顯得艱澀且過於抽象，但隨著故事的展開，其重要性將逐漸浮現。這不僅僅是背景設定，而是構築整個中土世界的基石。透過其神話深度、神學意涵與詩意敘事，〈天地之初，萬物之始〉 無疑是托爾金傳說體系*中最重要且最優美的篇章之一。