Lord of the Rings: What Happened to the Dragons of Middle Earth? Explained

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As a lifetime enthusiast and connoisseur of all things fantastical, I find myself utterly captivated by the enigmatic presence of dragons in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Having traversed the pages of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit numerous times, I have grown to appreciate the intricate tapestry of mythology woven around these magnificent beasts.

Dragons are among the most beloved mythical beings that have remained significant over time. They’re deeply intertwined with the fantasy genre, and it’s hard to imagine this realm without them, given their constant appearance in our modern entertainment. Shows like Harry Potter and Game of Thrones (including House of the Dragon) are prime examples. It’s no wonder that Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings series, renowned as the pioneer of fantasy films, also delves into dragons’ rich history. The Hobbit series, a prequel to the initial Middle Earth series, similarly emphasizes a dragon as a key character.

In the Lord of the Rings series, dragons are often left out of view, only hinted at in passing conversations or descriptions. Their influence on the story isn’t significant, even though there are numerous other magical beings such as Elves, Wargs, and Oliphaunts.

In the realm of Middle Earth, it is believed that the first known dragon was Glaurung, often referred to as the progenitor of all dragons. This powerful creature made its appearance following the stronghold of the Dark Lord, Morgoth. Over time, Glaurung became a crucial element in Morgoth’s forces.

Although Glaurung was a formidable dragon, unlike typical fantasy dragons, he did not possess wings. The first winged dragons emerged during the War of Wrath, with numerous winged dragons siding with the Dark Lord Morgoth in this conflict. Among them was the fearsome Ancalagon the Black who led them. Regrettably, Ancalagon met his end in the battle, and many of his dragon comrades were either defeated or forced to retreat. It’s important to mention that the War of Wrath was also the decisive battle where Dark Lord Morgoth ultimately succumbed to defeat.

Following the downfall of Dark Overlord Morgoth, a new era dawned over Middle Earth, an epoch marked by mankind’s struggle against the remnants of Morgoth’s dark creations. These included demons, dragons, orcs, and other monstrous beasts that were born from forbidden rituals. Legend tells us that around the 3,500-year mark of this second age, dragons began to move towards the barren, northern regions of Middle Earth.

During the Second Age, there are references to dragons causing damage to the Rings of Power. This suggests that during this lengthy period, it was likely that dragons were engaged in this destructive task. Interestingly, dragons resurface near the end of the Third Age. A notable dragon named Scatha was defeated by an old Rohirric King called Fram. Approximately two centuries after their return, another dragon called Smaug made its way to the Lonely Mountain, eventually meeting its end at the hands of Bard the Bowman in The Hobbit.

In the chronology of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, dragons are indeed part of the lore, as Gandalf refers to them in The Fellowship of the Ring. However, it should be noted that the modern dragons lack the power to destroy the Rings of Power, unlike their ancient counterparts.

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2024-08-26 14:55