Perspectives on Just War in Tolkien’s Legendarium
Résumé
The Ainulindalë shows that in Middle-earth war is not an option: the seeds of harmony and discordance are sown at the outset and between the alpha and the omega, races and individuals will attune to the Great Music or take part in the discordance. Their trajectories highlight the perspectives of their Creator or, from the standpoint of the reader, of their sub-creator.
Owing to the centrality of warfare in the history of Middle-earth, this paper will look into the motivations of the races and people engaged in conflicts, whether they be waged with seemingly justifiable intentions or not, whether they be defensive, preventive or aggressive. In the light of scholarly viewpoints (such as that of Saint Augustine) and judging by the short and long-term outcomes of hostilities in the history of Middle-earth, an attempt will be made to identify perspectives on the concept of “just war” in Tolkien’s secondary world.