Brotherhood and Blame: Exploring Fëanor’s Pride, Impulsiveness, and the Power of Honest Friendship
There are so many incredible themes that J. R. R. Tolkien wrote into The Silmarillion. One such theme is that of friendship. I always say we should never judge someone by their worst moment. Olwë‘s rebuke of Fëanor reflected a deep understanding of true friendship. By saying, “We renounce no friendship. But it may be the part of a friend to rebuke a friend’s folly,” Olwë, the King of the Teleri, was rebuking Fëanor for his reckless behavior and obsession with the Silmarils. Olwë emphasized that genuine friends do not abandon each other in times of mistake or folly.
Fëanor’s intense desire to reclaim and possess the Silmarils (jewel-stones created by Fëanor that contain the light of the Two Trees). These led him to betray his oath and forge alliances with Morgoth, the dark enemy. His obsessive pursuit caused strife among the Elves, led to wars, and resulted in tragedy for many involved.
Olwë’s rebuke reflects a concern about Fëanor’s pride, impulsiveness, and the destructive consequences of his actions. Despite his disapproval, Olwë’s words also reveal a sense of brotherhood and the understanding that, even amidst disagreement, friendship entails honest and loving confrontation. This underscores the theme that true friendship involves guiding one another toward better choices, even if it means risking conflict or discomfort.
Part of caring and supporting is to honestly and kindly point out errors or misguided actions. This act of rebuke is motivated by concern and a desire for the other’s growth, showing that true friendship involves both love and honesty. So, Olwë is implying that even if he disagrees with or disapproves of Fëanor’s choices, he still considers him a friend and believes that sometimes friends must speak difficult truths to help one another.
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