Content & Trigger Warnings for The Silmarillion (1977)
17 content warnings identified for this book.
Quick Summary
Yes, The Silmarillion (1977) contains 17 content warnings : Death of a child, Death of a parent, Grief / bereavement (major focus), Suicide (discussed or ideation), Genocide / ethnic cleansing, Infidelity, Kidnapping / abduction, Natural disasters, War / combat, Wrongful imprisonment, Drowning / underwater scenes, Incest, Sexual coercion / non-consensual situations, Gore / graphic violence, Self-harm / suicide (depicted), Slavery / forced labor, Torture.
The most severe warnings are for Grief / bereavement (major focus) (severity 4/5), Genocide / ethnic cleansing (severity 4/5), Natural disasters (severity 4/5), War / combat (severity 4/5), Incest (severity 4/5).
Check the full breakdown below before you read.
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| Warning | Severity | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental Health & Emotional | |||
| Death of a child | 3/5 | Depicted | Children of major characters die in warfare and tragedy |
| Death of a parent | 3/5 | Depicted | Parent figures die throughout the mythology |
| Grief / bereavement (major focus) | 4/5 | Depicted | Profound grief permeates the narrative, from the mourning of the Two Trees to the tragic fates of Turin, Beren, Luthien, and others. |
| Suicide (discussed or ideation) | 3/5 | Depicted | Characters choose death over capture or despair |
| Other | |||
| Genocide / ethnic cleansing | 4/5 | Depicted | Multiple kinslayings and the systematic destruction of Elven cities and populations are depicted, including the Kinslayings at Alqualonde and Doriath. |
| Infidelity | 2/5 | Referenced | Betrayals and broken oaths among the Noldor |
| Kidnapping / abduction | 3/5 | Depicted | Multiple characters are captured and enslaved |
| Natural disasters | 4/5 | Depicted | Catastrophic destruction of entire lands and continents |
| War / combat | 4/5 | Depicted | Large-scale battles and wars among elves, men, and dark forces |
| Wrongful imprisonment | 3/5 | Depicted | Multiple characters are imprisoned, including Morgoth's captivity of Maedhros and Hurin's long imprisonment by Morgoth. |
| Phobias & Sensory | |||
| Drowning / underwater scenes | 3/5 | Depicted | Lands are drowned beneath the sea; characters drown |
| Sexual Content | |||
| Incest | 4/5 | Referenced | Turin unknowingly marries his sister Nienor, and their discovery of their true relationship leads to devastating consequences. |
| Sexual coercion / non-consensual situations | 2/5 | Referenced | Forced marriages referenced in the tales |
| Violence & Physical Harm | |||
| Gore / graphic violence | 3/5 | Depicted | Violent battles with significant death and destruction |
| Self-harm / suicide (depicted) | 3/5 | Depicted | Characters commit suicide in tragic circumstances |
| Slavery / forced labor | 3/5 | Depicted | Morgoth enslaves Elves and Men, and the breeding of Orcs from captured Elves involves enslavement and torment. |
| Torture | 3/5 | Depicted | Morgoth tortures prisoners including Hurin |
Mental Health & Emotional
Profound grief permeates the narrative, from the mourning of the Two Trees to the tragic fates of Turin, Beren, Luthien, and others.
Other
Multiple kinslayings and the systematic destruction of Elven cities and populations are depicted, including the Kinslayings at Alqualonde and Doriath.
Multiple characters are imprisoned, including Morgoth's captivity of Maedhros and Hurin's long imprisonment by Morgoth.
Phobias & Sensory
Sexual Content
Turin unknowingly marries his sister Nienor, and their discovery of their true relationship leads to devastating consequences.
Violence & Physical Harm
Morgoth enslaves Elves and Men, and the breeding of Orcs from captured Elves involves enslavement and torment.
