that first line. That explains a lot. It seems as if Ungoliant was
the first monster into which Morgoth put his power, with Glaurung and
Ancalagon, at least, following. But Ungoliant was not an obedient
tool.
I really don't think Tolkien was thinking about Ungoliant as a female, though,
or implying anything Freudian
here.
“I dislike Allegory - the conscious and intentional allegory - yet any attempt to explain the purport of myth or fairytale must use allegorical language. (And, of course, the more 'life' a story has the more readily will it be susceptible of allegorical interpretations: while the better a deliberate allegory is made the more nearly will it be acceptable just as a story.)” (From Tolkien Letter # 131.)
Tips for posting in the Reading Room.
