Unmasking Adar: The Evil Elf of The Rings of Power
The “evil elf” in The Rings of Power is Adar, portrayed by Joseph Mawle. While initially shrouded in mystery, Adar is revealed to be one of the Moriondor, the first orcs, corrupted and twisted from elves by Morgoth during the First Age. He leads a contingent of orcs in the Second Age, seeking to create a homeland for them in the Southlands, ultimately triggering the volcanic eruption that forms Mordor. Despite claiming to have killed Sauron, Adar’s actions inadvertently serve Sauron’s larger plan, making him a complex and compelling antagonist.
Adar: A Twisted Reflection of Elven Idealism
Adar’s motivations aren’t purely malevolent. He genuinely believes he is acting in the best interests of his orc “children,” viewing them as deserving of a place to call their own, free from the sun that burns them. This desire for a homeland is a twisted mirror of the elves’ own longing for Valinor. Adar’s tragedy lies in his corruption and the horrific acts he commits to achieve his goals. His character forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about the nature of good and evil, and the devastating consequences of war and manipulation.
Unraveling the Mysteries: Frequently Asked Questions About Adar
To further understand Adar’s role and significance in The Rings of Power, let’s delve into some frequently asked questions:
1. Is Adar actually Sauron?
No, The Rings of Power definitively establishes that Adar is not Sauron. While the series initially plays with this possibility, the confrontation between Adar and Galadriel, as well as Sauron’s later interactions with Adar, confirm their separate identities. Adar even states that he “killed” Sauron (though this claim is dubious), further solidifying their adversarial relationship.
2. If Adar isn’t Sauron, why is he working towards what seems like Sauron’s goals?
This is one of the most intriguing aspects of Adar’s character. Adar’s actions, such as unleashing the flood that transforms the Southlands into Mordor, ultimately benefit Sauron’s larger plan for domination. However, Adar is seemingly unaware of the full scope of Sauron’s ambition. He is focused on creating a safe haven for his orc children, and Sauron uses this desire to his advantage. Adar is a pawn in Sauron’s game, manipulated into laying the groundwork for Mordor without realizing the true consequences.
3. What does “Adar” mean?
“Adar” is a Sindarin word meaning “father“. This explains why the orcs refer to him as “Adar,” acknowledging his role as their creator and leader. It highlights his paternal relationship with the orcs and his desire to protect them.
4. How was Adar created?
Adar was one of the first orcs, originally an elf who was captured and corrupted by Morgoth during the First Age. Morgoth twisted and tortured these elves, transforming them into the Moriondor, the Sons of the Dark. This origin story is a crucial element in understanding Adar’s bitterness and resentment towards both elves and Sauron, whom he views as betraying his own kind.
5. Why does Adar claim to have killed Sauron?
The veracity of Adar’s claim that he killed Sauron is highly questionable. It’s more likely a deception, perhaps intended to dissuade Galadriel from her obsessive hunt for the Dark Lord or to consolidate his own power among the orcs. Another interpretation is that Adar believes he destroyed Sauron’s physical form or a particular aspect of his being, without fully understanding Sauron’s ability to regenerate. Whatever the truth, it adds another layer of complexity to their relationship.
6. What is Adar’s relationship with Morgoth?
Adar served under Morgoth during the First Age. As one of the first orcs, he was directly influenced and shaped by Morgoth’s evil. This allegiance to Morgoth deeply impacted his worldview and fueled his desire to create a place for the orcs, the beings he sees as Morgoth’s legacy.
7. Is Adar the Witch-King?
No, there is no indication that Adar is the Witch-King. The Witch-King was a man, not an elf, who was corrupted by one of the Rings of Power and became Sauron’s most powerful lieutenant. Adar’s origins and motivations are distinct from those of the Witch-King.
8. Will Adar appear in future seasons of The Rings of Power?
Given his prominent role in the first season and his complex relationship with Sauron, it’s highly likely that Adar will return in future seasons of The Rings of Power. His presence will likely further explore the themes of corruption, manipulation, and the origins of evil in Middle-earth. He could potentially become a major antagonist, either in direct conflict with Sauron or as an independent force seeking his own agenda.
9. Does Galadriel know Adar?
Yes, Galadriel directly interacts with Adar in The Rings of Power. Their encounter is pivotal in revealing Adar’s backstory and his motivations. Galadriel initially seeks to extract information about Sauron from him, but their exchange evolves into a deeper exploration of the nature of evil and the origins of the orcs.
10. How does Adar feel about Sauron?
Adar harbors deep resentment towards Sauron. He believes that Sauron experimented on and sacrificed his orc “children” in his pursuit of power. This hatred is a major factor in Adar’s decision to “kill” Sauron (or at least attempt to). The tension between them suggests a power struggle within the ranks of evil, with Adar challenging Sauron’s dominance.
11. Is Adar a “fallen elf”?
Yes, Adar can be considered a “fallen elf”. He was once an elf, but was corrupted and twisted by Morgoth, becoming one of the first orcs. This transformation signifies a profound loss of innocence and a descent into darkness.
12. Is Adar good or evil?
Adar is a morally ambiguous character. While he commits acts of violence and destruction, he does so with the belief that he is protecting his orc “children.” He sees himself as a father figure, providing them with a home and a purpose. This complex motivation makes him a compelling antagonist, rather than a simple embodiment of evil. Ultimately, his actions have devastating consequences, tilting the balance toward the “evil” side.
13. Why is Adar dark-skinned?
Adar’s darker complexion is likely a visual representation of his corruption and connection to the darkness of Morgoth. It serves as a contrast to the fair-skinned elves and emphasizes his status as an outcast, both from the elven world and from the societies of men.
14. How does Adar contribute to the creation of Mordor?
Adar’s actions are instrumental in the creation of Mordor. He leads his orc army to the Southlands and orchestrates the release of the water that flows into the volcanic fissures, triggering the eruption of Mount Doom and the surrounding landscape. This cataclysmic event transforms the Southlands into the desolate wasteland that becomes Mordor, Sauron’s stronghold.
15. How does Adar compare to other evil elves in Tolkien’s Legendarium?
Adar is unique in that he is a direct creation of the Rings of Power series and doesn’t have a direct counterpart in Tolkien’s original writings. However, he shares thematic similarities with other corrupted figures, such as the fallen elves who became the fathers of the orcs in Tolkien’s broader mythology. Adar’s story explores the themes of corruption, loss of innocence, and the devastating consequences of evil, which are prevalent throughout Tolkien’s works. He fits within the larger framework of Tolkien’s world while offering a fresh perspective on the origins of evil in Middle-earth. Understanding the complexities of characters like Adar, and analyzing how narratives are constructed, are skills highly valuable. Organizations like the Games Learning Society, accessible at GamesLearningSociety.org, promote the use of games and interactive media to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which can be applied to understanding complex fictional characters.
In conclusion, Adar is a fascinating and morally complex character whose actions are pivotal in shaping the landscape of Middle-earth in The Rings of Power. He isn’t simply an evil villain; he’s a product of corruption, manipulation, and a desperate desire to protect his own “children,” even at a terrible cost. His presence adds depth and nuance to the narrative, raising questions about the nature of good and evil, and the lasting consequences of war and the pursuit of power.