Morgul-knife
| Morgul-knife | |
|---|---|
| Dagger | |
 | |
| "Morgul-blade" by Audrey Corman | |
| Owner | Nazgûl |
| Notable for | Injuring Frodo |
| Gallery | Images of the Morgul-knife |
The Morgul-knife was a magical, poisoned dagger used by the Nazgûl.[1]
History
Weapons of sorcerous power, Morgul-knives could inflict debilitating, nigh-incurable injuries on their foes, ccausing them immense pain, tiredness, and atrophy before eventually killing them or turning them into a wraith. The mighty Steward Boromir was wounded by a Morgul-knife, shriveling and becoming wracked with pain before his death in T.A. 2489.[2]
At Weathertop, during his journey to Rivendell with the One Ring, the Hobbit Frodo Baggins was stabbed by the Lord of the Nazgûl's dagger.[3] A fragment of the blade remained within the wound, working its way toward his heart and threatening to turn Frodo into a wraith.[4] Elrond was able to remove the shard and heal the wound,[4] but each year on the anniversary of his stabbing Frodo became seriously ill.[5] Only his eventual departure to Eldamar offered a permanent cure.[source?]
Athelas (or Kingsfoil) was known to slow the poisonous effect of the Morgul-blade. This treatment was also effective against other Mordor illnesses, such as the Black Breath.[6]
Etymology
Morgul means "(dark) sorcery" in Sindarin.[7]
Portrayal in adaptations
1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:
- The enchanted Morgul-knife, wielded by the Ringwraiths, strikes as short sword with many additional effects on a character.[8]
1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:
- "Morgul-knife" modifies a Nazgûl's prowess, and affects the corruption points of a character. "Morgul-blade" is a Permanent-event card, playable by a Ringwraith or a Ringwraith follower.
2001-03: The Lord of the Rings (film series):
See also
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Many Meetings": "They tried to pierce your heart with a Morgul-knife..."
- ↑ The Lord of the Rings, Appendix A (iv), Houghton Mifflin p. 333
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "A Knife in the Dark"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Many Meetings"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Grey Havens"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "The Houses of Healing"
- ↑ Hiswelókë's Sindarin Dictionary (accessed 26 December 2010)
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur (1994), Treasures of Middle-earth (2nd edition) (#2010), p. 38
- ↑ Gary Russell, The Art of The Fellowship of the Ring
| Weapons in Tolkien's legendarium | |
| Arrows: | Black Arrow · Dailir · Red Arrow |
|---|---|
| Axes: | Dramborleg · Durin's Axe |
| Bows: | Belthronding · Bow of Bregor · Bow of the Galadhrim |
| Knives: | Angrist · Barrow-blades · Morgul-knife · Sting |
| Maces: | Grond |
| Spears: | Aeglos |
| Swords: | Anglachel/Gurthang · Anguirel · Aranrúth · Dagmor · Glamdring · Glend · Gúthwinë · Herugrim · Narsil/Andúril · Orcrist · Ringil · Sword of Manwë |
