Highlights
The initial inhabitant of Arda, Ungoliant, who bore the form of a colossal spider, fell victim to the corruption of Melkor, the original Dark Lord. Residing in a sinister realm, she skillfully wove intricate webs of suffocating darkness.
Ungoliant, enticed by the promise of satisfying her insatiable hunger, assisted Melkor in the obliteration of Valinor's Two Trees. Absorbing their life-giving sap and infecting them with poison, she expanded to an enormous size.
The offspring of Ungoliant, such as Shelob, infested Nan Dungortheb, an treacherous land that posed great danger for any who sought to traverse it. Shelob, having consumed her own progeny, eventually established a sinister stronghold within Cirith Ungol.
In the lore of The Lord of the Rings, Ungoliant was the ancient and first giant spider of Arda. Her origins remain mysterious, even to the Eldar. It is believed that she emerged from the "darkness surrounding Arda," implying that she was a primal spirit potentially corrupted by Melkor, the original Dark Lord. J.R.R. Tolkien explains in The Book of Lost Tales that she may have been born from mist and darkness on the fringes of the Shadowy seas, and she has a preference for dwelling in that black place in the form of an unattractive spider.
Though mentioned only briefly in The Lord of the Rings, Ungoliant plays a more significant role in Tolkien's unpublished works, The Silmarillion. She not only assisted Melkor in overthrowing the Valar but also gave birth to numerous giant spiders, including the malicious Shelob.
Who Was Ungoliant?
During the Years of the Trees, Ungoliant severed ties with her master upon his imprisonment by the Lords of the West. Seeking refuge from Oröme, the Huntsman of the Valar, she took shelter in a ravine south of Hyarmentir mountain in the southern part of Aman. Her insatiable craving for light drove her to consume it, only to weave it into suffocating darkness. Eventually, her dwelling became devoid of light, leaving her famished.
After Melkor killed Finwë, the High King of the Ñoldor, and stole the Silmarils of Fëanor, he sought out Ungoliant in Avathar. Though she attempted to conceal herself in new shadows, Melkor enticed her with promises to satisfy her hunger in exchange for her help in destroying the Two Trees of Valinor. He said, "Do as I command; and if you still hunger after all is done, then I will grant you whatever your desires may crave." Initially hesitant due to fear of the Valar, she eventually agreed to assist him in seeking revenge. Together, they enveloped themselves in Unlight, an impenetrable void where nothing existed and mortal eyes could not see. Undetected, they reached Ezellohar, where Ungoliant drained the sap from the Trees, poisoning them. Additionally, she consumed the Wells of Varda until they ran dry, causing her to swell immensely. With the aid of the Unlight, Ungoliant and Melkor departed from the Undying Lands and ventured towards Middle-earth.
When they arrived in Lammoth, Morgoth (formerly known as Melkor) had the intention of returning to the ruins of Angband, where his followers awaited him. Ungoliant became suspicious that he might renege on their agreement and demanded the Ñoldor's jewels. Morgoth reluctantly surrendered, and she devoured all the gems, causing her to grow even larger and more grotesque. However, when Morgoth refused to give her the Silmarils, she attempted to forcefully take them by entangling him in a "web of clinging throngs". Morgoth let out a horrifying cry of pain during the attack, which caught the attention of the Balrogs beneath Angband. They quickly approached him, using their flaming whips to tear apart the webs. Filled with fear, Ungoliant fled, spewing thick black vapors to conceal herself, and eventually found herself in Beleriand.
Is Ungoliant Related to Shelob?
After being denied entry into the Forest of Neldoreth by Melian, a powerful Maiar, Ungoliant found a home in Ered Gorgoroth, the southern mountains of Dorthonion. It was in this place that she encountered and mated with other spider-like creatures who had resided there since the construction of Angband. Ungoliant gave birth to several offspring, spreading fear and terror of their kind. While the destiny of Ungoliant remains unknown, The Silmarillion notes her departure after a period of time, eventually consuming herself in her extremity of hunger.
Her descendants gradually populated the nearby area, which eventually came to be known as Nan Dungortheb, a perilous region notorious for its darkened atmosphere caused by the webs of the Great Spiders. These creatures, known as the fell race of Ungoliant, resided there and ensnared all living beings with their unseen webs. The land became uninhabitable, offering no sustenance for Elves or Men, only death. Travelers avoided crossing through this haunted land, even Morgoth's forces in ancient times, except when absolutely necessary. Aredhel, the White Lady of the Ñoldor, is said to have become lost there after being separated from her companions, who were driven out by Ungoliant's offspring. In the story of Beren and Lúthien, it is mentioned that Beren also encountered these spiders and chose not to speak about the terrifying experience afterwards.
When the War of Wrath caused Nan Dungortheb to sink beneath the sea, the spiders sought refuge in other dark corners of Middle-earth. One of these places was Cirith Ungol, where Shelob, Ungoliant's "last child," ultimately settled. During the Second Age, she fed on her own offspring and eventually wove a sinister lair for herself. Similar to her distant mother, Shelob's fate remains uncertain after Samwise Gamgee stabbed her with Sting.
