The Silmarillion

by

J.R.R. Tolkien

Caranthir Character Analysis

Caranthir is the fourth son of Fëanor. Violent and quick to anger, he hates the children of Finarfin, and his outburst against Angrod contributes to the division between the Noldor. In East Beleriand, Caranthir encounters the dwarves and rescues Haleth’s people from the orcs. He dies with Celegorm and Curufin in the Second Kinslaying while trying to reclaim Dior’s Silmaril.
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Caranthir Character Timeline in The Silmarillion

The timeline below shows where the character Caranthir appears in The Silmarillion. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 5. Of Eldamar and the Princes of the Eldalië
Myth and Memory Theme Icon
...Fingolfin, valiant and steadfast, and Finarfin, wise and fair. Fëanor’s sons are Maedhros, Maglor, Celegorm, Caranthir, Curufin, Amrod, and Amras. Fingolfin’s children are Fingon, the future king of the Noldor, Turgon,... (full context)
Chapter 13. Of the Return of the Noldor
Unity vs. Division Theme Icon
Pride and Arrogance Theme Icon
Greed, Jealousy, and Obsession Theme Icon
Inevitable Loss Theme Icon
...niece. Angrod brings Thingol’s message—that they can inhabit the lands of Dorthonion—to the Noldor, and Caranthir starts a violent argument. The Noldor fear the quick anger of Fëanor’s sons, so Maedhros... (full context)
Chapter 14. Of Beleriand and its Realms
Unity vs. Division Theme Icon
Greed, Jealousy, and Obsession Theme Icon
Inevitable Loss Theme Icon
...that area and the nearby mountains. The cavalry is mainly composed of the people of Caranthir, who control the land east of the river Gelion, called Thargelion. None of the Noldor... (full context)
Chapter 17. Of the Coming of Men into the West
Unity vs. Division Theme Icon
Pride and Arrogance Theme Icon
...his son are killed in the battle, so his daughter Haleth leads her people until Caranthir comes to their aid a week later. Caranthir finally realizes the valor of the Edain... (full context)
Chapter 22. Of the Ruin of Doriath
Fate, Doom, and Free Will Theme Icon
Greed, Jealousy, and Obsession Theme Icon
Inevitable Loss Theme Icon
...take it when Lúthien wore it. During the attack, Dior kills Celegorm, and Curufin and Caranthir both die. Dior and Nimloth are killed, and their two sons are taken by Celegorm’s... (full context)