Idril Character Analysis in The Silmarillion

Idril is Turgon’s daughter who crosses the Helcaraxë with Fingolfin’s Noldor and later lives in Gondolin. Maeglin wants to marry her to inherit Gondolin, but she mistrusts him and instead marries Tuor, a mortal man. Idril creates a secret passage out of Gondolin, allowing many people to flee during the fall of the city. At the end of Tuor’s life, she sails west with him, leaving their son Eärendil behind.

Idril Character Timeline in The Silmarillion

The timeline below shows where the character Idril appears in The Silmarillion. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Though Turgon’s daughter Idril mistrusts him, Maeglin is loved by the people of Gondolin. When Turgon finally leaves the... (full context)

Tuor remains in Gondolin and falls in love with Idril, and Turgon allows them to marry. Maeglin hates Tuor, since he wants to marry Idril... (full context)

...Gondolin’s location and weaknesses to Morgoth. Morgoth promises to give Maeglin kingship of Gondolin and Idril as a wife, then sends him back to Gondolin to avoid suspicion. When Eärendil is... (full context)

Tuor and Idril lead the survivors of Gondolin away through Idril’s secret path. As they climb through the... (full context)

...on the Silmarils. When Tuor grows old, he builds a ship and sails away with Idril. Elven tradition believes that he arrived in Valinor and became one of the immortal Noldor. (full context)