Tevildo

Tevildo, or the "Prince of Cats", was a servant of Melko according to the early version of the Legendarium in The Book of Lost Tales.

edit] History

He was an evil fay in the form of a great black cat with a collar of gold, which he used to keep his thanes in utter thraldom. During the Quest for the Silmaril, Beren was captured by Melko and sent as a servant to Tevildo. However the cat was defeated by Huan and Tinúviel when they forced him to reveal the spell which held the stones of his castle together and which held cats under his evil sway. When his collar was removed the other cats shrunk. Fearing mockery by Melko or punishment for his defeat, Tevildo fled.

Later Tevildo's place in the narrative was replaced by that of the Necromancer, Thû (later renamed Sauron), in the later Legendarium. Thû (and later Sauron) was the "Lord of Werewolves", in contrast to Tevildo's position as "Prince of Cats"; the cat-versus-dog theme prominent in the "Tale of Tinúviel" was thus eliminated in later writings.[1]

edit] Etymology

Tevildo is Qenya. Although it is not given a literal translation, it is said to derive from the root TEFE related with "hate" or "hatred". His Gnomish name is Tifil.[2] This Gnomish name was later changed to Tiberth; and he was given the titles Vardo Meoita in Qenya and Bridhon Miaugion in Gnomish, both meaning "Prince of Cats".[3]

edit] Inspiration

Tevildo resembles in form the name Tybalt from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, who also has the title of "Prince of Cats".

edit] See also