One of the main villains inTolkien's Legendarium. InThe Silmarillionhe is described as a maia, a divine being, who was corrupted to evil by the first dark lordMorgothand became one of his chief followers. He is the primary antagonist ofThe Lord of the Rings, in which he is the dark lord bent on controlling all of Middle-earth. His power is bound withthe One Ringand he was finally defeated with its destruction. He took on many forms with many names throughout his existence: