Title
Leithian is a word in one of Tolkien's invented languages which derives from leithia, meaning "release". The title bears a strong resemblance to the word Leithien, the name for England in earlier versions of Tolkien's legendarium.
The author translated the title as release from bondage, without making explicit who was released from what form of bondage. There are, accordingly, several possible interpretations.
One likely meaning of the title might be found at one of the key moments in the poem, the point at which one of the Silmarils, the magical gems of Fëanor, is cut from the crown of Morgoth by Beren:
Behold! the hope of Elvenland
the fire of Fëanor, Light of Morn
before the sun and moon were born,
thus out of bondage came at last,
from iron to mortal hand it passed.
This moment is also central to the overarching story-line of The Silmarillion, in which the gem is used to bring hope to the scattered peoples of Middle-earth and is ultimately set in the heavens by the mariner Eärendil as a sign of their coming salvation.
The name of the poem is therefore likely an attempt to underscore the importance of the Lay relative to other tales from the first age. Though honor, bravery and vengeance drive the Elven hosts forward to war with Morgoth, it is only love that can overcome all obstacles to wrest a Silmaril from his crown.
Another interpretation is that Lúthien is released from the bonds of the Eldar to the physical world (the world that is, Arda). In The Silmarillion it is said that Lúthien alone among the elves has died indeed, and left the world. By contrast, it is basic to Tolkien's Christian and Catholic conception of Arda that Men, the younger children of Ilúvatar (God), by means of the Gift of Men (death) are able to escape the confines of the world. Note the comfort offered by the mortal King Elessar to his elvish bride Arwen as his death approaches: "we are not bound forever to the circles of the world."
Indeed, the theme of release from imprisonment runs like a thread throughout the story: Lúthien's escape from Doriath, her release from Nargothrond with the aid of Huan, Beren's release from Gaurhoth Isle. In every instance it is love that is the liberating factor: Lúthien's love for Beren drives her on to find some escape from imprisonment by her father, Huan's love for Lúthien is what frees her from Nargothrond, Beren's rescue by Lúthien. One could hazard an interpretation of the title as being suggestive of the immense power of love.
Hence, the theme might find an echo in line 2978 of Canto X, spoken by Beren:
Thy love me drew from bondage drear,
but never to that outer fear,
that darkest mansion of all dread,
shall thy most blissful light be led.
Read more about this topic: The Lay Of Leithian
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