The story chronicles Melkor's fall from grace as one of the first and most powerful Ainur created by Ilúvatar. Initially blessed with tremendous creative power, Melkor begins to desire independence from Ilúvatar's grand design during the Great Music that creates Arda (the world). His discord in the Music becomes the seed of evil in creation.
After descending into Arda, Melkor corrupts the perfect world the other Valar build, destroying the Two Lamps that light the world. He establishes Utumno, his first fortress, where he twists creatures into monsters and corrupts some Maiar, including Mairon (later Sauron). The Valar eventually defeat and imprison him for three ages.
Upon release, Melkor feigns reformation but secretly poisons the Noldor Elves against the Valar. With the spider-creature Ungoliant, he destroys the Two Trees of Valinor and steals the Silmarils, three jewels containing the Trees' last light. The Silmarils burn him constantly but he sets them in an iron crown. This act earns him the name Morgoth (Black Enemy).
The story follows his wars against the Noldor in Beleriand, including epic confrontations like his duel with Fingolfin and the theft of one Silmaril by Beren and Lúthien. Though he wins many victories and destroys great elven kingdoms like Gondolin, Morgoth's power gradually diminishes as he spends it corrupting the world.
The tale culminates in the War of Wrath, where the Valar finally intervene. Despite unleashing dragons including Ancalagon the Black, Morgoth is defeated. The Valar cast him into the Void beyond the world, where he remains until the prophesied Final Battle.
The narrative ends with Ilúvatar addressing Melkor directly, suggesting that even this fall was part of a greater divine plan, offering wisdom about pride, power, and ultimate sovereignty.
6:22 Day of the Great Music
13:30 The Descent Into Matter
18:18 The Fall of the Great Lamps
21:21 Manwe addresses Melkor After the Great Lamps Have Fallen
24:10 Utumno's Deepest Holes
28:24 The Birth of Shadows
35:36 The First Children
42:39 The Breaking of Utumno
49:15 Three Ages of Imprisonment
56:57 Good Behavior in Valinor
1:04:14 Ungoliant
1:23:37 The Black Crown
1:29:15 The Siege Eternal
1:35:29 The Challenge of Fingolfin
1:49:59 The Price of Victory
1:56:09 The Fall of Gondolin
2:02:49 The Final Night
2:09:50 Iluvatar's Divine Decree