Who was the greatest Elf?

[Inderjit Sanghera]

We’ve had the ‘greatest man’ now it is time for the ’the greatest Elf . will draw up a shortlist, just to make it easier for you to pick, though you do not can pick anyone you like. Hmmm, let me see.

Feanor
Fingolfin
Fingon
Maedhros
Gil-Galad
Cirdan
Finwe
Ecthelion
Glorfindel
Angrod
Beleg
Mablung
Legolas
Maglor
Celebrimbor
Galdor (of Gondolin)
Finrod Felagund

That’s off the top of my head.

[Galorme]

Well there was a big argument as to whether or not Lúthien was the greatest of the Eldar. heretis (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=001236). Heres one on the best elf Heres (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=1&t=001166)

[Lush]

This has been discussed ad nauseum, but you definitely forgot Galadriel on your list up there. Not to mention Elrond. *Yawn* Not that I have a precise opinion, but you know, just looking out for you there.

[eleanor_niphredil]

I totaly think that glorfindel should be worshipped as the greatest elf of all time. After Arwen nicking his place in the movie, not to mention his horse and sword, he needs something to raise his spirits.

[Galorme]

People always go for the underdog. Glorfindel was pretty impressive but people only say he is the best because he is under-appreciated. If he was the greatest elf of all time you wouldn't have to give him the sympathy vote!

[inglorion]

Two things:
1. You forgot to mention Gildor in your list, which I find quite upsetting smilies/wink.gif
2. If there is something like 'the greatest elf' it would certainly be Ingwe, leader of the Vanyar and High-King of the Elves in Aman. The man (i.e. elf) went to Aman when the summons came and never left. All we know about the elves on Aman is in the period before the Exile of the Noldor. Imagine what 3 Ages (instead of one, which is the case for most of the Elves we know of) in close proximity to the Valar in the Undying Lands can do to you.
So I say Ingwe, definitely.

[Adastrea]

Feanor and Celebrimbor come quite high on my list, they had great skill, but evil sought them out and corrupted them/their work, as I'm afraid often seems to be the case. Yep I reckon the high king of the vanyar is the best bet.

[burrahobbit]

You guys, seriously. It doesn't matter what you think. It was just Luthien. The end period. Debating this is like debating what color Galadriel's hair is, or whether or not Frodo was actually a hobbit. I'm pretty sure Tolkien told you the answers to those things, too.

[zacattack]

In terms of skill it would probably be Feanor almost indefinately but in terms of strength I would be inclined to go Finfolfin but that's just my opiinion,I mean Thingol,Finrod,Galdriel,Luthien and Fingon are all great elves not to mention Celebrimbor,Turgon etc

[burrahobbit]

Luthien is the greatest ever. --JRR Tolkien

[Legolas]

Who together with the greatest of all the Eldar, Lúthien Tinúviel, daughter of Elu Thingol, are the chief matter of the legends and histories of the Elves.

Thus, you can no longer argue over the matter. Tolkien explicitly stated who the greatest elf was.

If such debates interest you, perhaps you could ponder the question of who the coolest elf is, or something like that.

[Lush]

Nah, Legalos, how about discussing who the ugliest Elf is instead? A worthy topis of discourse, right up there with "the tallest Dwarf?" and the "cutest Orc?" threads.

[Guildo]

i admire Cirdan the most he may not be the greatest, but he has remained faithfull to his purpose perhaps longer than any other elf, and he does it not for himself but for those who wish to travel to the undieing lands.

[Finiel]

ugliest elf--->Maeglin in The Fall of Gondolin

most handsome elf/man--->Earendel

coolest elf--->Glorfindel (he killed a Balrog)

bravest and most beautiful--->Luthien

I don't know where to put Galadriel but she's my favorite.

As for the greatest Elf I'm not sure who because I haven't read the Silmarillon, though I'll agree with JRRT (for now) Luthien is the greatest.

[Galorme]

Burrahobbit she is the greatest of the ELDAR, who are, on average, greater than the Dark Elves. But he didn't say the Greatest Elf, so it could be that out there somewhere is an Elf who is greater than her. It just rules out all of the Nolder, the Teleri and the Vanyar. It could be that Legolas is the greatest elf (COULD be, but isn't smilies/biggrin.gif ).

[burrahobbit]

You're gonna get such a PINCH.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Since this topic is asking only for opinions, not discussing the books, it has been moved to the Novices and Newcomers forum.

[Finiel]

Luthien did a lot for the sake of love. She saved her boyfriend Beren from the clutches of Melkor. I only read their story from the Lost Tales 2 so I'm not sure about the other details.

I guess I'm with Meela. I'd go for Glorfindel the Golden Hair. I'm sure he's way better than Legolas. smilies/biggrin.gif

(runs while pots and pans are being thrown into the air by Lego fans) smilies/biggrin.gif

[the witch king]

Its gota be Feanor for me, he was so free spirted he followed his own path and didnt let any one sway him from it, not even the valar!

[Holfast Willow from Greenfields]

The best elf ever has to be Gil-Galad.

"Gil-Galad was an elven king
of him the harpers sadly sing.
Last whose realm was fair and free
between the mountain and the sea."

[Rimbaud]

<FONT SIZE=SMALL> Luthien. </FONT SIZE=SMALL>

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

There's a difference between the words 'greatest' and 'favourite', folks.

Why does no-one ever start a thread called "Who is your favourite Elf?"?

[the witch king]

Feanor was the greatest if the Eldar in arts and lore, but also the proudest and most self willed.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

That is only arts and lore. Luthien was the greatest, period.

[aragornreborn]

Luthien is the greatest ever. --JRR Tolkien

Well, I guess since he created 'em all, he know them all the best, so he's right, but... the greatest male elf was definitely Fingolfin. If I tried to write all the reasons why he is the best, it would take many lifetimes. So, since I'd rather live and do other things smilies/wink.gif, you'll either have to read the Silmarillion or take my word for it.

[Farrehn]

What about Luthien's mother? Wasn't she A Valar or something? I read teh Silmarillion a while ago and all those names confuse me. But I would have to say either Luthien's mother or Galadriel.

[alkquareiel02]

Luthiens mother was a Maia but,Tolkien did say that Luthien was the greatest elf that ever lived or whatever so i say Luthien. Out of the male elves not sure coz there was so many of them that did great deeds although Fingofin did a good one.

[Yavanna Kementari]

Luthien was the most beautiful..yes.
But if you're talking about, great as in strength, it would be Curufinweor Feanor - Spirit of Fire.
But in the bearing of her son Miriel was consumed in spirit and body; and after his birth she yearned for release from the labour of living. And when she had named him, she said to Finwe: 'Never again shall I bear child; for strength thst would have nourished the life of many has gone forth into Feanor.'
The Silmarillion Chapter 6 OF FEANOR AND THE UNCHAINING OF MELKOR (pg 64-65)
And Miriel died in the Garden Of Lorien.

And their are many other greats. Like Cirdan the Shipwright and Earedil! Just depends on what kind of great.
~Yavanna

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

That quote means nothing. The above quotes on Luthien are all we need. No quote can combat them. None.

[elven maiden Earwen]

gratest elves:
feanor
fingolfin
luthien
turon
finrod
gladrial
elrond
thingol
earendil(he an elf right)
celembiror
and a lot more
galdor
leolas
beleg
malbung
finwe
glorfindel
ecthelion
gil-galad
cirdian

[Dondagnirion]

I would say Faenor is. I would discount Luthien only because she is not purely an elf. The best pure elf would be Faenor without question, the maker of the Silmarils.

Dondagnirion
"He who cannot cast a treasure away at need is in fetters." - Aragorn

[Aragost]

Feanor was the dgreatest in skill
Fingolfin was the greatest in power because he fought Melkor

[lord of dor-lomin]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tolkien says "Luthien=greatest". Whatever. It just so happens I might have a different opinion on the definition of greatness. Some people place more weight on goodness, others on wisdom, some on skill, and others on battle prowess, and so on.

Last summer I actually sat down and rated a bunch of Tolkien characters based on several characteristics (fighting, skill/craft, wisdom, goodness, beauty, and combined will-power (over themselves) and will-mastery (over others). First I gave base ratings for your average maia, light-elf, dark-elf, numenorean, regular man, dwarf, and even hobbit. Then I proceeded to rate everyone I could think of like Melkor, Eonwe, Maedhros, Frodo, Aragorn, Hurin, and ect. On my chart, the winning elf was Feanor.

(plus, I don't consider Luthien an elf, because she's half angelic being)

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

That's cool, and I don't have a problem with that. It's just that this is Tolkien's opinion on the subject, and I'm willing to concede to him.

[Falagar]

Luthien was also Maia, so naturally she would be the most powerful. But if we look at the greatest pure Elf (without any maian blood) I would go for Fëanor (my fav character in the Silm smilies/smile.gif), then perhaps Fingolfin.

[ January 18, 2003: Message edited by: Falagar ]

[Duncariel]

Luthien would technically be the Greatest Elf, according to JRRT. But I admire Maedhros the most for his loyalty to his family, but when his friend needed him he "forsake" (I use that term lightly) his oath to his father and the Silmarills and stood for him

_____________________________________________

wherever you go, there you are

[Pallando B.C]

Dueling a former Vala, one on one. Has to be Fingolfin.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Well, Finrod Felagund was always my favourite Elf, and his dad was really cool too.

[doug*platypus]

Luthien.
Wow, that's such a flawless argument, I don't know how I'm not convinced. Which one is the sarcastic smilie?
On my chart, the winning elf was Feanor.

Recommended viewing: Dead Poets' Society. Robin Williams would tear your page out of his book. Begone, J. Evans Pritchard!

When you talk about the greatness of an elf, I think of the greatness of their deeds. Not of their beauty, or their innate skill, but of what they accomplished and the choices that they made. So I rule out the Vanyar at the start, because in my opinion they didn't really do much. At least, not that we hear about. Just worshipped well and properly and looked nice. Good for them.

Finrod Felagund was probably the most noble of the elves to return to the Hither Lands, judging by his deeds with Maedhros, Beren and the first men to come west. But I think that the importance of Elrond is vastly underappreciated. Rivendell is an important sanctuary and stronghold long after other realms have perished. The Last Homely House. It served as a base for armed forays into Eriador, as the home of Aragorn and of the legacy of the kings of Gondor and Arnor, and provided sanctuary to the Ringbearer, and also the ring-finder. Not Gollum, the other guy. I think without a place to harbour the knowledge and the people that Rivendell did, Sauron would have rocked everyone's world. Elrond. Greatest. Forgive me, Professor.

[Donlammenion]

Gladrial is cute but still very powerfull so she gets my vote. Well finglofin has to be the greatest elf as he fought melkor giving him 7 wounds and cutting off his (left)? foot. glorfindle is also great killing a balrog is cool and returning is even better in the same form.

[ January 21, 2003: Message edited by: Donlammenion ]

[the real findorfin]

I've always said (and I always will) the two greatest elves are Finrod and Glorfindel (in that order) Finrod is so cool. He goes with Beren when he doesn't have to. He strives with Sauron, he fights that wolf to protect Beren. He is one of the few elves to return from Mandos.

Glorfindel, not just because he slew a balrog, but because he returned as well, that means he must have had a good heart.

[Inderjit Sanghera]

Don-Fingolfin never hewed Morgoth's foot off, he simply wounded it.

[Nevcairion_of_Rivendell]

I am stuck between Legolas & Elrond