When considering the opinions held by First Age Elves of Men, the deciding factor seems to be how much time and how many opportunities the Elves had to observe them. Those who took the trouble to get to know the Edain, such as Felegund and the Sons of Fëanor, saw their worth.
Quote:
For the valour of the Edain the Elves shall ever remember as the ages lengthen, marvelling that they gave life so freely of which they had on earth so little.
|
UT Of Tuor and His Coming To Gondolin
Ulmo's words to Tuor.
The common denominator among the Man-haters seems to that they were
not High Elves. The Green-elves of Ossiriand complained to Felegund very soon after Men appeared there.
Quote:
'Lord' they said, 'if you have power over these newcomers, bid them return by the ways they came, or else to go forward. For we desire no strangers in this land to break the peace in which we live. And these folk are hewers of trees and hunters of beasts; therefore we are their unfriends, and if they will not depart we shall afflict them in all ways that we can.
|
Silm Of the Coming of Men Into the West
That line about not liking Men because they were 'hunters of beasts' seems highly hypocritical, since there is ample evidence Elves hunted quite a bit themselves.
They were looking for reasons not to like Men. Saeros of Doriath had been of that people, so that might explain his attitude towards Túrin.
On the other hand, the Noldor were quite ready to welcome Men.
Quote:
Therefore the kings of the three houses of the Noldor, seeing hope of strength in the sons of Men, sent word that any of the Edain that wished might remove and come to dwell among their people.
|
Silm Of the Coming of Men Into the West
If the Noldor had ulterior motives with their acceptance of the Edain, at least they were willing to give them a place in Beleriandic society.
It seems to me High Elves were less guilty of high-mindedness than either the Sindar or the Avari.