Quote:
Originally Posted by Galadriel
On the other hand, elves live for far too long. I suppose I'll get bored and tired after a while.
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Perhaps not. I think the "getting bored" that men feel is (at least in Tolkien's secondary subcreation) primarily due to the world-weariness, the seeking elsewither which was one with the "Gift of the One to Men" - that is, it is a natural consequence of the peculiar nature of Men.
Other creatures whose fate is tied to Arda would simply not have that "seeking elsewither" and so, I think, would not grow bored - may not even understand the concept. What is boredom but a sense or feeling that "there is nothing to do". The world, however, is so varied and full and intricate it is hard to imagine that any creature could "really" run out of things to learn and do - if they wanted to. The "feeling" of boredom then, I suggest, is not based in fact, but in tiredness and desire to "move on" - and *THAT* is the essential distinction and gifting of Atani alone. Not shared by Eldar, nor by Ents, nor by Istari/Maier, nor (apparently) by Bombadil, etc.