The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - The Silmarillion makes the elves seem more human

**lindil** · 10-28-2002, 11:17 PM

In The Hobbit we are seeing Elves in Rivendell who think that the Dwarves [not too mention a hobbit are totally out of their league and are mocking them]. The Mirkwood Silvan Elves are shown possesing extremely strong magic within their forest,and Thranduil at least showing strong prejudice.

In the LotR we see mostly Noldor in desperate situations [Gildor and co., Glorfindel, Galadriel], and again Silvan Elves who are at war. Thus not inclined to be as lighthearted as their northern companions, also they have been under the tutelage of Galadriel in the same way the Sindar were ennobled by Melian [ Galadriels mentor in M-E]. Also the sense that outsiders were being permitted in must have been cause for realizing the seriousness of the situation.

The Silmarillion is a whole other ball of wax.

We see Elves in their innocence upon awakening, in the undying lands were the greatest among them became as the least of the Maiar [Finrod who could take disguises for himself and others, even a Man, and who could go toe to toe w/ Sauron. And Feanor who created works of art that even amazed the Valar.]

We also see their fall.
Their blindness and futile war, their incredible heroics in Finrod, Fingolfin, Fingon. Their stubborness and pride. And finally their succumbing to the twin curses of the Kinslaying and Oath of Feanor coupled with the Curse upon Hurin and his family.

In the Second Age we see a repeat in Celebrimbor of the follies of his grandsire and a reduction of the Elven Culture of Beleriand now taking a back seat to that of the Dunedain. However in Lorien Elven community rises to hieghts probably not known outside of Valinor. We are given more of a view of Lorien and it's community than anywhere else, even Rivendell, but even that is sparse, but intoxicating. We feel the power to a degree of the Elven Ring and of Galadriel, first hand, in a way the Silmarillion never shows. In the Silmarillion, it is as if we see back through a Palantir. THe Elves are shown in so many lights and of course most of what we see are the leaders.

Many of the texts in UT and HoME 10-12 are more immediate and exspansive, but the Silmarillion ushers us through the final moments of the Third age and deposits us at the Grey havens before we know it.

The Road Goes Ever On is also good for opening a bit of the devotional life of the Noldor to us.

[ October 29, 2002: Message edited by: lindil ]

10-28-2002, 11:17 PM	#13
lindil Seeker of the Straight Path Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: a hidden fastness in Big Valley nor cal Posts: 1,681	In The Hobbit we are seeing Elves in Rivendell who think that the Dwarves [not too mention a hobbit are totally out of their league and are mocking them]. The Mirkwood Silvan Elves are shown possesing extremely strong magic within their forest,and Thranduil at least showing strong prejudice. In the LotR we see mostly Noldor in desperate situations [Gildor and co., Glorfindel, Galadriel], and again Silvan Elves who are at war. Thus not inclined to be as lighthearted as their northern companions, also they have been under the tutelage of Galadriel in the same way the Sindar were ennobled by Melian [ Galadriels mentor in M-E]. Also the sense that outsiders were being permitted in must have been cause for realizing the seriousness of the situation. The Silmarillion is a whole other ball of wax. We see Elves in their innocence upon awakening, in the undying lands were the greatest among them became as the least of the Maiar [Finrod who could take disguises for himself and others, even a Man, and who could go toe to toe w/ Sauron. And Feanor who created works of art that even amazed the Valar.] We also see their fall. Their blindness and futile war, their incredible heroics in Finrod, Fingolfin, Fingon. Their stubborness and pride. And finally their succumbing to the twin curses of the Kinslaying and Oath of Feanor coupled with the Curse upon Hurin and his family. In the Second Age we see a repeat in Celebrimbor of the follies of his grandsire and a reduction of the Elven Culture of Beleriand now taking a back seat to that of the Dunedain. However in Lorien Elven community rises to hieghts probably not known outside of Valinor. We are given more of a view of Lorien and it's community than anywhere else, even Rivendell, but even that is sparse, but intoxicating. We feel the power to a degree of the Elven Ring and of Galadriel, first hand, in a way the Silmarillion never shows. In the Silmarillion, it is as if we see back through a Palantir. THe Elves are shown in so many lights and of course most of what we see are the leaders. Many of the texts in UT and HoME 10-12 are more immediate and exspansive, but the Silmarillion ushers us through the final moments of the Third age and deposits us at the Grey havens before we know it. The Road Goes Ever On is also good for opening a bit of the devotional life of the Noldor to us. [ October 29, 2002: Message edited by: lindil ] __________________ The dwindling Men of the West would often sit up late into the night exchanging lore & wisdom such as they still possessed that they should not fall back into the mean estate of those who never knew or indeed rebelled against the Light.