The differences between Elves and Men - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Guinevere · 06-28-2002, 10:00 AM

Mae govannen !

I`m in the middle of reading the Silmarillion, just like Rose Cotton. And there I get quite a different impression of the elves than from LotR. Just like Rose is saying, the elves act much more like ancient human heroes. They have vices and weaknesses and some have even a nasty character. I really started asking myself what the difference between elves and men are, apart from the immortality.??

In LotR the elves seem much more different from men, they are more spirital and have a mysterious, magical aura. And none of them is wicked. They appear to me like a link between the valar and men.

How can this be explained?
Perhaps because "their wisdom waxed from age to age" and by the time of the third age they must have accumulated a lot of wisdom...? and the wicked ones have long ago met their doom and are no more in Middle-earth.
Does anyone have a better explanation ?

Suilad, Guinevere

06-28-2002, 10:00 AM	#22
Guinevere Banshee of Camelot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Switzerland Posts: 5,830	Mae govannen ! I`m in the middle of reading the Silmarillion, just like Rose Cotton. And there I get quite a different impression of the elves than from LotR. Just like Rose is saying, the elves act much more like ancient human heroes. They have vices and weaknesses and some have even a nasty character. I really started asking myself what the difference between elves and men are, apart from the immortality.?? In LotR the elves seem much more different from men, they are more spirital and have a mysterious, magical aura. And none of them is wicked. They appear to me like a link between the valar and men. How can this be explained? Perhaps because "their wisdom waxed from age to age" and by the time of the third age they must have accumulated a lot of wisdom...? and the wicked ones have long ago met their doom and are no more in Middle-earth. Does anyone have a better explanation ? Suilad, Guinevere __________________ Yes! "wish-fulfilment dreams" we spin to cheat our timid hearts, and ugly Fact defeat!