Faerie?? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lord of Angmar · 12-10-2003, 06:23 AM

The word "faerie" can be used somewhat interchangeably with "fairy," although their meanings can be and have historically been different. Both, I believe, come from Middle English. While fairy almost always describes "a magical, mischievous, imaginary being," faerie can be used to describe where these beings dwell. I think Tolkien wished to use faerie much as he did with Elves; that is, to alter the common connotations of the word in a mythological sense (I used to think of Elves as strickly small, mischevious creatures like fairies and muses). He probably dropped Faerie as a name for the abode of the Elves when he realized the name did not fit in aesthetically with the names and languages of Middle Earth.

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 7:24 AM December 10, 2003: Message edited by: Lord of Angmar ]

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 7:24 AM December 10, 2003: Message edited by: Lord of Angmar ]

12-10-2003, 06:23 AM	#11
Lord of Angmar Tyrannus Incorporalis Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: the North Posts: 833	The word "faerie" can be used somewhat interchangeably with "fairy," although their meanings can be and have historically been different. Both, I believe, come from Middle English. While fairy almost always describes "a magical, mischievous, imaginary being," faerie can be used to describe where these beings dwell. I think Tolkien wished to use faerie much as he did with Elves; that is, to alter the common connotations of the word in a mythological sense (I used to think of Elves as strickly small, mischevious creatures like fairies and muses). He probably dropped Faerie as a name for the abode of the Elves when he realized the name did not fit in aesthetically with the names and languages of Middle Earth. <font size=1 color=339966>[ 7:24 AM December 10, 2003: Message edited by: Lord of Angmar ] <font size=1 color=339966>[ 7:24 AM December 10, 2003: Message edited by: Lord of Angmar ] __________________ ...where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own defence.