Evil Elves? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 11-28-2004, 12:12 PM

It is very clear that Elves can be malicious.

As for evil, there are numerous discussions on the nature of evil in Tolkien's legendarium on the Barrowdowns (some of which are quite hard to sift through) so it's worth a look in those. I can't link to one but just key in 'evil' in the search and I'm sure you'll find something useful.

Lachwen · 11-28-2004, 06:52 PM

I don't think any of the Elves were ever truly "evil." Some were misled, corrupted, arrogant or driven to madness, but evil? No. Malicious? Occasionally. Fëanor abandoning the rest of the Noldor and burning the Telerin ships at Losgar was certainly malicious, as was Eöl's attempt to slay Maeglin (well, that might be considered more selfish than malicious...) and Celegorm and Curufin's plan to usurp the throne of Nargothrond. Maeglin's actions, too, were malicious, even before Morgoth offered him Idril for Gondolin (remember how he always spoke against the councils of Tuor?).

So the short answer is: No, I don't think any of them were evil, but they could be malicious.

gorthaur_cruel · 11-29-2004, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Still elves they were and remain, and that is Good People.

Nothing conclusive, but...

11-28-2004, 12:12 PM	#1
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	It is very clear that Elves can be malicious. As for evil, there are numerous discussions on the nature of evil in Tolkien's legendarium on the Barrowdowns (some of which are quite hard to sift through) so it's worth a look in those. I can't link to one but just key in 'evil' in the search and I'm sure you'll find something useful. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

11-28-2004, 06:52 PM	#2
Lachwen Wight Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Greenwood the Great. Posts: 115	I don't think any of the Elves were ever truly "evil." Some were misled, corrupted, arrogant or driven to madness, but evil? No. Malicious? Occasionally. Fëanor abandoning the rest of the Noldor and burning the Telerin ships at Losgar was certainly malicious, as was Eöl's attempt to slay Maeglin (well, that might be considered more selfish than malicious...) and Celegorm and Curufin's plan to usurp the throne of Nargothrond. Maeglin's actions, too, were malicious, even before Morgoth offered him Idril for Gondolin (remember how he always spoke against the councils of Tuor?). So the short answer is: No, I don't think any of them were evil, but they could be malicious. __________________ "'...Home is the sailor, home from the sea, And the hunter home from the hill.'"