Why do you like Elves?

Elvellon · 11-18-2001, 08:56 AM

A lot of people that read Tolkien’s work have a clear preference about elves. But why do you like them? And why do you prefer one elvish people to another?

My preference for the elves started when I read the LotR (not very original I know). The Elves looked to me has the ideal people. They were wise, perfect of body and mind (or so it looked then). They were powerful but cold overcome their lust for power, and seemed to be above the petty ambitions of humans.
My contact with the Silmarillion somewhat shattered this view. Now elves looked a young people, involved in endless feuding among themselves and against their external enemies, but they were full of passion and capable of heroic deeds.

My own favourites are the Finarfinian Noldor (including, of course the Finrodians) for they were in love with knowledge in all its forms (Feanorians were much more interested in what the skill of their hands could create and what the sharpness of their minds could devise); they didn’t show the otherwise typical arrogance of the Noldor (specially seen in the Feanorians); they were the most ready to give their friendship of all the elves for theirs were the most open minds of the elvish people.

afro-elf · 11-18-2001, 11:01 AM

Your assessment of the difference between of the LOTR and the Elves of the SIL mirrior my own

i haven't read the Sil but I've got an idea about it

i think for me it was that they had the innate abilities that I longed for in myself

longevity, health, keeness of senses, wisdom

hobbits were just TOO cute

i like strider, imrahil and faramir but humans are a known territory

i was between 8-11 when I 1st read it. and that was when I 1st started playing D&D and when I played an elf it was ALWAYS modified to tolkien style

I guess i like the heroics of the 1st age elves,

I like the balance of humans and elves of the second

and the wisdom of the 3rd agers

***Tessar*** · 11-18-2001, 04:27 PM

i guess its mostly that they arn't human.

but my mom says that when I was about 3-6 i and my sisters would always pretend to be elves (miriel had read most of the books so she told us about them and thats how we knew so much)

Wayfarer · 11-18-2001, 06:05 PM

Hot Elf-Maidens

That's all I have to say.

***Sister Golden Hair*** · 11-19-2001, 01:00 AM

afro-elf, read the Silmarillion. You won't be sorry. It is beautiful. If you love Elves now, you will be overwhelmed with this book. Promise.

Kirinki54 · 11-19-2001, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sister Golden Hair
afro-elf, read the Silmarillion. You won't be sorry. It is beautiful. If you love Elves now, you will be overwhelmed with this book. Promise.

True.

But when I read the Sil, I also feel a bit 'depressed' that these magnificient beings can act so foolishly and cruelly sometimes. Makes you pessimistic about Man, with our less abilities to start with. But then again, Elves can be very inspiring also.
The Elves of LotR are overall much wiser and milder, and more easily likable, IMO.

afro-elf · 11-20-2001, 09:54 AM

SGH

i'll get it shipped over during the holidays

what about the history of middle earth books?

Elvellon · 11-20-2001, 11:43 AM

Absolutely, HoME is very interesting reading material. My advice would be to read the Silmarillion first and then HoME. Many of the writings in HoME are about the stories told in the Silmarillion, but are not in an “historical” order like the Sil (so it wold be very confusing to read HoME without reading first the Silmarillion). In HoME you will find many ideas first found in the Silmarillion clarified, expanded and reviewed (but also frequently you will find various versions of the same story as Tolkien own ideas about it evolved).

***Sister Golden Hair*** · 11-20-2001, 01:46 PM

As I have said before, I have found the HoMe to be difficult and confusing, but rewarding as well, and a must read. I would suggest though that after you read the Silmarillion, you should read Unfinished Tale before attempting the HoMe.

afro-elf · 11-20-2001, 02:22 PM

yes ma'am

Darkhalcyon · 11-20-2001, 03:54 PM

My turn!

I read the hobbit when i was eleven, but i was never really into it. Then i read the LotR...but at the time i wasn't a big fantasy person. Eventually i got into a show called "Record of Lodoss War" starring *drumrol* an elf! (deedlit) it mirrors LotR alot. So i read the Sil. and reread the LotR, and the obsession with elves began...And all things fae. Most of the things i draw are related to that.

afro-elf · 11-20-2001, 05:14 PM

Darkhalcyon

do you have web site where we can view your art?

maybe the mod's here can make an art section

Treebeard's apprentice · 11-21-2001, 04:08 PM

I like elves because they like trees!

[Damn dwarves cut down the forest...they don't care about trees...axes really hurt...damn dwarves

]

Oh.

I'm sorry, was I muttering to myself again?

11-18-2001, 08:56 AM	#1
Elvellon Elf Lord Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Lindon Posts: 637	Why do you like Elves? A lot of people that read Tolkien’s work have a clear preference about elves. But why do you like them? And why do you prefer one elvish people to another? My preference for the elves started when I read the LotR (not very original I know). The Elves looked to me has the ideal people. They were wise, perfect of body and mind (or so it looked then). They were powerful but cold overcome their lust for power, and seemed to be above the petty ambitions of humans. My contact with the Silmarillion somewhat shattered this view. Now elves looked a young people, involved in endless feuding among themselves and against their external enemies, but they were full of passion and capable of heroic deeds. My own favourites are the Finarfinian Noldor (including, of course the Finrodians) for they were in love with knowledge in all its forms (Feanorians were much more interested in what the skill of their hands could create and what the sharpness of their minds could devise); they didn’t show the otherwise typical arrogance of the Noldor (specially seen in the Feanorians); they were the most ready to give their friendship of all the elves for theirs were the most open minds of the elvish people. __________________ **************************************** "None are more hoplessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Reality is just an illusion, albeit a very persistent one - Albert Einstein The Caffeine Mantra It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the juice of Brazil that the thoughts aquire speed, The hands aquire shaking, the shaking becomes a warning. It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion... Elvellon Erelion Last edited by Elvellon : 11-18-2001 at 02:46 PM.

11-18-2001, 11:01 AM	#2
afro-elf Hoplite Nomad Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 3,931	Your assessment of the difference between of the LOTR and the Elves of the SIL mirrior my own i haven't read the Sil but I've got an idea about it i think for me it was that they had the innate abilities that I longed for in myself longevity, health, keeness of senses, wisdom hobbits were just TOO cute i like strider, imrahil and faramir but humans are a known territory i was between 8-11 when I 1st read it. and that was when I 1st started playing D&D and when I played an elf it was ALWAYS modified to tolkien style I guess i like the heroics of the 1st age elves, I like the balance of humans and elves of the second and the wisdom of the 3rd agers __________________ About Eowyn, Does anyone know what her alias Dernhelm means? She was kown as dernhelm because of her exclaimation when she realized that the rider's headgear was heavy and obscured her sight. 'Dern Helm" Culled from Entmoot From Kirinski 57 and Wayfarer.

11-18-2001, 06:05 PM	#4
Wayfarer The Insufferable Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,333	Hot Elf-Maidens That's all I have to say. __________________ Disgraced he may be, yet is not dethroned, and keeps the rags of lordship once he owned

11-19-2001, 01:00 AM	#5
*Sister Golden Hair* Queen of Nargothrond Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Akron, Ohio - USA Posts: 7,121	afro-elf, read the Silmarillion. You won't be sorry. It is beautiful. If you love Elves now, you will be overwhelmed with this book. Promise. Last edited by Sister Golden Hair : 11-19-2001 at 01:03 AM.

11-20-2001, 09:54 AM	#7
afro-elf Hoplite Nomad Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 3,931	SGH i'll get it shipped over during the holidays what about the history of middle earth books? __________________ About Eowyn, Does anyone know what her alias Dernhelm means? She was kown as dernhelm because of her exclaimation when she realized that the rider's headgear was heavy and obscured her sight. 'Dern Helm" Culled from Entmoot From Kirinski 57 and Wayfarer.

11-18-2001, 04:27 PM	#3
*Tessar* Master and Wielder of the Cardboard Harp of Gondor Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: IM IN UR POSTZ, EDITIN' UR WURDZ Posts: 6,433	i guess its mostly that they arn't human. but my mom says that when I was about 3-6 i and my sisters would always pretend to be elves (miriel had read most of the books so she told us about them and thats how we knew so much)

11-20-2001, 11:43 AM	#8
Elvellon Elf Lord Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Lindon Posts: 637	"what about the history of middle earth books? Absolutely, HoME is very interesting reading material. My advice would be to read the Silmarillion first and then HoME. Many of the writings in HoME are about the stories told in the Silmarillion, but are not in an “historical” order like the Sil (so it wold be very confusing to read HoME without reading first the Silmarillion). In HoME you will find many ideas first found in the Silmarillion clarified, expanded and reviewed (but also frequently you will find various versions of the same story as Tolkien own ideas about it evolved). __________________ **************************************** "None are more hoplessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Reality is just an illusion, albeit a very persistent one - Albert Einstein The Caffeine Mantra It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the juice of Brazil that the thoughts aquire speed, The hands aquire shaking, the shaking becomes a warning. It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion... Elvellon Erelion

11-20-2001, 01:46 PM	#9
*Sister Golden Hair* Queen of Nargothrond Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Akron, Ohio - USA Posts: 7,121	As I have said before, I have found the HoMe to be difficult and confusing, but rewarding as well, and a must read. I would suggest though that after you read the Silmarillion, you should read Unfinished Tale before attempting the HoMe.

11-20-2001, 02:22 PM	#10
afro-elf Hoplite Nomad Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 3,931	yes ma'am __________________ About Eowyn, Does anyone know what her alias Dernhelm means? She was kown as dernhelm because of her exclaimation when she realized that the rider's headgear was heavy and obscured her sight. 'Dern Helm" Culled from Entmoot From Kirinski 57 and Wayfarer.

11-20-2001, 03:54 PM	#11
Darkhalcyon Elven Warrior Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: a boring little town not too far from manhattan Posts: 140	My turn! I read the hobbit when i was eleven, but i was never really into it. Then i read the LotR...but at the time i wasn't a big fantasy person. Eventually i got into a show called "Record of Lodoss War" starring drumrol an elf! (deedlit) it mirrors LotR alot. So i read the Sil. and reread the LotR, and the obsession with elves began...And all things fae. Most of the things i draw are related to that. __________________ Absolute power corrupts. Knowledge is power. Study hard, be evil.

11-20-2001, 05:14 PM	#12
afro-elf Hoplite Nomad Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 3,931	Darkhalcyon do you have web site where we can view your art? maybe the mod's here can make an art section __________________ About Eowyn, Does anyone know what her alias Dernhelm means? She was kown as dernhelm because of her exclaimation when she realized that the rider's headgear was heavy and obscured her sight. 'Dern Helm" Culled from Entmoot From Kirinski 57 and Wayfarer.

11-21-2001, 04:08 PM	#13
Treebeard's apprentice Elven Warrior Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Wherever I may roam Posts: 207	I like elves because they like trees! [Damn dwarves cut down the forest...they don't care about trees...axes really hurt...damn dwarves ] Oh. I'm sorry, was I muttering to myself again?

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