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-   -   Who was the greatest Elf? (http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=3542)

Inderjit Sanghera 01-04-2003 01:17 PM

Who was the greatest Elf?
 
We’ve had the ‘greatest man’ now it is time for the ’the greatest Elf . will draw up a shortlist, just to make it easier for you to pick, though you do not can pick anyone you like. Hmmm, let me see.

Feanor
Fingolfin
Fingon
Maedhros
Gil-Galad
Cirdan
Finwe
Ecthelion
Glorfindel
Angrod
Beleg
Mablung
Legolas
Maglor
Celebrimbor
Galdor (of Gondolin)
Finrod Felagund

That’s off the top of my head.

Galorme 01-04-2003 02:17 PM

Well there was a big argument as to whether or not Lúthien was the greatest of the Eldar. heretis. Heres one on the best elf Heres

Lush 01-04-2003 02:25 PM

This has been discussed ad nauseum, but you definitely forgot Galadriel on your list up there. Not to mention Elrond. *Yawn* Not that I have a precise opinion, but you know, just looking out for you there.

eleanor_niphredil 01-04-2003 03:43 PM

I totaly think that glorfindel should be worshipped as the greatest elf of all time. After Arwen nicking his place in the movie, not to mention his horse and sword, he needs something to raise his spirits.

Galorme 01-04-2003 03:49 PM

People always go for the underdog. Glorfindel was pretty impressive but people only say he is the best because he is under-appreciated. If he was the greatest elf of all time you wouldn't have to give him the sympathy vote!

inglorion 01-04-2003 04:07 PM

Two things:
1. You forgot to mention Gildor in your list, which I find quite upsetting [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]
2. If there is something like 'the greatest elf' it would certainly be Ingwe, leader of the Vanyar and High-King of the Elves in Aman. The man (i.e. elf) went to Aman when the summons came and never left. All we know about the elves on Aman is in the period before the Exile of the Noldor. Imagine what 3 Ages (instead of one, which is the case for most of the Elves we know of) in close proximity to the Valar in the Undying Lands can do to you.
So I say Ingwe, definitely.

Adastrea 01-04-2003 04:16 PM

Feanor and Celebrimbor come quite high on my list, they had great skill, but evil sought them out and corrupted them/their work, as I'm afraid often seems to be the case. Yep I reckon the high king of the vanyar is the best bet.

burrahobbit 01-04-2003 04:25 PM

You guys, seriously. It doesn't matter what you think. It was just Luthien. The end period. Debating this is like debating what color Galadriel's hair is, or whether or not Frodo was actually a hobbit. I'm pretty sure Tolkien told you the answers to those things, too.

zacattack 01-04-2003 04:47 PM

In terms of skill it would probably be Feanor almost indefinately but in terms of strength I would be inclined to go Finfolfin but that's just my opiinion,I mean Thingol,Finrod,Galdriel,Luthien and Fingon are all great elves not to mention Celebrimbor,Turgon etc

burrahobbit 01-04-2003 05:02 PM

Quote:

Luthien is the greatest ever. --JRR Tolkien

Legolas 01-04-2003 11:59 PM

Quote:

Who together with the greatest of all the Eldar, Lúthien Tinúviel, daughter of Elu Thingol, are the chief matter of the legends and histories of the Elves.
Thus, you can no longer argue over the matter. Tolkien explicitly stated who the greatest elf was.

If such debates interest you, perhaps you could ponder the question of who the coolest elf is, or something like that.

Lush 01-05-2003 12:07 AM

Nah, Legalos, how about discussing who the ugliest Elf is instead? A worthy topis of discourse, right up there with "the tallest Dwarf?" and the "cutest Orc?" threads.

Guildo 01-05-2003 12:43 AM

i admire Cirdan the most he may not be the greatest, but he has remained faithfull to his purpose perhaps longer than any other elf, and he does it not for himself but for those who wish to travel to the undieing lands.

Finiel 01-05-2003 04:54 AM

ugliest elf--->Maeglin in The Fall of Gondolin

most handsome elf/man--->Earendel

coolest elf--->Glorfindel (he killed a Balrog)

bravest and most beautiful--->Luthien

I don't know where to put Galadriel but she's my favorite.

As for the greatest Elf I'm not sure who because I haven't read the Silmarillon, though I'll agree with JRRT (for now) Luthien is the greatest.

Galorme 01-05-2003 05:10 AM

Burrahobbit she is the greatest of the ELDAR, who are, on average, greater than the Dark Elves. But he didn't say the Greatest Elf, so it could be that out there somewhere is an Elf who is greater than her. It just rules out all of the Nolder, the Teleri and the Vanyar. It could be that Legolas is the greatest elf (COULD be, but isn't [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] ).

burrahobbit 01-05-2003 05:39 AM

You're gonna get such a PINCH.

Estelyn Telcontar 01-05-2003 08:50 AM

Since this topic is asking only for opinions, not discussing the books, it has been moved to the Novices and Newcomers forum.

Finiel 01-06-2003 04:03 AM

Luthien did a lot for the sake of love. She saved her boyfriend Beren from the clutches of Melkor. I only read their story from the Lost Tales 2 so I'm not sure about the other details.

I guess I'm with Meela. I'd go for Glorfindel the Golden Hair. I'm sure he's way better than Legolas. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

(runs while pots and pans are being thrown into the air by Lego fans) [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

the witch king 01-06-2003 04:42 AM

Its gota be Feanor for me, he was so free spirted he followed his own path and didnt let any one sway him from it, not even the valar!

Holfast Willow from Greenfields 01-08-2003 06:44 AM

The best elf ever has to be Gil-Galad.

"Gil-Galad was an elven king
of him the harpers sadly sing.
Last whose realm was fair and free
between the mountain and the sea."

Rimbaud 01-08-2003 09:02 AM

<FONT SIZE=SMALL> Luthien. </FONT SIZE=SMALL>

Eomer of the Rohirrim 01-09-2003 03:32 PM

There's a difference between the words 'greatest' and 'favourite', folks.

Why does no-one ever start a thread called "Who is your favourite Elf?"?

the witch king 01-10-2003 05:17 PM

Quote:

Feanor was the greatest if the Eldar in arts and lore, but also the proudest and most self willed.

Eomer of the Rohirrim 01-11-2003 01:06 PM

That is only arts and lore. Luthien was the greatest, period.

aragornreborn 01-11-2003 04:33 PM

Quote:

Luthien is the greatest ever. --JRR Tolkien
Well, I guess since he created 'em all, he know them all the best, so he's right, but... the greatest male elf was definitely Fingolfin. If I tried to write all the reasons why he is the best, it would take many lifetimes. So, since I'd rather live and do other things [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img], you'll either have to read the Silmarillion or take my word for it.

Farrehn 01-12-2003 01:29 AM

What about Luthien's mother? Wasn't she A Valar or something? I read teh Silmarillion a while ago and all those names confuse me. But I would have to say either Luthien's mother or Galadriel.

alkquareiel02 01-12-2003 05:05 AM

Luthiens mother was a Maia but,Tolkien did say that Luthien was the greatest elf that ever lived or whatever so i say Luthien. Out of the male elves not sure coz there was so many of them that did great deeds although Fingofin did a good one.

Yavanna Kementari 01-14-2003 03:19 PM

Luthien was the most beautiful..yes.
But if you're talking about, great as in strength, it would be Curufinweor Feanor - Spirit of Fire.
Quote:

But in the bearing of her son Miriel was consumed in spirit and body; and after his birth she yearned for release from the labour of living. And when she had named him, she said to Finwe: 'Never again shall I bear child; for strength thst would have nourished the life of many has gone forth into Feanor.'
The Silmarillion Chapter 6 OF FEANOR AND THE UNCHAINING OF MELKOR (pg 64-65)
And Miriel died in the Garden Of Lorien.

And their are many other greats. Like Cirdan the Shipwright and Earedil! Just depends on what kind of great.
~Yavanna

Eomer of the Rohirrim 01-15-2003 12:57 PM

That quote means nothing. The above quotes on Luthien are all we need. No quote can combat them. None.

elven maiden Earwen 01-15-2003 06:43 PM

gratest elves:
feanor
fingolfin
luthien
turon
finrod
gladrial
elrond
thingol
earendil(he an elf right)
celembiror
and a lot more
galdor
leolas
beleg
malbung
finwe
glorfindel
ecthelion
gil-galad
cirdian

Dondagnirion 01-15-2003 08:05 PM

I would say Faenor is. I would discount Luthien only because she is not purely an elf. The best pure elf would be Faenor without question, the maker of the Silmarils.

Dondagnirion
"He who cannot cast a treasure away at need is in fetters." - Aragorn

Aragost 01-15-2003 09:08 PM

Feanor was the dgreatest in skill
Fingolfin was the greatest in power because he fought Melkor

lord of dor-lomin 01-18-2003 01:52 AM

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tolkien says "Luthien=greatest". Whatever. It just so happens I might have a different opinion on the definition of greatness. Some people place more weight on goodness, others on wisdom, some on skill, and others on battle prowess, and so on.

Last summer I actually sat down and rated a bunch of Tolkien characters based on several characteristics (fighting, skill/craft, wisdom, goodness, beauty, and combined will-power (over themselves) and will-mastery (over others). First I gave base ratings for your average maia, light-elf, dark-elf, numenorean, regular man, dwarf, and even hobbit. Then I proceeded to rate everyone I could think of like Melkor, Eonwe, Maedhros, Frodo, Aragorn, Hurin, and ect. On my chart, the winning elf was Feanor.

(plus, I don't consider Luthien an elf, because she's half angelic being)

Eomer of the Rohirrim 01-18-2003 10:44 AM

That's cool, and I don't have a problem with that. It's just that this is Tolkien's opinion on the subject, and I'm willing to concede to him.

Falagar 01-18-2003 07:13 PM

Luthien was also Maia, so naturally she would be the most powerful. But if we look at the greatest pure Elf (without any maian blood) I would go for Fëanor (my fav character in the Silm [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]), then perhaps Fingolfin.

[ January 18, 2003: Message edited by: Falagar ]

Duncariel 01-18-2003 08:12 PM

Luthien would technically be the Greatest Elf, according to JRRT. But I admire Maedhros the most for his loyalty to his family, but when his friend needed him he "forsake" (I use that term lightly) his oath to his father and the Silmarills and stood for him

_____________________________________________

wherever you go, there you are

Pallando B.C 01-18-2003 08:46 PM

Dueling a former Vala, one on one. Has to be Fingolfin.

Eomer of the Rohirrim 01-19-2003 07:34 AM

Well, Finrod Felagund was always my favourite Elf, and his dad was really cool too.

doug*platypus 01-20-2003 03:31 AM

Quote:

Luthien.
Wow, that's such a flawless argument, I don't know how I'm not convinced. Which one is the sarcastic smilie?
Quote:

On my chart, the winning elf was Feanor.
Recommended viewing: Dead Poets' Society. Robin Williams would tear your page out of his book. Begone, J. Evans Pritchard!

When you talk about the greatness of an elf, I think of the greatness of their deeds. Not of their beauty, or their innate skill, but of what they accomplished and the choices that they made. So I rule out the Vanyar at the start, because in my opinion they didn't really do much. At least, not that we hear about. Just worshipped well and properly and looked nice. Good for them.

Finrod Felagund was probably the most noble of the elves to return to the Hither Lands, judging by his deeds with Maedhros, Beren and the first men to come west. But I think that the importance of Elrond is vastly underappreciated. Rivendell is an important sanctuary and stronghold long after other realms have perished. The Last Homely House. It served as a base for armed forays into Eriador, as the home of Aragorn and of the legacy of the kings of Gondor and Arnor, and provided sanctuary to the Ringbearer, and also the ring-finder. Not Gollum, the other guy. I think without a place to harbour the knowledge and the people that Rivendell did, Sauron would have rocked everyone's world. Elrond. Greatest. Forgive me, Professor.

Donlammenion 01-21-2003 04:09 AM

Gladrial is cute but still very powerfull so she gets my vote. Well finglofin has to be the greatest elf as he fought melkor giving him 7 wounds and cutting off his (left)? foot. glorfindle is also great killing a balrog is cool and returning is even better in the same form.

[ January 21, 2003: Message edited by: Donlammenion ]


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