The differences between Elves and Men

[arathorn]

Originally Posted by tom the eldest

Turin turambar definitely surpassed ordinary elves in term of strengh.he take-out glaurung alone(although he died too).

Fully agreed Turin was maybe the strongest man ever and would definitely be on pair with the Noldor princes.
First Age eldar weren't inhumanly strong physically(except for the ones who have seen the light of the trees and gained more spiritual power such as Fingolfin in wrath) the difference is that the Eldar were like a man very tall but with a very good muscle distribution over the body(strong but perfectly balanced). So men are less perfect and shorter(average), then they would appear broader so some would say stronger. In the case of Numenoreans the same happened for they were also blessed by the Valar and were many times said to be tall and strong but still if you read Tal-Elmar tale you will see that some second age men probably descend the House of Haleth were broader than Tal-Elmar(Numenorean descendant) but definitely not stronger.

Here are some quotes that made me interpret that way:

'' But in the dim dusk of a winter's day there appeared suddenly among them a man, as it seemed, of great bulk and girth, cloaked and hooded in white...'' - This is a physical description of Beleg in comparison to the men that were following Túrin Turambar. But Beleg was known for his strength too so we can just understand that he's above average Eldar and also from average men, although the Noldor were in general a little larger in build.

In general the Sindar appear to have very closely resembled the Exiles, being dark-haired, strong and tall, but lithe." The History of Middle-earth, vol. XI, The War of the Jewels: "Quendi and Eldar,"

"The Númenóreans ... are in constant communication with their ancient friends and allies, either in the bliss of Eressea, or in the kingdom of Gilgalad on the shores of Middle-earth. They became thus in appearance and even in powers of mind, hardly distinguishable from the Elves..."

“…and they were tall and dark-haired and strong like fir-trees, and from them most of the Noldor later were sprung.

Felagund put forth all his power and burst his bonds; and he wrestled with the werewolf, and slew it with his hands and teeth. –Here Finrod was strong enough to burst his bonds to save Beren (one of the strongest men the tales tell and wasn't capable of escaping).