A question regarding Elves... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Elvish Archer · 12-01-2003, 03:55 PM

In the Trilogy, Legolas demonstrates on mulitple ocasions that Elves are at the lease "light of foot" and at best, weightless. My question is, which are they? Or is there an aspect I'm missing all together?

Scott · 12-01-2003, 06:53 PM

Elves are definitely not "weightless" (at least not in the sense that first comes to my mind), otherwise they would be able to jump as high as they wanted or even fly. Elves are however, the most graceful and agile sentient beings upon middle earth. They aren't "weightless," they just more or less have super-hero, mojo-esque moves.

Lady Snickerdoodle · 12-01-2003, 07:11 PM

it's probably an exaggeration, but I would definately go with light of foot because Legolas can walk on snow without leaving much of a footprint. I'd give you the exact quote but I gotta finish a report...

Theron Bugtussle · 12-01-2003, 07:48 PM

I always get weight and mass confused, but I would think the terms weightless and massless could be used interchangeably here. Weightless would also imply to me, an inability to use a bow. How could you apply force to pull the bowstring without mass? Similarly, there would be no mass to leverage a sword.

But does that mean light-footed is the only alternative?

Jjudvven · 12-02-2003, 10:50 AM

I think all they meant by light of foot is that he had the ability to walk quietly and softly, without disturbing the ground beneath him. All elves have this ability, being naturally athletic and graceful.

Castamir · 12-02-2003, 02:52 PM

Of course the Elves were "light of foot". Look when the Fellowship are climbing Carhadras. Legolas id able to walk on top of the snow without leaving footprints.

Frodo Baggins · 12-02-2003, 06:39 PM

Not to be overly nitpicky, but it never says in the books elves can walk on snow. Yes, it describes that Legolas, as other elves, was agile enough to run on snow, but that is different than walking. Walking up Caradhras I am sure he had to shove through the drifts like everyone else.

Finwe · 12-03-2003, 11:28 AM

Elves are so "in tune" with Nature, that when Nature is involved, they can do pretty much anything. For example, the much-contested issue of walking on snow. In the book, Legolas says that when you need to walk/travel through snow, you need an Elf. I think that pretty much takes care of the discussion.

Gilbo · 12-03-2003, 11:57 AM

While we're on the subject of Elves and their relationship to the physical world, I would like to know about the way Elves age. I know that it is slow, but I have questions. What about children? How long is an elvish youth? Does time work differently? Are they born and then age and grow as a human would? Do they spring forth full blown? I would hate to think that their teen years lasted for centuries. All those challenges and raging hormones. Then again, maybe Elves don't get zits and pre-date jitters. [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img]

Theron Bugtussle · 12-03-2003, 08:13 PM

Frodo Baggins- watch out!! There is a Sméagol on this forum. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] Just kidding...

Quote:

Not to be overly nitpicky, but it never says in the books elves can walk on snow.

I won't concede that point without the quote from the book, but...

Quote:

Yes, it describes that Legolas, as other elves, was agile enough to run on snow, but that is different than walking. Walking up Caradhras I am sure he had to shove through the drifts like everyone else.

Well, being nitpicky myself, how can one "run on snow" without being able to "run on drifts" of snow? All a snowdrift is is unlevel snow.

Eol Telemnar · 12-11-2003, 08:45 PM

They are light on foot. They can fall. being wheightless, they would float, or rise, or fly or something, not walk. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Mungo of Bracegirdle · 12-12-2003, 01:36 AM

Now, we are entering into my realm of study. But I don't think that JRRT was going to write up Laws of Physics of Ea. Something tells me that that wasn't his realm of study. If the Elves were weightless, this would imply that they had no mass. No mass means no matter. No matter means they weren't made of several organic compounds. Now we have a real problem. There are several problems. Just one example, without organic compounds, they would not be able to smell the difference between spearmint and pumpernickle bread. I'm not going to get into the specific stereochemistry or biochemistry that is involved here, just because it wouldn't be appropriate for this forum. But the fact that Elves can smell, means they have organic compounds. Organic compounds implies matter. Matter implies mass. Mass implies weight. So my answer is yes Elves have weight and when JRRT says they are lightfooted, well, he means just that! Hope you have enjoyed your lesson in chemistry and physics today!

Cheers,
Mungo

***Sharkû*** · 12-12-2003, 03:21 AM

Look at a human anatomy book and you know _what_ compounds Elves are made from [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

12-01-2003, 03:55 PM	#1
Elvish Archer Animated Skeleton Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Land of Insanity, State of Denial Posts: 36	A question regarding Elves... In the Trilogy, Legolas demonstrates on mulitple ocasions that Elves are at the lease "light of foot" and at best, weightless. My question is, which are they? Or is there an aspect I'm missing all together? __________________ Fan of LotR, before it was a fad. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.

12-01-2003, 06:53 PM	#2
Scott Wight Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ohio/Grey Havens Posts: 183	Elves are definitely not "weightless" (at least not in the sense that first comes to my mind), otherwise they would be able to jump as high as they wanted or even fly. Elves are however, the most graceful and agile sentient beings upon middle earth. They aren't "weightless," they just more or less have super-hero, mojo-esque moves. __________________ Those who the Gods would destroy, They first make mad. ~Those Crazy Greeks

12-01-2003, 07:11 PM	#3
Lady Snickerdoodle Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: in the cookie jar Posts: 256	it's probably an exaggeration, but I would definately go with light of foot because Legolas can walk on snow without leaving much of a footprint. I'd give you the exact quote but I gotta finish a report... __________________ "Let me handle this, I'm British." ~hitchhikers guide

12-01-2003, 07:48 PM	#4
Theron Bugtussle Wight Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Blowing the froth off a couple in this quaint little pub in Michel Delving. Posts: 147	I always get weight and mass confused, but I would think the terms weightless and massless could be used interchangeably here. Weightless would also imply to me, an inability to use a bow. How could you apply force to pull the bowstring without mass? Similarly, there would be no mass to leverage a sword. But does that mean light-footed is the only alternative? __________________ For I was talking aloud to myself. A habit of the old: they choose the wisest person present to speak to; the long explanations needed by the young are wearying. -Gandalf, The Two Towers

12-02-2003, 10:50 AM	#5
Jjudvven Wight Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: The Land to the West Posts: 154	I think all they meant by light of foot is that he had the ability to walk quietly and softly, without disturbing the ground beneath him. All elves have this ability, being naturally athletic and graceful. __________________ "I don't know all of you as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you, half as well as you deserve."

12-02-2003, 02:52 PM	#6
Castamir Pile O'Bones Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gondor Posts: 18	Of course the Elves were "light of foot". Look when the Fellowship are climbing Carhadras. Legolas id able to walk on top of the snow without leaving footprints.

12-02-2003, 06:39 PM	#7
Frodo Baggins Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Bag-End, Under-Hill, Hobbiton-across-the Water Posts: 606	Not to be overly nitpicky, but it never says in the books elves can walk on snow. Yes, it describes that Legolas, as other elves, was agile enough to run on snow, but that is different than walking. Walking up Caradhras I am sure he had to shove through the drifts like everyone else. __________________ "I'm your huckleberry....that's just my game."

12-03-2003, 11:28 AM	#8
Finwe Deathless Sun Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Royal Suite in the Halls of Mandos Posts: 2,609	Elves are so "in tune" with Nature, that when Nature is involved, they can do pretty much anything. For example, the much-contested issue of walking on snow. In the book, Legolas says that when you need to walk/travel through snow, you need an Elf. I think that pretty much takes care of the discussion. __________________ But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.

12-03-2003, 11:57 AM	#9
Gilbo Animated Skeleton Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: maryland Posts: 34	While we're on the subject of Elves and their relationship to the physical world, I would like to know about the way Elves age. I know that it is slow, but I have questions. What about children? How long is an elvish youth? Does time work differently? Are they born and then age and grow as a human would? Do they spring forth full blown? I would hate to think that their teen years lasted for centuries. All those challenges and raging hormones. Then again, maybe Elves don't get zits and pre-date jitters. [img]smilies/evil.gif[/img]

12-11-2003, 08:45 PM	#11
Eol Telemnar Haunting Spirit Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: At my house, on my computer (where else would I be? Posts: 89	They are light on foot. They can fall. being wheightless, they would float, or rise, or fly or something, not walk. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] __________________ Eol Telemnar, The Dark Elf , Has Spoken, Heed My words well. Peace go with you.

12-12-2003, 01:36 AM	#12
Mungo of Bracegirdle Pile O'Bones Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 16	Now, we are entering into my realm of study. But I don't think that JRRT was going to write up Laws of Physics of Ea. Something tells me that that wasn't his realm of study. If the Elves were weightless, this would imply that they had no mass. No mass means no matter. No matter means they weren't made of several organic compounds. Now we have a real problem. There are several problems. Just one example, without organic compounds, they would not be able to smell the difference between spearmint and pumpernickle bread. I'm not going to get into the specific stereochemistry or biochemistry that is involved here, just because it wouldn't be appropriate for this forum. But the fact that Elves can smell, means they have organic compounds. Organic compounds implies matter. Matter implies mass. Mass implies weight. So my answer is yes Elves have weight and when JRRT says they are lightfooted, well, he means just that! Hope you have enjoyed your lesson in chemistry and physics today! Cheers, Mungo __________________ Yet the lies that Melkor...sowed in the hearts of Elves and Men are a seed that does not die and connot be destroyed, and ever and annon it sprouts anew, and will bear dark fruit unto the latest days.

12-12-2003, 03:21 AM	#13
*Sharkû* Hungry Ghoul Join Date: Jun 2000 Posts: 1,721	Look at a human anatomy book and you know _what_ compounds Elves are made from [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]