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Post by Eru on Jul 31, 2004 1:11:58 GMT -5
Uri asks:
I have an important question. I've a discussion with a friend. He is sure that Tolkien said or insinuated that elves have pointed ears, and they have an influence of the elves of the Nordic Mithology. I think that the pointed ears were invented by the painters, as an easy way to distinguish an elve and a handsome and tall human. Tolkien used to do very elaborated descriptions and I've never read that elves have pointed ears; I don't think that we can explain it by the nordic mithology because tolkien's handsome and tall elves were very different than nordic funny and little elves.
Can somebody tell me his/her opinion? Can somebody demostrate me that they have pointed ears?!
Thank you!
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Post by Elanor on Aug 1, 2004 13:01:55 GMT -5
Hi Uri, I actually don't remember reading anything about the pointy ears! Being Nordic, I don't even think the elves of Nordic being said to have had them either! elanor
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Post by Lomadia on Aug 6, 2004 0:45:13 GMT -5
Ah, Michael Martinez and I had a somewhat heated debate on this matter back at the Ringers. As I recall, Tolkien says at one point (in the Appendices) that Elves have "leaf-shaped" ears. It may be noted that the Elvish words for 'leaf' and 'listen' have similar etymological roots. I'll have to look for that entry. Michael said he thought it was a partially blurred note in one of Tolkien's very early works, and therefore was almost insignificant. Michael also made the good point that whenever an Elves are encountered in the books, they are noted for their great beauty, height, and so on, but never for the shape of their ears. Of course, even if the statement is true, the interpretation of "leaf-shaped" can be left to the reader. I would take it to mean slightly pointed, though not to the point that some artists make it. (Random example: barrowdowns.com/images/readerart/cokimoe-harpelf.jpg) I am really open to either argument. My favourite Tolkien artist (Anke Katrin-Eissman) does not give her Elves pointed ears, and I think they look wonderful, but I also liked the delicate points used in the films. Elen sila lumenn omentielvo, Lomadia
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Post by Manwë Súlimo on Aug 8, 2004 14:45:46 GMT -5
According to Rankin/Bass and New Line, they do have pointy ears but I disagree.
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Post by Eru on Aug 9, 2004 9:43:34 GMT -5
Has anyone read anything in Tolkien's works were it describes pointed ears?
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Post by Evenstar on Dec 7, 2004 7:03:21 GMT -5
I don't remember... but pointy ears are cute.. I like them
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