Question about the mortality of elves
12-12-03, 09:02 PM
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Question about the mortality of elves
***NOTE: Two Towers Spoilers Below***
I was watching the Fellowship of the Ring commentary track again and on a number of occasions Olando Bloom comments that elves cannot die and are, in fact, immortals who have never had to experience death due to being with their own kind.
Now, doesn't an elf, or a few for that matter, die in the battle of Helms Deep?
My first thoughts on this matter reminded me of the Highlander films and how, indeed, they are immortals but if you remove their heads, indeed, they can die. However, it appears that most of the elves in said battle were stabbed or fell.
What is the extent of their mortality. I have read the books but don't quite recall a passage that explains this further.
Thanks.
I was watching the Fellowship of the Ring commentary track again and on a number of occasions Olando Bloom comments that elves cannot die and are, in fact, immortals who have never had to experience death due to being with their own kind.
Now, doesn't an elf, or a few for that matter, die in the battle of Helms Deep?
My first thoughts on this matter reminded me of the Highlander films and how, indeed, they are immortals but if you remove their heads, indeed, they can die. However, it appears that most of the elves in said battle were stabbed or fell.
What is the extent of their mortality. I have read the books but don't quite recall a passage that explains this further.
Thanks.
12-12-03, 09:06 PM
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I can't recall specifically where, but this topic was addressed somewhere in the DVDs. The answer is pretty simple: Elves are immortal in that they will never die of old age. But they can die in battle just like a human.
12-12-03, 09:29 PM
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Originally posted by caiman
I can't recall specifically where, but this topic was addressed somewhere in the DVDs. The answer is pretty simple: Elves are immortal in that they will never die of old age. But they can die in battle just like a human.
I can't recall specifically where, but this topic was addressed somewhere in the DVDs. The answer is pretty simple: Elves are immortal in that they will never die of old age. But they can die in battle just like a human.
12-12-03, 11:35 PM
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exactly what has been said. they can die by mortal hands, but if left on there own, age can't touch them.
12-13-03, 01:34 AM
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Originally posted by Corvin
Well, isn't it that they aren't truly immortal in the real sense of the word, but they live so long they might as well be?
Well, isn't it that they aren't truly immortal in the real sense of the word, but they live so long they might as well be?
12-13-03, 03:47 AM
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Elves can also die of intense grief (not kidding) The song Aragorn sings about Baren and Luthien makes reference to this. Luthien nealry dies of grief after her human lover Baren dies after stealing the Silmaril from Morgoth. The god of death after witnessing her grief granted them both a Mortal life (a second chance) to spend together. Luthien is also one of Elronds ancestors. (great grandmother or something)
SO essentially she lost her mortality. Also, an Elf can die of wounds like any other creature.
SO essentially she lost her mortality. Also, an Elf can die of wounds like any other creature.
Last edited by rushmore223; 12-13-03 at 03:57 AM.
12-13-03, 07:55 AM
#9
Elves are 'immortal', at least while the World lasts; they do not suffer ageing or disease, and if they are slain or wither with grief, they are reincarnated in the Halls of Mandos in Valinor.
