When I think of elves, the first thing that springs to mind is the Grimm Brothers, or more specifically, The Elves and the Shoemaker. It was one of my favourite bedtime stories! I loved the magic of it, the symbolism, the pride these magical little creatures took in their work. I remember asking my dad a dozen questions about craftsmanship (all that detailing), about elves and where they came from, about the world in which they lived. And I remember my dad, with his infinite patience, sharing that simple joy.
Later, when I discovered The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, I fell in love with a whole new set of characters and the world Tolkien created. I’m sure this is not going to come as a surprise, given my slight obsession with archers, but my favourite elf is Legolas because of his seriously mad archery skills – what he can do with a bow! He could give Hawkeye a run for his money! Though, in my head they would work together 🙂
I used to have a poster, ‘Hans Christian Anderson’ by Anne Grahame Johnstone, and the artwork is quite beautiful – the magic just springs to life. One of Hans Christian Andersons’ most noticeable stories about elves is The Rose Elf.
Elves are mentioned in a variety of folklores, and are associated with magical powers and supernatural beauty. The dark side of the myth associates these creatures with sexual threats; seducing people and causing harm. They have been related to fairies, especially in romantic literature and have even been counted as minor dieties. They are depicted as different sizes, but more recently human-sized and god-like.
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Elves in Film and Literature
- Tolkien’s elves seem to dominate modern fantasy literature, though William Shakespeare’s fairy characters influenced a great many writers. One of Shakespeare’s more notable characters, and one of my favourites, is Puck from Midsummer Night’s Dream.
- Elves feature prominently as Jack’s allies in the movie Legend.
- In The Spiderwick Chronicles, elves appear as one of the species of faery.
- I have to mention, briefly, Santa’s little helpers, as there have been a number of films representing elves from the North Pole. Will Ferrell stared in the film Elf in 2003, and entertained us, as only Will can!
- In the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling’s elves were slaves, though I have it on good authority (I haven’t read the series), that they were happy with their lot in life!
- Elves also play a role in comics – Marvel has Dark Elves, ruled by Malekith the Accursed; featured in Thor: The Dark World. There is also ElfQuest, created by Wendy and Richard Pini.
- Elves are used in a number of board, roleplaying, and computer games, such as Warhammer 40K, and Dungeons and Dragons (featuring Black Elves known as Drow). There are also a number of board games incorporating the fantasy world, Glorantha, created by Greg Stafford. In Warhammer, Dark elves are known for their aggression, deceit and stealth – brutal by nature.
- Sir Terry Pratchett created interesting creatures within Discworld, elves who were extra dimensional. Here’s what Sir Terry has to say about elves:
“Elves are wonderful. They provoke wonder.
Elves are marvellous. They cause marvels.
Elves are fantastic. They create fantasies.
Elves are glamorous. They project glamour.
Elves are enchanting. They weave enchantment.
Elves are terrific. They beget terror.
The thing about words is that meanings can twist just like a snake, and if you want to find snakes look for them behind words that have changed their meaning.
No one ever said elves are nice.
Elves are bad.”
What about you – do you have a favourite? What do you think about elves and the role they play in fantasy literature? I’m sure you can agree, they are definitely worthy of the Fantasy Squad.
Thanks for stopping by.
Mel
Melissa Barker-Simpson 
I think when I hear the word elves, the first thing that springs to mind is The Lord of the Rings, but I love that the lore surrounding them is often quite different and we can see elves portrayed in many ways throughout fiction.
That’s true. When I started researching I was surprised by the different interpretations 🙂
Oh, elves are most definitely worthy of the fantasy squad 🙂 I think my favourite is Tolkien’s kind of elf – regal and just a little bit snooty :). Now Legolas and Hawkeye – there would be one hell of a team!
Tasha
Tasha’s Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
They would make a great team wouldn’t they – imagine if the Arrow got in on the action! 😀
Lord of the Rings tends to come to mind first. I played a lot of D&D too, so I think of them in that respect too. I wasn’t that big a fan and preferred half-elves. Toyed with the design in my own books because of this disinterest since I never liked the ‘pretty, aloof, immortal’ thing. Kept the pretty, but the ego and immortality got tossed out. Never really understand why elves in fantasy have to be jerks so often.
I have to agree – the darker aspects of folklore tend to dominate. Your novels are on my list, so I’ll look forward to your interpretation 😀
Thanks. Though it’s more about their origin than what they are now. The first elves of Windemere were tainted with demon blood, so they were evil and enslaved the world. All of the current ones came from the handful that fought their nature. Yet the cursed blood is still in their systems . . . not like I plan on doing something with that . . . in this series. 🙂
That sounds fantastic! It just got bumped up my list 😉
😀 That makes me smile.
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I too agree with everyone on Legolas however, Dobie from Harry Potter is my most beloved. I also cried unbearably when he died in the books. Representing freedom, love and loyalty like no other. Getting misty just thinking about it.
Aw! I can only imagine. It’s tough when our favourite characters die.
I definitely find some elf personalities to be on the nefarious side. There is something about them, a disconnect from out “mundane” reality that seems to make them oblivious to the harm they cause other peoples’ psyches, and this is true even with Tolkein’s elves. That said, they are beautiful, and powerful, and alluring… basically, non-demonic incubi and succubi.
Good point, and they are incredibly seductive. It’s part of their charm, as you said. I guess the deity reference works, because they are almost always portrayed as aloof – looking down on us lesser beings!
Elves are one of my favorite fantasy creatures. I love them when they are regal and majestic, but then kick ass (like in LoTR.)
You can’t beat a kick ass elf! And a kick ass elf with a bow and arrow…well, it’s best not to get started on that subject!
I’ve been looking into a bit of elf-lore myself. I want to come up with something just a tad different for my next fantasy. 😉
That should be fun. I love fantasy stories, especially those with a new spin on folklore/mythology. I’m sure you’ll have a blast – elves are just so great to work with! 🙂
I’m just working on my 3rd and last book in the Miedo series and then I can get to focusing on my fantasies again. I’m really looking forward to that. 🙂
Elves definitely belong on the Fantasy Squad! Mine favorites are the various “flavors” of elves from DnD, but those mostly get their roots from Tolkien. Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to the rest of your A-to-Z posts.
Thanks, Shawn. It’s so true that Tolkien has heavily influenced the genre; as he should – he’s a master 😉
I thought of elves as munchkins or dwarves until Lord of the Rings. Now, that’s what I see–gorgeous, pointy ears, solemn, kind, and strong.
Yes, it’s a good image. I like the goodness part, the strength of character – I’ll be borrowing that and not the darkness (although there’s darkness in us all!)
I mostly like elves because they remind me of Vulcans… The serious, impassive, pointy-eared ones, anyway. 🙂 Also partial to some rowdy-fae-elf stories, though!
Rowdy elves…I imagine they’re fun at parties!
Elves are some of my favorite characters. They seem so exotic to me, and all the variations are interesting, though, again, I’m partial to those in LOTR.
Oh, me too – especially their nobility. I think Tolkien did a mighty fine job with his fantasy creatures!