Posted: February 08, 2000 at 15:29:09: by Telchar
: One of Tolkien's basic points in his mythology is that he is reviving an ancient view of elves as a higher race than Man, rather than the little winged sprites or fairies of romantic and modern stories. Does anyone have an idea if such an older view of elves actually existed? In other words, are there in fact old German, Norse, or Anglo-Saxon legends with these high and noble elves in them? Any examples?>> I might have gotten the question/problem all wrong, but an obvius example would be the norldor, who JRRT in his first works reffered to as the gnomes (Lost Tales). In german and northern central european mythologi the gnomes were a farriefolk who lived in the woods, and had (among other) special gifts in craft of hand. I think JRRT was very inspirred be this part of central urorean myth in his first work.
secondly I might have gotten the awnser all wrong too??? Cheers - Telchar
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