The Mightier hröa ?

[R.]

Hello I was wondering what everyones opinion was on who was mightier of body/physically Elves or Mens was it ever really settled by Tolkien himself ? Were Men meant to have a mightier hröa. I appreciate any opinions and ideas THANKS.

[Inziladun]

In terms of their spirit as both Children of Ilúvatar, Elves and Men were equals. The only difference was the destinations of those spirits upon "death".

In their bodily forms however, it seems clear that the Eldar were superior. They did not age, and were subject to no sickness. They could also be healed of wounds that would kill a Man, as Beleg showed on Amon Rûdh.

The Silmarillion puts it thus regarding physical strength:

In [the First Age] Elves and Men were of like stature and strength of body, but the Elves had greater wisdom, and skill, and beauty....

Of Men

Elsewhere it was said that the physical growth of the youths of both races was similar, but Men then obviously wore out much more quickly and aged.

[Belegorn]

Howdy,

Early on for Elves, in their infancy in ME, it is said that:

"in their early days death came more readily; for their bodies were less different from the bodies of men, and the command of their spirits over their bodies less complete. This command was, nevertheless, at all times greater than it has ever been among Men...Their fëar...far excelled the spirits of Men in power over that 'raiment', even from the first days protecting their bodies from many ills and assaults (such as disease) , and healing them swiftly of injuries, so that they recovered from wounds that would have proved fatal to Men." [MR, pp. 218-219]

So really it has to do with the destiny of their spirits as well as the eventual change in the bodies of the Elves which were early on similar to that of Men. I think as time goes on the body is consumed and becomes deathless, almost like the inhabiting spirit, for the Elves.

[Mithalwen]

In the Laws and Customs of the Eldar (LaCE) it says that elves mature slower and do not finish growing until they are at least fiftyand sometimes not for a lot longer than that - so at least twice/two and a half times as long as mortal men.

However as Elves age their spirit dominates over the body and that makes them more resistant to injury (so easier to kill a young elf than an old one!!!) can't quite remember where that is but I am fairly sure I haven't imagined it!!

One difference though (going back LaCE), is that having children is somewhat debilitating for elf women. An elf woman who hasn't had children is pretty much as strong as an elf man but having children depletes their strength which is a reason that most elf families have three children or fewer and one might say it should be Miriel rather than Feanor who should be reknowned for bearing seven sons....

Personally I would go for hobbits..

[Findegil]

Miriel had only one child (Feanor). It is Nerdanel which we should huray for the seven.

Respectfuly
Findegil

[Mithalwen]

You're right, I was thinking about Miriel with the losing strength part because she says something about Feanor having taken the strength that might have nurtured many other children.

[d4rk3lf]

Originally Posted by Inziladun

it seems clear that the Eldar were superior.

Tell that to Sairus.