Left-handed? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Melephelwen · 06-09-2002, 04:32 AM

Are Elves left-handed? Or Dwarves? Or Hobbits?

I've never read of it, (haven't read a lot of Tolkien's books yet) but it would be a typical thing to make a 'race' special.
Have any of you noticed anything about it?
In the movie, Legolas and Arwen (I think) was right-handed, but did Tolkien ever write anything about the subject?

Starbreeze · 06-09-2002, 08:34 AM

Actually, knowing what I do about archery I would say that Legolas was shooting left handed. If any of the races were going to be left handed, it would be the elves. The hobbits, I would imagine, are most definitely right handed, as were the dwarves. However, I don't think any of Tolkien's races were written to be totally or even prodominantly (sp?) left handed.

Lomelinde · 06-09-2002, 09:27 AM

If any race was to be predominantly left-handed, it would probably be the Elves, because only left-handed peoples are in their right minds. Ah, ha, ha... Ok, that was lame. Sorry. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Brinniel · 06-09-2002, 01:41 PM

I could imagine that elves are able to use both hands equally. As for hobbits, it's probably the same for them as humans. It depends on the individual.

Daniel Telcontar · 06-09-2002, 01:57 PM

I agree, that Elves could probably use both hands equally, but maybe they had to learn it. Maedhros gets his right hand cut off, but learns to wield his sword even better with his left hand. So I think they are like humans born with one hand more "useful" than the other.

BTW, Lomelinde, your joke was rally good! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Gimli Son Of Gloin · 06-09-2002, 04:18 PM

Starbreeze- The movie and the book have great differences, as we already know. A detail like the way Legolas shoots a bow probably was not backed up in any way from the book. If Orlando Bloom is left handed, that is the answer.

[ June 09, 2002: Message edited by: Gimli Son Of Gloin ]

Melephelwen · 06-10-2002, 07:30 AM

But I think Orlando Bloom is right-handed! (I'm not sure, didn't look that much at his hands, hehe [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] ) I mean, in the scene, where the Uruk-hais attacks teh Fellowship, he's doing some smart thing with an arrow, where he stabs it into the face of an orc and uses the same to shoot the orc behind in a few seconds. (Did anyone notice that?) He looks right-handed there)
Thanx for your answers so far! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

Orald · 06-10-2002, 08:38 AM

I would have to disagree. Maedhros was right-handed, until he got his hand chopped off and had to learn how to fight left-handed.

Also remember that Elves and Men have the same hroar, which would mean they would have similar handedness. This means the same reasons for left-handedness would apply. Today, many people are left-handed because of some minor brain that occurred to them as a fetus. Of course not all left-handedness is caused by this. But I am sure Elves were a little more protective and careful than humans and so Elves would probably have less left-handed people than Men.

Daniel Telcontar · 06-10-2002, 08:40 AM

You have good arguments, Durelen, and as my post above states, I agree with you, at least about the Maedhros part.

Mornie Alantie · 06-11-2002, 09:56 AM

Well Elves probably could learn to write with their toes if they wanted to so to them it would be kinda doesn't matter.

On the movie bilbo holds sting left-handed like i think

Why don't we just ask tolkien when we get there
/\
/ \
I
I
I [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Aldagrim Proudfoot · 06-11-2002, 11:19 AM

I heard left-handed people are more creative people because we (I'm left handed) use the right side of our brains, or something like that. I think it might be true that elves and humans are similar because they were made to be similar. I think Hobbits might be ambidextrous because they are good at every trade. I don't know about Dwarves, though.

[ June 11, 2002: Message edited by: Aldagrim Proudfoot ]

TarElendil · 06-14-2002, 02:32 PM

I have not found any place where it speaks in detail of any races in whole using a particular hand.

[ June 14, 2002: Message edited by: TarElendil ]

Amarantha Gamwich-Baggins · 06-15-2002, 12:57 AM

Maybe they where ambidextreous.

[ June 15, 2002: Message edited by: Amarantha Gamwich-Baggins ]

Legolas · 06-15-2002, 09:57 AM

Starbreeze - what do you base that on?

Kalimac · 06-15-2002, 11:12 PM

If I remember correctly, the only times that hands are specifically referred to is when someone is drawing a sword, and invariably the sword is held in the right hand. I don't have the passages in front of me but I believe some if not all of the hobbits are referred to as holding swords in their right hands; pretty sure there's a reference to Sam and Frodo both holding things in their right hands in Shelob's lair, and when Merry stabs the Witch-King, the sword withers in his right hand I believe (might be getting it mixed up with another reference).

As for Elves, hey, why not? Even if they weren't born lefthanded, when you've got eternity to play with, teaching yourself to be ambidextrous should take a very insignificant amount of time for you indeed.

Aldagrim Proudfoot · 06-16-2002, 12:33 PM

That makes sense, I've tried writing with my right hand, but I probably would have become better if I tried more.

Melephelwen · 06-16-2002, 12:41 PM

I'm right-handed, but since I was 13 I've tried writing with my left hand once in a while. Now I still can't write perfectly, but when I first tried, you would've thought it was Arabian. (Sorry, if any Arabians are reading this!) Now it can be read, and when I use chalk it looks nearly like my usual hand-writing. Just having trouble with my g's. [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] But yes, it is possible to be ... er, that word... 'both-handed' if you practise. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Amberle · 06-17-2002, 01:17 PM

If you use the right side of your brain when you're left-handed, and the left side of your brain when your right-handed, I wonder which side you use when your ambidexterous. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

TarElendil · 06-17-2002, 01:46 PM

that means when you use your right hand your left side is workin it. when you use your left hand your right side is workin it. if you use both at the same time both sides are working

Amberle · 06-17-2002, 05:01 PM

I know what ambidexterous means, I was asking which side of the brain you would use. [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Aldagrim Proudfoot · 06-17-2002, 06:12 PM

You could probably use both. Am,erica had a president (?) who could write in Greek with one hand and Latin with the other hand at the same time!

Melephelwen · 06-18-2002, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Am,erica had a president (?) who could write in Greek with one hand and Latin with the other hand at the same time!

Who was that?

06-09-2002, 04:32 AM	#1
Melephelwen Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2002 Location: the Middle of Nowhere Posts: 291	Left-handed? Are Elves left-handed? Or Dwarves? Or Hobbits? I've never read of it, (haven't read a lot of Tolkien's books yet) but it would be a typical thing to make a 'race' special. Have any of you noticed anything about it? In the movie, Legolas and Arwen (I think) was right-handed, but did Tolkien ever write anything about the subject? __________________ We're all following a strange melody We're all summoned by a tune We're following the piper And we dance beneath the moon

06-09-2002, 08:34 AM	#2
Starbreeze Ghost of a Smile Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Mirkwood - Middle Earth Posts: 389	Actually, knowing what I do about archery I would say that Legolas was shooting left handed. If any of the races were going to be left handed, it would be the elves. The hobbits, I would imagine, are most definitely right handed, as were the dwarves. However, I don't think any of Tolkien's races were written to be totally or even prodominantly (sp?) left handed. __________________ Do not tamper with the affairs of wizards, they are not all that subtle - Terry Pratchett To write is to make dreams, to make dreams is to awaken the fantasy of the mind, to awaken the mind is to be a master.

06-09-2002, 09:27 AM	#3
Lomelinde Haunting Spirit Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ha! Wouldn't you like to know? Posts: 80	If any race was to be predominantly left-handed, it would probably be the Elves, because only left-handed peoples are in their right minds. Ah, ha, ha... Ok, that was lame. Sorry. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] __________________ The Dwarf breathes so loud I could've shot him in the dark, drunk, blindfolded and hanging upside down from a tree.

06-09-2002, 01:41 PM	#4
Brinniel Reflection of Darkness Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Polishing the stars. Well, somebody has to do it; they're looking a little bit dull. Posts: 2,983	I could imagine that elves are able to use both hands equally. As for hobbits, it's probably the same for them as humans. It depends on the individual. __________________ Nolite te bastardes carborundorum

06-09-2002, 01:57 PM	#5
Daniel Telcontar Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 713	I agree, that Elves could probably use both hands equally, but maybe they had to learn it. Maedhros gets his right hand cut off, but learns to wield his sword even better with his left hand. So I think they are like humans born with one hand more "useful" than the other. BTW, Lomelinde, your joke was rally good! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] __________________ Two beer or not two beer, that is the question; by Shakesbeer

06-09-2002, 04:18 PM	#6
Gimli Son Of Gloin Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: The Halls of Montezuma, and the Shores of Tripoli Posts: 495	Starbreeze- The movie and the book have great differences, as we already know. A detail like the way Legolas shoots a bow probably was not backed up in any way from the book. If Orlando Bloom is left handed, that is the answer. [ June 09, 2002: Message edited by: Gimli Son Of Gloin ] __________________ The Few, the Proud, the Marines.

06-10-2002, 07:30 AM	#7
Melephelwen Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2002 Location: the Middle of Nowhere Posts: 291	But I think Orlando Bloom is right-handed! (I'm not sure, didn't look that much at his hands, hehe [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] ) I mean, in the scene, where the Uruk-hais attacks teh Fellowship, he's doing some smart thing with an arrow, where he stabs it into the face of an orc and uses the same to shoot the orc behind in a few seconds. (Did anyone notice that?) He looks right-handed there) Thanx for your answers so far! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] __________________ We're all following a strange melody We're all summoned by a tune We're following the piper And we dance beneath the moon

06-10-2002, 08:38 AM	#8
Orald Shadow of Malice Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: right behind you Posts: 843	I would have to disagree. Maedhros was right-handed, until he got his hand chopped off and had to learn how to fight left-handed. Also remember that Elves and Men have the same hroar, which would mean they would have similar handedness. This means the same reasons for left-handedness would apply. Today, many people are left-handed because of some minor brain that occurred to them as a fetus. Of course not all left-handedness is caused by this. But I am sure Elves were a little more protective and careful than humans and so Elves would probably have less left-handed people than Men.

06-10-2002, 08:40 AM	#9
Daniel Telcontar Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 713	You have good arguments, Durelen, and as my post above states, I agree with you, at least about the Maedhros part. __________________ Two beer or not two beer, that is the question; by Shakesbeer

06-11-2002, 09:56 AM	#10
Mornie Alantie Wight Join Date: May 2002 Location: Somewhere above earth cause people say i should come down to it Posts: 226	Well Elves probably could learn to write with their toes if they wanted to so to them it would be kinda doesn't matter. On the movie bilbo holds sting left-handed like i think Why don't we just ask tolkien when we get there /\ / \ I I I [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] __________________ Instead of pepper spray, you pack a glass bottle and scream "Aiya Earendil Elenion Ancalima!!!" at muggers.

06-11-2002, 11:19 AM	#11
Aldagrim Proudfoot Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hobbiton Posts: 328	I heard left-handed people are more creative people because we (I'm left handed) use the right side of our brains, or something like that. I think it might be true that elves and humans are similar because they were made to be similar. I think Hobbits might be ambidextrous because they are good at every trade. I don't know about Dwarves, though. [ June 11, 2002: Message edited by: Aldagrim Proudfoot ] __________________ I do not suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it!

06-14-2002, 02:32 PM	#12
TarElendil Wight Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Armenelos Posts: 136	I have not found any place where it speaks in detail of any races in whole using a particular hand. [ June 14, 2002: Message edited by: TarElendil ]

06-15-2002, 12:57 AM	#13
Amarantha Gamwich-Baggins Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Limbo Posts: 21	Maybe they where ambidextreous. [ June 15, 2002: Message edited by: Amarantha Gamwich-Baggins ] __________________ some times life gives you some pipe weed and some times it gives you seed cake and some times it gives an all powerful ring that can make you invisible and extremely evil but you go on with life.... "Maybe a little hobbit did it." aREN"T î EVIL¿ LoL

06-15-2002, 09:57 AM	#14
Legolas A Northern Soul Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Valinor Posts: 1,847	Starbreeze - what do you base that on? __________________ ...take counsel with thyself, and remember who and what thou art.

06-15-2002, 11:12 PM	#15
Kalimac Candle of the Marshes Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Flyover Country Posts: 780	If I remember correctly, the only times that hands are specifically referred to is when someone is drawing a sword, and invariably the sword is held in the right hand. I don't have the passages in front of me but I believe some if not all of the hobbits are referred to as holding swords in their right hands; pretty sure there's a reference to Sam and Frodo both holding things in their right hands in Shelob's lair, and when Merry stabs the Witch-King, the sword withers in his right hand I believe (might be getting it mixed up with another reference). As for Elves, hey, why not? Even if they weren't born lefthanded, when you've got eternity to play with, teaching yourself to be ambidextrous should take a very insignificant amount of time for you indeed. __________________ Father, dear Father, if you see fit, We'll send my love to college for one year yet Tie blue ribbons all about his head, To let the ladies know that he's married.

06-16-2002, 12:33 PM	#16
Aldagrim Proudfoot Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hobbiton Posts: 328	That makes sense, I've tried writing with my right hand, but I probably would have become better if I tried more. __________________ I do not suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it!

06-16-2002, 12:41 PM	#17
Melephelwen Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: May 2002 Location: the Middle of Nowhere Posts: 291	I'm right-handed, but since I was 13 I've tried writing with my left hand once in a while. Now I still can't write perfectly, but when I first tried, you would've thought it was Arabian. (Sorry, if any Arabians are reading this!) Now it can be read, and when I use chalk it looks nearly like my usual hand-writing. Just having trouble with my g's. [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] But yes, it is possible to be ... er, that word... 'both-handed' if you practise. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] __________________ We're all following a strange melody We're all summoned by a tune We're following the piper And we dance beneath the moon

06-17-2002, 01:17 PM	#18
Amberle Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: I'll tell you as soon as I know Posts: 13	If you use the right side of your brain when you're left-handed, and the left side of your brain when your right-handed, I wonder which side you use when your ambidexterous. [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] __________________ * Amberle * Yas incaslan al Nel na cremin ta yas minlalan al clae... " Friendship is unnessicary, like philosohpy, like art... it has no survival value, rather it is something that gives value to survival.

06-17-2002, 01:46 PM	#19
TarElendil Wight Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Armenelos Posts: 136	that means when you use your right hand your left side is workin it. when you use your left hand your right side is workin it. if you use both at the same time both sides are working

06-17-2002, 05:01 PM	#20
Amberle Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: I'll tell you as soon as I know Posts: 13	I know what ambidexterous means, I was asking which side of the brain you would use. [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] __________________ * Amberle * Yas incaslan al Nel na cremin ta yas minlalan al clae... " Friendship is unnessicary, like philosohpy, like art... it has no survival value, rather it is something that gives value to survival.

06-17-2002, 06:12 PM	#21
Aldagrim Proudfoot Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hobbiton Posts: 328	You could probably use both. Am,erica had a president (?) who could write in Greek with one hand and Latin with the other hand at the same time! __________________ I do not suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it!