Post by Stormrider on Jan 20, 2009 19:33:43 GMT -6
From: Pearlbloom_Greenleaf (Original Message) Sent: 10/21/2002 1:13 PM
Algamesh,
Being very obedient now, posting a new thread I'll be tracking Legolas 'doubly' for a while, now - but, given enough time, I should be able to manage...
Cheers!
Pearl
* * *
From: Pearlbloom_Greenleaf Sent: 12/11/2002 3:37 AM
Indeed the Elf is... never thought of it this way. That is sad...
Pearl
* * *
From: Eleandune Sent: 12/11/2002 12:07 PM
To me, Legolas becomes an even more interesting character in the first half of the Two Towers. For one thing, he never tires as they chase the orcs, serving as an encouragement and a challenge to the slower-footed Gimli and Aragorn, who can't always keep up with him even though they are very strong. I also love some of his comments...I don't have my book handy, but I think he says something along the lines of "Ah, the green smell! It is better than much sleep. Let us run!" when they hit the meadows of Rohan. That's another thing about Legolas - he doesn't need to sleep, he just sort of rests his mind.
It seems that in this part of the book we really get a sense of Legolas as an elf, with special abilities and powers. Up until now, we know he's a great archer, he can run on snow, and generally has some impressive abilites, but his special elf-characteristics really jump out during the Two Towers. It kind of shows a differenent side of him, setting him apart from the rest of the (now broken) fellowship and emphasizing that he is apart from his companions, somehow "other."
Eleandune
* * *
From: Pearlbloom_Greenleaf Sent: 12/12/2002 7:14 AM
Yes... some feel that Legolas is not entirely of this world, that he is 'ethereal'. I tend to agree. Also, although he expresses his concerns for his (former) companions quite clearly, he seems to suffer more than the others because of what enemies (in this case, the Orcs) have done to the environment as they passed. See e.g. B3, Ch1:
"No other folk make such a trampling," said Legolas. "It seems their delight to slash and beat down growing things that are not even in their way."
Although he remains calm (on the outside), still there is a bitter anger boiling inside him. We learn that Elves are finely tuned to their (natural) surroundings; any damage to it is perceived as a physical blow to them, it appears. Another example of this fine-tuning: upon entering Fangorn, Legolas senses the Forest's mood, so to speak. And nature reacts to him, too... so lovely.
For me, this is part of what makes Legolas so interesting...
Pearlbloom
* * *
From: Pearlbloom_Greenleaf Sent: 3/9/2003 12:51 PM
Another example of Legolas's fine-tuned senses and clear mind:
"I do not think the wood feels evil, whatever the tales may say," said Legolas. He stood under the eaves of the forest, stooping forward, as if he were listening, and peering with wide eyes into the shadows.
Rather than being led by rumours, he is prepared to let his senses guide him and follow his heart, however irresponsible that may seem to others; Gimli, on the other hand, is mistrustful of Fangorn.
"No, it is not evil; or what evil is in it is far away. I catch only the faintest echoes of dark places where the hearts of the trees are black. There is no malice near us; but there is watchfulness, and anger."
Legolas speaks of feeling "the tenseness" which "takes his breath", of anger as an emotion felt by the Forest. Also, he senses the great age of Fangorn:
"It is old, very old," said the Elf. "So old that almost I feel young again, as I have not felt since I journeyed with you children. It is old and full of memory. I could have been happy here, if I had come in days of peace."
Algamesh,
Being very obedient now, posting a new thread I'll be tracking Legolas 'doubly' for a while, now - but, given enough time, I should be able to manage...
Cheers!
Pearl
* * *
From: Pearlbloom_Greenleaf Sent: 12/11/2002 3:37 AM
Indeed the Elf is... never thought of it this way. That is sad...
Pearl
* * *
From: Eleandune Sent: 12/11/2002 12:07 PM
To me, Legolas becomes an even more interesting character in the first half of the Two Towers. For one thing, he never tires as they chase the orcs, serving as an encouragement and a challenge to the slower-footed Gimli and Aragorn, who can't always keep up with him even though they are very strong. I also love some of his comments...I don't have my book handy, but I think he says something along the lines of "Ah, the green smell! It is better than much sleep. Let us run!" when they hit the meadows of Rohan. That's another thing about Legolas - he doesn't need to sleep, he just sort of rests his mind.
It seems that in this part of the book we really get a sense of Legolas as an elf, with special abilities and powers. Up until now, we know he's a great archer, he can run on snow, and generally has some impressive abilites, but his special elf-characteristics really jump out during the Two Towers. It kind of shows a differenent side of him, setting him apart from the rest of the (now broken) fellowship and emphasizing that he is apart from his companions, somehow "other."
Eleandune
* * *
From: Pearlbloom_Greenleaf Sent: 12/12/2002 7:14 AM
Yes... some feel that Legolas is not entirely of this world, that he is 'ethereal'. I tend to agree. Also, although he expresses his concerns for his (former) companions quite clearly, he seems to suffer more than the others because of what enemies (in this case, the Orcs) have done to the environment as they passed. See e.g. B3, Ch1:
"No other folk make such a trampling," said Legolas. "It seems their delight to slash and beat down growing things that are not even in their way."
Although he remains calm (on the outside), still there is a bitter anger boiling inside him. We learn that Elves are finely tuned to their (natural) surroundings; any damage to it is perceived as a physical blow to them, it appears. Another example of this fine-tuning: upon entering Fangorn, Legolas senses the Forest's mood, so to speak. And nature reacts to him, too... so lovely.
For me, this is part of what makes Legolas so interesting...
Pearlbloom
* * *
From: Pearlbloom_Greenleaf Sent: 3/9/2003 12:51 PM
Another example of Legolas's fine-tuned senses and clear mind:
"I do not think the wood feels evil, whatever the tales may say," said Legolas. He stood under the eaves of the forest, stooping forward, as if he were listening, and peering with wide eyes into the shadows.
Rather than being led by rumours, he is prepared to let his senses guide him and follow his heart, however irresponsible that may seem to others; Gimli, on the other hand, is mistrustful of Fangorn.
"No, it is not evil; or what evil is in it is far away. I catch only the faintest echoes of dark places where the hearts of the trees are black. There is no malice near us; but there is watchfulness, and anger."
Legolas speaks of feeling "the tenseness" which "takes his breath", of anger as an emotion felt by the Forest. Also, he senses the great age of Fangorn:
"It is old, very old," said the Elf. "So old that almost I feel young again, as I have not felt since I journeyed with you children. It is old and full of memory. I could have been happy here, if I had come in days of peace."