The Lord of the Rings: Critics of the Rings of Power Point Out Their Treatment of Elves
The Amazon Prime Video series set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, has faced an attack of criticism since its premiere, much of it centred on its portrayal of Elves. The latest debate centers on the appearance of Círdan The Shipwright, a character debuted in season two, accused of straying from Tolkien's depictions of the fair race.
Círdan's Beard: A Controversial Spark
Actor Ben Daniels (The Crown) plays Círdan, the first Elf in a Lord of the Rings adaptation sporting a beard. On social media sites like Twitter and Reddit, this minute detail has set off a firestorm of indignation. Fans are complaining, claiming that although the Elves in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films—which were generally regarded as faithfully based on Tolkien's descriptions—were always long-haired and clear-faced. They charge The Rings of Power of persistently "unfaithful" portrayal of the Elves.
The Critics and the Canon
The irony of the criticism directed on Círdan's beard is evident since Tolkien personally notes the Elf had a beard. Although a bearded Elf was rare in Tolkien's universe, it was usually connected to the oldest race members. Third Age describes Círdan's facial hair, when he was Middle-earth's eldest Elf. One could contend that, given The Rings of Power's Second Age, he would not have developed a beard yet. Still, the criticism directed on Círdan's looks seems to have very little bearing on the canon character himself.
The Appearance of the Elves in The Rings of Power: An Argumentative Concern
Círdan's beard simply accentuates a pre-existing controversy about the male Elf appearance in The Rings of Power. With many referencing Jackson's version of the Elves as the "correct" interpretation, many fans have attacked the show for straying from Tolkien's overall descriptions of the Elves. Their indignation was stoked by Arondir's dark complexion and Elrond and Celebrimbor's short hair, which they considered as an insult.
The Frustration with The Rings of Power: A Conflict of Visions
The fact that this criticism has migrated to Círdan's beard emphasizes how little canon has bearing on the indignation over the male Elves in The Rings of Power. It's a clash of ideas, a dispute between the audience's perspective and the show's creators on Elf appearance. While some supporters think the Elves should stay inside the limited boundaries of their own preconceptions, others see Tolkien's work offers a framework for variety and difference amongst the Middle-earth races.
Exists One " Correct" Method to Illustrate Tolkien's Elves?
Tolkien sometimes spoke generally of the Middle-earth races, allowing for variances within particular groups. Using the "found manuscript" formula, his work suggested that it was a compilation of long-lost civilization historical records. With the races of Middle-earth, Tolkien did the same as we might generalize the look of Ancient Egyptians, Maya, or Europeans. He never specifically said, though, that the Middle-earth elves must possess specific traits.
Value the Variations.
Tolkien never said whether his Elves possessed pointy ears, long hair, or even a particular skin tone. Though they are not stated specifically in Tolkien's work, fans often presumed these specifics. Regarding Círdan, The Rings of Power seems to embrace the variations Tolkien personally noted. Fans should embrace the several readings of Tolkien's world that The Rings of Power presents instead of depending just on their preconceptions.
