LotR/Silmarillion/Tolkien question

[lexin]

I don't know where it's going, but I'm trying to commit fanfic. At last! It may never go anywhere, but at least I'm writing.

However, I have a question.

Elves who've done evil...the only one I can think if who tried to commit a murder was Eöl, in his attempt to kill Maeglin.

The Sons of Fëanor swore that stupid oath (it was seriously stupid) but I don't see that as evil, just unwise and misguided.

Were there any others? Anyone I've missed?

Comments

[featherwizard]

The Feanori betrayed allies over and over (abandoning people on icebergs, murdering political rivals, committing so much mayhem they got exiled from some elvish kingdoms in ME, etc). They were very much like a powerful, charismatic gang of thugs.

There's quite a bit about elves taking over local tribes of humans, or forbidding the humans from settling on elvish land, or driving them further away from elvish lands once they'd settled. Overwhelming evidence for imperialist / racist elves, really, even leaving Thingol aside.

If pride counts as a sin than I don't think a chapter of the Silimarilion goes by without some elf having a problem with it.

EDIT: Also, Maeglin's father Eol was strongly implied to have trapped and raped Maeglin's mother (Tolkien softened the text at some point for gentle sensibilities). Ecthelion and one other elvish king decreed that people who found their kingdoms would either stay or be murdered.

The Silarillion Writer's Group LJ just wrapped up a read-along and discussion, I'm sure there's lots of examples in there: http://silwritersguild.livejournal.com/tag/reading%20group

http://silmarillion.livejournal.com/ is another active LJ group.

[lexin]

This is all hugely useful, thank you. Elves...not so nice after all.