Rings of Power Finally Explains Why Nobody Likes the Elves in Middle-earth
Throughout the various films and novels of the Tolkienverse, there are many obvious signs of tensions between the inhabiting races of Middle-earth; possibly no more so than between the elves and pretty much everyone else.
After reviewing the Tolkien-inspired series The Rings of Power, there may be a clear explanation why that could be after all.
The hostility between the elves and other races is evident when every character in the series is introduced to Galadriel or Elrond. When Galadriel is first saved on the raft at sea, it is only after they learn of her elf heritage that the shipwrecked crew turns from suspicious to completely untrusting. Elrond and Durin IV may be close friends, but it is clear that neither of them fully trusts the other or their kin at various times throughout the season.
They often purposely keep secrets from each other for this very reason. Again when Galadriel reaches Númenor, nothing but hostility awaits her. She is immediately held captive and treated as a prisoner in the city. With little trust being extended to her or the elves she represents. Such negativity and distrust may seem like the fault of all those apart from the elves, yet there may very well be a good reason for their aversion after all.
Some elves have existed since the beginning of creation. Their presence shaped the formation of Middle-Earth itself. Yet it is their long and prominent existence, not to mention their immortality and eternal youth, which has made many of them arrogant and stubborn as a people. Redditors in the r/LOTR_on_Prime thread describe it best as such: many of the elves see themselves as superior beings, thinking very little of the other races they are as much meant to be serving.
Galadriel, for instance, is surprised at many of the númenorian's xenophobia towards her people. And yet cannot see the obvious disillusion that Númenor not wanting to follow the elves is instead the desire for freedom against them. In many ways, the númenorians and the elves have much more in common than either would want to admit.
Other examples throughout the show include the elvish garrison at the Southlands, who are ready to give up on the race of men. Their reason for guarding the Southlanders is more likely an excuse to punish them for atrocities their people committed centuries ago. And lastly, once the Dwarves find the existence of Mithril, the elves demand it for themselves almost immediately; to keep their presence in Middle-Earth ongoing.
Otherwise, we assume the remaining elves will die mortally like everyone else. A thought which is inconceivable to the likes of Gil-galad. Overall the elves of Middle-Earth are deep-rooted in the establishment of the land. But their greedy, selfish, and arrogant nature has not served them well in building relationships with the rest of its people.
Considering the events of 'The Lord of the Rings ' and 'The Hobbit', we know that these tensions continue well into the future of the story. Even Legolas and Gimli's bromance did not start out on the best of terms. However, Galadriel and her people will likely have to change their tune for the better at some point in the following seasons of the show.
We know that all people of Middle-Earth will have to band together to defeat Sauron. But there is much reconciling between the elves yet before that is likely to happen.