Why Does Thorin Oakenshield Hate Elves?

Question

In The Hobbit, I was surprised by his deep grudge against Thranduil and the Woodland Realm. It really colored his interactions with Legolas's kin later.

Eddy Perez · Answer

Thorin Oakenshield's distrust of elves in The Hobbit comes from historic grievances. The elves of Mirkwood forest did not help the dwarves during the attack by Smaug on Erebor, and for long years there was a lot of dislike between the two proud races. This theme of historic dislike between races and clans is very interesting in the fantasy world and is portrayed in a unique and personal way in ‘Mated To The Enemy Zareth’ where two people from warring clans are mated against their will and find it difficult to come to terms with their growing feelings for each other while still being loyal to their respective families.

Violette · Answer

Thorin Oakenshield’s hatred of the Elves stems from two main offenses that they have perpetrated against him and his. The first is their indifference to his plight. When Smaug attacked Therrin’s people, Thranduil, the King of the Elves in that land, had the power to do something to help them, but chose to do nothing. The second offense was their greed. When Thorin returned many years later to reclaim Erebor from the dragon, Thranduil blocked his way to the treasure, proving to Thorin all of the negative stereotypes that the Dwarves have about the Elves. Thorin’s hatred of the Elves is fueled by their abandonment of him and his in time of need and by their desire for treasure. But this hatred blinds him to the good relations that Bilbo has been able to come to with the Elves, and how these good relations could be the key to healing old wounds instead of perpetuating them in new battles.

Stella · Answer

Why does Thorin Oakenshield seem to hate the Elves so much? Because it feels personal. Imagine you’re a young boy running from home as it burns around you. You run to the nearest group of armed warriors – the Elves – and they slam their gates in your face. Years later, as a grown-up, that “we could have helped you” feeling mixes with resentment to become full-blown rage. This is how Thranduil’s decision to lock his gates on refugees from Erebor resulted in Thorin Oakenshield’s deep-seated hatred.

Of course, though, Tolkien doesn’t leave it there as black-and-white. The amity between Legolas and Gimli in the later books proves that there was never any reason for dwarves and elves to be at each other’s throats – just a long history of mutual dislike fostered by bad leaders and past traumas. And, as with all grudges, Thorin’s hatred has become part of his identity – it’s far too complicated and raw for him to admit that both sides have failed in some way.

Wyatt · Answer

Thorin's dislike of the elves stems from deep historical hurt, dating back to the refusal of Thranduil, the Elvenking, to lend aid to the dwarves in their great time of need during the attack by Smaug upon Erebor. The dwarves were left to their own devices and eventually scattered across Middle-earth. This event became the defining moment for Thorin and his singling out of the elves as being selfish and untrustworthy. He has even come to associate them with the disdainful views of his race’s creator, Aulë, who was not included in the Almighty’s initial apotheosis of Ilúvatar, and was, in effect, made as an afterthought.

It’s interesting to explore how this fantasy conflict can comment on real life conflicts, too. While Thorin is not entirely in the wrong, his own flaws prevent him from seeing the conflict for what it is, and his snarling at the hospitality of the elves at Rivendell is a good example of how pride blinds one to reality. And while the elves are certainly not blameless in this conflict, their isolation and occasional condescension of others in the world makes it difficult for them to be reconciled with those who they have wronged in the past. I find this an excellent example of how to use fantasy to explore the weight of history.

marjelperater0 · Answer

I think the hair jealousy comment was kind of a joke but made sense. The rest of the aesthetic clashes make sense too because dwarves are undergroundy, sturdy, bearded and made things while elves are foresty, graceful, ageless and grown things. So, Thorin is sort of the ultimate dwarf, and his hate is sort of a cosmic necessity to create conflict between two ancient, proud cultures. Without that inherent tension, the story wouldn’t have as much historical depth, and the friendships he makes later in life wouldn’t be as redeeming.

Juvylyn Ferrer · Answer

Perhaps if Thranduil had been helpful to them, then Thorin’s usual attitude would not have been exactly the same. However, there is a lot of ancient dislike between them, and one act of charity is not likely to overcome centuries of distrust. So, although the dwarves might have thought the elves generally a bit flighty and arrogant, they would not have been as personally repellent to Thorin as Thranduil and his Woodland Realm. It is a very special kind of hate, a very personal one, rather than Gimli’s initial dislike of elves. Thorin’s hate is focused on Thranduil and his kingdom, and that in turn colors his perception of all the rest of the Elves. It is a very good example of a personal grudge becoming general.

Brenda George · Answer

Oh man, that's totally reasonable for him to be angry. The Mirkwood elves threw him in a dungeon and all he got to eat was bread and water for however long. I'd want to forget all that ancient history and be angry too.

Radha Kimari · Answer

The influence of the Ring is, perhaps, slight in this case. Sauron’s growing power in Mirkwood and the gradually-rousing One Ring of Sauron would of course affect the realm of Wilderland, although it would not directly corrupt Thorin (he was not a Ring-bearer). However, his worst tendencies would, doubtless, have been exacerbated in a region in increasing darkness by malice and greed, already fuelling division between men and Elves. That he hated the Elves above all others, and became increasingly blind to his own deeper corruption by his ever-increasing greed for treasure, would not have been caused by the influence of the One Ring, but would have provided a peculiar and individual weakness to be assailed by the growing darkness of the world.

Jhey Ehm · Answer

In not lifting a finger to help the battle against Smaug, the nature of elven help was another of Thorin’s misperceptions. He perhaps expected or even hoped for an entire army of elves to march to his aid in the battle for Erebor. Their inaction he must have seen as cowardice. In reality the elves are custodians of beauty and of life. They are not a warring race. A warrior and a King such as Thorin cannot fathom their philosophy of life. His hate is for a way of life he believes to be passive and weak. He despises their inaction above all else.

jayagopal kannan · Answer

The treasure of Erebor is very important. Thranduil wanted the necklace of white gems to be made for his wife. His dispute with the grandfather of Thorin is about money and the kingdoms that they are from. I imagine that Thorin heard many stories of the time when his grandfather refused the request of the elf-king to hand over the dwarven treasure. In Thorin’s mind the elf-king is greedy and wants everything that Thorin’s and his family’s labor has earned. The fact that he does not help Thorin in his time of need does not mean that he is not entitled to the finest treasures of Thorin’s ancestors. This hypocrisy is a powerful fuel for hatred and combines greed with past grievances.

Rioe Arkanza · Answer

I'm here for the Thorin. He's in a bit of a mood most of the time: grumpy and proud but with great hair. His hatred of the elves just adds to the drama.

Why Does Thorin Oakenshield Hate Elves?

11 Answers

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