Exploring Tauriel and the Elf-Dwarf Romance in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Introduction

"Why it hurts so much!" These are the words of Tauriel, an elf captain from the forest kingdom of Mirkwood, in the movie adaptation of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. The presence of an elf-dwarf romance in J.R.R. Tolkien's world has sparked much debate and discussion among fans of both literature and film. However, when it comes to the actual text of Tolkien's works, such a relationship simply does not exist.

The Absence of Tauriel and the Elf-Dwarf Romance in Tolkien's Literature

It is important to note that Tauriel, the character played by Evangeline Lilly, does not appear in Tolkien's books. Neither do we find any traces of an elf-dwarf romance in any of his works, except for the unintentional creation of a bromance between Legolas and Gimli.

Elves and Dwarves: Not Compatible for Romance

John Sierra, a Tolkien enthusiast, emphatically states that elves and dwarves are incompatible for romance. It is well-known that Tolkien did explore the relationship between humans and elves, but any relationship between elves and dwarves is rare and questionable in his works. The idea of an elf-dwarf romance, in my opinion, is deeply disturbing and out of character with Tolkien's portrayal of these races.

Creating Original Characters in Film Adaptations

The character of Tauriel was born primarily to add more dimensional depth to the world of Middle-earth, making it less of a masculine dystopian society. In fact, she embodies strength and leadership, traits that are often underrepresented in film adaptations, especially for female characters. The addition of Tauriel to the trilogy was a welcome change, but her romantic subplot with the dwarf Durin IV, as written, did not sit well with many fans, including myself. While Tauriel is a character I genuinely appreciate, the romantic storyline that was developed around her was misguided and off-putting.

Thematic Contrasts: Tragic Romances in Tolkien's Works

While there are indeed tragic romances in Tolkien's literature, they are different from the one suggested in the film. For example, Amroth and Nimrodel, Túrin and Finduilas, and Tar-Aldarion and his unnamed wife all faced tragic endings in their respective stories. In each of these instances, the romances and their fates are far more aligned with Tolkien's overall narrative and thematic intentions.

Examples of Tragic Romances in Tolkien's Literature

Amroth and Nimrodel: Separated in the mountains, Amroth was eventually swept away and drowned in the sea, leaving Nimrodel to perish in grief.
Tar-Aldarion and his Unnamed Wife: Their marriage was troubled, as Tar-Aldarion fell more in love with Middle-earth than his wife, ultimately leading to a estranged relationship.
Túrin and Finduilas: Their chance to experience love was tragically cut short when Finduilas was killed by Orcs, and Túrin was unable to find her, believing the lies of the dragon that his sister would never be saved if he did so.

Conclusion

While Tauriel's character adds much-needed depth and balance to the film adaptation of The Hobbit, the romantic subplot involving her and the dwarf Durin IV, and the lack of its counterpart in Tolkien's literature, have garnered much criticism. Tolkien's literature is rich with tragic romances, as shown by the examples of Amroth, Túrin, and Tar-Aldarion, which offer insight into the true essence of love and sacrifice in his world.

Overall, while Tauriel's character was a welcome addition to The Hobbit, the incorporation of an elf-dwarf romance was unnecessary and felt out of place within the original world and narrative of Tolkien's literature. This article offers an exploration of the differences and contrasts between the film adaptation and the original source material, providing insight into why some fans found this aspect of the film so problematic.