Why Are ELVES The Best Archers? | Lord of the Rings Lore

I'm got to hide elves are known as the master archers but have you ever wondered why this is let's look at this today build me an army worthy of M it is not just Talent it is a big part of Alvin culture but there is also more to it than just wanting to defend their lands and protect their homes so join me as we explore how everything comes together and the elves end up standing Head and Shoulders Above the Rest with their unmatched skills with a bow and arrow elves live forever unlike humans dwarves or Hobbits this means that they have all the time in the world to get very good at many different skills which includes with the likes of bows and arrows imagine if you could practice something everyday for hundreds or even thousands of years you'd be amazing at it right that's exactly what happens with elves and archery because they don't age like we do they spend centuries perfecting their aim and learning every little trick about shooting arrows it's not just about being strong or fast it's about having the time to get every detail right every single time consider this idea that was made Popular by Malcolm Gladwell and that is the 10,000 hour roll now what this basically means is you need to practice something for 10,000 hours and that is practice it properly and correctly to become a master of it for a human that means practicing something 10 hours a week for 20 years to become a master of it now that shows dedication however this works out slightly differently for an elf because they wouldn't need to cram everything into such a short space of time technically they could practice for 10 hours a year for a thousand years and come to the same point or 1 hour a week for less than 200 years to get to that same point as well it just shows that they wouldn't have to make as big of a commitment as a human would to reach the same level of expertise and it wouldn't be that hard for them to go above and beyond this they know their bows and arrows inside and out because they've had the time to work with them fix mistakes and try new things over and over again and it's not just about individual practice elves share their skills with each other passing down Knowledge from one generation to the next so every elf learns from the vast experience of their entire Community making them even better in the end the secret to an Al's incredible skill with the bow isn't just natural Talent it's all the time they have to learn to practice and to perfect their craft this dedication over centuries is one of the things that sets them apart as the best archers in Middle Earth megas what do your Elf I see besides living for longer elves do have super sharp senses they can see farther hear better than pretty much anyone else in Middle Earth imagine being able to spot a tiny bird in a tree from really far away or hearing the soft footsteps of a cat on grass elves can do this and much more their eyes and ears are so good they can notice things that others simply can't I mean consider this from The Two Towers chapter of the Riders of Roa Riders cried Aragon springing to his feet many riders on Swift steeds are coming towards us yes said agas there are 105 yellow is their hair and bright are their Spears their leader is very tall Aragon smiled Keen are the eyes of the elves he said nay the Riders are little more than 5 leagues distant said Lolas five leagues is over 17 miles or 272 km that's insane and Legolas brushes this off as though though it's nothing even slightly impressive so when it comes to archery being able to see your target this clearly no matter how far or how dimly lit is a huge Advantage elves can easily aim and hit targets that others wouldn't even be able to see their sharp hearing also plays a big part an Al can hear an enemy sneaking up behind them or listen to the wind changing directions this helps them understand exactly where to aim their Arrow so it flies straight to the Target even if the wind is trying to push it off course for thanks to their incredible senses elves don't just shoot arrows they make every shot count their ability to see clearly and hear sharply means they can handle any challenge with ease this is another reason why they're considered the top archers capable of Feats that seem almost magical to the rest of [Music] us now let's talk about how ales move they are not just quick but they move with a smoothness and control that is really hard to find anywhere else and this isn't just nice to watch it also helps make them better with a bow picture someone moving so smoothly and quickly they almost seem to be part of the wind that's how the elves move this natural ability to Glide and change direction effortlessly is a big deal for archery it means they can shoot arrows accurately even when they're running jumping or dodging elves control over their bodies is topnotch they know exactly how to stand how to breathe and how to move to make each shot perfect the bow isn't just a tool for them it's like an extension of their arm they can make it do whatever they want which is why they can hit targets others can't even imagine hitting how many there were the company could not count the array was sharp but the Orcs were dismayed by the fierceness of the defense legol lash shot two through the throat just this example shows the accuracy of Legolas even during a mad Skirmish inside the the depths of Moria he can still be that accurate with his shot really representing his kin well their Grace also means they're super good at staying hidden and moving silently in a forest an elf can move around without making a single sound surprising their enemies and protecting their home without ever being seen all this agility and Grace make elves not just great archers but almost like artists with their bows they show us that being good at something isn't just about strength it's also about how you move and yourself for elves every movement is part of their skill with the boat for you legol is a bow of the galad worthy of the skill of our Woodland kin Al's Mastery in crafting bows and arrows is renowned a testament not just to their skill but to their profound bond with the natural world this craftsmanship is deeply rooted in their culture reflecting a harmonious blend of artistry reverence for nature and unparalleled expertise tolkki's descriptions often hint at the elves Creations being far superior not merely because of the physical materials used but due to their intention care and the respect for nature imbued in every piece their work is described as an embodiment of beauty utility and harmony with the environment showcasing the elves' intimate understanding of and connection to the world around them it is this deep respect and knowledge that elevate their craftsmanship Beyond mere physical creation World hing's texts celebrate the extraord Ary qualities of Alvin work suggesting a level of perfection and connection to their environment they also leave room for interpretation on how this is achieved by focusing on the elves respect for their materials drawn from the very essence of Nature and their own paralleled skill honed over centuries we understand that their Creations are not just tools but reflections of the Alves philosophy their identity and their profound bond with the Earth this approach to craftsmanship deeply intertwined with their way of life and their surroundings is is what sets elves apart making their archery not just a skill but an extension of their very being they hit of course with the way elves used to learn a bow and arrow it's not just for fun they use it to protect their homes their lands and the people they love when danger comes being great with a bow and arrow is a huge part on how they keep everything and everyone safe think about how useful being able to shoot Arrows with amazing y would be if you needed to defend your home for elves this isn't just a thought it is reality they've been part of many big battles throughout history always using their archery to fight off enemies trying to invade their peaceful lands now of course I'm not saying that's the only weapon they ever use but it has definitely been a popular one for them if we consider a moment with Legolas again this time discussing that potentially 100 Archers from merid could help swing the odds in their favor before the Battle of hounds deep I wish there were more of your kin among us but even more would I give for a 100 good archers of merid we shall need them at this stage there were 2,000 roh herim inside Helm's Deep as there were still a thousand more to come later with Gandalf so that is saying adding 100 merkwood Archers to those 2,000 rohim already there would really turn the tides of battle make them almost favorites or more comfortable in their victory that is such a big difference with such a small amount added they added accuracy shooting from the deeping wall it could have made all the difference the bows and arrows they've crafted so carefully come into play here too because they're so wellmade they help elves shoot farther and more accurately but as I've mentioned it's not just about fighting elves always tried to protect nature and their lands during battles making sure that the forest they love so much don't get harmed their respect for life means they use their skills to avoid unnecessary fighting whenever possible only using their archery to defend when they really have to elves are peaceful but when their homes are threatened they use their unmatched archery skills for defense this is just another reason why elves are known as the best archers around while elves stand out as Master archers there are many skilled Warriors inside of Middle Earth so it is probably worth touching upon these the dwarves for instance are renowned for their craftsmanship and strength favoring axes and hammers in battle their archery although it is competent it lacks the Al's finesse and connection to their weapons men on the other hand show versatility in Warfare including archery however their skills often reflect their shorter lifespans and less focused training making them less consistent compared to the Eternal practice of the elves and then why not mention the hobbits with their love for Simplicity and a peaceful life too they rarely engage an archery outside of hunting and Sport lacking the Al's dedication to mastering the bow for combat and defense so as I hope you can see these comparisons highlight how the elves position themselves to be the premier archers unmatched by any other race in Middle Earth so there we have it the journey through why the elves are the greatest marksmen in Middle Earth it is more than just a hobby to them it is almost like a way of life from their centuries of learning Keen senses and Swift movement to their deep bond with nature and Artistry in crafting bows and arrows archery for elves isn't just about skill it's woven into their culture history and the very essence of their being as we've seen their remarkable abilities with the bow are a testament to toi's vision of unity with the natural world and the profound depth of Storytelling and so with all that thank you for joining me on this journey today into the exploration Into the Heart of alvish archery and with that now it is time for my question of the day which is if if you could learn one skill from the elves would you choose their unparalleled archery or perhaps there's another Alvin skill you would buire them more share your thoughts and reasons in the comments down below and now it is time to give a massive thank you to our patrons who continue to support the channel you are all amazing and if you have reached the very end of this video with me today and you haven't subscribed to the Channel please consider doing so it would massively help us out and why not drop a like on the video as well and with that all I can say is thank you for spending just some of your time with me today and I will see you next time on the broken soul [Music] and you have my bow

Channel: The Broken Sword

Views: 26,616

Keywords: The Broken Sword, History of Middle Earth, The Lord of the Rings, Lord of the Rings, Lord of the Rings Lore, Middle Earth Lore, The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, Tolkien Lore, Lotr lore, Sauron, Gandalf, Full Story of, Complete travels of, complete journey of, complete saga, everything you need to know

Id: xmmqDgHXldU

Length: 12min 39sec (759 seconds)

Published: Fri Mar 01 2024