The answer to whether elves are friendly to humans depends on the specific mythology or fictional universe you're considering. Elves are often portrayed as being both friendly and unfriendly towards humans, depending on various factors, such as:
1. Cultural Differences:
- Elven Isolation: Many cultures depict elves as reclusive and wary of humans, preferring to live in secluded forests or mountains. This isolation can lead to misunderstandings and mistrust.
- Elven Pride: Elves often possess a strong sense of pride and superiority, which can create tension with humans who they perceive as inferior.
- Human Intrusion: As humans encroach on elven territories, tensions can rise, leading to conflict and hostility.
2. Individual Elves:
- Benevolent Elves: Some elves are known for their kindness and compassion, helping humans in need.
- Malevolent Elves: Others are depicted as cruel and vengeful, seeking to harm or enslave humans.
- Ambivalent Elves: Many elves are simply indifferent to humans, neither actively seeking to help nor harm them.
3. Specific Examples:
- Tolkien's Elves: In J.R.R. Tolkien's works, elves are generally portrayed as wise, noble, and often benevolent towards humans, though they also possess a certain sadness and longing for their own realm.
- D&D Elves: In Dungeons & Dragons, elves are more diverse, ranging from the high elves, who are generally considered noble and proud, to the dark elves, who are known for their darker nature and sometimes hostile relationships with humans.
Ultimately, the question of whether elves are friendly to humans is a complex one, with no single definitive answer. It depends on the specific context and the individual elves involved.
