'That tall fellow next to Galadriel.' A short article about Celeborn

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Title:	'That tall fellow next to Galadriel.' A short article about Celeborn
Creator:	Marnie
Date(s):	2003 or earlier
Medium:	online
Fandom:	The Silmarillion, The Lord of the Rings
Topic:	Celeborn
External Links:	www.elfringham.dsl.pipex.com/lotrfic/celessay.html, Archived version (via WBM); @Open Scrolls
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'That tall fellow next to Galadriel.' A short article about Celeborn is an essay in the Tolkien fandom by Marnie, written in around 2003. It was published at Marnie's Celeborn fansite, Silver Tree: Portrait of an Elf Lord, now offline, and is also archived at Open Scrolls. The essay reflects on the lack of popularity of the character Celeborn, especially compared with his wife Galadriel, and analyses Celeborn's character.

The title quotes from Implacida's story 'Heart and Body'. The author's summary is A short essay on why Celeborn is such a neglected character. In the introduction to a subsequent essay on the same character, 'Prince Valium?', Marnie writes Much of the larger overview about the cultural differences between Noldor and Sindar elves, the reason for his enmity towards dwarves, the similarities of Celeborn to both Elu Thingol and Thranduil, I have already covered in a more general essay...

Summary

• Celeborn is relatively unpopular in fanfiction compared with Legolas, Haldir & other elves, and is sometimes viewed as an unworthy husband for Galadriel, although Tolkien's description makes him precisely her equal
• Celeborn is canonically physically beautiful and was let down by the Peter Jackson film casting, direction & wig; his canonical silver hair marks him as royalty descended from Elu Thingol and is associated with legitimate leadership
• Canonical justifications exist both for his statement that Gandalf fell from wisdom into folly and for his anger at Gimli, which are often interpreted by fans as rudeness
• His lack of 'niceness' speaks of attachment to the world and lack of fading
• He's a Sindar elf whose behaviour is more similar to Thranduil than to Galadriel, Elrond, Gildor Inglorion and others of the Noldor
• His engagement with the Fellowship is more practically useful than Galadriel's

Excerpt

I think that many people interpret Celeborn's rudeness to the company as stupidity in order to avoid the unsettling experience of encountering an angry elf-lord. And it is an unsettling experience because (in The Lord of the Rings at least) we don't expect that kind of behaviour from elves. Elves are nice. You wouldn't have caught Elrond getting cross with his guests, and Galadriel is very quick to smooth things back into the courtly mode we've come to expect from Gildor Inglorion onwards. Celeborn is not reacting like the kind of elf we expect.
And that - I suggest - is because he isn't the same kind of elf we've met before. He isn't like Gildor or Elrond or Galadriel, who are all High Elves. He is a Sindar elf, and we're comparing him with the wrong people. As he says himself, his kinship is with Legolas - and Legolas' father, Thranduil.

Awards, Reviews & Related Works

The essay won the category 'Genres: Non-Fiction: Elves' in the 2005 Middle-Earth Fanfiction Awards. It was translated into German by Stephanie Dorer.

Marnie is nothing if not thorough, and this essay is a wonderful example of that. She starts with the basics, beginning with what most people think of when they think of Celeborn: Galadriel. And she goes from there, describing how the notion of Celeborn as a "trophy-husband" at least gives him some points in the beauty category and then how that beauty is really a link to Sindar royalty. Once Marnie has taken the reader that far, she goes on to detail just what this royalty entails and how it defines Celeborn as an elf. And she's brilliant in how she does it. She points out the factors that have shaped his life, his responsibilities, his method of dealing with those responsibilities, his devotion to his people and his lands, his need to be efficient and decisive... It goes on and on. Everything is laid out plainly, and by the end, if you're not convinced that Celeborn is one of the most fascinating, dynamic, and brilliant elves you've ever come across, then there is something seriously wrong with you. (Thundera Tiger)

This is a well-written and highly entertaining personal essay arguing against fandom perceptions of Celeborn as dull or weak. I’ll admit I always found him rather boring, but then I always found most other elves, especially Legolas, to be boring (along with a fair number of other characters, as well). I’m very grateful to fandom acquaintances such as Marnie for making me think harder about certain characters, and giving me new insights, understanding and appreciation of characters who bored or puzzled me. In this essay, Marnie not only uses her excellent scholarship lightly to rebut the charges often levelled against Celeborn but shows us clearly what a fascinating character Celeborn really is. Reading her words has made me keen to seek out more stories focused around Celeborn: if Marnie can convert even someone as elf-indifferent as me to being interested in Celeborn, that suggests she has succeeded admirably in her goal of writing a persuasive essay that will not only defend but also popularise the Lord of Lothlorien. Well done! (Tanaqui)

In her last note Marnie points us to Michael Martinez's essay as a less fangirlish defence of Celeborn. While I'm sure "Celeborn Unplugged" is a fabulous resource, I don't necessarily agree with Marnie's claim that "Tall Fellow" is at all fangirlish. It's devoted, sure, but it's also well-reasoned and thorough. And if she's devoted to her elf, she proves time and time again that she has good reason to be. This essay does an amazing amount with a small passage, the scene in Fellowwship of the Ring (primarily books, though movies are referenced as well) where Galadriel and Celeborn meet the Fellowship -- and then she sweeps back to include The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, and the Unfinished Tales. And it all fits together. This was an engaging read, and I feel better-educated for it. (Marta)

I believe this was the very first piece of yours that I ever read. I had just finished Implacida's stories, and somehow, found your essay. Totally started my love of Celeborn. (Too bad I don't transfer that into writing more fanfic about him, I guess). Oh, and I still think Marton C is gorgeous, though they could have done a better job with his hair in the movies. *grin* (Larian Elensar)

Another excellent non-fiction, and about another one of my favorite guys. Non-fiction can be difficult to read as it is often dry, not so with Marnie's casual conversation style. She takes you on a personal tour, a thought process and a love affair with one of the greatest Elven lords of all time. Piece by piece proving to the reader excatly what there is to love about the "Strong, Silent Type." Thanks again for another great work. (Sulriel)

A very interesting article. The way you write shows so much knowledge as well as the sence of your arguements. I like the way you pick so clearly through everything to show interpretations that make sence when considered. An interesting counterpart to your other essay on Celeborn. (nerwen_calaelen)

Marnie looks at Celeborn in an easy-to-read, easy-to-understand manner and answers many of the questions that plague the true Elf-lovers and appreciators of 'Mr. Galadriel.' (Leaward)

Nice essay. Marnie presents convincing arguments. But I was never one of the persons who derided Celeborn. So I need no convincing ;-) (elanor_of_aquitania)

Because I think he’s such an underrated character (movie verse) while in fact he is this really cool Sindar Elflord who has more in common with Thranduil than we might think (elven_nicknacks)