[SuziQ]

Tolkien draws an authoritative, absolute distinction between the pretty sprites of Shakespeare and popular fancy, and the Elves of true folklore.

That's very interesting, SC! I feel the same way about the Victorian idea of fluff angels versus the idea of the Biblical Angel. When anyone in the Bible is visited by an Angel, the Angel's first words are "fear not". To me, that means that the creature before them is not some sort of wispy, romantic thing, but a awesome, powerful being of whom they would be afraid!

[Sam Cree]

I don't like so much either the cutesy angels and cupids and stuff, though I think they at least predate the Victorian era.

But I've recently developed a liking for the Victorian era. It's sort of a fascinating time period, after the Civil War, before WWI.

It included the Wild West, and some great artwork, including the impressionists. Also, I guess, Tolkien was born during the Victorian era.

The whole thing was really not so long ago, it's easy to imagine it and how it was.

[Corin Stormhands]

To me, that means that the creature before them is not some sort of wispy, romantic thing, but a awesome, powerful being of whom they would be afraid!

My wife and I have discussed the same. The angels were God's messengers, not party girls.

At the same time, I have a feeling even the fluffy ones would have to say "fear not" if they just popped into the den...