Summary
The Nature of Eldar Marriage
Highlights
Permanence and Moral Complexity
The Eldar viewed marriage as a singular, lifelong commitment. While history shows that many Elves could succumb to various vices—such as pride, greed, or malice—due to the shadow cast upon Arda, their spiritual integrity remained resilient in specific aspects.
The Rejection of Coercion
There is no historical evidence of any Elf taking another's spouse by force. Such an act was fundamentally contrary to their nature, and any individual subjected to such a violation would have rejected their physical existence and departed to Mandos.
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Original text
The Eldar wedded once for all. Many, as the histories reveal, could become estranged from good, for nothing can wholly escape from the evil shadow that lies upon Arda. Some fell into pride, and self-will, and could be guilty of deeds of malice, enmity, greed and jealousy. But among all these evils there is no record of any among the Elves that took another’s spouse by force; for this was wholly against their nature, and one so forced would have rejected bodily life and passed to Mandos.