what is an elf

An elf is a type of humanoid supernatural being in Germanic folklore. Elves are often pictured as youthful-seeming men and women of great beauty living in forests and other natural places, underground or in wells and springs. They have been portrayed to be long-lived or immortal and they have magical powers attributed to them. Elves were originally a race of minor gods of nature and fertility in Norse mythology. They have been a popular subject in fiction for centuries, ranging from William Shakespeares play "A Midsummer Nights Dream" to the classic fantasy novels of J.R.R. Tolkien 300 years later. Elves have been depicted in various ways in different cultures and times. For example, Shakespeares elves were tiny, winged creatures that lived in flowers. In contrast, J.R.R. Tolkiens elves were slender, human-sized, and beautiful, with fine features. Elves remain a prominent feature of fantasy media today.