| Princess Lirazel | |
|---|---|
 Generic elf to represent Lirazel | |
|
Real Name |
Lirazel |
|
First Appearance |
The King of Elfland's Daughter (1924) |
|
Original Publisher |
G. P. Putnam's Sons |
|
Created by |
Lord Dunsany |
Origin[]
The King of Elfland's Daughter, First edition of 1924
Lirazel is a central character in Lord Dunsany's 1924 fantasy novel "The King of Elfland's Daughter." As the daughter of the King of Elfland, she is an ethereal and enchanting figure, embodying the otherworldly beauty and magic of her homeland. Lirazel is described as being extraordinarily beautiful, with an unearthly grace that captivates those who behold her. Her otherworldliness is emphasized through her delicate and almost translucent appearance, with features that seem to be shaped by magic itself.
Lirazel's journey begins when she is brought to the human realm by Alveric, a mortal prince who seeks to marry her. Alveric's quest is both romantic and driven by the desire of the people of Erl to have magical ruler in their land. Once in the human world, Lirazel struggles to adapt. Her inherent magical nature and innate connection to Elfland clashes with the mundane reality of the human realm and their strict religious beliefs. She finds human customs and ways bewildering and longs for the timeless and unchanging beauty of her homeland. This alienation creates a profound sense of tension between her and Alveric, with the only thing keeping her bound to the Earthly realm being the birth of their hybrid son, Orion.
Eventually, she succumbs to her father's requests for her to return to Elfland. Her departure is both a liberation and a sorrowful departure, as she ultimately returns to her true nature, leaving behind a world that could never fully contain her and her lovesick husband, who goes searching for her, abandoning the kingdom of Erl and wandering in a now-hopeless quest.
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- The King of Elfland's Daughter (1924)
Notes[]
- Lirazel was one of the main inspirations for Arwen in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.