Final answer:
The Wood-elves in Tolkien's Middle-earth are earthier and more forest-bound than the High Elves, like Elrond, who are wiser and more noble, reflecting their experience of the light of the Two Trees of Valinor.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Wood-elves are a distinctive group of Elves found in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, particularly in 'The Hobbit' and are somewhat different from the High Elves who reside in the West, such as Elrond. The Wood-elves are known for their more earthly and less ethereal qualities when compared to their High Elf kin. They are often seen as more wild and less wise, and they have a closer affinity to the forest and nature. The Wood-elves' king, Thranduil, and his realm represent a more rustic and less refined lifestyle than that of the High Elves, who have seen the light of the Two Trees of Valinor and are counted among the most noble and wise of their kind. Elrond, by contrast, embodies the High Elf archetypes of wisdom and nobility, with his haven in Rivendell reflecting the higher cultural achievements and serene wisdom of the Eldar. The Wood-elves are more isolationist and defensive, while Elrond and his kin are more involved in the wider concerns of Middle-earth.