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{{evil infobox
| name=Carcharoth
| image=[[File:Álvaro Fernández González - Carcharoth.jpg|275px]]
| caption="Carcharoth" by [[:Category:Images by Álvaro Fernández González|Álvaro Fernández González]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Red Maw, ''Anfauglir'', ''Borosaith''
| titles=
| position=
| location=[[Angband]]
| affiliation=[[Morgoth]]
| language=
| birth=Mid-[[First Age]]
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death={{FA|466}}
| deathlocation=[[Neldoreth]]
| age=
| notablefor=Taking the [[Silmarils|Silmaril]] from [[Beren]] by biting off his hand
| parentage=descendant of [[Draugluin]]
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| race=[[Werewolves|Werewolf]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
'''Carcharoth''' was bred from the foul breed of [[Draugluin]], the first [[Werewolf]], and fed with [[Elves|elvish]] and [[Men|mannish]] flesh by [[Morgoth]] himself. He was the greatest, most powerful wolf to ever live. Carcharoth was set as a guard on the [[Gates of Angband]], and later he mortally wounded both [[Huan]], the Hound of Valinor, and [[Beren]].<ref name=S19>{{S|19}}</ref>
== History ==
After hearing of the Fall of [[Tol-in-Gaurhoth]], where Huan had defeated [[Draugluin]] and [[Sauron]], Morgoth decided to create a werewolf to kill Huan, who could only be killed by the greatest wolf to have ever lived. Carcharoth became involved with the [[Quest for the Silmaril]] when Beren and [[Lúthien]] had to pass him on their way into [[Angband]]. He stopped them, suspicious of Draugluin, (Beren in disguise) as he had heard of Draugluin's death. Lúthien enchanted him with her magic, but on their way out Carcharoth attacked before Lúthien could enchant him again. Beren held out the captured [[Silmaril]] in an attempt to stay the beast, but Carcharoth bit off Beren's hand at the wrist with Silmaril and all.
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Huan's Leap 2.jpg|thumb|left|''Huan's Leap'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
The Silmaril burnt away Carcharoth's insides, and he became crazed with pain. A terror to [[Eldar]], Men and [[Orcs]] alike, he passed south through [[Beleriand]], consumed with an overpowering thirst. From this comes his name of '''Anfauglir''', meaning 'Jaws of Thirst'. He arrived in [[Doriath]] where Beren, King [[Thingol]], [[Beleg|Beleg Cúthalion]] and [[Mablung]] joined with [[Huan the Hound]] in the [[Hunting of the Wolf]].
At last, he was discovered within the borders of Doriath itself, where he fought his last fight with Huan: the wolf and the hound took one another's lives in that combat.
Both Beren and Huan were mortally wounded. When Mablung cut open the belly of the beast, he found there the Silmaril with Beren's hand still around it, but when he touched the flesh it was no more.<ref name=S19/>
== Etymology ==
{{Pronounce|Carcharoth.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{Pronounce|Carcharoth.mp3|Ardamir}}
Bred from the foul breed of [[Draugluin]], the first [[Werewolves|werewolf]], and fed with [[Elvish]] and [[Men|human]] flesh by [[Morgoth]] himself, Carcharoth ([[Sindarin]]: The Red Maw) was set as a guard on the gates of [[Angband]].
The name is translated as Red Maw;<ref name=S19/> the recogniseable [[Sindarin]] elements are ''[[caran|car(a)n]]'' ("red") as well as ''[[carach]]'' ("jaw")<ref>{{S|Appendix}}, ''carak-'' and ''caran''</ref> or [[carch]] ("fang").<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, "KARAK"</ref> Based on the above, perhaps the name can be analyzed into the unattested words *''carn'' (an alternate version of ''caran'') and *''caroth'' ("maw"), the latter ending with the augmentative suffix ''-oth'' also seen in ''[[Nogoth]]'' "(Big) Dwarf" = ''[[naug]]'' + ''oth''<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 45</ref> ("maw" = "big jaw").
 
He became involved with the [[Quest for the Silmaril]] when [[Beren Erchamion|Beren]] and [[Lúthien Tinúviel|Lúthien]] had to pass him on their way in. Lúthien enchanted him with her magic, but on their way out Carcharoth attacked before Lúthien could enthrall him again. Beren held out the captured Silmaril in an attempt to stay the beast, but Carcharoth bit off Beren's hand at the wrist with Silmaril and all.


:Upon the threshold, watchful, dire,[[Image:Danny Staten - Luthien and Carcaroth.jpg|thumb|''Luthien and Carcaroth'' [sic] by [[Danny Staten]].]]
Note that the final letter of ''car(a)'''n''''' + the initial letter of '''''c'''arach/oth-'' produce the sound '''ch''' (IPA: {{IPA|x}}) with the phenomenon called [[nasal mutation]].<ref>{{S|Note}}</ref><ref>{{App|E1i}}</ref>
:his eyes new-kindled with dull ifre,
:towered Carcharoth, a biding doom:
:his jaws were gaping like a tomb,
:his teeth were bare, his tongue aflame;
:aroused he watched that no one came,
:no flitting shade nor hunted shape,
:seeking from Angband to escape.
:Now past that guard what guile or might
:could thrust from death into the light?
:
:He heard afar their hurrying feet,
:he snuffed an odour strange and sweet;
:he smelled their coming long before
:they marked the waiting threat at door.
:His limbs he stretched and shook off sleep,
:then stood at gaze.  With sudden leap
:upon them as they sped he sprang,
:and his howling in the arches rang.
:Too swift for thought his onset came,
:too swift for any spell to tame;
:and Beren desperate then aside
:thrust Lúthien, and forth did stride
:unarmed, defenceless to defend
:Tinúviel until the end.
:With left he caught at hairy throat
:with right hand at the eyes he smote -
:his right, from which the raidance welled
:of the holy Silmaril he held.
:As gleam of swords in fire there flashed
:the fangs of Carcharoth, and crashed
:together like a trap, that tore
:the hand about the wrist, and shore
:through brittle bone and sinew nesh,
:devouring the frail mortal flesh;
:and in that cruel mouth unclean
:engulfed the jewel's holy sheen.


::The final paragraphs of the [[Lay of Leithian]].
His later name ''Anfauglir'', is probably composed of Sindarin ''[[and]]'' ("long") + ''[[faug]]'' ("thirst") + ''lîr'' ("jaws").<ref>[http://www.tolkiendil.com/langues/english/i-lam_arth/compound_sindarin_names Compound Sindarin Names]</ref>


== Genealogy ==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| DRA | |DRA=[[Draugluin]]</br><small>''d. {{FA|465}}''</small>}}
{{familytree| |:| | |}}
{{familytree| CAR | |CAR='''CARCHAROTH'''</br><small>''d. {{FA|466}}''</small>}}
{{familytree/end}}


The Silmaril burnt away Carcharoth's insides, and he became crazed with pain. A terror to [[Eldar]], Men and [[Orcs]] alike, he passed south through [[Beleriand]], until he arrived in [[Doriath]]. There Beren Erchamion, Elu [[Thingol]], [[Beleg Cúthalion]] and [[Mablung]] joined with [[Huan]] the Hound to Hunt the Wolf.
== Other versions of the legendarium ==
Originally Carcharoth's name was '''''Karkaras''''', the Knife-fang, who was the father of wolves. He was a great grey wolf.<ref>{{LT2|I}}, p. 21</ref>


Carcharoth was killed by Beren and Huan, but both Beren and Huan were slain. When Mablung cut open the belly of the beast, he found there the Silmaril with Beren's hand still around it, but when he touched the flesh it was swept away by a wind.
'''''Borosaith''''' meaning "Everhungry" is another name for Carcharoth, and it is said to be used in old songs.<ref>{{SM|Q10}}, p. 115, note 9</ref>


The story of Beren losing his hand to Carcharoth was perhaps modelled after the Germanic legend of the god Tyr, who lost his hand to the wolf Fenris.
== Inspiration ==
For the creation of Carcharoth, [[Tolkien]] was clearly influenced by the wolf [[:Wikipedia:Fenrir|Fenrir]] in [[Norse mythology]], who bit off  [[:Wikipedia:Týr|Týr]]'s hand, and was also tormented by ceaseless pains.


[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
{{references}}
{{wolves}}
[[Category:Characters in The Book of Lost Tales]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:First Age characters]]
[[Category:Servants of Melkor]]
[[Category:Sindarin names]]
[[Category:Werewolves]]
[[de:Carcharoth]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:animaux:loups:carcharoth]]
[[fi:Carcharoth]]

Latest revision as of 20:18, 21 May 2023

Carcharoth
Werewolf
Álvaro Fernández González - Carcharoth.jpg
"Carcharoth" by Álvaro Fernández González
Biographical Information
Other namesRed Maw, Anfauglir, Borosaith
LocationAngband
AffiliationMorgoth
BirthMid-First Age
DeathF.A. 466
Neldoreth
Notable forTaking the Silmaril from Beren by biting off his hand
Family
Parentagedescendant of Draugluin
Physical Description
RaceWerewolf
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Carcharoth

Carcharoth was bred from the foul breed of Draugluin, the first Werewolf, and fed with elvish and mannish flesh by Morgoth himself. He was the greatest, most powerful wolf to ever live. Carcharoth was set as a guard on the Gates of Angband, and later he mortally wounded both Huan, the Hound of Valinor, and Beren.[1]

History[edit | edit source]

After hearing of the Fall of Tol-in-Gaurhoth, where Huan had defeated Draugluin and Sauron, Morgoth decided to create a werewolf to kill Huan, who could only be killed by the greatest wolf to have ever lived. Carcharoth became involved with the Quest for the Silmaril when Beren and Lúthien had to pass him on their way into Angband. He stopped them, suspicious of Draugluin, (Beren in disguise) as he had heard of Draugluin's death. Lúthien enchanted him with her magic, but on their way out Carcharoth attacked before Lúthien could enchant him again. Beren held out the captured Silmaril in an attempt to stay the beast, but Carcharoth bit off Beren's hand at the wrist with Silmaril and all.

Huan's Leap by Ted Nasmith

The Silmaril burnt away Carcharoth's insides, and he became crazed with pain. A terror to Eldar, Men and Orcs alike, he passed south through Beleriand, consumed with an overpowering thirst. From this comes his name of Anfauglir, meaning 'Jaws of Thirst'. He arrived in Doriath where Beren, King Thingol, Beleg Cúthalion and Mablung joined with Huan the Hound in the Hunting of the Wolf.

At last, he was discovered within the borders of Doriath itself, where he fought his last fight with Huan: the wolf and the hound took one another's lives in that combat.

Both Beren and Huan were mortally wounded. When Mablung cut open the belly of the beast, he found there the Silmaril with Beren's hand still around it, but when he touched the flesh it was no more.[1]

Etymology[edit | edit source]

The name is translated as Red Maw;[1] the recogniseable Sindarin elements are car(a)n ("red") as well as carach ("jaw")[2] or carch ("fang").[3] Based on the above, perhaps the name can be analyzed into the unattested words *carn (an alternate version of caran) and *caroth ("maw"), the latter ending with the augmentative suffix -oth also seen in Nogoth "(Big) Dwarf" = naug + oth[4] ("maw" = "big jaw").

Note that the final letter of car(a)n + the initial letter of carach/oth- produce the sound ch (IPA: x) with the phenomenon called nasal mutation.[5][6]

His later name Anfauglir, is probably composed of Sindarin and ("long") + faug ("thirst") + lîr ("jaws").[7]

Genealogy[edit | edit source]

Draugluin
d. F.A. 465
 
 
 
 
 
 
CARCHAROTH
d. F.A. 466
 


Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

Originally Carcharoth's name was Karkaras, the Knife-fang, who was the father of wolves. He was a great grey wolf.[8]

Borosaith meaning "Everhungry" is another name for Carcharoth, and it is said to be used in old songs.[9]

Inspiration[edit | edit source]

For the creation of Carcharoth, Tolkien was clearly influenced by the wolf Fenrir in Norse mythology, who bit off Týr's hand, and was also tormented by ceaseless pains.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of Beren and Lúthien"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names", carak- and caran
  3. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies", "KARAK"
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Words, Phrases and Passages in Various Tongues in The Lord of the Rings", in Parma Eldalamberon XVII (edited by Christopher Gilson), p. 45
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Note on Pronunciation"
  6. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix E, "Pronunciation of Words and Names", "Consonants"
  7. Compound Sindarin Names
  8. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "I. The Tale of Tinúviel", p. 21
  9. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Shaping of Middle-earth, "III. The Quenta: [Section] 10", p. 115, note 9


Wolves
Individuals: Carcharoth · Draugluin · Hound of Sauron · (Wolf-Sauron)
Races: Wargs · Werewolves · White Wolves