Fairies: Difference between revisions
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==Inspiration and Etymology== | ==Inspiration and Etymology== | ||
[[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s concept of ''Faërie'' uses a deliberate variant spelling of ''fairy''. While both spellings derive from [[Middle English]] ''faie'' ("possessing magical powers"), the name ''fairy'' | [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s concept of ''Faërie'' uses a deliberate variant spelling of ''fairy''. While both spellings derive from [[Middle English]] ''faie'' ("possessing magical powers"), the name ''fairy'' carries connotations of 'prettiness'. Tolkien wanted to distance himself from this modern sense, and by using ''Faërie'' (variants included ''Faery'' and ''Fayery'') he sought "''connotations older and considerably darker''".<ref>{{HM|OFS}}, p. 85</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== |
Revision as of 07:14, 10 June 2012
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- "It was often said (in other families) that long ago one of the Took ancestors must have taken a fairy wife."
- ― J.R.R. Tolkien[1]
Fairies were creatures of Hobbit legend, only mentioned fleetingly.[1] If such creatures ever existed, it is possible that the Fairies of the Third Age were among the "servants and helpers" of the Maiar (mentioned in Elven chronicles)[2] — lesser spirits that would have remained in Middle-earth (and would thus be equivalent to the Sprites).
Other versions of the legendarium
In early writings of the legendarium, Fairies was a name for the Elves.[3][4][5]
Names
Faërie, Faëry, Faery [...]
Inspiration and Etymology
J.R.R. Tolkien's concept of Faërie uses a deliberate variant spelling of fairy. While both spellings derive from Middle English faie ("possessing magical powers"), the name fairy carries connotations of 'prettiness'. Tolkien wanted to distance himself from this modern sense, and by using Faërie (variants included Faery and Fayery) he sought "connotations older and considerably darker".[6]
See also
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "An Unexpected Party"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Valaquenta: Of the Maiar"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, passim
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, passim
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "I-Lam na-Ngoldathon: The Grammar and Lexicon of the Gnomish Tongue", in Parma Eldalamberon XI (edited by Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, and Patrick H. Wynne), p. 70 (note on name Tilith)
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Verlyn Flieger, Douglas A. Anderson (eds.), Tolkien On Fairy-stories: Expanded edition, with commentary and notes, p. 85
Legendary races of Arda | |
Animals: | Dumbledors · Gorcrows · Hummerhorns · Pards · Swans of Gorbelgod · Turtle-fish |
---|---|
Dragon-kind: | Sea-serpents · Spark-dragons · Were-worms |
Evil Races: | Ettens · Giants · Half-trolls · Hobgoblins · Ogres · Snow-trolls · Two-headed Trolls |
Other: | Badger-folk · Great beasts · Lintips · Mewlips · Nameless things · Spectres |
Individuals: | Talking Gurthang · Talking purse · The Hunter · Lady of the Sun · Lonely Troll · Man in the Moon · The Rider · River-woman · Tarlang · Tim · Tom · White cow |