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'''Fish''' were vertebrate animals living in many of [[Arda]]'s waters. It provided a main source of income for various shore communities such as [[Nindamos]] in [[Númenor]] and the [[Ethir Anduin|Ethir]] in [[Gondor]]. [[Hobbits]] also fished, though seem to be the only ones who used the method of angling rather than netting: [[the Golden Perch]] was said to be a favourite spot for anglers. [[Gollum]] developed an altogether different, and rather basic, way of capturing his most beloved food: by hand.
<center>{{quote|The rock and pool, <br>is nice and cool.<br> So Juicy Sweet!<br>Our only wish<br> is to catch a fish.<br>So juicy sweet!|[[Gollum]]<ref name="Pool">{{TT|Pool}}</ref>}}</center>
'''Fish''' were common throughout the bodies of water in [[Arda]].  


[[category:Animals]]
==History==
[[category:Food]]
Fish formed the chief source of food in [[Númenor]], as it was abundant throughout the coast of the island. The fisherfolk dwelt mainly in [[Nindamos]], built on the hards of a marshy land. [[Guild of Venturers|Mariners]] of Númenor were mostly drawn from the fisher folk.<ref name="Descr">{{UT|Numenor}}</ref> 
 
When the [[Númenóreans]] travelled to [[Middle-earth]], they encountered the [[Pre-Númenóreans|primitive tribes]] there. Though some of them, along the mouths of [[Morthond]] and [[Gwathló]], had crude fisheries, they had fallen out of use as its people fled towards the mountains.<ref>{{UT|Druedain}}</ref><ref>{{PM|Elmar}}</ref> The [[Stoors]] that dwelt in the [[Vales of Anduin]] also had fish as their main food. Two of them, [[Déagol]] and [[Sméagol]], were fishing when they found [[the One Ring]], lost in the river [[Anduin]].<ref name="Shadow">{{FR|Shadow}}</ref>
 
The [[Gondorians]], much like their forefathers, ate fish. The [[Ethir Anduin|Ethir]] was populated by fisher-folk, who often went out to [[Belegaer|sea]] on boats,<ref name='MT">{{RK|MT}}</ref> because fishing was the most profitable business.<ref>{{PM|Shadow}}</ref>
 
Though [[Hobbits]] did not generally hunt or fish for leasure,<ref>{{FR|Hobbits}}</ref> they did angle for food now and then. One of the favourite spots for anglers was near ''[[The Golden Perch]]'', which took its name for the golden fish that swam there.<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]]; [[Wayne G. Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull]] (eds.), "[[Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings|Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings]]", in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'' by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull, p. 771</ref>
 
==Names==
 
The [[Quenya]] name for "fish" is ''[[lingwe]]'' (Quenya also has a word for "(small) fish", ''[[hala]]''). The [[Noldorin]] name, derived from the same [[Sundocarme|root]] is ''[[lhimb]]'' or ''lhim'', and [[Doriathrin]] has ''[[líw]]''.<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}} (roots [[KHAL|KHAL<sup>1</sup>-]] and [[LIW|LIW-]])</ref>
 
In [[Gnomish]], one of [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s early conceptions of an [[Elvish|Elven]] language, "fish" is ''ing'', and "young of fish, small fry" is ''igli''.<ref>{{PE|11}}, p. 51</ref>
 
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]:'''
:Gollum throws a fish called "Xiphiidae" at [[Aragorn]].<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]], "[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)#River Anduin|River Anduin-Amon Hen]]"</ref> It becomes Aragorn's most dangerous weapon. Xiphiidae are swordfish. Swordfish are saltwater fish, but that matter is overlooked here.
 
'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar]]'':'''
:As of the thirteenth book, ''[[Doom of the Last-King]]'', fishing became a "hobby", a pastime for players.<ref>"[http://www.lotro.com/component/content/article/190-book-13-doom-of-the-last-king-all-in-mail-never-clinking-fishing-in-lotro Book 13: Doom of the Last-king – All in Mail, Never Clinking – Fishing in LOTRO]", [http://www.lotro.com/trial/index.php Lotro.com], dated [[15 April|April 15]], [[2008]] (accessed 31 August 2010)</ref>
{{references}}
[[Category:Animals]]
[[Category:Food]]

Revision as of 15:17, 19 December 2012

"The rock and pool,
is nice and cool.
So Juicy Sweet!
Our only wish
is to catch a fish.
So juicy sweet!"
― Gollum[1]

Fish were common throughout the bodies of water in Arda.

History

Fish formed the chief source of food in Númenor, as it was abundant throughout the coast of the island. The fisherfolk dwelt mainly in Nindamos, built on the hards of a marshy land. Mariners of Númenor were mostly drawn from the fisher folk.[2]

When the Númenóreans travelled to Middle-earth, they encountered the primitive tribes there. Though some of them, along the mouths of Morthond and Gwathló, had crude fisheries, they had fallen out of use as its people fled towards the mountains.[3][4] The Stoors that dwelt in the Vales of Anduin also had fish as their main food. Two of them, Déagol and Sméagol, were fishing when they found the One Ring, lost in the river Anduin.[5]

The Gondorians, much like their forefathers, ate fish. The Ethir was populated by fisher-folk, who often went out to sea on boats,[6] because fishing was the most profitable business.[7]

Though Hobbits did not generally hunt or fish for leasure,[8] they did angle for food now and then. One of the favourite spots for anglers was near The Golden Perch, which took its name for the golden fish that swam there.[9]

Names

The Quenya name for "fish" is lingwe (Quenya also has a word for "(small) fish", hala). The Noldorin name, derived from the same root is lhimb or lhim, and Doriathrin has líw.[10]

In Gnomish, one of Tolkien's early conceptions of an Elven language, "fish" is ing, and "young of fish, small fry" is igli.[11]

Portrayal in adaptations

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):

Gollum throws a fish called "Xiphiidae" at Aragorn.[12] It becomes Aragorn's most dangerous weapon. Xiphiidae are swordfish. Swordfish are saltwater fish, but that matter is overlooked here.

2006: The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar:

As of the thirteenth book, Doom of the Last-King, fishing became a "hobby", a pastime for players.[13]

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Forbidden Pool"
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "A Description of the Island of Númenor"
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), Unfinished Tales, "The Drúedain"
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XVII. Tal-Elmar"
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "The Shadow of the Past"
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Minas Tirith"
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Peoples of Middle-earth, "XVI. The New Shadow"
  8. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, "Prologue", "Concerning Hobbits"
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien; Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds.), "Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings", in The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion by Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull, p. 771
  10. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies" (roots KHAL1- and LIW-)
  11. ↑ 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. 51
  12. ↑ The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game), "River Anduin-Amon Hen"
  13. ↑ "Book 13: Doom of the Last-king – All in Mail, Never Clinking – Fishing in LOTRO", Lotro.com, dated April 15, 2008 (accessed 31 August 2010)
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