Trolls: Difference between revisions

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{{race
{{race infobox
|image=[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Three Trolls are turned to Stone (Colored by H.E. Riddett).jpg|250px]]
| name=Trolls
|name= Trolls
| image=[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Three Trolls are turned to Stone (Colored by H.E. Riddett).jpg|250px]]
|dominions=[[Mordor]], various others
| caption="The Three Trolls are turned to Stone" by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] (coloured by [[H.E. Riddett]]
|languages= [[Black Speech]]/none
| pronun=
|height=  
| othernames=
|length=
| origin=Created by [[Morgoth]] in mockery of [[Ents]]
|skincolor= grey, various others
| location=[[Mordor]], [[Ettenmoors]]
|haircolor=
| affiliation=Mostly [[Morgoth]] and [[Sauron]]
|feathers=
| rivalry=[[Ents]]
|distinctions=
| language=[[Black Speech]], various Mannish tongues
|lifespan=  
| people=[[Cave-trolls]], [[Hill-trolls]], [[Mountain-trolls]], [[Olog-hai]], [[Snow-trolls]], [[Stone-trolls]], [[Troll-men]] and [[Half-trolls]]
|members=
| members=[[William]], [[Tom]], [[Bert]]
|}}
| lifespan=
| distinctions=Strong beasts with limited intellect
| height=Large
| hair=
| skin=Grey
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
'''Trolls''' were large monsters of limited intellect.  They were strong and vicious, but they could not endure sunlight.
==History==
[[Morgoth]] created Trolls at the end of the [[First Age]] (twilight of the [[Elder Days]]).<ref name=one>{{App|F1iv}}</ref> Their exact origins are unknown, though it is stated by [[Treebeard|Treebeard]] that Trolls were "made in mockery of" [[Ents]], similar to the way that [[Orcs]] were a twisted parody of the [[Elves]].


'''Trolls''' are very large beings of poor intellect.  They were bred "in mockery" of [[Ents]]. Trolls were found living alone or in clans, and a vast number of them were under [[Sauron]]'s order, forming a part of his army.
Many Trolls died in the [[War of Wrath]], but some survived and joined the forces of [[Sauron]], the greatest surviving servant of Morgoth. In the [[Second Age]] and [[Third Age]], Trolls were among Sauron's most dangerous warriors and breeds of the various kinds of Trolls could be seen in several conflicts.
==History==
 
[[Morgoth]] created Trolls before the [[First Age]]. Trolls were very strong, but they turned to stone in sun light. Many Trolls died in the [[War of Wrath]], but some survived and joined the forces of [[Sauron]], the greatest surviving servant of Morgoth. In the [[Second Age]] and [[Third Age]], Trolls were among Sauron's most dangerous warriors. In the Third Age, Sauron created the ''[[Olog-hai]]'', which were more powerful than earlier breeds of Trolls. While most Trolls cannot bear exposure to sunlight without turning to stone, the Olog-hai apparently could; this attribute is mentioned in [[the Return of the King]] as making them particularly dangerous. During the [[War of the Ring]], Sauron used Olog-hai in the [[Siege of Gondor]] and [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]. In the subsequent Battle at the Black Gate, the hobbit [[Peregrin Took]] killed a large Olog-hai troll. As a result of Sauron's ring being destroyed, [[Black Gate]] and the rest of [[Mordor]] collapsed to ruin during that battle. Most of the Trolls present at the battle were killed, with a very few escaping.  
In the Third Age, Sauron created the ''[[Olog-hai]]'', which were more powerful than earlier breeds of Trolls. While most Trolls cannot bear exposure to sunlight without turning to stone, the Olog-hai apparently could, something that made them particularly dangerous.


==Kinds of Trolls==
==Kinds of Trolls==


In ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', several breeds are mentioned:
* [[Cave-trolls]]
* [[Hill-trolls]]
* [[Mountain-trolls]]
* [[Olog-hai]]
* [[Snow-trolls]]
* [[Stone-trolls]]
* [[Half-trolls]]
*Some trolls are said to have more than one head, perhaps only in legend.<ref>{{H|Mutton}}</ref>
==Names==
 
The [[Sindarin]] word for a "troll" is ''[[torog]]''.<ref name=one/> The [[Black Speech]] equivalent is ''[[olog]]''.<ref>{{PE|17}}, p. 136</ref>
 
The name ''[[Rhudaur]]'' is translated by Tolkien as "Troll shaw", with ''[[rhû]]'' translated as "evil, wicked".<ref>{{PE|17}}, pp. 115, 170</ref>
 
==Other versions of the legendarium==


* Normal Trolls were strong and vicious, but stupid creatures created by Morgoth. Nobody knows how he managed to breed them though it is stated by [[Treebeard|Treebeard]] of the [[Ents]] that Trolls were "made in mockery of"  [[Ents]], similar to the way that [[Orcs]] were bred from captured and tormented [[Elves]]. Tolkien did not discuss in detail the ways in which "good" beings could be corrupted to evil.
In an early chart of different creatures, trolls are given the [[Qenya]] name ''maulir''. [[Patrick H. Wynne]] and [[Christopher Gilson]] have suggested that ''maulir'' is posibly related to Qenya ''maule'' ("crying, weeping"), thus perhaps "referring to cries made by these monsters or to the weeping of their victims".<ref>{{PE|14}}, pp. 7, 9</ref>
* [[Cave-trolls]] seem incapable of speech and it is not clear whether they can move in sunlight.
* The [[Olog-hai]], unlike the original Trolls, seem incapable of speech (though it's said they know [[Black Speech]] and are able to move while exposed to direct sunlight. Apparently [[Sauron]] created them.
*The [[Stone-trolls]] were a race of trolls in the service of Sauron.  
* [[Snow Trolls]], [[Hill-trolls]] and [[Mountain-trolls]] are mentioned, but it is not known how they are related to others, and their abilities. Perhaps the classification refers only to their living habits, not properties.


==Inspiration==
==Inspiration==
[[Wikipedia:Trolls|Trolls]] are a part of the [[Wikipedia:Norse mythology|Norse mythology]] (as a negative synonym for ''jötunn'', "[[giants]]") and [[Wikipedia:Scandinavian folklore|Scandinavian folklore]] (as ugly, large creatures of remote wildlife areas).
[[Wikipedia:Trolls|Trolls]] were originally a part of the [[Wikipedia:Norse mythology|Norse mythology]] (as a negative synonym for ''jötunn'', "[[giants]]") and [[Wikipedia:Scandinavian folklore|Scandinavian folklore]] (as ugly, large creatures of remote wildlife areas).
 
==Other fiction==
 
In ''[[Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Pearl and Sir Orfeo|Sir Gawain and the Green Knight]]'' are mentioned the "wood-trolls" (translated by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] from the [[Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (disambiguation)|manuscript]] word ''wodwos'').<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 555</ref>
 
==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Trolls in adaptations
|width=165
|height=140
|lines=3
|File:The Hobbit (1966 film) - Groan.png|A "Groan" in [[The Hobbit (1966 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1966 film)]]
|File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Trolls.png|[[William]], [[Tom]] and [[Bert]] in [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Cave-troll.jpg|A cave-troll in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings War in the North - Troll.jpg|A troll in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
|File:The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey - Bert, Bill and Tom.jpg|[[William]], [[Tom]] and [[Bert]] in ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Concept art Troll.jpg|Concept art of a '''troll''' for ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]''
}}
===Films===
'''[[1966]]: [[The Hobbit (1966 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1966 film)]]:'''
:The three Trolls' position in the narrative was taken by two creatures called "Groans".<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Gene Deitch]]|articleurl=http://genedeitchcredits.com/roll-the-credits/40-william-l-snyder/#comment-5311|articlename=Comment 5311|dated=25-July-2012|website=[http://genedeitchcredits.com/ genedeitchcredits]|accessed=17-October-2012}}</ref> They had wooden, bark-like skin, and, instead of stone, turned into dead trees when exposed to sunlight.
 
'''[[1978]]: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:The Troll that attempts to enter Balin's Tomb is depicted as a shadowy creature with dark green fur. Unlike in the novel, its feet have toes. It is the only Troll seen in the film.


===Games===
'''[[2011]]: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Compared to other enemies, Trolls are much stronger. Trolls first appear in [[Fornost]], where one traps [[Eradan (video game character)|Eradan]], [[Andriel]] and [[Farin (video game character)|Farin]].<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], Chapter 1: Fornost, ''Outer Wards''</ref> Another troll appears at the end of the level, where Eradan, Andriel and Farin have to protect [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]]. When this Troll is killed, the player is able to enter the Citadel to confront [[Tharzog]] and [[Agandaûr]].<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], Chapter 1: Fornost, ''The Citadel''</ref>
'''[[2014]]: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'':'''
:The Udûn and Sea of Nûrnen regions of Mordor are inhabited by large troll-like creatures known as "Olog Graugs". According to their Nature article in the Appendices menu, Sauron intends to use the Graug to crossbreed with ordinary Trolls, and create a new breed of "hill-trolls" that can withstand direct sunlight. Graugs are very rare in the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game due to technical limitations, but are more abundant in the PS4, PC, and Xbox One versions.
==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Trolls|Images of Trolls]]
{{references}}
[[Category:Races]]
[[Category:Races]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Trolls| ]]
 
[[Category:Servants of Melkor]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[de:Trolle]]
[[de:Trolle]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/trolls/trolls]]
[[fr:encyclo/peuples/trolls/trolls]]
[[fi:Peikot]]
[[fi:Peikot]]

Revision as of 11:51, 14 December 2019

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Trolls
Race
J.R.R. Tolkien - The Three Trolls are turned to Stone (Colored by H.E. Riddett).jpg
"The Three Trolls are turned to Stone" by J.R.R. Tolkien (coloured by H.E. Riddett
General Information
OriginsCreated by Morgoth in mockery of Ents
LocationsMordor, Ettenmoors
AffiliationMostly Morgoth and Sauron
RivalriesEnts
LanguagesBlack Speech, various Mannish tongues
PeopleCave-trolls, Hill-trolls, Mountain-trolls, Olog-hai, Snow-trolls, Stone-trolls, Troll-men and Half-trolls
MembersWilliam, Tom, Bert
Physical Description
DistinctionsStrong beasts with limited intellect
Average heightLarge
Skin colorGrey
GalleryImages of Trolls

Trolls were large monsters of limited intellect. They were strong and vicious, but they could not endure sunlight.

History

Morgoth created Trolls at the end of the First Age (twilight of the Elder Days).[1] Their exact origins are unknown, though it is stated by Treebeard that Trolls were "made in mockery of" Ents, similar to the way that Orcs were a twisted parody of the Elves.

Many Trolls died in the War of Wrath, but some survived and joined the forces of Sauron, the greatest surviving servant of Morgoth. In the Second Age and Third Age, Trolls were among Sauron's most dangerous warriors and breeds of the various kinds of Trolls could be seen in several conflicts.

In the Third Age, Sauron created the Olog-hai, which were more powerful than earlier breeds of Trolls. While most Trolls cannot bear exposure to sunlight without turning to stone, the Olog-hai apparently could, something that made them particularly dangerous.

Kinds of Trolls

Names

The Sindarin word for a "troll" is torog.[1] The Black Speech equivalent is olog.[3]

The name Rhudaur is translated by Tolkien as "Troll shaw", with rhû translated as "evil, wicked".[4]

Other versions of the legendarium

In an early chart of different creatures, trolls are given the Qenya name maulir. Patrick H. Wynne and Christopher Gilson have suggested that maulir is posibly related to Qenya maule ("crying, weeping"), thus perhaps "referring to cries made by these monsters or to the weeping of their victims".[5]

Inspiration

Trolls were originally a part of the Norse mythology (as a negative synonym for jötunn, "giants") and Scandinavian folklore (as ugly, large creatures of remote wildlife areas).

Other fiction

In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight are mentioned the "wood-trolls" (translated by J.R.R. Tolkien from the manuscript word wodwos).[6]

Portrayal in adaptations

Trolls in adaptations
A "Groan" in The Hobbit (1966 film)  

Films

1966: The Hobbit (1966 film):

The three Trolls' position in the narrative was taken by two creatures called "Groans".[7] They had wooden, bark-like skin, and, instead of stone, turned into dead trees when exposed to sunlight.

1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):

The Troll that attempts to enter Balin's Tomb is depicted as a shadowy creature with dark green fur. Unlike in the novel, its feet have toes. It is the only Troll seen in the film.

Games

2011: The Lord of the Rings: War in the North:

Compared to other enemies, Trolls are much stronger. Trolls first appear in Fornost, where one traps Eradan, Andriel and Farin.[8] Another troll appears at the end of the level, where Eradan, Andriel and Farin have to protect Elladan and Elrohir. When this Troll is killed, the player is able to enter the Citadel to confront Tharzog and Agandaûr.[9]

2014: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor:

The Udûn and Sea of Nûrnen regions of Mordor are inhabited by large troll-like creatures known as "Olog Graugs". According to their Nature article in the Appendices menu, Sauron intends to use the Graug to crossbreed with ordinary Trolls, and create a new breed of "hill-trolls" that can withstand direct sunlight. Graugs are very rare in the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game due to technical limitations, but are more abundant in the PS4, PC, and Xbox One versions.

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age", "Of Other Races"
  2. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Roast Mutton"
  3. 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. 136
  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), pp. 115, 170
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, "Early Qenya and The Valmaric Script", in Parma Eldalamberon XIV (edited by Carl F. Hostetter, Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, Patrick H. Wynne, and Bill Welden), pp. 7, 9
  6. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 555
  7. Gene Deitch, "Comment 5311" dated 25 July 2012, genedeitchcredits (accessed 17 October 2012)
  8. The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, Chapter 1: Fornost, Outer Wards
  9. The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, Chapter 1: Fornost, The Citadel