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Back Door

2026-04-07T17:59:32Z

Omeganian:

{{disambig-two|the secret entrance to the [[Lonely Mountain]]|eastern exit of [[Goblin-town]] also known as the "back-door"|[[Goblin-gate]]}}
The '''Back Door''' was the secret entrance on the western side of [[Lonely Mountain|the Lonely Mountain]]. It opened into the passage that led to bottommost cellar of the halls of the dwarves.

[[Image:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Lonely Mountain.jpg|thumb|300px|J.R.R. Tolkien's schematic drawing of the Lonely Mountain with the secret entrance, labeled the "Back Door", in the center.]]

The Back Door’s dimensions were described on [[Thrór's Map]] as: "Five feet high the door and three may walk abreast." When [[Gandalf]] brought out the map at the unexpected party in [[Bilbo Baggins]]' home he also produced the small and curious silver key with a long barrel and intricate wards, which would open the door.<ref>{{H|Party}}</ref> Later, [[Elrond]] was given permission to examine Thrór's Map and discovered the [[moon-letters]] which revealed the method of opening the door. Elrond read them out as: "Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks and the setting sun with the last light of [[Durin's Day]] will shine upon the key-hole."<ref>{{H|Rest}}</ref> Presumably, some other way existed to open it, at least from the inside, since Thrór and Thráin seem to have used it in order to escape during Smaug's attack, but that way is unknown.<ref>{{H|Party}}</ref>

When Bilbo and the dwarves reached the Lonely Mountain they eventually found rough steps that led upwards to a little steep-walled bay above a cliff. In the back was a flat wall that rose as smooth and upright as masons' work. Although without any sign of a post or lintel or threshold, nor any sign of bar or bolt or key-hole, they knew that they had found the door. Days passed and then, on Durin's Day, a thrush came to a grey stone in the bay and knocked a snail against the rock. Right at sunset a last gleam of light struck the smooth rock-face and with a crack a flake of rock fell from the wall and revealed a keyhole. After [[Thorin]] turned the key in the hole the dwarves pushed the door inward and the way into the mountain was opened.<ref>{{H|Doorstep}}</ref>
{{references}}
{{companyroute}}
[[Category:Doors and gates]]
[[fi:Sivuovi (Erebor)]]

Far over the misty mountains cold

2026-01-11T12:29:47Z

Omeganian: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{Unnamed}}
[[File:Lord of the Rings Adventure Game - Over the Misty Mountains Cold.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Over the Misty Mountains Cold - ''[[Lord of the Rings Adventure Game]]'']]
"'''Far over the misty mountains cold'''" is the first line of a poem found within the chapter "[[An Unexpected Party]]" of ''[[The Hobbit]]''.

==History==
While at [[Bag End]] after the unexpected party, [[Thorin]] and [[Thorin and Company|Company]] brought out their [[Musical instruments#Dwarven musical instruments|instruments]] and began to sing. This is said to be ''"like a fragment of their song, if it can be like their song without music."'' Their powerful singing roused the "[[Tooks|Tookish]]" side of [[Bilbo]], and for a moment a desire to explore and adventure came upon him, although the thought of plundering [[dragons]] quickly restored his less adventurous "[[Baggins]]" nature.

==Text==
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Far over the misty mountains cold.mp3|thumb|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] reads ''Far over the misty mountains cold'']]
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold.

The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,
While hammers fell like ringing bells
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells.

For ancient king and elvish lord
There many a gleaming golden hoard
They shaped and wrought, and light they caught
To hide in gems on hilt of sword.

On silver necklaces they strung
The flowering stars, on crowns they hung
The dragon-fire, in twisted wire
They meshed the light of moon and sun.

Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away, ere break of day,
To claim our long-forgotten gold.

Goblets they carved there for themselves
And harps of gold; where no man delves
There lay they long, and many a song
Was sung unheard by men or elves.

The pines were roaring on the height,
The winds were moaning in the night.
The fire was red, it flaming spread;
The trees like torches blazed with light.

The bells were ringing in the dale
And men looked up with faces pale;
Then dragon’s ire more fierce than fire
Laid low their towers and houses frail.

The mountain smoked beneath the moon;
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom.
They fled their hall, to dying fall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.

Far over the misty mountains grim
To dungeons deep and caverns dim
We must away, ere break of day,
To win our harps and gold from him!
</poem>

Later that night, while Bilbo lay in bed trying to fall asleep, he could still hear Thorin humming in the next room over:
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away, ere break of day,
To find our long-forgotten gold.
</poem>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Parts of the song are sung by the dwarves of Thorin's Company when they meet Bilbo for the first time. They sing it again at Bag End, before Bilbo decides to join them on their quest. Finally, the song is reprised after the death of Smaug, during the dwarves' preparations for the defence of Erebor. The song is the last track on the official soundtrack and is titled "[[Misty Mountains Cold]]".

'''1985: [[The Hobbit (1985 television film)|''The Hobbit'' (1985 television film)]]'''
:The song is sang by the dwarves as they are walking through the forest, shortly before being captured by the goblins. Verses 3 through 7 are left out in that version.

'''1989: [[Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series)|''Hobit'' (1989 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:This radio miniseries adapts the song in a heavily abbreviated version. The dwarves sing it several times throughout the radio play. The lyrics are also more of a loose translation or interpretation of the novel's original lyrics. They do not examine the backstory of the [[Sack of Erebor]] and the dwarves' exile from Erebor in-depth.

'''2001 ''[[Summoning|Let mortal heroes sing your fame (2001 CD)- In hollow halls beneath the fells]]'':'''
:Black metal tolkien-based band Summoning adapts the song in this title.

'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''
:A modified version of the song is sung by [[Thorin]] ([[Richard Armitage]]) and the [[Thorin and Company|rest of the Company]] during the unexpected party at [[Bag End]]. [[Neil Finn]] also sings a variation of the song entitled "[[Song of the Lonely Mountain]]" in the ending credits of the film.

==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4koD_SN7QXA Performed by Clamavi De Profundis]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erkv1-_xR7U Performed by Geoff Castellucci]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhqfiGLuWaY Über die Nebelberge weit gesammt] ''(Rendition from the late 1970s German radio adaptation of The Hobbit)''
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaMpnl4DrVM Performed by Rachel Hardy] ''(Abbreviated version, using the lyrics of the 2012 motion picture *The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey*)''
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9dHIcRlsLI The version from the 1985 TV movie]

==See also==
*[[Poems in The Hobbit]]
*[[The wind was on the withered heath]]

[[Category:Poems in The Hobbit]]
[[de:Zweites Lied der Zwerge in Beutelsend]]
[[fi:Yli sumuisten kylmien vuorten noiden]]

The Road Goes Ever On (song)

2026-01-09T19:47:47Z

Omeganian: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{disambig-more|The Road Goes Ever On|[[The Road Goes Ever On (disambiguation)]]}}
[[File:Matěj Čadil - The Road Goes Ever On-2023.jpg|thumb|"The Road Goes Ever On" by [[:Category:Images by Matěj Čadil|Matěj Čadil]]]]
'''The Road Goes Ever On''' was a '''walking-song''' by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], fictionally written by [[Bilbo Baggins]]; verses of it are sung at various places in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''. This poem was set to music by [[Donald Swann]];<ref>{{RGEO|1}}</ref> the sheet music and an audio recording are part of the song-cycle aptly named ''[[The Road Goes Ever On (book)|The Road Goes Ever On, A Song Cycle]]''.

== ''The Hobbit'' ==
The original version of the song is recited by [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] in the last chapter of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', at the end of his journey back to [[the Shire]]. Coming to the top of a rise he sees his home in the distance, and stops and says the following:
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
Roads go ever ever on,
Over rock and under tree,
By caves where never sun has shone,
By streams that never find the sea;
Over snow by winter sown,
And through the merry flowers of June,
Over grass and over stone,
And under mountains in the moon.

Roads go ever ever on
Under cloud and under star,
Yet feet that wandering have gone
Turn at last to home afar.
Eyes that fire and sword have seen
And horror in the halls of stone
Look at last on meadows green
And trees and hills they long have known.<ref>{{H|Stage}}</ref>
</poem>

== ''The Lord of the Rings'' ==
There are three versions of this walking song in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - The Road Goes Ever On.mp3|thumb|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] reads The Road Goes Ever On]]
The first is sung by [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] when he leaves [[the Shire]] and is setting off to visit [[Rivendell]]:
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
The Road goes ever on and on,
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.<ref>{{FR|I1}}</ref>
</poem>
The second version is identical except for changing the word "eager" to "weary" in the fifth line. It is spoken aloud, slowly, by [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], as he and his companions pause on their way to [[Crickhollow]], looking beyond to lands that some of them have never seen before.<ref>{{FR|I3}}</ref>

The third version is spoken by Bilbo in Rivendell after the hobbits have returned from their journey. Bilbo is now an old, sleepy hobbit, who murmurs the verse and then falls asleep.

<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
The Road goes ever on and on
Out from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
Let others follow it who can!
Let them a journey new begin,
But I at last with weary feet
Will turn towards the lighted inn,
My evening-rest and sleep to meet.<ref>{{RK|VI6}}</ref>
</poem>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Sections of the poem are sung during the trip through [[Mirkwood]]. It appears on the soundtrack titled "Roads".

'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''
:A song inspired by the poem is sung at the end of the film called "[[Roads Go Ever, Ever On]]".

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:Bilbo sings the song as he leaves [[Bag End]]. It is sung by [[John Le Mesurier]] to a tune by [[Stephen Oliver]].

'''1985: [[The Hobbit (1985 television film)|''The Hobbit'' (1985 television film)]]'''
:Bilbo sings the second verse of the song at the end of the film.

'''1997: [[An Evening in Rivendell]]:'''
:The Tolkien Ensemble adapted an original melody to the song, composed by Caspar Reiff.

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:Parts of the [[Bag End (soundtrack)|song]] are sung by [[Gandalf]] in his first appearance, and also by Bilbo as he leaves [[Bag End]].

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (musical)]]'':'''
:The poem is the basis of the song "The Road Goes On" sung by Sam, Frodo, Merry, and Pippin in the first act.

'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''
:Lines of the poem partially make up the lyrics of [[The Last Goodbye]], performed by [[Billy Boyd]] for the credits of the film.

==See also==
*[[Poems in The Hobbit|Poems in ''The Hobbit'']]
* [[Poems in The Lord of the Rings|Poems in ''The Lord of the Rings'']]

==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B6dsfGazyI The Road Goes Ever On] sung by [[Clamavi De Profundis]]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=300eI6WSIlc "Ever On"] by Chance Thomas, ft. David Osmond

{{references}}
{{title}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Road Goes Ever On}}
[[Category:Poems in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Poems in The Fellowship of the Ring]]
[[Category:Poems in The Return of the King]]
[[Category:Songs]]
[[de:Altes Wanderlied]]
[[fi:Tie vain jatkuu jatkumistaan]]

The King beneath the mountains

2026-01-09T19:42:32Z

Omeganian: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{stub}}
'''The King beneath the mountains''' is a poem about the [[King under the Mountain]].<ref>{{H|Welcome}}</ref> This song was sung by the [[Lake-men|people]] of [[Lake-town]] upon the arrival of [[Thorin Oakenshield]] and the [[Thorin and Company|Company]]. It was a prophecy made after the [[Sack of Erebor|fall]] of [[Erebor]] and [[Dale]] about [[Thrór]] and [[Thráin]].
==Text==
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
The King beneath the mountains,
The King of carven stone,
The lord of silver fountains
Shall come into his own!

His crown shall be upholden,
His harp shall be restrung,
His halls shall echo golden
To songs of yore re-sung.

The woods shall wave on mountains
And grass beneath the sun;
His wealth shall flow in fountains
And the rivers golden run.

The streams shall run in gladness,
The lakes shall shine and burn,
All sorrow fail and sadness
At the Mountain-king's return!
</poem>

==Other==
Then suddenly a great light appeared in the low place in the hills and the northern end of the lake turned golden.

<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
"The King beneath the mountain!"
</poem>
They shouted.
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
"His wealth is like the Sun,
His silver like a fountain,
His rivers golden run!"
</poem>
They cried, and everywhere windows were opening and feet were hurrying.

==See also==
* [[Poems in The Hobbit]]
==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:The song, adapted as "[[The Mountain King's Return]]" plays in the background as [[Thorin and Company]] meet [[Bard| Bard the Bowman]] in [[Lake-town]].
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
The streams shall run in gladness,
The lakes shall shine and burn.
All sorrow fail and sadness
At the Mountain King's return!

The King beneath the mountain,
The King of carven stone,
The lord of silver fountains
Shall come into his own!

The streams shall run in gladness,
The lakes shall shine and burn.
All sorrow fail and sadness
At the Mountain King's return!

His crown shall be upholden,
His harp shall be restrung.
His halls shall echo golden
To songs of yore re-sung.
</poem>

'''1985: [[The Hobbit (1985 television film)|''The Hobbit'' (1985 television film)]]'''
:The first three verses are sang in the movie, with considerable changes from the book translation the movie is based upon.

'''[[2013]]: ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'''''
:[[Bard]] notices that one of the [[Dwarves]] he is hosting is named [[Thorin]], and realizes their identity after consulting an old tapestry showing the King's Line. Upon hearing someone mention the 'Lord of Silver Fountains', he remembers the "prophecy". The words of the prophecy in the film mirror the first and fourth stanza of the poem but re-arranged and with the focus of the second part altered to make it a prophecy of dread rather than a celebration of joy:

<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
The lord of silver fountains
The King of carven stone,
The King beneath the mountains,
Shall come into his own!

And the bells shall ring in gladness,
At the Mountain-king's return!
But all shall fail in sadness
And the lake will shine and burn,
</poem>

As the final line is delivered, the camera lingers on the Sunset over the Long Lake.

==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7JH-I3iJyI Rendition by Clamavi De Profundis]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbXDSTLlZzA Rendition by Karliene]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fu6aMRGnKK0 Rendition by Runcible Spoon]

{{references}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:King beneath the mountains, The}}
[[Category:Poems in The Hobbit]]

Old fat spider spinning in a tree!

2026-01-09T19:36:10Z

Omeganian: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{unnamed}}
{{Poem infobox
| title="Old fat spider spinning in a tree!"
| other names=
| written=Before [[1937]]
| revised=Before [[1937]]
| published=''[[The Hobbit]]'', ''[[The History of The Hobbit]]''
| subject=[[Spiders]]
}}

"'''Old fat spider spinning in a tree!'''" is the first line of a poem written by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] that was published in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' in [[1937]].<ref name=hobbit>{{H|8}}</ref>

==First stanza==
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
Old fat spider spinning in a tree!
Old fat spider can’t see me!
Attercop! Attercop!
Won't you stop,
Stop your spinning and look for me?<ref name=hobbit/></poem>

==History==
[[Bilbo Baggins]] sang this poem to distract the [[spiders]] while attempting to save [[Thorin]] and his [[Thorin and Company|companions]] in [[Mirkwood]].<ref name=hobbit/>

==Background==
Tolkien first wrote the poem on some plot notes before he subsequently made minor changes to it.<ref name=history>{{HH|PNA}}, note 15</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Though it was omitted from the final film, a version of the song appears on [[The Hobbit: The Complete Original Soundtrack|the soundtrack]], titled "[[Old Fat Spider]]". The vocals were performed by [[Glenn Yarbrough]].

'''1985: [[The Hobbit (1985 television film)|''The Hobbit'' (1985 television film)]]'''
:The words are used by Bilbo as in the book, though without singing.

==See also==
* [[Poems in The Hobbit|Poems in ''The Hobbit'']]

{{references}}

[[Category:Poems in The Hobbit]]
[[fi:Vanha paksu hämähäkki]]

Chip the glasses and crack the plates!

2026-01-09T19:30:22Z

Omeganian: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{Unnamed}}
'''Chip the glasses and crack the plates!''' is a poem in the chapter "[[An Unexpected Party]]" of ''[[The Hobbit]]''.

==History==
On the day of the unexpected party in [[Bilbo Baggins]]' home the [[Thorin and Company|13 dwarves]] and [[Gandalf]] arrived at tea time. After they were fed, Bilbo began to clear away the plates and glasses but when [[Thorin]] declared, "Now to clear up!" all of the other dwarves jumped up, piled all the dishes most precariously, and carried them into the kitchen. Bilbo nearly squeaked with fright, believing that his dishes might be ruined. The amused dwarves sang this song that described all of the kitchen horrors that seemed about to happen, but of course none of them did.<ref>{{H|Party}}</ref>

==Text==
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
Chip the glasses and crack the plates!
Blunt the knives and bend the forks!
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates—
Smash the bottles and burn the corks!

Cut the cloth and tread on the fat!
Pour the milk on the pantry floor!
Leave the bones on the bedroom mat!
Splash the wine on every door!

Dump the crocks in a boiling bowl;
Pound them up with a thumping pole;
And when you’ve finished if any are whole,
Send them down the hall to roll!

That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!
So, carefully! carefully with the plates!
</poem>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey - That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!.jpg|thumb|250px|The scene at the conclusion of the singing of "Chip the glasses and crack the plates" in ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'']]
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:"Chip the glasses and crack the plates" was adapted as "[[That's What Bilbo Baggins Hates]]" and was included in ''[[The Hobbit: The Complete Original Soundtrack]]''.

'''1985: [[The Hobbit (1985 television film)|''The Hobbit'' (1985 television film)]]'''
:The song is sang by the gnomes as in the book, with minor differences from the version written in the book translation that the film is based upon. Most phrases are repeated twice.

'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''
:"Chip the glasses and crack the plates" was adapted as "[[Blunt the Knives]]" and was performed by the dwarves (without Thorin) during the Unexpected Party. It was included in the [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Special Edition|special edition soundtrack]].

==See also==
*[[Poems in The Hobbit|Poems in ''The Hobbit'']]
*[[That's What Bilbo Baggins Hates]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Poems in The Hobbit]]
[[de:Erstes Lied der Zwerge in Beutelsend]]

Chip the glasses and crack the plates!

2026-01-09T19:30:01Z

Omeganian: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{Unnamed}}
'''Chip the glasses and crack the plates!''' is a poem in the chapter "[[An Unexpected Party]]" of ''[[The Hobbit]]''.

==History==
On the day of the unexpected party in [[Bilbo Baggins]]' home the [[Thorin and Company|13 dwarves]] and [[Gandalf]] arrived at tea time. After they were fed, Bilbo began to clear away the plates and glasses but when [[Thorin]] declared, "Now to clear up!" all of the other dwarves jumped up, piled all the dishes most precariously, and carried them into the kitchen. Bilbo nearly squeaked with fright, believing that his dishes might be ruined. The amused dwarves sang this song that described all of the kitchen horrors that seemed about to happen, but of course none of them did.<ref>{{H|Party}}</ref>

==Text==
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
Chip the glasses and crack the plates!
Blunt the knives and bend the forks!
That's what Bilbo Baggins hates—
Smash the bottles and burn the corks!

Cut the cloth and tread on the fat!
Pour the milk on the pantry floor!
Leave the bones on the bedroom mat!
Splash the wine on every door!

Dump the crocks in a boiling bowl;
Pound them up with a thumping pole;
And when you’ve finished if any are whole,
Send them down the hall to roll!

That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!
So, carefully! carefully with the plates!
</poem>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[File:The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey - That's what Bilbo Baggins hates!.jpg|thumb|250px|The scene at the conclusion of the singing of "Chip the glasses and crack the plates" in ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'']]
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:"Chip the glasses and crack the plates" was adapted as "[[That's What Bilbo Baggins Hates]]" and was included in ''[[The Hobbit: The Complete Original Soundtrack]]''.

'''1985: [[The Hobbit (1985 television film)|''The Hobbit'' (1985 television film)]]'''
:The song is sang by the gnomes as in the book, with minor differences from the version written in the book translation that the film is based upon. Most lines are repeated twice.

'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''
:"Chip the glasses and crack the plates" was adapted as "[[Blunt the Knives]]" and was performed by the dwarves (without Thorin) during the Unexpected Party. It was included in the [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Special Edition|special edition soundtrack]].

==See also==
*[[Poems in The Hobbit|Poems in ''The Hobbit'']]
*[[That's What Bilbo Baggins Hates]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Poems in The Hobbit]]
[[de:Erstes Lied der Zwerge in Beutelsend]]

Clap! Snap! the black crack!

2026-01-09T19:23:26Z

Omeganian: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{Unnamed}}
[[File:Blake Henriksen - Grip, Grab! Pinch, Nab!.jpg|thumb|250px|right|"Grip, Grab! Pinch, Nab!" by [[:Category:Images by Blake Henriksen|Blake Henriksen]]]]
'''Clap! Snap! the black crack!''' is the song sung by the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains|goblins]] as they descend into [[Goblin-town]] after capturing [[Thorin]], the dwarves, and [[Bilbo Baggins]] (but not [[Gandalf]]). The goblins kept time by the flap of their flat feet upon the stone floor of the passage. As they sang they brought out whips to force the dwarves and the hobbit to run as fast as they could.<ref>{{H|Hill}}</ref>

The first stanza refers to the capture of Thorin's company in their "[[Front Porch]]", the seemingly small cave the company had taken shelter in while traversing the [[Misty Mountains|mountains]]. The second and third stanzas indicate that the captives will be turned into hard-working slaves of the goblins far within the mountains.

==Poem excerpt==
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">Clap! Snap! the black crack!
Grip, grab! Pinch, nab!
And down down to Goblin-town
You go, my lad!</poem>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:When the [[Orcs|Goblins]] ambush [[Thorin and Company]] in the cave, they sing a version of the song. It is titled on [[The Hobbit: The Complete Original Soundtrack|the soundtrack]] "[[Down, Down, To Goblin Town]]".
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
Crush, smack! Whip crack!
Smash, grab! Pinch, nab!
You go, my lad!
Ho, ho! my lad!

The black crack! the black crack!
The black crack! the black crack!
Down down to Goblin-town
Down down to Goblin-town
Down down to Goblin-town
You go, my lad!
Ho, ho! my lad!

Goblins quaff, and Goblins beat
Goblins laugh, and Goblins bleat
Batter, jabber, whip and hammer hoooooo!
You go, my lad!
Ho, ho! my lad!

Below, my lad!
Ho, ho! my lad!

The black crack! the black crack!
The black crack! the black crack!
Down, down to Goblin-town
Down, down to Goblin-town
Down, down to Goblin-town
You go, my lad!
Ho, ho! my lad!
</poem>

'''1985: [[The Hobbit (1985 television film)|''The Hobbit'' (1985 television film)]]'''
:The song is sang by the goblins as they capture the company. It has minor differences from the version written in the book translation that the film is based upon,

'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''
:In the Extended Edition, the Great Goblin is introduced singing the song with the rest of his subjects as the Dwarves arrive, just before he interrogates them. Once he finishes, he asks the Dwarves what they think of his composition. [[Balin]] retorts that it isn't a song, but an "abomination".
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
Clap! Snap! The black crack!
Grip, grab, pinch, and nab!
Batter and beat! Make ‘em stammer and squeak!
Pound pound, far underground
Down, down, down in Goblin Town
(Down, down, down in Goblin Town)

With a swish and smack
And a whip and a crack
Everybody talks when they’re on my rack
Pound pound, far underground
Down, down, down in Goblin Town
(Down, down, down in Goblin Town)

Hammer and tongs, get out your knockers and gongs
You won't last long on the end of my prongs
Clash, crash, crush and smash!
Bang, break, shiver and shake!
You can yammer and yelp, but there ain't no help!
Pound pound, far underground
Down, down, down in Goblin Town
</poem>

:The [[Great Goblin]] later sings a brief variation of the song while his guards search through the Dwarves' inventory, ending just as they discover [[Orcrist]] in Thorin's possession.
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
Bones will be shattered, necks will be wrung!
You'll be beaten and battered, from racks you'll be hung!
You will die down here and never be found!
Down in the deep of Goblin-town!
</poem>

==See also==
* [[Poems in The Hobbit]]

{{references}}
[[Category:Poems in The Hobbit]]
[[fi:Lyökää, lätkikää, mätkikää]]

Far over the misty mountains cold

2026-01-09T19:04:29Z

Omeganian: /* External links */

{{Unnamed}}
[[File:Lord of the Rings Adventure Game - Over the Misty Mountains Cold.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Over the Misty Mountains Cold - ''[[Lord of the Rings Adventure Game]]'']]
"'''Far over the misty mountains cold'''" is the first line of a poem found within the chapter "[[An Unexpected Party]]" of ''[[The Hobbit]]''.

==History==
While at [[Bag End]] after the unexpected party, [[Thorin]] and [[Thorin and Company|Company]] brought out their [[Musical instruments#Dwarven musical instruments|instruments]] and began to sing. This is said to be ''"like a fragment of their song, if it can be like their song without music."'' Their powerful singing roused the "[[Tooks|Tookish]]" side of [[Bilbo]], and for a moment a desire to explore and adventure came upon him, although the thought of plundering [[dragons]] quickly restored his less adventurous "[[Baggins]]" nature.

==Text==
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Far over the misty mountains cold.mp3|thumb|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] reads ''Far over the misty mountains cold'']]
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold.

The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,
While hammers fell like ringing bells
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells.

For ancient king and elvish lord
There many a gleaming golden hoard
They shaped and wrought, and light they caught
To hide in gems on hilt of sword.

On silver necklaces they strung
The flowering stars, on crowns they hung
The dragon-fire, in twisted wire
They meshed the light of moon and sun.

Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away, ere break of day,
To claim our long-forgotten gold.

Goblets they carved there for themselves
And harps of gold; where no man delves
There lay they long, and many a song
Was sung unheard by men or elves.

The pines were roaring on the height,
The winds were moaning in the night.
The fire was red, it flaming spread;
The trees like torches blazed with light.

The bells were ringing in the dale
And men looked up with faces pale;
Then dragon’s ire more fierce than fire
Laid low their towers and houses frail.

The mountain smoked beneath the moon;
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom.
They fled their hall, to dying fall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.

Far over the misty mountains grim
To dungeons deep and caverns dim
We must away, ere break of day,
To win our harps and gold from him!
</poem>

Later that night, while Bilbo lay in bed trying to fall asleep, he could still hear Thorin humming in the next room over:
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away, ere break of day,
To find our long-forgotten gold.
</poem>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Parts of the song are sung by the dwarves of Thorin's Company when they meet Bilbo for the first time. They sing it again at Bag End, before Bilbo decides to join them on their quest. Finally, the song is reprised after the death of Smaug, during the dwarves' preparations for the defence of Erebor. The song is the last track on the official soundtrack and is titled "[[Misty Mountains Cold]]".

'''1985: [[The Hobbit (1985 television film)|''The Hobbit'' (1985 television film)]]'''
:The song is sang by the gnomes as they are walking through the forest, shortly before being captured by the goblins. Verses 3 through 7 are left out in that version.

'''1989: [[Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series)|''Hobit'' (1989 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:This radio miniseries adapts the song in a heavily abbreviated version. The dwarves sing it several times throughout the radio play. The lyrics are also more of a loose translation or interpretation of the novel's original lyrics. They do not examine the backstory of the [[Sack of Erebor]] and the dwarves' exile from Erebor in-depth.

'''2001 ''[[Summoning|Let mortal heroes sing your fame (2001 CD)- In hollow halls beneath the fells]]'':'''
:Black metal tolkien-based band Summoning adapts the song in this title.

'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''
:A modified version of the song is sung by [[Thorin]] ([[Richard Armitage]]) and the [[Thorin and Company|rest of the Company]] during the unexpected party at [[Bag End]]. [[Neil Finn]] also sings a variation of the song entitled "[[Song of the Lonely Mountain]]" in the ending credits of the film.

==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4koD_SN7QXA Performed by Clamavi De Profundis]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erkv1-_xR7U Performed by Geoff Castellucci]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhqfiGLuWaY Über die Nebelberge weit gesammt] ''(Rendition from the late 1970s German radio adaptation of The Hobbit)''
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaMpnl4DrVM Performed by Rachel Hardy] ''(Abbreviated version, using the lyrics of the 2012 motion picture *The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey*)''
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9dHIcRlsLI The version from the 1985 TV movie]

==See also==
*[[Poems in The Hobbit]]
*[[The wind was on the withered heath]]

[[Category:Poems in The Hobbit]]
[[de:Zweites Lied der Zwerge in Beutelsend]]
[[fi:Yli sumuisten kylmien vuorten noiden]]

Far over the misty mountains cold

2026-01-09T19:02:59Z

Omeganian: /* Portrayal in adaptations */

{{Unnamed}}
[[File:Lord of the Rings Adventure Game - Over the Misty Mountains Cold.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Over the Misty Mountains Cold - ''[[Lord of the Rings Adventure Game]]'']]
"'''Far over the misty mountains cold'''" is the first line of a poem found within the chapter "[[An Unexpected Party]]" of ''[[The Hobbit]]''.

==History==
While at [[Bag End]] after the unexpected party, [[Thorin]] and [[Thorin and Company|Company]] brought out their [[Musical instruments#Dwarven musical instruments|instruments]] and began to sing. This is said to be ''"like a fragment of their song, if it can be like their song without music."'' Their powerful singing roused the "[[Tooks|Tookish]]" side of [[Bilbo]], and for a moment a desire to explore and adventure came upon him, although the thought of plundering [[dragons]] quickly restored his less adventurous "[[Baggins]]" nature.

==Text==
[[File:J.R.R. Tolkien - Far over the misty mountains cold.mp3|thumb|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] reads ''Far over the misty mountains cold'']]
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away ere break of day
To seek the pale enchanted gold.

The dwarves of yore made mighty spells,
While hammers fell like ringing bells
In places deep, where dark things sleep,
In hollow halls beneath the fells.

For ancient king and elvish lord
There many a gleaming golden hoard
They shaped and wrought, and light they caught
To hide in gems on hilt of sword.

On silver necklaces they strung
The flowering stars, on crowns they hung
The dragon-fire, in twisted wire
They meshed the light of moon and sun.

Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away, ere break of day,
To claim our long-forgotten gold.

Goblets they carved there for themselves
And harps of gold; where no man delves
There lay they long, and many a song
Was sung unheard by men or elves.

The pines were roaring on the height,
The winds were moaning in the night.
The fire was red, it flaming spread;
The trees like torches blazed with light.

The bells were ringing in the dale
And men looked up with faces pale;
Then dragon’s ire more fierce than fire
Laid low their towers and houses frail.

The mountain smoked beneath the moon;
The dwarves, they heard the tramp of doom.
They fled their hall, to dying fall
Beneath his feet, beneath the moon.

Far over the misty mountains grim
To dungeons deep and caverns dim
We must away, ere break of day,
To win our harps and gold from him!
</poem>

Later that night, while Bilbo lay in bed trying to fall asleep, he could still hear Thorin humming in the next room over:
<poem style="font-style:italic; margin-left:20px;">
Far over the misty mountains cold
To dungeons deep and caverns old
We must away, ere break of day,
To find our long-forgotten gold.
</poem>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Parts of the song are sung by the dwarves of Thorin's Company when they meet Bilbo for the first time. They sing it again at Bag End, before Bilbo decides to join them on their quest. Finally, the song is reprised after the death of Smaug, during the dwarves' preparations for the defence of Erebor. The song is the last track on the official soundtrack and is titled "[[Misty Mountains Cold]]".

'''1985: [[The Hobbit (1985 television film)|''The Hobbit'' (1985 television film)]]'''
:The song is sang by the gnomes as they are walking through the forest, shortly before being captured by the goblins. Verses 3 through 7 are left out in that version.

'''1989: [[Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series)|''Hobit'' (1989 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:This radio miniseries adapts the song in a heavily abbreviated version. The dwarves sing it several times throughout the radio play. The lyrics are also more of a loose translation or interpretation of the novel's original lyrics. They do not examine the backstory of the [[Sack of Erebor]] and the dwarves' exile from Erebor in-depth.

'''2001 ''[[Summoning|Let mortal heroes sing your fame (2001 CD)- In hollow halls beneath the fells]]'':'''
:Black metal tolkien-based band Summoning adapts the song in this title.

'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''
:A modified version of the song is sung by [[Thorin]] ([[Richard Armitage]]) and the [[Thorin and Company|rest of the Company]] during the unexpected party at [[Bag End]]. [[Neil Finn]] also sings a variation of the song entitled "[[Song of the Lonely Mountain]]" in the ending credits of the film.

==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4koD_SN7QXA Performed by Clamavi De Profundis]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Erkv1-_xR7U Performed by Geoff Castellucci]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhqfiGLuWaY Über die Nebelberge weit gesammt] ''(Rendition from the late 1970s German radio adaptation of The Hobbit)''
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaMpnl4DrVM Performed by Rachel Hardy] ''(Abbreviated version, using the lyrics of the 2012 motion picture *The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey*)''

==See also==
*[[Poems in The Hobbit]]
*[[The wind was on the withered heath]]

[[Category:Poems in The Hobbit]]
[[de:Zweites Lied der Zwerge in Beutelsend]]
[[fi:Yli sumuisten kylmien vuorten noiden]]

Gollum

2013-10-02T13:05:27Z

Omeganian: /* Other versions of the Legendarium */

{{Countdown}}
{{hobbit infobox
| image=[[File:John Howe - Gollum.jpg|250px]]
| name=Gollum
| othernames=Sméagol Stinker Slinker
| titles=
| position=
| location=
| affiliation=
| language=
| birth=c. {{TA|2430}}<ref name=guide>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 167, entry "Gollum"</ref>
| birthlocation=Near [[Gladden Fields]]
| rule=
| death=[[25 March]] {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=[[Mount Doom]]
| age=c. 589
| family=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Thin, lank<ref name="Taming">{{TT|Taming}}</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
'''Gollum''', also known as '''Sméagol''', was a creature (originally a [[Stoor|Stoorish]] [[Hobbit]]) who bore the [[One Ring]]. He lived in the [[Misty Mountains]] for most of his life. In {{TA|2941}} he lost the Ring to [[Bilbo Baggins]]. For the rest of his life he sought to recover his "precious" "birthday present". In {{TA|3019}} he followed the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] and met [[Frodo Baggins]]. After leading Frodo into [[Mordor]] and betraying him to [[Shelob]] he finally seized the Ring in [[Cracks of Doom|Sammath Naur]]. In his euphoria he died and destroyed the Ring after falling into the cracks of [[Mount Doom]].

==Appearence==
Sméagol was a Hobbit, but he spent long centuries (thanks to the Ring) in darkness and damp, influenced by its evil power. It is possible that thanks to his hardy Hobbitish nature that he was not reduced to a [[wraith]].<ref>
{{webcite|author=Stan Brown|website=FAQ of the Rings|articleurl=http://oakroadsystems.com/genl/ringfaq.htm#Q1-GollumWraith|articlename=Why hadn’t Gollum turned into a wraith long ago?}}</ref> However, he was reduced to a small, extremely thin and wiry person, with scrawny neck, black skin, flat feet, long thin hands with clammy fingers, and large pale eyes that seemed to glow. His vision was weak and he developed an acute sense of hearing.

He could move and climb silently like a spider, and although he had six teeth<ref>{{HM|H}}</ref>, he could give deep bites, even able to bite off Frodo's finger.

==History==
===Early life===
Once a [[Stoors|Stoorish]] Hobbit, Sméagol spent the early years of his life living with his extended family under a Matriarch, his grandmother. This was during the [[Watchful Peace]], when [[Sauron]] was in the [[East]].

Around the year {{TA|2463}}, on his birthday, with his close relative Déagol they went fishing in the [[Gladden Fields]]. It was there that Déagol found a gold ring, after being pulled into the water by a large fish. Sméagol demanded the ring as a birthday present and strangled Deágol when he refused. Sméagol became the fourth [[Ring-bearer]] after Sauron, [[Isildur]], and [[Déagol]].

After this event, he started to make a gurgling sound from his throat; for this his family called him "Gollum". Sméagol was quickly corrupted further by the ring and, banished by his people, was forced to find a home in a [[Gollum's Lake|cave]] in the [[Misty Mountains]]. The Ring's malignant influence twisted his Hobbit body and mind and prolonged his life far beyond its natural limits. He called it his "[[Precious]]" or his "Birthday Present," the latter as a justification for killing Déagol.

He lived in the Misty Mountains and the Ring stretched his life longer. He lived longer than any other Hobbit could, and for over four hundred years he managed to live on raw [[fish]], which he caught from his small raft, and [[Orcs|Goblins]]. In later years he found Hobbit and [[Elves|Elven]] food repulsive.

===Departure of the Ring===
[[File:Michael Hague - Riddles in the Dark.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Riddles in the Dark'' by [[Michael Hague]].]]
In July {{TA|2941}}, during the [[Quest of Erebor]], the Hobbit [[Bilbo Baggins]] stumbled upon the subterranean lake on which Gollum lived and found the Ring. Gollum had lost the Ring in the network of caves leading to the lake, though in fact it is more proper to say that the Ring abandoned Gollum, for it was known to have a will of its own. As [[Gandalf]] said later, it looked after itself, trying to get back to Sauron. After the famous [[Riddle-game|Riddle Game]], during which Gollum was unaware of his loss, Gollum refused to show Bilbo the promised way out and plotted to murder him. When he went to get his "birthday present," however, he found that it was gone. He suddenly realised the answer to Bilbo's last riddle - ''"What have I got in my pocket?"'' - and flew into a rage. Bilbo inadvertantly stumbled across the Ring's power of invisibility as he ran, allowing him to follow Gollum to the entrance of the cave. There, Bilbo at first thought to kill Gollum, but was overcome with pity, so he jumped over him to escape. As Bilbo ran, Gollum cried out, "Thief! Thief, Baggins! We hates it forever!"

His addiction to the Ring was so great that he overcame his hatred and fear of the [[Sun]], the [[Moon]] and other creatures. He left the Mountains and pursued Bilbo, but the trail was cold. He made his way into [[Mordor]], where he was captured and forced to reveal what he knew about the Ring. Thus Sauron's spies learned from him the names "[[Shire]]" and "[[Baggins]]". By {{TA|3017}} Gollum was then set free, but caught by [[Aragorn]], who turned him over to [[Gandalf]].

The [[Wizard]] managed to interrogate him and learned parts of the history of the Ring which he had not previously known. He placed him in the care of the [[Silvan Elves]] living in [[Thranduil]]'s [[Woodland Realm]] of [[Mirkwood]]. In June of {{TA|3018}}, Orcs raided the [[Elves of Mirkwood]] (in an obviously coordinated attack) allowing Gollum to escape. He resumed his search of the Ring and he was brought into [[Moria]] but could not open the [[Doors of Durin]].

===The War of the Ring===
Gollum picked up the trail of the new [[Ring-bearer]], [[Frodo Baggins]], as he and the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] traveled through Moria. On [[15 January|January 15]], {{TA|3019}} the Fellowship was divided when Gandalf disappeared while fighting a [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]]. Gollum continued trailing the remaining members. It is unknown how he crossed the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]], but he came with them to [[Lothlórien]] without their knowing. Gollum, floating on a log, followed their boats down [[Anduin]] to [[Rauros]].

He pursued [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] across the [[Emyn Muil]] when they struck out on their own towards Mordor. Gollum followed them, but after a confrontation in which he bit and nearly strangled Sam, Frodo subdued him. Frodo tied an [[Elves|Elvish]] rope around Gollum's ankle for a leash, but the mere touch of the rope pained him. Taking pity on the wretched creature, Frodo made Gollum swear to help them. Agreeing to the oath, Gollum swore by the "Precious" itself, and Frodo released him. The unlikely company, guided by Gollum, made their way to the [[Black Gate]], the entrance to Mordor.
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum's Debate.jpg|thumb|left|"Gollum's Debate" by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
Frodo's kindness brought out the "Sméagol" personality, and he made at least some effort to keep his promise. The two had a strange sort of bond from both having been Ringbearers; in Gollum, Frodo saw his possible future, and so wanted to save him so he could save himself. Gollum also feared Frodo, and also thought that helping him would deprive Sauron from the Ring.

When the Black Gate was reached and found to be well guarded, Gollum convinced them not to go that way, saying that they would be caught and Sauron would regain the Ring. Gollum said he would lead them south, where he knew of another entrance into Mordor.

Frodo and Sam were caught by [[Faramir]], and Gollum followed them. When Frodo allowed Faramir to briefly take Sméagol prisoner, however, he felt betrayed, allowing the "Gollum" personality to take control. Faramir found out that the place Gollum was taking them was called [[Cirith Ungol]]. He then warned Frodo and Sam of the evil of that place.

Frodo, Sam, and Gollum left Faramir and began crossing the pass of Cirith Ungol in the border-mountains of the [[Ephel Dúath]]. Gollum visited the great spider [[Shelob]], because he was planning to betray the Hobbits to her and then get the Ring for himself. When he returned the Hobbits were asleep. The sight of Frodo sleeping nearly moved Gollum to repent. However, Sam woke up and spoke harshly to Gollum, and all hope of redemption was lost. Gollum followed through with his plan and led Frodo and Sam into [[Shelob's lair]]. For this service to Shelob, the Orcs of Cirith Ungol knew Gollum as "Her Sneak".
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - The Stairs of Cirith Ungol.jpg|right|thumb|185px|"The Stairs of Cirith Ungol" by [[Peter Xavier Price]].]]
Just as Frodo warned him, Gollum's betrayal of his oath ultimately led to his undoing, for Frodo and Sam escaped from Shelob's lair and came against all odds to the volcano [[Orodruin]], or Mount Doom. Gollum followed them all the way, seeking a chance to surprise them and take the Ring. When Frodo and Sam had almost reached their destination, he attacked, but failed to get the Ring. Sam, who had hated Gollum on sight, tried to bring himself to kill him, but relented out of sheer pity and disgust, turning his back on the beaten creature.

Moments later, Frodo was standing on the edge of the [[Crack of Doom]], but, unwilling to destroy the Ring, claimed it for himself and put it on. Then Gollum attacked again. The two fought whilst Frodo was invisible and finally Gollum bit off Frodo's finger.

Here Frodo's kindness in sparing Gollum's life was rewarded, for Gollum then teetered on the edge of the great pit, lost his balance and fell in, taking the Ring and finger with him with a last cry of "Preciouss!". Had Gollum not lived to play this final part, there would have been a good chance that Sauron would have regained the Ring, as he knew where Frodo was as soon as he put the Ring on.

==Personality==
Sméagol was the most inquisitive and curious-minded of his community. He owed [[#Etymology|his name]] to his interest in roots and deep pools; he burrowed and tunnelled under trees, plants and mounds.

During his centuries of loneliness and under the Ring's influence, he developed a sort of multiple personality: his evil personality was a slave to the Ring and would kill for it, overwhelming his former self, who still vaguely remembered things like friendship and love. Not having anyone else to speak to, he often quarrelled with himself. Gollum both loved and hated the Ring and himself. He often referred both to the Ring and himself as "my Preciiouss", perhaps confusing the two entities.<ref name=guide/>

Years later, [[Samwise Gamgee]] would name the good personality "Slinker" (for his fawning, eager-to-please demeanour), and the bad personality "Stinker".

Other aspects of the Ring's corruption was the aversion to all living creatures, especially the [[Elves]] and all things Elven. The [[Elven rope]] burnt his skin, and [[lembas]] tasted like dust to him.

Sméagol, as a Hobbit, was perhaps good at heart, and his killing was entirely the Ring's doing. But it's also likely that Sméagol was harboring dark thoughts to begin with. Their argument bases on several points, including...
# The sight of the Ring at the [[Council of Elrond]] or at many points in the journey of the Fellowship did not cause anyone to suddenly murder someone else.
# It is possible for Hobbits to be evil; for instance, [[Ted Sandyman]] and [[Lotho Sackville-Baggins]].
#Bilbo was corrupted far more slowly by the Ring because his adventures with it began with an act of mercy, while Gollum began his with murder.<ref name=shadow>{{FR|Shadow}}</ref>

==Etymology==
Sméagol's name is [[Old English]] one, from ''sméah'', and adjective meaning "''creeping in, penetrating''". This title was also applied by the Anglo-Saxons to the Biblical Cain, from the story of Cain's murder of his brother Abel in Genesis. This draws a clear connection between the two.

Sméagol's "real" name was ''[[Trahald]]'', of the meaning "burrowing, worming in" or "apt to creep into a hole". In both [[Westron]] and Old English, Sméagol's name is related to [[Smaug]]'s: Smaug's name in "true [[Dalish]]" was ''[[Trāgu]]'', and the ''Trah-'' stem in Trahald and Trâgu is thus an analogue of the Germanic stem present in both Sméagol and Smaug.

===Pronunciation===
In both the 1981 BBC radio adaptation and in Peter Jackson's films ''Sméagol'' is pronounced as "SMEE-gol", although the placement of the acute accent suggests that the correct pronunciation is "SMAY-uh-gol". On the other hand, in [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s recordings of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' he also pronounced it "SMEE-gol" or "SMEE-AH-GOL", suggesting that ''éa'' should either be pronounced as a long "i"-sound or as a diphthong ''ea'', and not as two distinct vowels "e" and "a". Tolkien had a habit in his writing to put diacritics in varying places, as can also be seen in the name ''[[Eärendil]]'', which also occurs spelt ''Ëarendil''.

==Other versions of the Legendarium==
In the first edition of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', Gollum did not appear quite as wretched or as bound to the Ring. Tolkien revised this characterisation to fit the concept of the Ruling Ring developed during the writing of ''The Lord of the Rings''. Tolkien then explained the version given in the first edition as a lie that Bilbo made up to tell the [[Thorin and Company|Dwarves]] and [[Gandalf]].<ref name="Christensen">[[Bonniejean Christensen]], [[Jared Lobdell]] (ed.), "Gollum's Character Transformation in ''The Hobbit''", published in ''[[A Tolkien Compass]]'', pages 7-26</ref>

In ''[[The Silmarillion]]'', it is mentioned that the [[One Ring]] was found "ere the Kings failed in Gondor". This can mean that originally, Gollum's age was intended to be considerably more than six hundred years (further reinforced by certain places in ''[[Lord of the Rings]]'' like Gollum referring to tales about an uncorrupted [[Minas Ithil]] or Gandalf comparing his people to "fathers of the fathers of the [[Stoors]]"). In fact it seems likely that Sauron leaving the Mirkwood in 2063 T.A. and some Hobbits settling there after that are details added for the purpose of making the smaller age possible; perhaps in order to make it possible for Gollum and the other characters to have the same language.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Pictures of adaptations of Gollum
|height=150
|width=200
|lines=2
|File:The Hobbit (1966 film) - Gollum.jpg|[[The Hobbit (1966 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1966 film)]]
|File:Gollum1977.jpg|[[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Gollum.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
|File:David T. Wenzel - Gollum.jpg|[[The Hobbit (comic book)|''The Hobbit'' (comic book), 1989]]
|File:The Hobbit (2003) Gollum.JPG|[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]
|File:Lotr-rotk gollum poster.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]''
|File:Gollum1 viv lotr.JPG|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' (video game)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Gollum.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
|File:Lego - Gollum poster.png|Gollum as a ''[[Lego]] mini figure''
|File:Guardians of Middle-earth - Gollum.png|''[[Guardians of Middle-earth]]''
}}
===Films===
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Gollum is a frog-like green creature, voiced by [[Brother Theodore]]. Here, his "Gollum" noise sounds like muttering instead of swallowing.

'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:Gollum is depicted as a skinny, dark grey creature, voiced by [[Peter Woodthorpe]].

'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''
:Brother Theodore reprised his role from the earlier [[Rankin/Bass]] production. Some footage from ''The Hobbit'' was reused to introduce the viewer to the story.

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:Gollum is a CGI-motion capture creature voiced by actor [[Andy Serkis]]. He is barely glimpsed in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', where he is voiced by [[Dominic Monaghan]] in absence of Serkis. Gollum becomes a central character in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers|The Two Towers]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]''. The groundbreaking CGI character was built around Serkis's voice, movements and expressions, sometimes by using a motion capture suit which recorded his movements and applied them to the digital character, and sometimes by the more laborious process of digitally "painting out" Serkis's image and replacing it with Gollum's. In one such shot in ''The Two Towers'', Serkis' real spittle can be seen emerging from Gollum's mouth.

:In ''The Return of the King'' Serkis himself appears in a flashback scene as Sméagol before his degeneration into Gollum. This scene was originally earmarked for ''The Two Towers'' but held back because it was felt that audiences would relate better to the original Sméagol once they were more familiar with who he became. The decision to include this scene meant that Gollum's face had to be redesigned for the second and third movies so that it would more closely resemble Serkis'.

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''
:[[Andy Serkis]] will reprise his role as Gollum.<ref name="PJCasting1">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150168211921558|articlename=Production begins in New Zealand on The Hobbit|dated=20-March-2011|website=[http://www.facebook.com/ Facebook]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>

===Radio series===
'''1955: [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1955 radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by [[Gerik Schjelderup]].<ref name="RT1723">Radio Times, Volume 133, No. 1723, [[16 November|November 16]], [[1956]]</ref>

'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
:The narrator refers to Gollum (voiced by [[Wolfe Morris]]) as "Galloom", even though Gollum himself manages to pronounce his name correctly. Gollum's role is based on that of the second edition of ''The Hobbit''.<ref>[[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]], "[[Riddles in the Dark (episode)|Riddles in the Dark]]"
</ref>

'''1979: [[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:[[Gail Chugg]] provided the voice of Gollum.

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum, again performed by [[Peter Woodthorpe]], has the first lines of the play (save [[Gerard Murphy|the narrator]]). He is described as "slimy and as dark than darkness".<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)]], "[[The Long Awaited Party]]"</ref>

===Games===
'''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, voiced by [[Quinton Flynn]], is seen thrice: first, in the introduction scene, he is stooping over his precious, dashing away from the camera. He is a creature in colour and clothing much like Jackson's version. He is briefly glimpsed again in [[Moria]], but not more than a dark shape with a green outline can be seen.<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)]], "3 Passages"</ref> His most important role is in the final stages of the game: he can be seen atop several ridges, and can even be visited on a rock on the shores of [[Nen Hithoel]]. He throws a [[fish]], the "Xiphiidae", at "[[Aragorn|Ranger]]". This will become the most deadly weapon in the game, and replaces [[Andúril]] in the weapon slots.<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)]], "Amon Hen"</ref>

'''2003: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'' (video game)]]:'''
:Gollum is accompanying Sam and Frodo during [[Osgiliath]] mission and the is the final boss of the game at the Crack of Doom. Unlike all other enemies of the game, he takes no damage from any attacks - instead the players must perform combinations to push him into lava below.

'''2003: ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|Sierra's The Hobbit'']]:'''
:Gollum appears in a cut scene after the level "Riddles in the Dark". Only Bilbo's last riddle - "What have I got in my pocket?" - is shown, after which Gollum spouts out all possible answers in one sentence rather than in three turns. Gollum is a dark grey, hobbit-like creature with seven spiky teeth, who walks on all fours like an ape would, and like his Rankin/Bass counterpart, his "Gollum" noise is a muttering instead of a swallowing. He is voiced by [[Daran Norris]].<ref>[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]], "Riddles in the Dark"</ref>

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring]]'':'''
:Gollum is a "Hero" unit for the Servants of the Enemy, used primarily for scout missions.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Gollum is a "Hero" for the Mordor factions. His health is extremely low and his attacks extremely weak, but has value for the scout missions.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:In non-storyline battles, stealthed Gollum is roaming the map. If detected and killed, he drops The One Ring, which can give huge advantage to the side that gets it.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Gollum is encountered thrice, though the player has yet to know his name. The first time he is met in southern [[Trollshaws]], where the player prevents him from attacking the baby of two Fishermen; the second time he is seen in southern Mirkwood, where the player must defeat the Orcs who attempts to capture him, the third time is on the Shores of Anduin, where the player has to make sure he does not fall prey to the spiders.

'''2012: ''[[Guardians of Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Gollum is a striker-type "guardian" with four abilities: ''Throttle'', ''My Precious'', ''Coward'' and ''We are starved''.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.guardiansofmiddleearth.co.uk/guardians/gollum|articlename=''Guardians of Middle-earth'': Gollum|dated=|website=[http://www.guardiansofmiddleearth.com/ ''Guardians of Middle-earth'' official website]|accessed=16 July 2012}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of Gollum|Images of Gollum]]

==External links==

*[http://lingwe.blogspot.se/2012/12/smeagol-whats-in-name.html Sméagol — what’s in a name?] by [[Jason Fisher]]

{{References}}

{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=hobbit
| born=c. {{TA|2430}}
| died=[[25 March]], {{TA|3019}}
}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Déagol]]
| list=[[Ring-bearer]]
| dates=c. {{TA|2463}} - {{TA|2941|n}}
| next=[[Bilbo Baggins]]
}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Frodo Baggins]]
| list=[[Ring-bearer]]
| dates=briefly, [[25 March]], {{TA|3019}}
| nvac=None
| next=Ring destroyed
}}
{{seq-end}}
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]

[[de:Gollum]]
[[fi:Klonkku]]
[[fa:گالوم]]

Legolas/Disputes

2013-10-02T11:12:06Z

Omeganian: /* Age */

'''[[Legolas]]''', despite being one of the most minor characters of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]], is nevertheless easily the most disputed on various issues.

==Age==
While Legolas' age is never given in Tolkien's writings, some [[Tolkienist|Tolkien scholars]] have estimated he is at the most 800 – 900 years old by the time of the War of the Ring, and at least 500, though probably more; however, many others disagree on the maximum figure. Without any direct mention to the contrary, he could also have been born as early as the First Age. At the very least, we know he is over 139 years old, because he is older than Gimli (see below).

The figure of 500 years minimum was derived from the following — at one point in ''The Two Towers'', he says that the leaves have fallen in Mirkwood 500 times since [[Meduseld]] was built, and he appears to be describing it as if he actually experienced this:
{{quote|Seven mounds upon the left, and nine upon the right," said Aragorn. "Many long lives of men it is since the [[Meduseld|golden hall]] was built.""Five hundred times have the red leaves fallen in Mirkwood in my home since then," said Legolas, "and but a little while does that seem to us.""But to the Riders of the Mark it seems so long ago," said Aragorn, "that the raising of this house is but a memory of song, and the years before are lost in the mist of time.|''[[The Two Towers]]'', "[[The White Rider]]"}}

To see their reasoning for an age of 800 – 900 years, see the articles referred to [[#external links|below]].

In ''Laws and Customs Among the Eldar'', Tolkien states that the mental development of Elf-children is much quicker than those of Mannish children. By their first year, Elf-children can already walk, speak, and even dance.
{{quote|The Eldar grew in bodily form slower than Men, but in mind more swiftly. They learned to speak before they were one year old; and in the same time they learned to walk and to dance, for their wills came soon to the mastery of their bodies. Nonetheless there was less difference between the two Kindreds, Elves and Men, in early youth; and a man who watched elf-children at play might well have believed that they were the children of Men, of some fair and happy people.|''[[Morgoth's Ring]]'', "[[Laws and Customs Among the Eldar]]"}}

If we are to infer that Elves can have concrete memories at a younger age than Men do, Legolas could conceivably have remembered the last 500 autumns that have passed, starting when he was very young.

However, he could be merely commenting on the contrasting viewpoints of Men and Elves on time ("and but a little while does that seem to us"); more importantly, 500 years is here clearly "the time elapsed since Meduseld was built". At face value, his statement says ''nothing'' about his age — to go further would only be speculation.

It is certainly possible that he was older than what many fans imagine him to be, at least (probably due to the influence of Bloom and his portrayal). In ''The Two Towers'', he calls Aragorn (born {{TA|2931}}, 87 years old in {{TA|3018|n}}, 88 at the end of the War some months later) and Gimli (born {{TA|2879}}, 139 years old in {{TA|3018|n}}) "children" while in [[Fangorn Forest]], and says that he does not ''feel'' young:
{{quote|It [the forest] is old, very old," said the Elf. "So old that almost I feel young '''again''', as I have not felt since I journeyed with you children. It is old and full of memory. I could have been happy here, if I had come in days of peace.|''[[The Two Towers]]'', "[[The White Rider]]"}}

Also, he speaks of watching oaks grow from acorns to "ruinous age", suggesting that he is in fact old, though possibly young for Elves (some kinds of oak can live for a very long time):
{{quote|These are the strangest trees that I ever saw," [Legolas] said; "and I have seen many an oak grow from acorn to ruinous age. I wish that there were leisure now to walk among them: they have voices, and in time I might come to understand their thought.|ibid}}

However, even the minimum figure of 500 can still apply here, since Tolkien could have had the English oak in mind, and it can live up to about 500 years.

Also, some readers point out that his birthdate is not recorded in the Appendices. For them, this might be a sign that he was born in the [[First Age]], since the Appendices only record dates from the [[Second Age]] onwards. It might, at the very least, mean that he was born before the [[Third Age]], since birth dates for characters born then (even relatively minor ones like [[Elladan]] and [[Elrohir]]) ''are'' usually given.

== Hair color ==
His father [[Thranduil]] was blonde, so many assume that Legolas must have been blonde also (Indeed, both [[Ralph Bakshi]] and [[Peter Jackson]] make him blonde). However, Tolkien describes his head as "dark" when he shoots down a [[Nazgûl|Ringwraith]]'s [[Fell beasts|Fell beast]] in ''The Fellowship of the Ring'' in the following quote, suggesting the contrary to some:
{{quote|Frodo looked up at the Elf standing tall above him, as he gazed into the night, seeking a mark to shoot at. His head was dark, crowned with sharp white stars that glittered in the black pools of the sky behind.|''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[The Great River]]"}}

According to this camp, his hair must be either dark brown or black, as was the norm for the Sindar. (Blond hair was mostly exclusive to the [[Vanyar]].) However, the "blond" camp points out that the above quote takes place ''at night'', and opines that his head may have appeared "dark" due to shadows, rather than his actual hair color.

== Birth order ==
Some assume that he is an only child; however, he could be only one of Thranduil's children. Thranduil did let him leave Mirkwood to find a new elf-community in Ithilien, suggesting to some that he was not his heir; but then others opine that given the longevity of Elves and the relative safety of Middle-earth after Sauron's downfall, Thranduil could go on ruling the Woodland Realm as long as he liked or until he felt the sea-longing. No definitive evidence is given, either way.

===Legolas of Gondolin===
The name ''Legolas Greenleaf'' first appeared in ''[[The Fall of Gondolin]]'', one of the ''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two]]'', circa 1917. The character is mentioned only once and is unrelated to the character discussed above. As the Lost Tales were the first embodiment of Tolkien's mythology, and by the time ''The Lord of the Rings'' was written much had changed, this in all likelihood is not the same Elf, and he was not included in the published ''[[The Silmarillion]]''.
{{quote|But the others, led by one '''Legolas Greenleaf''' of the [[House of the Tree|house of the Tree]], who knew all that plain by day or by dark, and was night-sighted, made much speed over the vale for all their weariness, and halted only after a great march.|''[[The Book of Lost Tales Part Two]]'', "[[The Fall of Gondolin]]"}}

The [[Legolas (elf of Gondolin)|Legolas of Gondolin]], who Tolkien would likely have renamed, has a different etymology. His name (''Laiqalassë'' in its pure form) comes from the primitive [[Quenya]] (''Qenya'') words ''laica'' ("green") and ''lassë'' ("leaf"). The names are very similar, but the characters were different: Legolas of Gondolin was possibly a [[Noldor]] in exile, of the House (kindred) of the Tree. However, the published ''Silmarillion'', in describing [[Turgon]]'s founding of Gondolin, states that Turgon took with him up to a third of the people under [[Fingolfin]], but an even larger number of the Sindar. Thus, whether Legolas of Gondolin was of Noldorin or Sindarin descent is debatable.
[[category:debates]]