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The Ulsterior Motive

2026-02-01T16:01:08Z

Wandelf: expanding

{{short description|1964 essay by J.R.R. Tolkien}}
"'''The Ulsterior Motive'''" is an [[Index:Unpublished material|unpublished essay]] written by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] in [[1964]]. It originated as a response to [[C.S. Lewis]]'s book ''[[Wikipedia:Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer|Letters to Malcolm]]'', which was published posthumously in that year,<ref>{{HM|Inklings}}, p. 265</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=[[Lisa Star]]|articleurl=http://www.reocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/9902/unpub.html|articlename=A List of Tolkien's Unpublished and Slightly Published Manuscripts|dated=August 2002|website=[http://www.reocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/9902/ Tyalie Tyelellieva website (archived)]|accessed=10 July 2012}}</ref> and developed into a somewhat critical retrospective on Lewis, whose Protestantism put him at odds with Tolkien religiously.<ref>[[Bradley J. Birzer]], ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's Sanctifying Myth]]'', pp. 50–52</ref> The title is a reference to Lewis's [[Wikipedia:Ulster Protestants|Ulster Protestant]] background, to which Tolkien attributed his reluctance to embrace Catholicism.

A few brief extracts from the currently restricted manuscript were published in A.N. Wilson's ''C.S. Lewis: A Biography'' and [[Humphrey Carpenter]]'s ''[[The Inklings (book)|The Inklings]]''.<ref name=guide>{{CG|2II}}</ref>

{{blockquote|It was not for some time that I realized that there was more in the title ''[[Wikipedia:The Pilgrim's Regress|Pilgrim's Regress]]'' than I had understood (or the author either, maybe). Lewis would regress. He would not re-enter [[Christianity]] by a new door, but by the old one: at least in the sense that in taking it up again he would also take up, or reawaken, the prejudices so sedulously planted in boyhood. He would become again a Northern Ireland protestant.|An excerpt.<ref>{{HM|Inklings}}, p. 50 (see also pp. 51 f.)</ref>}}

== External links ==
*{{webcite|author=[[Jason Fisher]]|articleurl=https://lingwe.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-ulsterior-motive-and-other.html?m=1|articlename='The Ulsterior Motive' and other unpublished writings of Tolkien|dated=22 June 2025|website=Lingwe|accessed=23 June 2025}}

{{References}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ulsterior Motive, The}}

[[Category:Unpublished material]]

The Ulsterior Motive

2026-02-01T04:48:49Z

Wandelf: copyedit; note on title

{{short description|1964 essay by J.R.R. Tolkien}}
"'''The Ulsterior Motive'''" is an [[Index:Unpublished material|unpublished essay]] written by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] in [[1964]]. It originated as a critique of [[C.S. Lewis]]'s book ''[[Wikipedia:Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer|Letters to Malcolm]]'', which was published posthumously in that year.<ref>{{HM|Inklings}}, p. 265</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=[[Lisa Star]]|articleurl=http://www.reocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/9902/unpub.html|articlename=A List of Tolkien's Unpublished and Slightly Published Manuscripts|dated=August 2002|website=[http://www.reocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/9902/ Tyalie Tyelellieva website (archived)]|accessed=10 July 2012}}</ref> The title is a play on the name of Lewis's birthplace, the province of Ulster in Ireland.

A few brief extracts from the currently restricted manuscript were published in A.N. Wilson's ''C.S. Lewis: A Biography'' and [[Humphrey Carpenter]]'s ''[[The Inklings (book)|The Inklings]]''.<ref name=guide>{{CG|2II}}</ref>

{{blockquote|It was not for some time that I realized that there was more in the title ''[[Wikipedia:The Pilgrim's Regress|Pilgrim's Regress]]'' than I had understood (or the author either, maybe). Lewis would regress. He would not re-enter [[Christianity]] by a new door, but by the old one: at least in the sense that in taking it up again he would also take up, or reawaken, the prejudices so sedulously planted in boyhood. He would become again a Northern Ireland protestant.|An excerpt.<ref>{{HM|Inklings}}, p. 50 (see also pp. 51-2)</ref>}}

== External links ==
*{{webcite|author=[[Jason Fisher]]|articleurl=https://lingwe.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-ulsterior-motive-and-other.html?m=1|articlename='The Ulsterior Motive' and other unpublished writings of Tolkien|dated=22 June 2025|website=Lingwe|accessed=23 June 2025}}

{{References}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ulsterior Motive, The}}

[[Category:Unpublished material]]

Dáin Ironfoot

2026-01-20T02:09:21Z

Wandelf: /* Etymology and names */ JSTOR link

{{disambig-two|the successor of [[Thorin|Thorin II Oakenshield]]|earlier King of Durin's Folk|[[Dáin I]]}}
{{infobox character
| people=[[Dwarves|Dwarf]]
| name=Dáin Ironfoot
| image=U-yasuk - Dáin Ironfoot.png
| caption="Dáin Ironfoot" by [[:Category:Images by U-yasuk|U-yasuk]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Dáin II, [[Ironfoot]]
| titles=[[Lord of the Iron Hills]] [[Kings of Durin's Folk|King of Durin's Folk]] [[King under the Mountain]]
| position=
| location=[[Iron Hills]] [[Lonely Mountain]]
| affiliation=
| language=[[Khuzdul]] and [[Westron]]
| birth={{TA|2767}}
| birthlocation=[[Iron Hills]]
| rule={{TA|2805}}-{{TA|2941|n}} ([[Lord of the Iron Hills|Lord]]) {{TA|2941}}-{{TA|3019|n}} ([[King of Durin's Folk|King]])
| death=[[17 March]] {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=[[Battle of Dale]]
| age=252
| notablefor=Killing [[Azog]]
| house=[[House of Durin]]
| parentage=[[Náin (son of Grór)|Náin]]
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=[[Thorin Stonehelm]]
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=Red axe<ref name="Durin">{{App|Durin}}</ref>
| steed=
}}
'''Dáin II''' or '''Dáin Ironfoot''' ([[Third Age]] 2767 – 3019, aged 252 years) was the [[Lord of the Iron Hills]] and [[King under the Mountain]]. In his life, he fought in the [[Battle of Azanulbizar]], the [[Battle of Five Armies]] and the [[Battle of Dale]]. He was renowned as a warrior across Middle-earth.<ref name="Erebor">{{UT|Erebor}}</ref>

==History==
===Early life===
Dáin was born in {{TA|2767}} in the [[Iron Hills]], the son of [[Náin (son of Grór)|Náin]], during the reign of his grandfather [[Grór]].<ref name="Durin">{{App|Durin}}</ref>

===War of the Dwarves and Orcs===
[[File:Liz Danforth - Dain and Azog.png|thumb|left|200px|Liz Danforth - ''Dáin and Azog'']]
After the murder of [[Thrór]] by [[Azog]] in {{TA|2790}}, his son [[Thráin|Thráin II]] swore revenge. He summoned all available Dwarves, and sacked every Orc stronghold in the [[Misty Mountains]], battling his way to [[Moria]]. There, the [[Battle of Azanulbizar]] raged before the gate of the ancient Dwarf stronghold.

[[Náin (son of Grór)|Náin]] and his son Dáin arrived late in the battle, but proved pivotal. Fresh and well equipped, they drove through the Orc forces, until at last Náin confronted Azog. But Náin was weary and filled with anger, and Azog strong and agile. He darted from the dwarf's blows, and when the warrior stumbled, Azog hewed and broke his neck. However, all across the valley, his troops were in retreat. He tried to escape back inside, but he was followed by Dáin who with his red axe, hewed off his head before the doors of the East-Gate. He was a very young Dwarf at thirty-two at the time, and it was heralded as a magnificent feat.

After the battle King [[Thráin|Thráin II]] wanted to enter Moria as his own. But Dáin dissuaded him, because he alone looked past the gate into Moria, and had the wisdom to know that it was impossible for Durin's folk to return at that time because of [[Durin's Bane]].<ref name="Durin" />

===Lord of the Iron Hills===
Dáin returned to the Halls of Grór with his people, and with his father dead, became [[Lord of the Iron Hills]] at his grandfather's death in {{TA|2805}}. He had one son, [[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin]], born in {{TA|2866}}.<ref name="Durin" />

During his reign his people became the strongest in [[Rhovanion|Wilderland]], being the only realm capable to resist [[Sauron]] if he dared come North and retake the realm of [[Angmar]] and the northern passes of the [[Misty Mountains]].<ref name="Erebor" />

===The Battle of Five Armies===
[[File:Angus McBride - Dain II.jpg|thumb|right|[[Angus McBride]] - ''Dáin'']]
Nearly a hundred years later, King [[Thorin]], the son of [[Thráin|Thráin II]], set out on a journey to reclaim [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor, the Lonely Mountain]], which had been usurped by the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]].<ref>{{H|Party}}</ref>

The dragon was slain, though by [[Bard]] of [[Lake-town]] and not by Thorin's company. Thorin claimed the entire hoard and proclaimed himself [[King under the Mountain]], but both Bard and the Elven king [[Thranduil]] longed for compensation of their suffering caused by the Dragon. Because his company of thirteen could not hold the mountain, Thorin sent for Dáin.<ref>{{H|Gathering}}</ref>

Dáin responded to Thorin's call and set out with more than five hundred dwarves, well armed and experienced. They were originally intent on driving off the Elves and Men, but [[Gandalf]] arrived to inform them of the approaching Orcs and [[Wargs]]. They all united against the common enemy, and so was fought the [[Battle of Five Armies]] in the valley of [[Dale]].<ref>{{H|Burst}}</ref>

Thorin was killed in the battle, as were his sister-sons [[Kíli]] and [[Fíli]]. As his "rightful heir," Dáin succeeded Thorin as [[King under the Mountain]], and King of all of Durin's folk.<ref name="Durin" /><ref>{{H|Return}}</ref>

===King under the Mountain===
During his reign as king, he became exceedingly rich and his people were very prosperous. The town of [[Dale]] was rebuilt and its border stretched far to the South and East and the friendship between the [[Elves of Mirkwood]], [[Men of Dale]], and [[Dwarves of Erebor]] was close, especially between the Men and Dwarves. For the [[Dwarves of Erebor]] now exceeded all their ancestors in the art of masonry and mining, and created many beautiful things in Dale.<ref>{{FR|Meetings}}</ref>

But not all were content. [[Balin]] set out with several others to reclaim Moria in {{TA|2989}}. Dáin did not give the expedition his blessing, and could not dissuade them.<ref name="Council">{{FR|Council}}</ref> It was only later learned the colony was destroyed after five years.<ref>{{FR|Bridge}}</ref>

===War of the Ring===
[[File:Ralph Damiani - The Messenger.jpg|thumb|''Ralph Damiani'' - "The Messenger"]]
In {{TA|3018}}, a messenger came from Mordor, enquiring about a creature named "[[Bilbo Baggins|Baggins]]" from "[[the Shire|Shire]]". In return for information Dáin would be given the last three [[Dwarf-rings]]. Dáin told him to give him time to think and for many weeks he pondered until he sent [[Glóin]] and his son [[Gimli]] to [[Elrond]] for counsel, and to warn Bilbo of the enemy looking for him.<ref name="Council" />

[[File:Steamey - King Brand and King Dáin Ironfoot.jpg|thumb|left|Steamey - ''King Brand and King Dáin Ironfoot'']]
After many months war came to Erebor in the [[Battle of Dale]]. King [[Brand]] of Dale was at war with [[Easterlings]] along the River [[Carnen]], but they defeated him and he retreated back to Dale where he was given aid by Dáin and an army of Dwarves. After three days of fighting the Dwarves and Men were driven back, and Brand was slain. But defending his body stood Dáin, who at over 250 years old was not feeble, and still could wield his axe with great skill. But his skill was not enough and he was slain as well before the gates of Erebor.<ref name="Erebor" />

Several days later the Easterlings learned that the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] was lost and they were afraid. When the new King [[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]], son of Dáin, and Brand's son [[Bard II]] saw this they came out of the mountain and routed their enemies.<ref name="Great">{{App|Great}}</ref>

==Etymology and names==
{{Pronounce|Dain.mp3|Ardamir}}
''Dáinn'' is a dwarf from the ''[[Völuspá|Dvergatal]]''. His name most likely means "deadlike".<ref>Chester Nathan Gould, [https://www.jstor.org/stable/457704 "Dwarf-Names: A Study in Old Icelandic Religion"], published in ''Publications of the Modern Language Association of America'', Vol 44 (1929), issue #4, pp. 939-967</ref>

The epithet ''[[Ironfoot]]'' remains unexplained in the published writings of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]. However, [[John D. Rateliff]] has pointed out that an explanation is likely found in the original manuscript of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', where it is stated that the shoes of the Dwarves of the Iron Hills were of iron.<ref>{{HM|RB}}, p. 674 (note 12)</ref>

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | NAI | | | | | | | | |NAI=[[Náin II]] ''{{TA|2338|n}} - {{TA|2585|n}}''}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | |,|-|-|-|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|-|-|-|.| | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | DAI | | | | | | | | | | | | BOR | | | | | | |DAI=[[Dáin I]] ''{{TA|2440|n}} - {{TA|2589|n}}''†| BOR=[[Borin]] ''{{TA|2450|n}} - {{TA|2711|n}}''}}
{{familytree| | | | | | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.| | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | THR | | FRO | | GRO | | | | | | | | FAR | | | | | | |THR=[[Thrór]] ''{{TA|2542|n}} - {{TA|2790|n}}''†|FRO=[[Frór]] ''{{TA|2552|n}} - {{TA|2589|n}}''†|GRO=[[Grór]] ''{{TA|2563|n}} - {{TA|2805|n}}''|FAR=[[Farin]] ''{{TA|2560|n}} - {{TA|2803|n}}''}}
{{familytree| | | | | | |!| | | | | | | |!| | | | | |,|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|.| | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | THR | | | | | | NAI | | | | FUN | | | | | | GRO | | |THR=[[Thráin|Thráin II]] ''{{TA|2644|n}} - {{TA|2850|n}}''†|NAI=[[Náin (son of Grór)|Náin]] ''{{TA|2665|n}} - {{TA|2799|n}}''†|FUN=[[Fundin]] ''{{TA|2662|n}} - {{TA|2799|n}}''†|GRO=[[Gróin]] ''{{TA|2671|n}} - {{TA|2923|n}}''}}
{{familytree| | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.| | | |!| | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | |,|-|^|-|.| |}}
{{familytree| | THO | | FRE | | DIS | | DAI | | BAL | | DWA | | OIN | | GLO |THO=[[Thorin|Thorin II Oakenshield]] ''{{TA|2746|n}} - {{TA|2941|n}}''†|FRE=[[Frerin]] ''{{TA|2751|n}} - {{TA|2799|n}}''†|DIS=[[Dís]] ''b. {{TA|2760|n}}''|BAL=[[Balin]] ''{{TA|2763|n}} - {{TA|2994|n}}''†|DWA=[[Dwalin]] ''{{TA|2772|n}} - {{FoA|91}}''|OIN=[[Óin]] ''{{TA|2774|n}} - {{TA|2994|n}}''|GLO=[[Glóin]] ''{{TA|2783|n}} - {{FoA|15}}''|DAI=DAIN II IRONFOOT ''{{TA|2767|n}} - {{TA|3019|n}}''†}}
{{familytree| | | | | | |,|-|-|-|(| | | |!| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | FIL | | KIL | | THO | | | | | | | | | | | | | | GIM |FIL=[[Fíli]] ''{{TA|2859|n}} - {{TA|2941|n}}''†|KIL=[[Kíli]] ''{{TA|2864|n}} - {{TA|2941|n}}''†|THO=[[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]] ''b. {{TA|2866|n}}''|GIM=[[Gimli]] ''{{TA|2879|n}} - {{FoA|120}}''+}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |:| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |:| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | DUR | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |DUR=[[Durin VII]]}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In drafts of Lord of the Rings, Dáin was said to possess one of the [[Seven Rings|Seven Dwarf-rings]], "and on that his fortune is founded: his age, his wealth, and (.......?) future".<ref>{{RS|Elrond}}</ref>{{rp|399}}

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Dáin in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="250px" heights="150px">
File:Decipher - Dáin Ironfoot.jpg|Dáin in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]''
File:Dain BFMEII.png|Dáin in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II|The Battle for Middle-earth II]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Dáin Ironfoot.jpg|Dáin from ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:The Hobbit - The Battle of the Five Armies - Dáin.jpg|Dáin in ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]''
</gallery>
===Films===
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Dáin is said to come to Thorin's aid, but he is never individually identified. It's possible that he's the Dwarf who lays [[Orcrist]] on Thorin's body after he dies, as that Dwarf does not resemble any of the other 12 members of Thorin's company.

'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''
:Dáin Ironfoot is played by [[Billy Connolly]].<ref name="BBCCasting1">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16960081|articlename=Billy Connolly lands dwarf role in The Hobbit|dated=9-Feb-2012|website=BBC|accessed=9-Feb-2012}}</ref> After the [[Elves]] of Mirkwood occupy [[Dale]], [[Thorin]] secretly sends out a raven to Dáin. The next day, just as Thranduil is about to start his attack, Dáin arrives unexpectedly at [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] mounted on a large, armoured boar and leading an army of [[Dwarves]]. He also wields a red war hammer instead of a red axe. He tells the Elves and [[Men]] to withdraw or face his attack. After trading insults with Thranduil, the Dwarves and Elves begin attacking each other, but the [[Orcs|Orc]] Army suddenly arrives, and Dáin leads his Dwarves to attack the Orcs instead. Following their example, the Elves join the Dwarves, fighting side by side with them. When [[Thorin and Company]] charge out of the mountain, Dáin and his army rally behind them and drive back the Orcs from the mountain. Later he and Thorin embrace in the midst of the battle. His coronation as the new [[King under the Mountain]] is only shown in the [[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (extended edition)|Extended Edition]] of the film.

===Radio series===
'''1968: [[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]:'''
:Dáin's voice is provided by [[Brian Haines]].<ref>Radio Times, Volume 181, No. 2349, [[14 November|November 14]], [[1968]]</ref>

'''1979: [[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:No actor is credited for the role of Dáin.

===Games===
'''2001-07: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]'':'''
:[[Weta Workshop|Weta]] made a special card for Dáin.

'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:Dáin has no speaking part; he only appears on parchment sections.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Dáin is a hero in the Dwarves faction. In the campaigns, he appears in the Battle of Dale in the Good Campaign, where he has to survive the onslaught of enemy forces to succeed the level.

'''2013: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Dáin, along with King [[Brand]] of Dale, makes a brief appearance in the raid "Flight to the Lonely Mountain", where they brief the player before the assault of the [[Easterlings]] begin. After the conclusion of the [[Siege of Erebor]], his tomb can be found in "Mazal Akrâz", the "Chamber of Glory", nearby those of [[Fíli]], [[Kíli]], and his cousin [[Thorin Oakenshield]].

:A young Dáin is encountered in a flashback story of the Battle of Azanulbizar along with his father and grandfather. He is a close friend of "Hermáth Stormhammer", the hero from whose point of view the player experiences the battle. After slaying Azog, Dáin briefly ventures beyond the East-gate into Moria and, after recovering from the fright of seeing Durin's Bane, tells Hermáth and the player the story of the fall of Khazad-dûm.

{{references}}
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=dwarf
| name=Dáin II
| house=[[House of Durin]]
| born={{TA|2767}}
| died={{TA|3019}}
}}
{{seq
| prev=[[Grór]]
| list=[[Lord of the Iron Hills]]
| dates={{TA|2805}} – {{TA|2941|n}}
| nvac=Himself
| next=as King
}}
{{seq
| prow=2
| prev=[[Thorin|Thorin II Oakenshield]]
| list=[[Kings of Durin's Folk|King]] of [[Durin's Folk]]
| dates={{TA|2941}} – {{TA|3019|n}}
| next=[[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]]
| nrow=2
}}
{{seq
| list=5th [[King under the Mountain]]
| dates={{TA|2941}} – {{TA|3019|n}}
}}
{{seq-end}}

{{durinskings}}
{{hobbitfilms}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dain Ironfoot}}

[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Dwarves]]
[[Category:Dwarven names]]
[[Category:Kings of Durin's Folk]]
[[Category:Kings under the Mountain]]
[[Category:Longbeards]]
[[Category:Norse names]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]

[[de:Dáin II.]]
[[fi:Dáin II]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:nains:3a:dain ii]]

Iron Mountains

2026-01-16T20:44:52Z

Wandelf: more useful geographical description

[[File:Sage - Almaren.png|thumb|The crescent of the Iron Mountains guarding [[Utumno]] during the [[Spring of Arda]].]]
The '''Iron Mountains''' or '''Ered Engrin''' were an immense mountain range in the far north of [[Middle-earth]], stretching almost from one end of the continent to the other, though falling short of the sea on either side.<ref>{{LR|Quenta}}, p. 259</ref>

==History==
Of old the Iron Mountains came close to touching the [[Blue Mountains]] (''Ered Luin'') of the West and the Red Mountains (''[[Orocarni]]'') of the East,<ref>{{SM|A4}}</ref> but in the wars between the [[Valar]] and [[Morgoth|Melkor]] the mountain range was distorted.

Melkor's great fortresses of [[Angband]] and [[Utumno]] were built in the mountains. North of the range lay the regions of ever-lasting cold.

After the [[War of Wrath]] the Iron Mountains were broken and disappeared, at least the part of their length that lay directly north of Beleriand.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
[[Karen Wynn Fonstad]], in her book ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'', imagined that remnants of the Iron Mountains after the [[First Age]] could perhaps be all the northern mountain ranges of [[Eriador]] and [[Rhovanion]]: the [[Mountains of Angmar]], the [[Grey Mountains|Ered Mithrin]], and the [[Iron Hills]], still occupied by [[Orcs]] and [[Dragons]] until the [[Third Age]].<ref>[[Karen Wynn Fonstad]], ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'' p. 78</ref> However, this depiction predates publication of ''[[The Peoples of Middle-earth]]'', where it is revealed that the Grey Mountains and Iron Hills existed in the First Age independently of the Iron Mountains. It was during this age that the [[Dwarves]] of [[Moria|Khazad-dûm]] first colonized the Iron Hills. They also considered the Grey Mountains, which lay between Khazad-dûm and the Iron Hills, to be part of their territory.<ref name=relations>{{PM|Relations}}, pp. 302-303</ref>

{{references}}

[[Category:Beleriand]]
[[Category:Mountain ranges]]

[[de:Ered Engrin]]
[[fi:Rautavuoret (Esiajat)]]
[[fr:encyclo/geographie/reliefs/montagnes de fer]]

Gollum

2026-01-16T13:09:32Z

Wandelf: /* Etymology */ per discussion with Angon

{{infobox character
| people=[[Hobbits|Hobbit]]
| name=Gollum
| image=John Howe - Gollum.jpg
| caption="Gollum" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Sméagol ''[[Trahald]]'' ([[Westron|W]]) Stinker Slinker
| titles=
| position=
| location=[[Vales of Anduin]], [[Misty Mountains]], [[Mordor]], [[Woodland Realm]], [[Desolation of the Morannon]], [[North Ithilien]], [[Shelob's Lair]], [[Cracks of Doom|Sammath Naur]]
| affiliation=[[Stoors]], [[Ring-bearers]]
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth=c. {{TA|2430}}<ref name=guide>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 167, entry "Gollum"</ref>
| birthlocation=Near [[Gladden Fields]], [[Vales of Anduin]]
| rule=
| death=[[25 March]] {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=[[Mount Doom]], [[Plateau of Gorgoroth]]
| age=c. 589
| notablefor=
| family=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Thin, lank<ref name="Taming">{{TT|Taming}}</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{qtlisten|And when he said 'gollum' he made a horrible swallowing noise in his throat. That is how he got his name, though he always called himself 'my precious.'||''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[Riddles in the Dark]]"|J.R.R. Tolkien - Gollum Quote.mp3}}
'''Gollum''', also known as '''Sméagol''', was a creature (originally a [[Stoors|Stoorish]] [[Hobbits|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 fires of [[Mount Doom]].

==History==
===Early life===
Sméagol was a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] of [[Stoors|Stoorish]] race who lived on the banks of the [[Anduin]] in the later [[Third Age]], during the time of the [[Watchful Peace]], when [[Sauron]] was in the [[East]]. He belonged to a reputable family led by a stern and wise matriarch, his grandmother.<ref name=ta/><ref name=shadow/>

He had some amount of education in lore, as during his youth he learned of the events concerning the [[War of the Last Alliance]].<ref name=Passage>{{TT|IV2}}</ref> He also knew the [[riddle-game]], and riddles that were known to the Stoors' cousins in [[the Shire]].<ref name=shadow/><ref name=riddles>{{H|Riddles}}</ref>

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Sméagol and the Ring.jpg|left|thumb|''Sméagol and the Ring'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

Around the year {{TA|2463}}, on his birthday, his friend (and close relative) [[Déagol]] offered him a cheap present.<ref name=L214>{{L|214}}</ref> Later that day they went boating in the [[Gladden Fields]]. As Sméagol was nosing around on the banks, Déagol was pulled into the water by a large fish, and found a gold ring. Sméagol demanded the ring as a birthday present and strangled Deágol when he refused, hiding his body.<ref name=shadow/> He thus became the fourth [[Ring-bearers|Ringbearer]], succeeding Sauron, [[Isildur]], and Déagol.<ref name=ta>{{app|TA}}</ref>

After this incident, Sméagol returned home, telling no one of what had happened or what he had obtained. Discovering the Ring's power of invisibility, he used it for malicious purposes, spying on the other Stoors and learning their secrets. Soon he became unpopular and his peers avoided him; they often cursed and kicked him, and he bit their feet. Becoming a loner, he muttered to himself and gurgled in his throat, for which they called him "gollum", and he survived by stealing. Eventually even his grandmother, desiring peace, cast him out of the family [[hobbit-hole]].<ref name=shadow/>

===Exile===
[[File:Cor Blok - Gollum Goes into Hiding.jpg|thumb|"Gollum Goes into Hiding" by [[Cor Blok]]]]
Following his exile, Sméagol wandered up the Anduin and followed a stream to some deep pools. He lived on fish, which he ate raw. After some time, the [[sun]] began to burn his skin and eyes, leading him to seek shelter in the caves from which the stream issued, high in the [[Misty Mountains]].<ref name=shadow/>

The Ring's malignant influence twisted his Hobbit body and mind and prolonged his life far beyond its natural limit. The murder of Déagol haunted him, and he reassured himself by imagining that the Ring had been given to him by his grandmother as a birthday present. He began talking to the Ring constantly, calling it his "[[precious]]".<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Michael Hague - Riddles in the Dark.jpg|thumb|right|''Riddles in the Dark'' by [[Michael Hague]]]]

For over four hundred years he lived on a small island surrounded by a subterranean [[Gollum's lake|lake]]. He lived mostly on raw fish that he caught from his raft, though he sometimes managed to lay his hands on [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains|Goblins]] that had strayed from [[Goblin-town]]. In later years he began to find Hobbit and [[Elves|Elven]] food repulsive. The Ring's corrupting influence as well as centuries of isolation in the Misty Mountains took a deep toll on him both physically and mentally. He became disfigured and grotesque in appearance, and by the time he met the Hobbit [[Bilbo Baggins]] he was afflicted with almost complete madness.

===Loss of the Ring===
In {{TA|2941}}, during the [[Quest of Erebor]], Bilbo stumbled upon the Ring in the network of caves leading to Gollum's lake, Gollum having dropped it while hunting Goblins. It is possible that the Ring had a part in this, for it was known to have a will of its own. As [[Gandalf]] said later, the [[Necromancer]] was becoming more powerful, and it was a good time for the Ring to change hands and get back to Sauron.<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum is Defeated.jpg|thumb|left|''Gollum is Defeated'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

While still unaware of his loss, Gollum met Bilbo and engaged in the famous [[riddle-game]]. Gandalf later remarked that a small part of Gollum was glad to see another Hobbit for the first time in many years, but that this only made the evil part of him angrier.<ref name=shadow/> Following the game, Gollum refused to show Bilbo the promised way out and instead plotted to kill him. Before he could carry this out, he realized his "precious" was gone. Enraged, he gave Bilbo chase. The latter inadvertently stumbled upon the Ring's power of invisibility as he ran, allowing him to follow Gollum to the cave exit. There, Bilbo thought to kill Gollum, but pity struck him, so he instead jumped over him and fled.<ref>{{FR|Ring}}</ref>

===Into the wild===
Gollum spent a further three years skulking in the mountains,<ref name=ta/> but his longing for the Ring eventually overcame his hatred of sunlight, and so he sallied forth in search of Bilbo. Travelling by night, he passed through [[Mirkwood]] and reached [[Lake-town]] and [[Dale]]. He spent his time there spying and eavesdropping, which allowed him to learn more of Bilbo. He then headed in the direction of the Shire, but before he could cross the [[Great River]], he suddenly turned southwards. Gandalf had been tracking him all the while with the help of the [[Elves of Mirkwood]], but he gave up the chase at this time, something he would later regret.<ref name=shadow/>

News of [[Sauron]]'s resurgence had drawn Gollum towards [[Mordor]], in the foolish hope that the Enemy might help him wreak his revenge. After some thirty years of wandering he reached the [[Mountains of Shadow]], and met [[Shelob]].<ref name=ta/> Upon venturing into Mordor itself, he was captured and tortured by Sauron, who thereby learned that the Ring had been recovered and was in the possession of a Shire Hobbit. Meanwhile, Gandalf had begun to suspect that Bilbo's ring was the One Ring, which led him to resume his search for Gollum. In {{TA|3017}}, Gollum was set free, only to be caught at last by [[Aragorn]] in the [[Dead Marshes]], and turned over to Gandalf. Gandalf spent many "weary days" interrogating him, following which he placed him in the care of [[Thranduil]].<ref name=ta/>

===War of the Ring===
In {{TA|3018}}, Orcs raided the Elves of Mirkwood, allowing Gollum to escape. He entered [[Moria]], but was unable to open the [[Doors of Durin]]. Some months later, the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] passed through Moria, and Gollum began trailing it. When the Fellowship broke at [[Nen Hithoel]], Gollum followed [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] into the [[Emyn Muil]]. 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. Gollum swore by the "precious" itself to do so, and Frodo released him. The unlikely company, guided by Gollum, made its way to the [[Black Gate]], the entrance to Mordor.

Frodo's kindness brought out what remained of Gollum's better side, and he made at least some effort to keep his promise. The two had a strange sort of bond from having both been Ringbearers; in Gollum, Frodo saw his possible future, and so wanted to save him so he could save himself. Gollum feared Frodo, and also thought that helping him would deprive Sauron of the Ring.

When the Black Gate was reached and found to be well-guarded, Gollum convinced Frodo and Sam to follow him south, where he knew of another entrance into Mordor. Before they could reach it, Frodo and Sam were captured by [[Faramir]]. Gollum followed the captives to the secret outpost of [[Henneth Annûn]], where he was spotted. Faramir then forced Frodo to aid Faramir's men in capturing the creature, a betrayal that Gollum felt keenly. While questioning Gollum, Faramir learned that the place to which he had been leading the Hobbits was [[Cirith Ungol]]. He warned Frodo and Sam that this was a place of great evil and that their guide was not to be trusted.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum at the Forbidden Pool.jpg|thumb|''Gollum at the Forbidden Pool'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Upon regaining their freedom, Frodo, Sam, and Gollum set out again for Mordor and reached the pass of Cirith Ungol. One night, 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.<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> 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 referred to him as "her sneak".

Just as Frodo warned him, Gollum's breach 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 [[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 fell victim to the Ring's power and put it on his finger instead of casting it into the [[Cracks of Doom]] as he had meant to. Then Gollum attacked again. The two fought while 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.

==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - The Stairs of Cirith Ungol.jpg|left|thumb|''The Stairs of Cirith Ungol'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
Sméagol was a Hobbit, but he spent long centuries in darkness and damp, influenced by the power of the Ring. It is possible that thanks to his hardy Hobbitish nature that he was not reduced to a [[Wraiths|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, pale skin, flat feet, long thin hands with clammy fingers, and large pale or green eyes that seemed to glow. His sense of sight, as well as his hearing and smelling, was very good, due to the time he spent underground.

He could move and climb silently like a spider, and although he had only six teeth left,<ref>{{H|5}}</ref> he could give deep bites, even able to bite off Frodo's finger.

===Personality===
Sméagol was quick and strong, the most inquisitive and curious-minded of his community. He was interested in roots and beginnings. He owed [[#Etymology|his name]] to his interest in roots and deep pools; he dove, burrowed and tunnelled under trees, plants, and mounds. He tended to neglect anything that was higher, like the flowers, the trees and looking at the hills.<ref name=shadow/>

During his centuries of loneliness and under the Ring's influence, he seems to have developed something similar to a personality disorder: his "Gollum" 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 quarreled with himself. Gollum both loved and hated the Ring and himself. He often referred both to the Ring and himself as "my Precious", perhaps confusing the two entities.<ref name=guide/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Endgame on the Mountain.jpg|thumb|right|''Endgame on the Mountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Years later, [[Samwise Gamgee]] would give two nickname to Gollum. Originally, Sam used the name Slinker to refer to Gollum's slinking around before they had captured him.<ref>{{TT|Taming}}, p. 604</ref> He then came to use Slinker and Stinker to refer to the two contrasting sides of Gollum's personality,<ref name=gate/> caused by possession of the [[One Ring]] for so long.<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}, pp. 53-5</ref> Slinker was the fawning, desperate, and eager-to-please, "Sméagol" side demeanour; and Stinker was the plotting and sinister "Gollum" side of him.<ref name=gate>{{TT|Gate}}, p. 638</ref> When he first came into the service of [[Frodo Baggins]] his Slinker side was more prominent but the closer they got to the [[Black Gate]] the more the Stinker side started to take over and Slinker became more like Stinker and Sam started using the name to generally refer to Gollum.<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 714</ref>

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 and choked him.

Sméagol, as a Hobbit, was perhaps good at heart, but he was relatively greedy and mean.<ref name=L214/> 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==
{{Pronounce|Anglo-Saxon - Sméagol.mp3|Gilgamesh|The Old English pronunciation of ''Sméagol''}}
Although Sméagol's people spoke [[Westron]] natively, J.R.R. Tolkien notes that he and his kinsman Déagol bore names taken from "the Mannish language of the region near the [[Gladden River|Gladden]]", which was related to [[Rohanese]].<ref>{{App|Hobbits}}, footnote after "before they came north the the Shire.", p. 1130</ref> His actual name was [[Trahald]], meaning "burrowing" or "worming in". As Rohanese is represented in the books by Old English, this was translated as Sméagol.<ref>{{App|Translation}}, p. 1136</ref> Peter Gilliver, Edmund Weiner and Jeremy Marshall derive ''Sméagol'' from the Old English verb [[wiktionary:smeagan|''sméagan'']], meaning "to scrutinize, investigate", and the adjectival suffix [[wiktionary:-ol#Old_English|-''ol'']],<ref>{{HM|RW}}, p. 191</ref> while [[Wayne G. Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull]] derive it from [[wiktionary:smygel|''smygel'']], meaning "burrow, place to creep into".<ref>{{webcite|website=[http://www.bosworthtoller.com/ Bosworth-Toller Anglo-Saxon Dictionary]|articleurl=https://bosworthtoller.com/28184|articlename=smygel|accessed=13 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 86</ref>

The Old English pronunciation would be [⁠ˈsmæɑːɣol⁠]; however, Tolkien himself used the modernized pronunciation /⁠ˈsmiːgɔːl⁠/.<ref>{{webcite|articleurl=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlKfe5ze7Ww&t=91s|website=YT|articlename=Tolkien reads - Of herbs and stewed rabbit|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlKfe5ze7Ww&t=91s|accessed=13 January 2026}}</ref>

==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 ''[[The 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.

==Inspiration==
[[John Garth]] has suggested that the character of Gollum carries echoes of the "''night-haunting, man-eating''" [[Ogres|ogre]] [[Wikipedia:Grendel|Grendel]] in ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]''.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[John Garth]]|articleurl=http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/05/j-r-r-tolkien-beowulf-one-mans-passion-threshold-between-myth-and-reality|articlename=J R R Tolkien's Beowulf: one man's passion for the threshold between myth and reality|dated=29 May 2014|website=[http://www.newstatesman.com/ newstatesman.com]|accessed=29 May 2014}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Gollum in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:The Hobbit (1967 film) - Gollum.jpg|[[The Hobbit (1967 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1967 film)]]
File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Gollum.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:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Concept art Gollum.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Gollum poster.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Sméagol2.jpg|As Sméagol in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Gollum.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 Icon.jpg|''[[Guardians of Middle-earth]]
File:Shadow of Mordor - Gollum.jpg|''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Gollum - Gollum's description.jpeg|Gollum's description in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]''
</gallery>

===Films===
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Gollum is a frog-like green creature, voiced by [[Theodore Isidore Gottlieb|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.{{Fact}} 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 ground-breaking 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: [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]:'''
:[[Andy Serkis]] reprised 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>

===Television===
'''1993: ''[[Hobitit]]'':'''
:Gollum is depicted as an old, white creature, portrayed by [[Kari Väänänen]], the same actor who played [[Aragorn]] in the series.

===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"
</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.

'''1980: [[Der Hobbit (1980 German radio series)|''Der Hobbit'' (1980 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Jürgen von Manger.

'''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>

'''1989: [[Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series)|''Hobit'' (1989 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Karol Čálik.

'''1992: [[Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series)|''Der Herr der Ringe'' (1992 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Dietmar Mues.

'''2002-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Ibrahim Maiga.

===Games===
'''1982: ''[[The Hobbit (1982 video game)]]'''''
:Gollum appears in the tunnels of the Misty Mountains. He will persistently speak riddles to Bilbo, and strangle him to death if he fails to answer them in time. However, if Bilbo puts the [[One Ring|Ring]] on, then Gollum will not be able to see him. He can also be killed by Bilbo or his companions, even though doing so would seriously conflict with established canon.
'''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>

'''2014: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character. In the game, set between ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Gollum is searching for [[the One Ring]] and encounters [[Talion]], the protagonist of the game and helps him in his Quest.

'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character.

'''2023: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]'':'''
:Gollum appears in the game as the protagonist character.

==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}}
{{ringbearers}}
{{hobbitfilms}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Stoors]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Gollum]]
[[fi:Klonkku]]

Gollum

2026-01-16T10:59:07Z

Wandelf: see Discord

{{infobox character
| people=[[Hobbits|Hobbit]]
| name=Gollum
| image=John Howe - Gollum.jpg
| caption="Gollum" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Sméagol ''[[Trahald]]'' ([[Westron|W]]) Stinker Slinker
| titles=
| position=
| location=[[Vales of Anduin]], [[Misty Mountains]], [[Mordor]], [[Woodland Realm]], [[Desolation of the Morannon]], [[North Ithilien]], [[Shelob's Lair]], [[Cracks of Doom|Sammath Naur]]
| affiliation=[[Stoors]], [[Ring-bearers]]
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth=c. {{TA|2430}}<ref name=guide>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 167, entry "Gollum"</ref>
| birthlocation=Near [[Gladden Fields]], [[Vales of Anduin]]
| rule=
| death=[[25 March]] {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=[[Mount Doom]], [[Plateau of Gorgoroth]]
| age=c. 589
| notablefor=
| family=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Thin, lank<ref name="Taming">{{TT|Taming}}</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{qtlisten|And when he said 'gollum' he made a horrible swallowing noise in his throat. That is how he got his name, though he always called himself 'my precious.'||''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[Riddles in the Dark]]"|J.R.R. Tolkien - Gollum Quote.mp3}}
'''Gollum''', also known as '''Sméagol''', was a creature (originally a [[Stoors|Stoorish]] [[Hobbits|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 fires of [[Mount Doom]].

==History==
===Early life===
Sméagol was a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] of [[Stoors|Stoorish]] race who lived on the banks of the [[Anduin]] in the later [[Third Age]], during the time of the [[Watchful Peace]], when [[Sauron]] was in the [[East]]. He belonged to a reputable family led by a stern and wise matriarch, his grandmother.<ref name=ta/><ref name=shadow/>

He had some amount of education in lore, as during his youth he learned of the events concerning the [[War of the Last Alliance]].<ref name=Passage>{{TT|IV2}}</ref> He also knew the [[riddle-game]], and riddles that were known to the Stoors' cousins in [[the Shire]].<ref name=shadow/><ref name=riddles>{{H|Riddles}}</ref>

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Sméagol and the Ring.jpg|left|thumb|''Sméagol and the Ring'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

Around the year {{TA|2463}}, on his birthday, his friend (and close relative) [[Déagol]] offered him a cheap present.<ref name=L214>{{L|214}}</ref> Later that day they went boating in the [[Gladden Fields]]. As Sméagol was nosing around on the banks, Déagol was pulled into the water by a large fish, and found a gold ring. Sméagol demanded the ring as a birthday present and strangled Deágol when he refused, hiding his body.<ref name=shadow/> He thus became the fourth [[Ring-bearers|Ringbearer]], succeeding Sauron, [[Isildur]], and Déagol.<ref name=ta>{{app|TA}}</ref>

After this incident, Sméagol returned home, telling no one of what had happened or what he had obtained. Discovering the Ring's power of invisibility, he used it for malicious purposes, spying on the other Stoors and learning their secrets. Soon he became unpopular and his peers avoided him; they often cursed and kicked him, and he bit their feet. Becoming a loner, he muttered to himself and gurgled in his throat, for which they called him "gollum", and he survived by stealing. Eventually even his grandmother, desiring peace, cast him out of the family [[hobbit-hole]].<ref name=shadow/>

===Exile===
[[File:Cor Blok - Gollum Goes into Hiding.jpg|thumb|"Gollum Goes into Hiding" by [[Cor Blok]]]]
Following his exile, Sméagol wandered up the Anduin and followed a stream to some deep pools. He lived on fish, which he ate raw. After some time, the [[sun]] began to burn his skin and eyes, leading him to seek shelter in the caves from which the stream issued, high in the [[Misty Mountains]].<ref name=shadow/>

The Ring's malignant influence twisted his Hobbit body and mind and prolonged his life far beyond its natural limit. The murder of Déagol haunted him, and he reassured himself by imagining that the Ring had been given to him by his grandmother as a birthday present. He began talking to the Ring constantly, calling it his "[[precious]]".<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Michael Hague - Riddles in the Dark.jpg|thumb|right|''Riddles in the Dark'' by [[Michael Hague]]]]

For over four hundred years he lived on a small island surrounded by a subterranean [[Gollum's lake|lake]]. He lived mostly on raw fish that he caught from his raft, though he sometimes managed to lay his hands on [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains|Goblins]] that had strayed from [[Goblin-town]]. In later years he began to find Hobbit and [[Elves|Elven]] food repulsive. The Ring's corrupting influence as well as centuries of isolation in the Misty Mountains took a deep toll on him both physically and mentally. He became disfigured and grotesque in appearance, and by the time he met the Hobbit [[Bilbo Baggins]] he was afflicted with almost complete madness.

===Loss of the Ring===
In {{TA|2941}}, during the [[Quest of Erebor]], Bilbo stumbled upon the Ring in the network of caves leading to Gollum's lake, Gollum having dropped it while hunting Goblins. It is possible that the Ring had a part in this, for it was known to have a will of its own. As [[Gandalf]] said later, the [[Necromancer]] was becoming more powerful, and it was a good time for the Ring to change hands and get back to Sauron.<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum is Defeated.jpg|thumb|left|''Gollum is Defeated'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

While still unaware of his loss, Gollum met Bilbo and engaged in the famous [[riddle-game]]. Gandalf later remarked that a small part of Gollum was glad to see another Hobbit for the first time in many years, but that this only made the evil part of him angrier.<ref name=shadow/> Following the game, Gollum refused to show Bilbo the promised way out and instead plotted to kill him. Before he could carry this out, he realized his "precious" was gone. Enraged, he gave Bilbo chase. The latter inadvertently stumbled upon the Ring's power of invisibility as he ran, allowing him to follow Gollum to the cave exit. There, Bilbo thought to kill Gollum, but pity struck him, so he instead jumped over him and fled.<ref>{{FR|Ring}}</ref>

===Into the wild===
Gollum spent a further three years skulking in the mountains,<ref name=ta/> but his longing for the Ring eventually overcame his hatred of sunlight, and so he sallied forth in search of Bilbo. Travelling by night, he passed through [[Mirkwood]] and reached [[Lake-town]] and [[Dale]]. He spent his time there spying and eavesdropping, which allowed him to learn more of Bilbo. He then headed in the direction of the Shire, but before he could cross the [[Great River]], he suddenly turned southwards. Gandalf had been tracking him all the while with the help of the [[Elves of Mirkwood]], but he gave up the chase at this time, something he would later regret.<ref name=shadow/>

News of [[Sauron]]'s resurgence had drawn Gollum towards [[Mordor]], in the foolish hope that the Enemy might help him wreak his revenge. After some thirty years of wandering he reached the [[Mountains of Shadow]], and met [[Shelob]].<ref name=ta/> Upon venturing into Mordor itself, he was captured and tortured by Sauron, who thereby learned that the Ring had been recovered and was in the possession of a Shire Hobbit. Meanwhile, Gandalf had begun to suspect that Bilbo's ring was the One Ring, which led him to resume his search for Gollum. In {{TA|3017}}, Gollum was set free, only to be caught at last by [[Aragorn]] in the [[Dead Marshes]], and turned over to Gandalf. Gandalf spent many "weary days" interrogating him, following which he placed him in the care of [[Thranduil]].<ref name=ta/>

===War of the Ring===
In {{TA|3018}}, Orcs raided the Elves of Mirkwood, allowing Gollum to escape. He entered [[Moria]], but was unable to open the [[Doors of Durin]]. Some months later, the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] passed through Moria, and Gollum began trailing it. When the Fellowship broke at [[Nen Hithoel]], Gollum followed [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] into the [[Emyn Muil]]. 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. Gollum swore by the "precious" itself to do so, and Frodo released him. The unlikely company, guided by Gollum, made its way to the [[Black Gate]], the entrance to Mordor.

Frodo's kindness brought out what remained of Gollum's better side, and he made at least some effort to keep his promise. The two had a strange sort of bond from having both been Ringbearers; in Gollum, Frodo saw his possible future, and so wanted to save him so he could save himself. Gollum feared Frodo, and also thought that helping him would deprive Sauron of the Ring.

When the Black Gate was reached and found to be well-guarded, Gollum convinced Frodo and Sam to follow him south, where he knew of another entrance into Mordor. Before they could reach it, Frodo and Sam were captured by [[Faramir]]. Gollum followed the captives to the secret outpost of [[Henneth Annûn]], where he was spotted. Faramir then forced Frodo to aid Faramir's men in capturing the creature, a betrayal that Gollum felt keenly. While questioning Gollum, Faramir learned that the place to which he had been leading the Hobbits was [[Cirith Ungol]]. He warned Frodo and Sam that this was a place of great evil and that their guide was not to be trusted.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum at the Forbidden Pool.jpg|thumb|''Gollum at the Forbidden Pool'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Upon regaining their freedom, Frodo, Sam, and Gollum set out again for Mordor and reached the pass of Cirith Ungol. One night, 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.<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> 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 referred to him as "her sneak".

Just as Frodo warned him, Gollum's breach 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 [[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 fell victim to the Ring's power and put it on his finger instead of casting it into the [[Cracks of Doom]] as he had meant to. Then Gollum attacked again. The two fought while 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.

==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - The Stairs of Cirith Ungol.jpg|left|thumb|''The Stairs of Cirith Ungol'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
Sméagol was a Hobbit, but he spent long centuries in darkness and damp, influenced by the power of the Ring. It is possible that thanks to his hardy Hobbitish nature that he was not reduced to a [[Wraiths|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, pale skin, flat feet, long thin hands with clammy fingers, and large pale or green eyes that seemed to glow. His sense of sight, as well as his hearing and smelling, was very good, due to the time he spent underground.

He could move and climb silently like a spider, and although he had only six teeth left,<ref>{{H|5}}</ref> he could give deep bites, even able to bite off Frodo's finger.

===Personality===
Sméagol was quick and strong, the most inquisitive and curious-minded of his community. He was interested in roots and beginnings. He owed [[#Etymology|his name]] to his interest in roots and deep pools; he dove, burrowed and tunnelled under trees, plants, and mounds. He tended to neglect anything that was higher, like the flowers, the trees and looking at the hills.<ref name=shadow/>

During his centuries of loneliness and under the Ring's influence, he seems to have developed something similar to a personality disorder: his "Gollum" 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 quarreled with himself. Gollum both loved and hated the Ring and himself. He often referred both to the Ring and himself as "my Precious", perhaps confusing the two entities.<ref name=guide/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Endgame on the Mountain.jpg|thumb|right|''Endgame on the Mountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Years later, [[Samwise Gamgee]] would give two nickname to Gollum. Originally, Sam used the name Slinker to refer to Gollum's slinking around before they had captured him.<ref>{{TT|Taming}}, p. 604</ref> He then came to use Slinker and Stinker to refer to the two contrasting sides of Gollum's personality,<ref name=gate/> caused by possession of the [[One Ring]] for so long.<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}, pp. 53-5</ref> Slinker was the fawning, desperate, and eager-to-please, "Sméagol" side demeanour; and Stinker was the plotting and sinister "Gollum" side of him.<ref name=gate>{{TT|Gate}}, p. 638</ref> When he first came into the service of [[Frodo Baggins]] his Slinker side was more prominent but the closer they got to the [[Black Gate]] the more the Stinker side started to take over and Slinker became more like Stinker and Sam started using the name to generally refer to Gollum.<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 714</ref>

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 and choked him.

Sméagol, as a Hobbit, was perhaps good at heart, but he was relatively greedy and mean.<ref name=L214/> 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==
{{Pronounce|Anglo-Saxon - Sméagol.mp3|Gilgamesh|The Old English pronunciation of ''Sméagol''}}
Although Sméagol's people spoke [[Westron]] natively, J.R.R. Tolkien notes that he and his kinsman Déagol bore names taken from "the Mannish language of the region near the [[Gladden River|Gladden]]", i.e. [[Rohanese]] or a related language.<ref>{{App|Hobbits}}, footnote after "before they came north the the Shire.", p. 1130</ref> His actual name was [[Trahald]], meaning "burrowing" or "worming in". As Rohanese is represented in the books by Old English, this was translated as Sméagol.<ref>{{App|Translation}}, p. 1136</ref> Peter Gilliver, Edmund Weiner and Jeremy Marshall derive ''Sméagol'' from the Old English verb [[wiktionary:smeagan|''sméagan'']], meaning "to scrutinize, investigate", and the adjectival suffix [[wiktionary:-ol#Old_English|-''ol'']],<ref>{{HM|RW}}, p. 191</ref> while [[Wayne G. Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull]] derive it from [[wiktionary:smygel|''smygel'']], meaning "burrow, place to creep into".<ref>{{webcite|website=[http://www.bosworthtoller.com/ Bosworth-Toller Anglo-Saxon Dictionary]|articleurl=https://bosworthtoller.com/28184|articlename=smygel|accessed=13 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 86</ref>

The Old English pronunciation would be [⁠ˈsmæɑːɣol⁠]; however, Tolkien himself used the modernized pronunciation /⁠ˈsmiːgɔːl⁠/.<ref>{{webcite|articleurl=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlKfe5ze7Ww&t=91s|website=YT|articlename=Tolkien reads - Of herbs and stewed rabbit|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlKfe5ze7Ww&t=91s|accessed=13 January 2026}}</ref>

==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 ''[[The 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.

==Inspiration==
[[John Garth]] has suggested that the character of Gollum carries echoes of the "''night-haunting, man-eating''" [[Ogres|ogre]] [[Wikipedia:Grendel|Grendel]] in ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]''.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[John Garth]]|articleurl=http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/05/j-r-r-tolkien-beowulf-one-mans-passion-threshold-between-myth-and-reality|articlename=J R R Tolkien's Beowulf: one man's passion for the threshold between myth and reality|dated=29 May 2014|website=[http://www.newstatesman.com/ newstatesman.com]|accessed=29 May 2014}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Gollum in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:The Hobbit (1967 film) - Gollum.jpg|[[The Hobbit (1967 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1967 film)]]
File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Gollum.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:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Concept art Gollum.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Gollum poster.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Sméagol2.jpg|As Sméagol in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Gollum.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 Icon.jpg|''[[Guardians of Middle-earth]]
File:Shadow of Mordor - Gollum.jpg|''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Gollum - Gollum's description.jpeg|Gollum's description in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]''
</gallery>

===Films===
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Gollum is a frog-like green creature, voiced by [[Theodore Isidore Gottlieb|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.{{Fact}} 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 ground-breaking 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: [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]:'''
:[[Andy Serkis]] reprised 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>

===Television===
'''1993: ''[[Hobitit]]'':'''
:Gollum is depicted as an old, white creature, portrayed by [[Kari Väänänen]], the same actor who played [[Aragorn]] in the series.

===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"
</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.

'''1980: [[Der Hobbit (1980 German radio series)|''Der Hobbit'' (1980 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Jürgen von Manger.

'''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>

'''1989: [[Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series)|''Hobit'' (1989 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Karol Čálik.

'''1992: [[Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series)|''Der Herr der Ringe'' (1992 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Dietmar Mues.

'''2002-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Ibrahim Maiga.

===Games===
'''1982: ''[[The Hobbit (1982 video game)]]'''''
:Gollum appears in the tunnels of the Misty Mountains. He will persistently speak riddles to Bilbo, and strangle him to death if he fails to answer them in time. However, if Bilbo puts the [[One Ring|Ring]] on, then Gollum will not be able to see him. He can also be killed by Bilbo or his companions, even though doing so would seriously conflict with established canon.
'''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>

'''2014: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character. In the game, set between ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Gollum is searching for [[the One Ring]] and encounters [[Talion]], the protagonist of the game and helps him in his Quest.

'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character.

'''2023: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]'':'''
:Gollum appears in the game as the protagonist character.

==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}}
{{ringbearers}}
{{hobbitfilms}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Stoors]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Gollum]]
[[fi:Klonkku]]

John Benjamin Tolkien (George's father)

2026-01-15T07:15:55Z

Wandelf: copyedit

[[Image:Bunhill Fields, London 26.JPG|thumb|J.B. Tolkien's grave]]
{{Disambig-more|John Tolkien|[[John Tolkien (disambiguation)]]}}
'''John Benjamin Tolkien''' ([[June]] [[1752]] – [[27 January]] [[1819]]) was [[George Tolkien]]'s father, and J.R.R. Tolkien's great-great-grandfather. He was born in Gdańsk (Danzig) in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and emigrated to England after 1770. His wife and George's mother was [[Mary Wall]] ([[1746]] – [[16 March]] [[1837]]).<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Ryszard Derdziński]]|articleurl=http://tolkniety.blogspot.com/2017/05/john-benjamin-tolkien-1753-1819-summary.html|articlename=John Benjamin Tolkien (1752-1819): a summary|dated=20 May 2017|website=[http://tolkniety.blogspot.com/ tolkniety.blogspot.com]|accessed=22 November 2017}}</ref>

John Benjamin Tolkien and his wife Mary are buried at Bunhill Fields in London, in the same grave as the composer [[Wikipedia:William Shrubsole|William Shrubsole]].

==External links==
*[http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=60908895 John Benjamin Tolkien at Find a Grave]
{{references}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tolkien, John Benjamin}}
[[Category:Tolkien Family]]
[[Category:British people]]
[[Category:Polish people]]
[[Category:People by name]]
[[de:John Benjamin Tolkien (1752)]]

C.S. Lewis

2026-01-15T06:18:42Z

Wandelf: /* Biography */ copyedit

{{author infobox
| image = C.S. Lewis.jpg
| name=C.S. Lewis
| born=[[29 November]], [[1898]]
| died=[[22 November]], [[1963]]
| education=[[University of Oxford]]
| occupation=Author
| location=England
| website=[http://www.cslewis.org/ C.S. Lewis Foundation]
}}
{{quote|Friendship with the latter marked the breakdown of two old prejudices. At my first coming into the world I had been (implicitly) warned never to trust a Papist, and at my first coming into the English Faculty (explicitly) never to trust a philologist. Tolkien was both.|C.S. Lewis, ''Surprised by Joy''}}
'''Clive Staples "Jack" Lewis''' ([[29 November]], [[1898]] – [[22 November]], [[1963]]), commonly referred to as '''C.S. Lewis''', was an Irish-born English writer and scholar. Lewis is known for his work on medieval literature, Christian apologetics, literary criticism, and fiction. He is best known today for his bestselling series ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]''.

==Biography==
{{rewrite}}
Lewis was a close friend of [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]. Both authors were leading figures in the English faculty at [[Oxford University]] and in the informal Oxford literary group known as the [[Inklings]]. According to his memoir ''Surprised by Joy'', Lewis had been baptised in the Church of Ireland at birth, but fell away from his faith during his adolescence. Owing to the influence of Tolkien and other friends, at about the age of 30, Lewis re-converted to [[Christianity]], becoming "a very ordinary layman of the Church of England". His conversion had a profound effect on his work, and his wartime radio broadcasts on the subject of Christianity brought him wide acclaim.

In the 1930s Tolkien and Lewis discussed science fiction and decided to make an amateurish attempt simultaneously, on time-travel and space-travel. Tolkien's attempt at time-travel fiction was the unfinished ''[[The Lost Road]]'', but Lewis's attempt at space-travel fiction evolved into his famous [[Space Trilogy]].<ref>{{L|24}}</ref>

Throughout the writing of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' Lewis encouraged Tolkien and supported him with positive reviews, as well as enthusiastic blurbs before publication. Tolkien recognised that without Lewis he would have never finished the book.<ref>{{L|149}}</ref>

His brother was Inkling [[Warren Lewis]], who after his retirement acted as C.S. Lewis's secretary.

In later years, around [[1940]], Tolkien and Lewis grew distant from each other; Tolkien credited the influence of [[Charles Williams]] (whom Tolkien did not appreciate much<ref>{{L|276}}</ref>) on Lewis. They grew further apart after his "very strange" marriage to [[Wikipedia:Joy Gresham|Joy Gresham]] ([[1956]]<ref>Walter Hooper, ''C. S. Lewis: A Complete Guide to His Life and Works'', p. 79</ref>). Lewis remained dear to Tolkien, and Tolkien was struck by his death,<ref>{{L|257}}</ref> which coincided with the murder of John F. Kennedy. As Tolkien said, "The loss reached for me its climax on Nov. 22nd, not for me the day Kennedy was murdered, but the day C.S. Lewis died".<ref>[[Letter to Przemyslaw Mroczkowski (20–26 January 1964)]]</ref> Tolkien also said that while he was already feeling like an old tree losing its leaves, Lewis's death was "an axe-blow near the roots". His funeral service was attended by Tolkien himself, [[Christopher Tolkien]], [[James Dundas-Grant]], [[Robert Havard]], [[Owen Barfield]] and several others.<ref>{{L|251}}</ref>

==Bibliography, selected==
===Books by C.S. Lewis===
*[[1933]]: ''[[The Pilgrim's Regress: An Allegorical Apology for Christianity Reason and Romanticism]]''
*[[1936]]: ''The Allegory of Love: A Study in Medieval Tradition''
*[[The Space Trilogy|Ransom trilogy]]
**[[1938]]: ''Out of the Silent Planet''
**[[1943]]: ''Perelandra: A Novel'' (aka Voyage to Venus)
**[[1945]]: ''That Hideous Strength: A Modern Fairy-Tale for Grown-Ups''
*[[1939]]: ''[[Rehabilitations and Other Essays]]''
*[[1940]]: ''A Preface to Paradise Lost''
*[[1940]]: ''The Problem of Pain''
*[[1942]]: ''[[The Screwtape Letters]]''
*[[1945]]: ''The Great Divorce: A Dream''
*[[1946]]: ''George MacDonald: An Anthology'' (edited by C.S. Lewis)
*[[1947]]: ''[[Essays Presented to Charles Williams]]'' (editor)
*[[1948]]: ''Arthurian Torso, Containing the Posthumous Fragment of the Figure of Arthur by Charles Williams and a Commentary on the Arthurian Poems of Charles Williams by C. S. Lewis''
*[[1949]]: ''Transposition and Other Addresses''
*[[1949]]: ''The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses''
*[[1952]]: ''Mere Christianity''
*[[1954]]: ''English Literature in the Sixteenth Century Excluding Drama''
*''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]''
**[[1950]]: ''The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe''
**[[1951]]: ''Prince Caspian''
**[[1952]]: ''The Voyage of the Dawn Treader''
**[[1953]]: ''The Silver Chair''
**[[1954]]: ''The Horse and His Boy''
**[[1955]]: ''The Magician's Nephew''
**[[1956]]: ''The Last Battle''
*[[1956]]: ''[[Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold]]''
*[[1955]]: ''Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life''
*[[1958]]: ''Reflections on the Psalms''
*[[1960]]: ''The Four Loves''
*[[1960]]: ''The World’s Last Night and Other Essays''
*[[1961]]: ‘’Am Experiment in Criticism''
*[[1962]]: ''[[English and Medieval Studies Presented to J.R.R. Tolkien on the Occasion of his Seventieth Birthday]]''
**"[[The Anthropological Approach]]"

===Articles by C.S. Lewis===
*[[1937]] ''Times Literary Supplement'', 2 October 1937, p. 714.
**"[[A World for Children]]" [review of ''[[The Hobbit]]'']
*[[1937]]: ''The Times'' (London), 8 October 1937, p. 20.
**"[[Professor Tolkien's "Hobbit"|Professor Tolkien's 'Hobbit']]" [review of ''[[The Hobbit]]'']
*[[1947]]: ''[[Essays Presented to Charles Williams]]'', pp. 90-105
**"On Stories"
*[[1954]]: ''Time and Tide'', 14 August 1954, p. 1082.
**"[[The Gods Return to Earth]]" [review of ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'']
*[[1955]]: ''Time and Tide'', 22 October 1955, p. 1373.
**"[[The Dethronement of Power]]" [review of ''[[The Two Towers]]'' and ''[[The Return of the King]]'']

===Books by others===
*[[1964]]: ''Letters to Malcolm, Chiefly on Prayer''
*[[1964]]: ''The Discarded Image: An Introduction to Medieval and Renaissance Literature''
*[[1966]]: ''[[Letters of C.S. Lewis]]'' (written by Warren Hamilton Lewis)
*[[1966]]: ''Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Literature'' (edited by Walter Hooper)
*[[1967]]: ''[[Letters to an American Lady]]'' (edited by Clyde S. Kilby)
*[[1967]]: ''Christian Reflections'' (edited by Walter Hooper)
*[[1969]]: ''Narrative Poems'' (edited by Walter Hooper)
*[[1969]]: ''[[Selected Literary Essays]]'' (edited by Walter Hooper)
*[[1970]]: ''God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics'' (edited by Walter Hooper)
*[[1972]]: ''Of This and Other Worlds'' (edited by Walter Hooper)
*[[1977]]: ''The Dark Tower and Other Stories'' (edited by Walter Hooper)
*[[1979]]: ''C. S. Lewis at the Breakfast Table and Other Reminiscences'' (edited by James T. Como)
*[[1982]]: ''Brothers and Friends: The Diaries of Major Warren Hamilton Lewis'' (written by Warren Hamilton Lewis and edited by Clyde S. Kilby and Marjorie Lamp)
*[[1996]]: ''C. S. Lewis: A Complete Guide to His Life and Works'' (edited by Walter Hooper)
*[[1996]]: ''Surprised By Laughter: The Comic World of C. S. Lewis''
*''[[The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis]]''
**[[2000]]: ''[[The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis: Family Letters 1905-1931]]''
**[[2004]]: ''[[The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis: Books, Broadcasts, and the War 1931-1949]]''
**[[2006]]: ''[[The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis: Narnia, Cambridge, and Joy 1950-1963]]''
*[[2010]]: ''[[Language and Human Nature]]'' (edited by Steven A. Beebe in ''[[SEVEN 27]])
*[[2012]]: ''Light: C. S. Lewis's First and Final Short Story'' (edited by Charlie W. Starr)
*[[2013]]: ''[[Image and Imagination: Essays and Reviews]]''
*[[2020]]: ''The Collected Poems of C. S. Lewis: A Critical Edition'' (edited by Don W. King)

==External links==
*{{WP|C.S. Lewis}}

{{references}}
{{Inklings}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lewis, C.S.}}
[[Category:Inklings]]
[[Category:Authors]]
[[Category:Letter receivers]]
[[Category:British people]]
[[Category:People by name]]

[[de:C. S. Lewis]]
[[fi:C.S. Lewis]]

Gollum

2026-01-14T13:42:18Z

Wandelf: /* Etymology */ the correct etymology should at least be presented first

{{infobox character
| people=[[Hobbits|Hobbit]]
| name=Gollum
| image=John Howe - Gollum.jpg
| caption="Gollum" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Sméagol ''[[Trahald]]'' ([[Westron|W]]) Stinker Slinker
| titles=
| position=
| location=[[Vales of Anduin]], [[Misty Mountains]], [[Mordor]], [[Woodland Realm]], [[Desolation of the Morannon]], [[North Ithilien]], [[Shelob's Lair]], [[Cracks of Doom|Sammath Naur]]
| affiliation=[[Stoors]], [[Ring-bearers]]
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth=c. {{TA|2430}}<ref name=guide>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 167, entry "Gollum"</ref>
| birthlocation=Near [[Gladden Fields]], [[Vales of Anduin]]
| rule=
| death=[[25 March]] {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=[[Mount Doom]], [[Plateau of Gorgoroth]]
| age=c. 589
| notablefor=
| family=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Thin, lank<ref name="Taming">{{TT|Taming}}</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{qtlisten|And when he said 'gollum' he made a horrible swallowing noise in his throat. That is how he got his name, though he always called himself 'my precious.'||''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[Riddles in the Dark]]"|J.R.R. Tolkien - Gollum Quote.mp3}}
'''Gollum''', also known as '''Sméagol''', was a creature (originally a [[Stoors|Stoorish]] [[Hobbits|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 fires of [[Mount Doom]].

==History==
===Early life===
Sméagol was a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] of [[Stoors|Stoorish]] race who lived on the banks of the [[Anduin]] in the later [[Third Age]], during the time of the [[Watchful Peace]], when [[Sauron]] was in the [[East]]. He belonged to a reputable family led by a stern and wise matriarch, his grandmother.<ref name=ta/><ref name=shadow/>

He had some amount of education in lore, as during his youth he learned of the events concerning the [[War of the Last Alliance]].<ref name=Passage>{{TT|IV2}}</ref> He also knew the [[riddle-game]], and riddles that were known to the Stoors' cousins in [[the Shire]].<ref name=shadow/><ref name=riddles>{{H|Riddles}}</ref>

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Sméagol and the Ring.jpg|left|thumb|''Sméagol and the Ring'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

Around the year {{TA|2463}}, on his birthday, his friend (and close relative) [[Déagol]] offered him a cheap present.<ref name=L214>{{L|214}}</ref> Later that day they went boating in the [[Gladden Fields]]. As Sméagol was nosing around on the banks, Déagol was pulled into the water by a large fish, and found a gold ring. Sméagol demanded the ring as a birthday present and strangled Deágol when he refused, hiding his body.<ref name=shadow/> He thus became the fourth [[Ring-bearers|Ringbearer]], succeeding Sauron, [[Isildur]], and Déagol.<ref name=ta>{{app|TA}}</ref>

After this incident, Sméagol returned home, telling no one of what had happened or what he had obtained. Discovering the Ring's power of invisibility, he used it for malicious purposes, spying on the other Stoors and learning their secrets. Soon he became unpopular and his peers avoided him; they often cursed and kicked him, and he bit their feet. Becoming a loner, he muttered to himself and gurgled in his throat, for which they called him "gollum", and he survived by stealing. Eventually even his grandmother, desiring peace, cast him out of the family [[hobbit-hole]].<ref name=shadow/>

===Exile===
[[File:Cor Blok - Gollum Goes into Hiding.jpg|thumb|"Gollum Goes into Hiding" by [[Cor Blok]]]]
Following his exile, Sméagol wandered up the Anduin and followed a stream to some deep pools. He lived on fish, which he ate raw. After some time, the [[sun]] began to burn his skin and eyes, leading him to seek shelter in the caves from which the stream issued, high in the [[Misty Mountains]].<ref name=shadow/>

The Ring's malignant influence twisted his Hobbit body and mind and prolonged his life far beyond its natural limit. The murder of Déagol haunted him, and he reassured himself by imagining that the Ring had been given to him by his grandmother as a birthday present. He began talking to the Ring constantly, calling it his "[[precious]]".<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Michael Hague - Riddles in the Dark.jpg|thumb|right|''Riddles in the Dark'' by [[Michael Hague]]]]

For over four hundred years he lived on a small island surrounded by a subterranean [[Gollum's lake|lake]]. He lived mostly on raw fish that he caught from his raft, though he sometimes managed to lay his hands on [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains|Goblins]] that had strayed from [[Goblin-town]]. In later years he began to find Hobbit and [[Elves|Elven]] food repulsive. The Ring's corrupting influence as well as centuries of isolation in the Misty Mountains took a deep toll on him both physically and mentally. He became disfigured and grotesque in appearance, and by the time he met the Hobbit [[Bilbo Baggins]] he was afflicted with almost complete madness.

===Loss of the Ring===
In {{TA|2941}}, during the [[Quest of Erebor]], Bilbo stumbled upon the Ring in the network of caves leading to Gollum's lake, Gollum having dropped it while hunting Goblins. It is possible that the Ring had a part in this, for it was known to have a will of its own. As [[Gandalf]] said later, the [[Necromancer]] was becoming more powerful, and it was a good time for the Ring to change hands and get back to Sauron.<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum is Defeated.jpg|thumb|left|''Gollum is Defeated'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

While still unaware of his loss, Gollum met Bilbo and engaged in the famous [[riddle-game]]. Gandalf later remarked that a small part of Gollum was glad to see another Hobbit for the first time in many years, but that this only made the evil part of him angrier.<ref name=shadow/> Following the game, Gollum refused to show Bilbo the promised way out and instead plotted to kill him. Before he could carry this out, he realized his "precious" was gone. Enraged, he gave Bilbo chase. The latter inadvertently stumbled upon the Ring's power of invisibility as he ran, allowing him to follow Gollum to the cave exit. There, Bilbo thought to kill Gollum, but pity struck him, so he instead jumped over him and fled.<ref>{{FR|Ring}}</ref>

===Into the wild===
Gollum spent a further three years skulking in the mountains,<ref name=ta/> but his longing for the Ring eventually overcame his hatred of sunlight, and so he sallied forth in search of Bilbo. Travelling by night, he passed through [[Mirkwood]] and reached [[Lake-town]] and [[Dale]]. He spent his time there spying and eavesdropping, which allowed him to learn more of Bilbo. He then headed in the direction of the Shire, but before he could cross the [[Great River]], he suddenly turned southwards. Gandalf had been tracking him all the while with the help of the [[Elves of Mirkwood]], but he gave up the chase at this time, something he would later regret.<ref name=shadow/>

News of [[Sauron]]'s resurgence had drawn Gollum towards [[Mordor]], in the foolish hope that the Enemy might help him wreak his revenge. After some thirty years of wandering he reached the [[Mountains of Shadow]], and met [[Shelob]].<ref name=ta/> Upon venturing into Mordor itself, he was captured and tortured by Sauron, who thereby learned that the Ring had been recovered and was in the possession of a Shire Hobbit. Meanwhile, Gandalf had begun to suspect that Bilbo's ring was the One Ring, which led him to resume his search for Gollum. In {{TA|3017}}, Gollum was set free, only to be caught at last by [[Aragorn]] in the [[Dead Marshes]], and turned over to Gandalf. Gandalf spent many "weary days" interrogating him, following which he placed him in the care of [[Thranduil]].<ref name=ta/>

===War of the Ring===
In {{TA|3018}}, Orcs raided the Elves of Mirkwood, allowing Gollum to escape. He entered [[Moria]], but was unable to open the [[Doors of Durin]]. Some months later, the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] passed through Moria, and Gollum began trailing it. When the Fellowship broke at [[Nen Hithoel]], Gollum followed [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] into the [[Emyn Muil]]. 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. Gollum swore by the "precious" itself to do so, and Frodo released him. The unlikely company, guided by Gollum, made its way to the [[Black Gate]], the entrance to Mordor.

Frodo's kindness brought out what remained of Gollum's better side, and he made at least some effort to keep his promise. The two had a strange sort of bond from having both been Ringbearers; in Gollum, Frodo saw his possible future, and so wanted to save him so he could save himself. Gollum feared Frodo, and also thought that helping him would deprive Sauron of the Ring.

When the Black Gate was reached and found to be well-guarded, Gollum convinced Frodo and Sam to follow him south, where he knew of another entrance into Mordor. Before they could reach it, Frodo and Sam were captured by [[Faramir]]. Gollum followed the captives to the secret outpost of [[Henneth Annûn]], where he was spotted. Faramir then forced Frodo to aid Faramir's men in capturing the creature, a betrayal that Gollum felt keenly. While questioning Gollum, Faramir learned that the place to which he had been leading the Hobbits was [[Cirith Ungol]]. He warned Frodo and Sam that this was a place of great evil and that their guide was not to be trusted.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum at the Forbidden Pool.jpg|thumb|''Gollum at the Forbidden Pool'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Upon regaining their freedom, Frodo, Sam, and Gollum set out again for Mordor and reached the pass of Cirith Ungol. One night, 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.<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> 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 referred to him as "her sneak".

Just as Frodo warned him, Gollum's breach 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 [[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 fell victim to the Ring's power and put it on his finger instead of casting it into the [[Cracks of Doom]] as he had meant to. Then Gollum attacked again. The two fought while 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.

==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - The Stairs of Cirith Ungol.jpg|left|thumb|''The Stairs of Cirith Ungol'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
Sméagol was a Hobbit, but he spent long centuries in darkness and damp, influenced by the power of the Ring. It is possible that thanks to his hardy Hobbitish nature that he was not reduced to a [[Wraiths|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, pale skin, flat feet, long thin hands with clammy fingers, and large pale or green eyes that seemed to glow. His sense of sight, as well as his hearing and smelling, was very good, due to the time he spent underground.

He could move and climb silently like a spider, and although he had only six teeth left,<ref>{{H|5}}</ref> he could give deep bites, even able to bite off Frodo's finger.

===Personality===
Sméagol was quick and strong, the most inquisitive and curious-minded of his community. He was interested in roots and beginnings. He owed [[#Etymology|his name]] to his interest in roots and deep pools; he dove, burrowed and tunnelled under trees, plants, and mounds. He tended to neglect anything that was higher, like the flowers, the trees and looking at the hills.<ref name=shadow/>

During his centuries of loneliness and under the Ring's influence, he seems to have developed something similar to a personality disorder: his "Gollum" 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 quarreled with himself. Gollum both loved and hated the Ring and himself. He often referred both to the Ring and himself as "my Precious", perhaps confusing the two entities.<ref name=guide/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Endgame on the Mountain.jpg|thumb|right|''Endgame on the Mountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Years later, [[Samwise Gamgee]] would give two nickname to Gollum. Originally, Sam used the name Slinker to refer to Gollum's slinking around before they had captured him.<ref>{{TT|Taming}}, p. 604</ref> He then came to use Slinker and Stinker to refer to the two contrasting sides of Gollum's personality,<ref name=gate/> caused by possession of the [[One Ring]] for so long.<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}, pp. 53-5</ref> Slinker was the fawning, desperate, and eager-to-please, "Sméagol" side demeanour; and Stinker was the plotting and sinister "Gollum" side of him.<ref name=gate>{{TT|Gate}}, p. 638</ref> When he first came into the service of [[Frodo Baggins]] his Slinker side was more prominent but the closer they got to the [[Black Gate]] the more the Stinker side started to take over and Slinker became more like Stinker and Sam started using the name to generally refer to Gollum.<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 714</ref>

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 and choked him.

Sméagol, as a Hobbit, was perhaps good at heart, but he was relatively greedy and mean.<ref name=L214/> 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==
{{Pronounce|Anglo-Saxon - Sméagol.mp3|Gilgamesh|The Old English pronunciation of ''Sméagol''}}
Although Sméagol's people spoke [[Westron]] natively, J.R.R. Tolkien notes that he and his kinsman Déagol bore names taken from "the Mannish language of the region near the [[Gladden River|Gladden]]", i.e. [[Rohanese]].<ref>{{App|Hobbits}}, footnote after "before they came north the the Shire.", p. 1130</ref> His actual name was [[Trahald]], meaning "burrowing" or "worming in". As Rohanese is represented in the books by Old English, this was translated as Sméagol.<ref>{{App|Translation}}, p. 1136</ref> Peter Gilliver, Edmund Weiner and Jeremy Marshall derive ''Sméagol'' from the Old English verb [[wiktionary:smeagan|''sméagan'']], meaning "to scrutinize, investigate", and the adjectival suffix [[wiktionary:-ol#Old_English|-''ol'']],<ref>{{HM|RW}}, p. 191</ref> while [[Wayne G. Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull]] derive it from [[wiktionary:smygel|''smygel'']], meaning "burrow, place to creep into".<ref>{{webcite|website=[http://www.bosworthtoller.com/ Bosworth-Toller Anglo-Saxon Dictionary]|articleurl=https://bosworthtoller.com/28184|articlename=smygel|accessed=13 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 86</ref>

The Old English pronunciation would be [⁠ˈsmæɑːɣol⁠]; however, Tolkien himself used the modernized pronunciation /⁠ˈsmiːgɔːl⁠/.<ref>{{webcite|articleurl=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlKfe5ze7Ww&t=91s|website=YT|articlename=Tolkien reads - Of herbs and stewed rabbit|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlKfe5ze7Ww&t=91s|accessed=13 January 2026}}</ref>

==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 ''[[The 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.

==Inspiration==
[[John Garth]] has suggested that the character of Gollum carries echoes of the "''night-haunting, man-eating''" [[Ogres|ogre]] [[Wikipedia:Grendel|Grendel]] in ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]''.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[John Garth]]|articleurl=http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/05/j-r-r-tolkien-beowulf-one-mans-passion-threshold-between-myth-and-reality|articlename=J R R Tolkien's Beowulf: one man's passion for the threshold between myth and reality|dated=29 May 2014|website=[http://www.newstatesman.com/ newstatesman.com]|accessed=29 May 2014}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Gollum in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:The Hobbit (1967 film) - Gollum.jpg|[[The Hobbit (1967 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1967 film)]]
File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Gollum.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:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Concept art Gollum.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Gollum poster.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Sméagol2.jpg|As Sméagol in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Gollum.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 Icon.jpg|''[[Guardians of Middle-earth]]
File:Shadow of Mordor - Gollum.jpg|''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Gollum - Gollum's description.jpeg|Gollum's description in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]''
</gallery>

===Films===
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Gollum is a frog-like green creature, voiced by [[Theodore Isidore Gottlieb|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.{{Fact}} 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 ground-breaking 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: [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]:'''
:[[Andy Serkis]] reprised 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>

===Television===
'''1993: ''[[Hobitit]]'':'''
:Gollum is depicted as an old, white creature, portrayed by [[Kari Väänänen]], the same actor who played [[Aragorn]] in the series.

===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"
</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.

'''1980: [[Der Hobbit (1980 German radio series)|''Der Hobbit'' (1980 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Jürgen von Manger.

'''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>

'''1989: [[Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series)|''Hobit'' (1989 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Karol Čálik.

'''1992: [[Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series)|''Der Herr der Ringe'' (1992 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Dietmar Mues.

'''2002-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Ibrahim Maiga.

===Games===
'''1982: ''[[The Hobbit (1982 video game)]]'''''
:Gollum appears in the tunnels of the Misty Mountains. He will persistently speak riddles to Bilbo, and strangle him to death if he fails to answer them in time. However, if Bilbo puts the [[One Ring|Ring]] on, then Gollum will not be able to see him. He can also be killed by Bilbo or his companions, even though doing so would seriously conflict with established canon.
'''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>

'''2014: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character. In the game, set between ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Gollum is searching for [[the One Ring]] and encounters [[Talion]], the protagonist of the game and helps him in his Quest.

'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character.

'''2023: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]'':'''
:Gollum appears in the game as the protagonist character.

==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}}
{{ringbearers}}
{{hobbitfilms}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Stoors]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Gollum]]
[[fi:Klonkku]]

Gollum

2026-01-13T20:18:05Z

Wandelf: this is not accurate

{{infobox character
| people=[[Hobbits|Hobbit]]
| name=Gollum
| image=John Howe - Gollum.jpg
| caption="Gollum" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Sméagol ''[[Trahald]]'' ([[Westron|W]]) Stinker Slinker
| titles=
| position=
| location=[[Vales of Anduin]], [[Misty Mountains]], [[Mordor]], [[Woodland Realm]], [[Desolation of the Morannon]], [[North Ithilien]], [[Shelob's Lair]], [[Cracks of Doom|Sammath Naur]]
| affiliation=[[Stoors]], [[Ring-bearers]]
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth=c. {{TA|2430}}<ref name=guide>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 167, entry "Gollum"</ref>
| birthlocation=Near [[Gladden Fields]], [[Vales of Anduin]]
| rule=
| death=[[25 March]] {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=[[Mount Doom]], [[Plateau of Gorgoroth]]
| age=c. 589
| notablefor=
| family=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Thin, lank<ref name="Taming">{{TT|Taming}}</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{qtlisten|And when he said 'gollum' he made a horrible swallowing noise in his throat. That is how he got his name, though he always called himself 'my precious.'||''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[Riddles in the Dark]]"|J.R.R. Tolkien - Gollum Quote.mp3}}
'''Gollum''', also known as '''Sméagol''', was a creature (originally a [[Stoors|Stoorish]] [[Hobbits|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 fires of [[Mount Doom]].

==History==
===Early life===
Sméagol was a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] of [[Stoors|Stoorish]] race who lived on the banks of the [[Anduin]] in the later [[Third Age]], during the time of the [[Watchful Peace]], when [[Sauron]] was in the [[East]]. He belonged to a reputable family led by a stern and wise matriarch, his grandmother.<ref name=ta/><ref name=shadow/>

He had some amount of education in lore, as during his youth he learned of the events concerning the [[War of the Last Alliance]].<ref name=Passage>{{TT|IV2}}</ref> He also knew the [[riddle-game]], and riddles that were known to the Stoors' cousins in [[the Shire]].<ref name=shadow/><ref name=riddles>{{H|Riddles}}</ref>

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Sméagol and the Ring.jpg|left|thumb|''Sméagol and the Ring'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

Around the year {{TA|2463}}, on his birthday, his friend (and close relative) [[Déagol]] offered him a cheap present.<ref name=L214>{{L|214}}</ref> Later that day they went boating in the [[Gladden Fields]]. As Sméagol was nosing around on the banks, Déagol was pulled into the water by a large fish, and found a gold ring. Sméagol demanded the ring as a birthday present and strangled Deágol when he refused, hiding his body.<ref name=shadow/> He thus became the fourth [[Ring-bearers|Ringbearer]], succeeding Sauron, [[Isildur]], and Déagol.<ref name=ta>{{app|TA}}</ref>

After this incident, Sméagol returned home, telling no one of what had happened or what he had obtained. Discovering the Ring's power of invisibility, he used it for malicious purposes, spying on the other Stoors and learning their secrets. Soon he became unpopular and his peers avoided him; they often cursed and kicked him, and he bit their feet. Becoming a loner, he muttered to himself and gurgled in his throat, for which they called him "gollum", and he survived by stealing. Eventually even his grandmother, desiring peace, cast him out of the family [[hobbit-hole]].<ref name=shadow/>

===Exile===
[[File:Cor Blok - Gollum Goes into Hiding.jpg|thumb|"Gollum Goes into Hiding" by [[Cor Blok]]]]
Following his exile, Sméagol wandered up the Anduin and followed a stream to some deep pools. He lived on fish, which he ate raw. After some time, the [[sun]] began to burn his skin and eyes, leading him to seek shelter in the caves from which the stream issued, high in the [[Misty Mountains]].<ref name=shadow/>

The Ring's malignant influence twisted his Hobbit body and mind and prolonged his life far beyond its natural limit. The murder of Déagol haunted him, and he reassured himself by imagining that the Ring had been given to him by his grandmother as a birthday present. He began talking to the Ring constantly, calling it his "[[precious]]".<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Michael Hague - Riddles in the Dark.jpg|thumb|right|''Riddles in the Dark'' by [[Michael Hague]]]]

For over four hundred years he lived on a small island surrounded by a subterranean [[Gollum's lake|lake]]. He lived mostly on raw fish that he caught from his raft, though he sometimes managed to lay his hands on [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains|Goblins]] that had strayed from [[Goblin-town]]. In later years he began to find Hobbit and [[Elves|Elven]] food repulsive. The Ring's corrupting influence as well as centuries of isolation in the Misty Mountains took a deep toll on him both physically and mentally. He became disfigured and grotesque in appearance, and by the time he met the Hobbit [[Bilbo Baggins]] he was afflicted with almost complete madness.

===Loss of the Ring===
In {{TA|2941}}, during the [[Quest of Erebor]], Bilbo stumbled upon the Ring in the network of caves leading to Gollum's lake, Gollum having dropped it while hunting Goblins. It is possible that the Ring had a part in this, for it was known to have a will of its own. As [[Gandalf]] said later, the [[Necromancer]] was becoming more powerful, and it was a good time for the Ring to change hands and get back to Sauron.<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum is Defeated.jpg|thumb|left|''Gollum is Defeated'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

While still unaware of his loss, Gollum met Bilbo and engaged in the famous [[riddle-game]]. Gandalf later remarked that a small part of Gollum was glad to see another Hobbit for the first time in many years, but that this only made the evil part of him angrier.<ref name=shadow/> Following the game, Gollum refused to show Bilbo the promised way out and instead plotted to kill him. Before he could carry this out, he realized his "precious" was gone. Enraged, he gave Bilbo chase. The latter inadvertently stumbled upon the Ring's power of invisibility as he ran, allowing him to follow Gollum to the cave exit. There, Bilbo thought to kill Gollum, but pity struck him, so he instead jumped over him and fled.<ref>{{FR|Ring}}</ref>

===Into the wild===
Gollum spent a further three years skulking in the mountains,<ref name=ta/> but his longing for the Ring eventually overcame his hatred of sunlight, and so he sallied forth in search of Bilbo. Travelling by night, he passed through [[Mirkwood]] and reached [[Lake-town]] and [[Dale]]. He spent his time there spying and eavesdropping, which allowed him to learn more of Bilbo. He then headed in the direction of the Shire, but before he could cross the [[Great River]], he suddenly turned southwards. Gandalf had been tracking him all the while with the help of the [[Elves of Mirkwood]], but he gave up the chase at this time, something he would later regret.<ref name=shadow/>

News of [[Sauron]]'s resurgence had drawn Gollum towards [[Mordor]], in the foolish hope that the Enemy might help him wreak his revenge. After some thirty years of wandering he reached the [[Mountains of Shadow]], and met [[Shelob]].<ref name=ta/> Upon venturing into Mordor itself, he was captured and tortured by Sauron, who thereby learned that the Ring had been recovered and was in the possession of a Shire Hobbit. Meanwhile, Gandalf had begun to suspect that Bilbo's ring was the One Ring, which led him to resume his search for Gollum. In {{TA|3017}}, Gollum was set free, only to be caught at last by [[Aragorn]] in the [[Dead Marshes]], and turned over to Gandalf. Gandalf spent many "weary days" interrogating him, following which he placed him in the care of [[Thranduil]].<ref name=ta/>

===War of the Ring===
In {{TA|3018}}, Orcs raided the Elves of Mirkwood, allowing Gollum to escape. He entered [[Moria]], but was unable to open the [[Doors of Durin]]. Some months later, the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] passed through Moria, and Gollum began trailing it. When the Fellowship broke at [[Nen Hithoel]], Gollum followed [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] into the [[Emyn Muil]]. 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. Gollum swore by the "precious" itself to do so, and Frodo released him. The unlikely company, guided by Gollum, made its way to the [[Black Gate]], the entrance to Mordor.

Frodo's kindness brought out what remained of Gollum's better side, and he made at least some effort to keep his promise. The two had a strange sort of bond from having both been Ringbearers; in Gollum, Frodo saw his possible future, and so wanted to save him so he could save himself. Gollum feared Frodo, and also thought that helping him would deprive Sauron of the Ring.

When the Black Gate was reached and found to be well-guarded, Gollum convinced Frodo and Sam to follow him south, where he knew of another entrance into Mordor. Before they could reach it, Frodo and Sam were captured by [[Faramir]]. Gollum followed the captives to the secret outpost of [[Henneth Annûn]], where he was spotted. Faramir then forced Frodo to aid Faramir's men in capturing the creature, a betrayal that Gollum felt keenly. While questioning Gollum, Faramir learned that the place to which he had been leading the Hobbits was [[Cirith Ungol]]. He warned Frodo and Sam that this was a place of great evil and that their guide was not to be trusted.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum at the Forbidden Pool.jpg|thumb|''Gollum at the Forbidden Pool'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Upon regaining their freedom, Frodo, Sam, and Gollum set out again for Mordor and reached the pass of Cirith Ungol. One night, 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.<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> 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 referred to him as "her sneak".

Just as Frodo warned him, Gollum's breach 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 [[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 fell victim to the Ring's power and put it on his finger instead of casting it into the [[Cracks of Doom]] as he had meant to. Then Gollum attacked again. The two fought while 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.

==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - The Stairs of Cirith Ungol.jpg|left|thumb|''The Stairs of Cirith Ungol'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
Sméagol was a Hobbit, but he spent long centuries in darkness and damp, influenced by the power of the Ring. It is possible that thanks to his hardy Hobbitish nature that he was not reduced to a [[Wraiths|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, pale skin, flat feet, long thin hands with clammy fingers, and large pale or green eyes that seemed to glow. His sense of sight, as well as his hearing and smelling, was very good, due to the time he spent underground.

He could move and climb silently like a spider, and although he had only six teeth left,<ref>{{H|5}}</ref> he could give deep bites, even able to bite off Frodo's finger.

===Personality===
Sméagol was quick and strong, the most inquisitive and curious-minded of his community. He was interested in roots and beginnings. He owed [[#Etymology|his name]] to his interest in roots and deep pools; he dove, burrowed and tunnelled under trees, plants, and mounds. He tended to neglect anything that was higher, like the flowers, the trees and looking at the hills.<ref name=shadow/>

During his centuries of loneliness and under the Ring's influence, he seems to have developed something similar to a personality disorder: his "Gollum" 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 quarreled with himself. Gollum both loved and hated the Ring and himself. He often referred both to the Ring and himself as "my Precious", perhaps confusing the two entities.<ref name=guide/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Endgame on the Mountain.jpg|thumb|right|''Endgame on the Mountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Years later, [[Samwise Gamgee]] would give two nickname to Gollum. Originally, Sam used the name Slinker to refer to Gollum's slinking around before they had captured him.<ref>{{TT|Taming}}, p. 604</ref> He then came to use Slinker and Stinker to refer to the two contrasting sides of Gollum's personality,<ref name=gate/> caused by possession of the [[One Ring]] for so long.<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}, pp. 53-5</ref> Slinker was the fawning, desperate, and eager-to-please, "Sméagol" side demeanour; and Stinker was the plotting and sinister "Gollum" side of him.<ref name=gate>{{TT|Gate}}, p. 638</ref> When he first came into the service of [[Frodo Baggins]] his Slinker side was more prominent but the closer they got to the [[Black Gate]] the more the Stinker side started to take over and Slinker became more like Stinker and Sam started using the name to generally refer to Gollum.<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 714</ref>

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 and choked him.

Sméagol, as a Hobbit, was perhaps good at heart, but he was relatively greedy and mean.<ref name=L214/> 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==
{{Pronounce|Anglo-Saxon - Sméagol.mp3|Gilgamesh|The Old English pronunciation of ''Sméagol''}}
Although Sméagol's people spoke [[Westron]] natively, J.R.R. Tolkien notes that he and his kinsman Déagol bore names taken from "the Mannish language of the region near the [[Gladden River|Gladden]]", i.e. [[Rohanese]].<ref>{{App|Hobbits}}, footnote after "before they came north the the Shire", p. 1130</ref> His actual name was [[Trahald]], meaning "burrowing" or "worming in".<ref>{{App|Translation}}, p. 1136</ref> As Rohanese is represented in the books by Old English, this was translated as Sméagol, from the Old English verb [[wiktionary:smeagan|''sméagan'']], meaning "to scrutinize, investigate", and the adjectival suffix [[wiktionary:-ol#Old_English|-''ol'']].<ref>{{HM|RW}}, p. 191</ref>

The Old English pronunciation would be [⁠ˈsmæɑːɣol⁠]; however, Tolkien himself used the modernized pronunciation /⁠ˈsmiːgɔːl⁠/.<ref>{{webcite|articleurl=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlKfe5ze7Ww&t=91s|website=YT|articlename=Tolkien reads - Of herbs and stewed rabbit|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlKfe5ze7Ww&t=91s|accessed=13 January 2026}}</ref>

==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 ''[[The 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.

==Inspiration==
[[John Garth]] has suggested that the character of Gollum carries echoes of the "''night-haunting, man-eating''" [[Ogres|ogre]] [[Wikipedia:Grendel|Grendel]] in ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]''.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[John Garth]]|articleurl=http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/05/j-r-r-tolkien-beowulf-one-mans-passion-threshold-between-myth-and-reality|articlename=J R R Tolkien's Beowulf: one man's passion for the threshold between myth and reality|dated=29 May 2014|website=[http://www.newstatesman.com/ newstatesman.com]|accessed=29 May 2014}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Gollum in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:The Hobbit (1967 film) - Gollum.jpg|[[The Hobbit (1967 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1967 film)]]
File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Gollum.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:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Concept art Gollum.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Gollum poster.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Sméagol2.jpg|As Sméagol in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Gollum.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 Icon.jpg|''[[Guardians of Middle-earth]]
File:Shadow of Mordor - Gollum.jpg|''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Gollum - Gollum's description.jpeg|Gollum's description in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]''
</gallery>

===Films===
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Gollum is a frog-like green creature, voiced by [[Theodore Isidore Gottlieb|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.{{Fact}} 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 ground-breaking 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: [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]:'''
:[[Andy Serkis]] reprised 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>

===Television===
'''1993: ''[[Hobitit]]'':'''
:Gollum is depicted as an old, white creature, portrayed by [[Kari Väänänen]], the same actor who played [[Aragorn]] in the series.

===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"
</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.

'''1980: [[Der Hobbit (1980 German radio series)|''Der Hobbit'' (1980 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Jürgen von Manger.

'''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>

'''1989: [[Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series)|''Hobit'' (1989 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Karol Čálik.

'''1992: [[Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series)|''Der Herr der Ringe'' (1992 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Dietmar Mues.

'''2002-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Ibrahim Maiga.

===Games===
'''1982: ''[[The Hobbit (1982 video game)]]'''''
:Gollum appears in the tunnels of the Misty Mountains. He will persistently speak riddles to Bilbo, and strangle him to death if he fails to answer them in time. However, if Bilbo puts the [[One Ring|Ring]] on, then Gollum will not be able to see him. He can also be killed by Bilbo or his companions, even though doing so would seriously conflict with established canon.
'''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>

'''2014: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character. In the game, set between ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Gollum is searching for [[the One Ring]] and encounters [[Talion]], the protagonist of the game and helps him in his Quest.

'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character.

'''2023: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]'':'''
:Gollum appears in the game as the protagonist character.

==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}}
{{ringbearers}}
{{hobbitfilms}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Stoors]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Gollum]]
[[fi:Klonkku]]

Gollum

2026-01-13T02:40:54Z

Wandelf: fix

{{infobox character
| people=[[Hobbits|Hobbit]]
| name=Gollum
| image=John Howe - Gollum.jpg
| caption="Gollum" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Sméagol ''[[Trahald]]'' ([[Westron|W]]) Stinker Slinker
| titles=
| position=
| location=[[Vales of Anduin]], [[Misty Mountains]], [[Mordor]], [[Woodland Realm]], [[Desolation of the Morannon]], [[North Ithilien]], [[Shelob's Lair]], [[Cracks of Doom|Sammath Naur]]
| affiliation=[[Stoors]], [[Ring-bearers]]
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth=c. {{TA|2430}}<ref name=guide>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 167, entry "Gollum"</ref>
| birthlocation=Near [[Gladden Fields]], [[Vales of Anduin]]
| rule=
| death=[[25 March]] {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=[[Mount Doom]], [[Plateau of Gorgoroth]]
| age=c. 589
| notablefor=
| family=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Thin, lank<ref name="Taming">{{TT|Taming}}</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{qtlisten|And when he said 'gollum' he made a horrible swallowing noise in his throat. That is how he got his name, though he always called himself 'my precious.'||''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[Riddles in the Dark]]"|J.R.R. Tolkien - Gollum Quote.mp3}}
'''Gollum''', also known as '''Sméagol''', was a creature (originally a [[Stoors|Stoorish]] [[Hobbits|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 fires of [[Mount Doom]].

==History==
===Early life===
Sméagol was a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] of [[Stoors|Stoorish]] race who lived on the banks of the [[Anduin]] in the later [[Third Age]], during the time of the [[Watchful Peace]], when [[Sauron]] was in the [[East]]. He belonged to a reputable family led by a stern and wise matriarch, his grandmother.<ref name=ta/><ref name=shadow/>

He had some amount of education in lore, as during his youth he learned of the events concerning the [[War of the Last Alliance]].<ref name=Passage>{{TT|IV2}}</ref> He also knew the [[riddle-game]], and riddles that were known to the Stoors' cousins in [[the Shire]].<ref name=shadow/><ref name=riddles>{{H|Riddles}}</ref>

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Sméagol and the Ring.jpg|left|thumb|''Sméagol and the Ring'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

Around the year {{TA|2463}}, on his birthday, his friend (and close relative) [[Déagol]] offered him a cheap present.<ref name=L214>{{L|214}}</ref> Later that day they went boating in the [[Gladden Fields]]. As Sméagol was nosing around on the banks, Déagol was pulled into the water by a large fish, and found a gold ring. Sméagol demanded the ring as a birthday present and strangled Deágol when he refused, hiding his body.<ref name=shadow/> He thus became the fourth [[Ring-bearers|Ringbearer]], succeeding Sauron, [[Isildur]], and Déagol.<ref name=ta>{{app|TA}}</ref>

After this incident, Sméagol returned home, telling no one of what had happened or what he had obtained. Discovering the Ring's power of invisibility, he used it for malicious purposes, spying on the other Stoors and learning their secrets. Soon he became unpopular and his peers avoided him; they often cursed and kicked him, and he bit their feet. Becoming a loner, he muttered to himself and gurgled in his throat, for which they called him "gollum", and he survived by stealing. Eventually even his grandmother, desiring peace, cast him out of the family [[hobbit-hole]].<ref name=shadow/>

===Exile===
[[File:Cor Blok - Gollum Goes into Hiding.jpg|thumb|"Gollum Goes into Hiding" by [[Cor Blok]]]]
Following his exile, Sméagol wandered up the Anduin and followed a stream to some deep pools. He lived on fish, which he ate raw. After some time, the [[sun]] began to burn his skin and eyes, leading him to seek shelter in the caves from which the stream issued, high in the [[Misty Mountains]].<ref name=shadow/>

The Ring's malignant influence twisted his Hobbit body and mind and prolonged his life far beyond its natural limit. The murder of Déagol haunted him, and he reassured himself by imagining that the Ring had been given to him by his grandmother as a birthday present. He began talking to the Ring constantly, calling it his "[[precious]]".<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Michael Hague - Riddles in the Dark.jpg|thumb|right|''Riddles in the Dark'' by [[Michael Hague]]]]

For over four hundred years he lived on a small island surrounded by a subterranean [[Gollum's lake|lake]]. He lived mostly on raw fish that he caught from his raft, though he sometimes managed to lay his hands on [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains|Goblins]] that had strayed from [[Goblin-town]]. In later years he began to find Hobbit and [[Elves|Elven]] food repulsive. The Ring's corrupting influence as well as centuries of isolation in the Misty Mountains took a deep toll on him both physically and mentally. He became disfigured and grotesque in appearance, and by the time he met the Hobbit [[Bilbo Baggins]] he was afflicted with almost complete madness.

===Loss of the Ring===
In {{TA|2941}}, during the [[Quest of Erebor]], Bilbo stumbled upon the Ring in the network of caves leading to Gollum's lake, Gollum having dropped it while hunting Goblins. It is possible that the Ring had a part in this, for it was known to have a will of its own. As [[Gandalf]] said later, the [[Necromancer]] was becoming more powerful, and it was a good time for the Ring to change hands and get back to Sauron.<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum is Defeated.jpg|thumb|left|''Gollum is Defeated'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

While still unaware of his loss, Gollum met Bilbo and engaged in the famous [[riddle-game]]. Gandalf later remarked that a small part of Gollum was glad to see another Hobbit for the first time in many years, but that this only made the evil part of him angrier.<ref name=shadow/> Following the game, Gollum refused to show Bilbo the promised way out and instead plotted to kill him. Before he could carry this out, he realized his "precious" was gone. Enraged, he gave Bilbo chase. The latter inadvertently stumbled upon the Ring's power of invisibility as he ran, allowing him to follow Gollum to the cave exit. There, Bilbo thought to kill Gollum, but pity struck him, so he instead jumped over him and fled.<ref>{{FR|Ring}}</ref>

===Into the wild===
Gollum spent a further three years skulking in the mountains,<ref name=ta/> but his longing for the Ring eventually overcame his hatred of sunlight, and so he sallied forth in search of Bilbo. Travelling by night, he passed through [[Mirkwood]] and reached [[Lake-town]] and [[Dale]]. He spent his time there spying and eavesdropping, which allowed him to learn more of Bilbo. He then headed in the direction of the Shire, but before he could cross the [[Great River]], he suddenly turned southwards. Gandalf had been tracking him all the while with the help of the [[Elves of Mirkwood]], but he gave up the chase at this time, something he would later regret.<ref name=shadow/>

News of [[Sauron]]'s resurgence had drawn Gollum towards [[Mordor]], in the foolish hope that the Enemy might help him wreak his revenge. After some thirty years of wandering he reached the [[Mountains of Shadow]], and met [[Shelob]].<ref name=ta/> Upon venturing into Mordor itself, he was captured and tortured by Sauron, who thereby learned that the Ring had been recovered and was in the possession of a Shire Hobbit. Meanwhile, Gandalf had begun to suspect that Bilbo's ring was the One Ring, which led him to resume his search for Gollum. In {{TA|3017}}, Gollum was set free, only to be caught at last by [[Aragorn]] in the [[Dead Marshes]], and turned over to Gandalf. Gandalf spent many "weary days" interrogating him, following which he placed him in the care of [[Thranduil]].<ref name=ta/>

===War of the Ring===
In {{TA|3018}}, Orcs raided the Elves of Mirkwood, allowing Gollum to escape. He entered [[Moria]], but was unable to open the [[Doors of Durin]]. Some months later, the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] passed through Moria, and Gollum began trailing it. When the Fellowship broke at [[Nen Hithoel]], Gollum followed [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] into the [[Emyn Muil]]. 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. Gollum swore by the "precious" itself to do so, and Frodo released him. The unlikely company, guided by Gollum, made its way to the [[Black Gate]], the entrance to Mordor.

Frodo's kindness brought out what remained of Gollum's better side, and he made at least some effort to keep his promise. The two had a strange sort of bond from having both been Ringbearers; in Gollum, Frodo saw his possible future, and so wanted to save him so he could save himself. Gollum feared Frodo, and also thought that helping him would deprive Sauron of the Ring.

When the Black Gate was reached and found to be well-guarded, Gollum convinced Frodo and Sam to follow him south, where he knew of another entrance into Mordor. Before they could reach it, Frodo and Sam were captured by [[Faramir]]. Gollum followed the captives to the secret outpost of [[Henneth Annûn]], where he was spotted. Faramir then forced Frodo to aid Faramir's men in capturing the creature, a betrayal that Gollum felt keenly. While questioning Gollum, Faramir learned that the place to which he had been leading the Hobbits was [[Cirith Ungol]]. He warned Frodo and Sam that this was a place of great evil and that their guide was not to be trusted.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum at the Forbidden Pool.jpg|thumb|''Gollum at the Forbidden Pool'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Upon regaining their freedom, Frodo, Sam, and Gollum set out again for Mordor and reached the pass of Cirith Ungol. One night, 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.<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> 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 referred to him as "her sneak".

Just as Frodo warned him, Gollum's breach 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 [[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 fell victim to the Ring's power and put it on his finger instead of casting it into the [[Cracks of Doom]] as he had meant to. Then Gollum attacked again. The two fought while 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.

==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - The Stairs of Cirith Ungol.jpg|left|thumb|''The Stairs of Cirith Ungol'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
Sméagol was a Hobbit, but he spent long centuries in darkness and damp, influenced by the power of the Ring. It is possible that thanks to his hardy Hobbitish nature that he was not reduced to a [[Wraiths|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, pale skin, flat feet, long thin hands with clammy fingers, and large pale or green eyes that seemed to glow. His sense of sight, as well as his hearing and smelling, was very good, due to the time he spent underground.

He could move and climb silently like a spider, and although he had only six teeth left,<ref>{{H|5}}</ref> he could give deep bites, even able to bite off Frodo's finger.

===Personality===
Sméagol was quick and strong, the most inquisitive and curious-minded of his community. He was interested in roots and beginnings. He owed [[#Etymology|his name]] to his interest in roots and deep pools; he dove, burrowed and tunnelled under trees, plants, and mounds. He tended to neglect anything that was higher, like the flowers, the trees and looking at the hills.<ref name=shadow/>

During his centuries of loneliness and under the Ring's influence, he seems to have developed something similar to a personality disorder: his "Gollum" 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 quarreled with himself. Gollum both loved and hated the Ring and himself. He often referred both to the Ring and himself as "my Precious", perhaps confusing the two entities.<ref name=guide/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Endgame on the Mountain.jpg|thumb|right|''Endgame on the Mountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Years later, [[Samwise Gamgee]] would give two nickname to Gollum. Originally, Sam used the name Slinker to refer to Gollum's slinking around before they had captured him.<ref>{{TT|Taming}}, p. 604</ref> He then came to use Slinker and Stinker to refer to the two contrasting sides of Gollum's personality,<ref name=gate/> caused by possession of the [[One Ring]] for so long.<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}, pp. 53-5</ref> Slinker was the fawning, desperate, and eager-to-please, "Sméagol" side demeanour; and Stinker was the plotting and sinister "Gollum" side of him.<ref name=gate>{{TT|Gate}}, p. 638</ref> When he first came into the service of [[Frodo Baggins]] his Slinker side was more prominent but the closer they got to the [[Black Gate]] the more the Stinker side started to take over and Slinker became more like Stinker and Sam started using the name to generally refer to Gollum.<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 714</ref>

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 and choked him.

Sméagol, as a Hobbit, was perhaps good at heart, but he was relatively greedy and mean.<ref name=L214/> 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==
{{Pronounce|Anglo-Saxon - Sméagol.mp3|Gilgamesh|The Old English pronunciation of ''Sméagol''}}
Although Sméagol's people spoke [[Westron]] natively, Tolkien notes that he and his kinsman Déagol bore names taken from "the Mannish language of the region near the [[Gladden River|Gladden]]", i.e. [[Rohanese]].<ref>{{App|F1iii}}</ref> His actual name was [[Trahald]], meaning "burrowing" or "worming in".<ref>{{App|F2}}</ref> As Rohanese is represented in the books by Old English, this was translated as Sméagol, from the Old English verb [[wiktionary:smeagan|''sméagan'']], meaning "to scrutinize, investigate", and the adjectival suffix [[wiktionary:-ol#Old_English|-''ol'']].<ref>{{HM|RW}}, p. 191</ref>

The Old English pronunciation would be [⁠ˈsmæɑːɣol⁠]; however, Tolkien himself used the modernized pronunciation /⁠ˈsmiːgɔːl⁠/.<ref>{{webcite|articleurl=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlKfe5ze7Ww&t=91s|website=YT|articlename=Tolkien reads - Of herbs and stewed rabbit|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlKfe5ze7Ww&t=91s|accessed=13 January 2026}}</ref>

==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 ''[[The 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.

==Inspiration==
[[John Garth]] has suggested that the character of Gollum carries echoes of the "''night-haunting, man-eating''" [[Ogres|ogre]] [[Wikipedia:Grendel|Grendel]] in ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]''.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[John Garth]]|articleurl=http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/05/j-r-r-tolkien-beowulf-one-mans-passion-threshold-between-myth-and-reality|articlename=J R R Tolkien's Beowulf: one man's passion for the threshold between myth and reality|dated=29 May 2014|website=[http://www.newstatesman.com/ newstatesman.com]|accessed=29 May 2014}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Gollum in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:The Hobbit (1967 film) - Gollum.jpg|[[The Hobbit (1967 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1967 film)]]
File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Gollum.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:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Concept art Gollum.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Gollum poster.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Sméagol2.jpg|As Sméagol in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Gollum.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 Icon.jpg|''[[Guardians of Middle-earth]]
File:Shadow of Mordor - Gollum.jpg|''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Gollum - Gollum's description.jpeg|Gollum's description in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]''
</gallery>

===Films===
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Gollum is a frog-like green creature, voiced by [[Theodore Isidore Gottlieb|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.{{Fact}} 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 ground-breaking 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: [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]:'''
:[[Andy Serkis]] reprised 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>

===Television===
'''1993: ''[[Hobitit]]'':'''
:Gollum is depicted as an old, white creature, portrayed by [[Kari Väänänen]], the same actor who played [[Aragorn]] in the series.

===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"
</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.

'''1980: [[Der Hobbit (1980 German radio series)|''Der Hobbit'' (1980 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Jürgen von Manger.

'''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>

'''1989: [[Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series)|''Hobit'' (1989 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Karol Čálik.

'''1992: [[Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series)|''Der Herr der Ringe'' (1992 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Dietmar Mues.

'''2002-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Ibrahim Maiga.

===Games===
'''1982: ''[[The Hobbit (1982 video game)]]'''''
:Gollum appears in the tunnels of the Misty Mountains. He will persistently speak riddles to Bilbo, and strangle him to death if he fails to answer them in time. However, if Bilbo puts the [[One Ring|Ring]] on, then Gollum will not be able to see him. He can also be killed by Bilbo or his companions, even though doing so would seriously conflict with established canon.
'''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>

'''2014: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character. In the game, set between ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Gollum is searching for [[the One Ring]] and encounters [[Talion]], the protagonist of the game and helps him in his Quest.

'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character.

'''2023: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]'':'''
:Gollum appears in the game as the protagonist character.

==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}}
{{ringbearers}}
{{hobbitfilms}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Stoors]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Gollum]]
[[fi:Klonkku]]

Gollum

2026-01-13T02:40:06Z

Wandelf: Undo revision 430265 by Wandelf (talk)

{{infobox character
| people=[[Hobbits|Hobbit]]
| name=Gollum
| image=John Howe - Gollum.jpg
| caption="Gollum" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Sméagol ''[[Trahald]]'' ([[Westron|W]]) Stinker Slinker
| titles=
| position=
| location=[[Vales of Anduin]], [[Misty Mountains]], [[Mordor]], [[Woodland Realm]], [[Desolation of the Morannon]], [[North Ithilien]], [[Shelob's Lair]], [[Cracks of Doom|Sammath Naur]]
| affiliation=[[Stoors]], [[Ring-bearers]]
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth=c. {{TA|2430}}<ref name=guide>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 167, entry "Gollum"</ref>
| birthlocation=Near [[Gladden Fields]], [[Vales of Anduin]]
| rule=
| death=[[25 March]] {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=[[Mount Doom]], [[Plateau of Gorgoroth]]
| age=c. 589
| notablefor=
| family=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Thin, lank<ref name="Taming">{{TT|Taming}}</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{qtlisten|And when he said 'gollum' he made a horrible swallowing noise in his throat. That is how he got his name, though he always called himself 'my precious.'||''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[Riddles in the Dark]]"|J.R.R. Tolkien - Gollum Quote.mp3}}
'''Gollum''', also known as '''Sméagol''', was a creature (originally a [[Stoors|Stoorish]] [[Hobbits|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 fires of [[Mount Doom]].

==History==
===Early life===
Sméagol was a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] of [[Stoors|Stoorish]] race who lived on the banks of the [[Anduin]] in the later [[Third Age]], during the time of the [[Watchful Peace]], when [[Sauron]] was in the [[East]]. He belonged to a reputable family led by a stern and wise matriarch, his grandmother.<ref name=ta/><ref name=shadow/>

He had some amount of education in lore, as during his youth he learned of the events concerning the [[War of the Last Alliance]].<ref name=Passage>{{TT|IV2}}</ref> He also knew the [[riddle-game]], and riddles that were known to the Stoors' cousins in [[the Shire]].<ref name=shadow/><ref name=riddles>{{H|Riddles}}</ref>

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Sméagol and the Ring.jpg|left|thumb|''Sméagol and the Ring'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

Around the year {{TA|2463}}, on his birthday, his friend (and close relative) [[Déagol]] offered him a cheap present.<ref name=L214>{{L|214}}</ref> Later that day they went boating in the [[Gladden Fields]]. As Sméagol was nosing around on the banks, Déagol was pulled into the water by a large fish, and found a gold ring. Sméagol demanded the ring as a birthday present and strangled Deágol when he refused, hiding his body.<ref name=shadow/> He thus became the fourth [[Ring-bearers|Ringbearer]], succeeding Sauron, [[Isildur]], and Déagol.<ref name=ta>{{app|TA}}</ref>

After this incident, Sméagol returned home, telling no one of what had happened or what he had obtained. Discovering the Ring's power of invisibility, he used it for malicious purposes, spying on the other Stoors and learning their secrets. Soon he became unpopular and his peers avoided him; they often cursed and kicked him, and he bit their feet. Becoming a loner, he muttered to himself and gurgled in his throat, for which they called him "gollum", and he survived by stealing. Eventually even his grandmother, desiring peace, cast him out of the family [[hobbit-hole]].<ref name=shadow/>

===Exile===
[[File:Cor Blok - Gollum Goes into Hiding.jpg|thumb|"Gollum Goes into Hiding" by [[Cor Blok]]]]
Following his exile, Sméagol wandered up the Anduin and followed a stream to some deep pools. He lived on fish, which he ate raw. After some time, the [[sun]] began to burn his skin and eyes, leading him to seek shelter in the caves from which the stream issued, high in the [[Misty Mountains]].<ref name=shadow/>

The Ring's malignant influence twisted his Hobbit body and mind and prolonged his life far beyond its natural limit. The murder of Déagol haunted him, and he reassured himself by imagining that the Ring had been given to him by his grandmother as a birthday present. He began talking to the Ring constantly, calling it his "[[precious]]".<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Michael Hague - Riddles in the Dark.jpg|thumb|right|''Riddles in the Dark'' by [[Michael Hague]]]]

For over four hundred years he lived on a small island surrounded by a subterranean [[Gollum's lake|lake]]. He lived mostly on raw fish that he caught from his raft, though he sometimes managed to lay his hands on [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains|Goblins]] that had strayed from [[Goblin-town]]. In later years he began to find Hobbit and [[Elves|Elven]] food repulsive. The Ring's corrupting influence as well as centuries of isolation in the Misty Mountains took a deep toll on him both physically and mentally. He became disfigured and grotesque in appearance, and by the time he met the Hobbit [[Bilbo Baggins]] he was afflicted with almost complete madness.

===Loss of the Ring===
In {{TA|2941}}, during the [[Quest of Erebor]], Bilbo stumbled upon the Ring in the network of caves leading to Gollum's lake, Gollum having dropped it while hunting Goblins. It is possible that the Ring had a part in this, for it was known to have a will of its own. As [[Gandalf]] said later, the [[Necromancer]] was becoming more powerful, and it was a good time for the Ring to change hands and get back to Sauron.<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum is Defeated.jpg|thumb|left|''Gollum is Defeated'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

While still unaware of his loss, Gollum met Bilbo and engaged in the famous [[riddle-game]]. Gandalf later remarked that a small part of Gollum was glad to see another Hobbit for the first time in many years, but that this only made the evil part of him angrier.<ref name=shadow/> Following the game, Gollum refused to show Bilbo the promised way out and instead plotted to kill him. Before he could carry this out, he realized his "precious" was gone. Enraged, he gave Bilbo chase. The latter inadvertently stumbled upon the Ring's power of invisibility as he ran, allowing him to follow Gollum to the cave exit. There, Bilbo thought to kill Gollum, but pity struck him, so he instead jumped over him and fled.<ref>{{FR|Ring}}</ref>

===Into the wild===
Gollum spent a further three years skulking in the mountains,<ref name=ta/> but his longing for the Ring eventually overcame his hatred of sunlight, and so he sallied forth in search of Bilbo. Travelling by night, he passed through [[Mirkwood]] and reached [[Lake-town]] and [[Dale]]. He spent his time there spying and eavesdropping, which allowed him to learn more of Bilbo. He then headed in the direction of the Shire, but before he could cross the [[Great River]], he suddenly turned southwards. Gandalf had been tracking him all the while with the help of the [[Elves of Mirkwood]], but he gave up the chase at this time, something he would later regret.<ref name=shadow/>

News of [[Sauron]]'s resurgence had drawn Gollum towards [[Mordor]], in the foolish hope that the Enemy might help him wreak his revenge. After some thirty years of wandering he reached the [[Mountains of Shadow]], and met [[Shelob]].<ref name=ta/> Upon venturing into Mordor itself, he was captured and tortured by Sauron, who thereby learned that the Ring had been recovered and was in the possession of a Shire Hobbit. Meanwhile, Gandalf had begun to suspect that Bilbo's ring was the One Ring, which led him to resume his search for Gollum. In {{TA|3017}}, Gollum was set free, only to be caught at last by [[Aragorn]] in the [[Dead Marshes]], and turned over to Gandalf. Gandalf spent many "weary days" interrogating him, following which he placed him in the care of [[Thranduil]].<ref name=ta/>

===War of the Ring===
In {{TA|3018}}, Orcs raided the Elves of Mirkwood, allowing Gollum to escape. He entered [[Moria]], but was unable to open the [[Doors of Durin]]. Some months later, the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] passed through Moria, and Gollum began trailing it. When the Fellowship broke at [[Nen Hithoel]], Gollum followed [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] into the [[Emyn Muil]]. 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. Gollum swore by the "precious" itself to do so, and Frodo released him. The unlikely company, guided by Gollum, made its way to the [[Black Gate]], the entrance to Mordor.

Frodo's kindness brought out what remained of Gollum's better side, and he made at least some effort to keep his promise. The two had a strange sort of bond from having both been Ringbearers; in Gollum, Frodo saw his possible future, and so wanted to save him so he could save himself. Gollum feared Frodo, and also thought that helping him would deprive Sauron of the Ring.

When the Black Gate was reached and found to be well-guarded, Gollum convinced Frodo and Sam to follow him south, where he knew of another entrance into Mordor. Before they could reach it, Frodo and Sam were captured by [[Faramir]]. Gollum followed the captives to the secret outpost of [[Henneth Annûn]], where he was spotted. Faramir then forced Frodo to aid Faramir's men in capturing the creature, a betrayal that Gollum felt keenly. While questioning Gollum, Faramir learned that the place to which he had been leading the Hobbits was [[Cirith Ungol]]. He warned Frodo and Sam that this was a place of great evil and that their guide was not to be trusted.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum at the Forbidden Pool.jpg|thumb|''Gollum at the Forbidden Pool'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Upon regaining their freedom, Frodo, Sam, and Gollum set out again for Mordor and reached the pass of Cirith Ungol. One night, 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.<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> 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 referred to him as "her sneak".

Just as Frodo warned him, Gollum's breach 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 [[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 fell victim to the Ring's power and put it on his finger instead of casting it into the [[Cracks of Doom]] as he had meant to. Then Gollum attacked again. The two fought while 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.

==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - The Stairs of Cirith Ungol.jpg|left|thumb|''The Stairs of Cirith Ungol'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
Sméagol was a Hobbit, but he spent long centuries in darkness and damp, influenced by the power of the Ring. It is possible that thanks to his hardy Hobbitish nature that he was not reduced to a [[Wraiths|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, pale skin, flat feet, long thin hands with clammy fingers, and large pale or green eyes that seemed to glow. His sense of sight, as well as his hearing and smelling, was very good, due to the time he spent underground.

He could move and climb silently like a spider, and although he had only six teeth left,<ref>{{H|5}}</ref> he could give deep bites, even able to bite off Frodo's finger.

===Personality===
Sméagol was quick and strong, the most inquisitive and curious-minded of his community. He was interested in roots and beginnings. He owed [[#Etymology|his name]] to his interest in roots and deep pools; he dove, burrowed and tunnelled under trees, plants, and mounds. He tended to neglect anything that was higher, like the flowers, the trees and looking at the hills.<ref name=shadow/>

During his centuries of loneliness and under the Ring's influence, he seems to have developed something similar to a personality disorder: his "Gollum" 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 quarreled with himself. Gollum both loved and hated the Ring and himself. He often referred both to the Ring and himself as "my Precious", perhaps confusing the two entities.<ref name=guide/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Endgame on the Mountain.jpg|thumb|right|''Endgame on the Mountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Years later, [[Samwise Gamgee]] would give two nickname to Gollum. Originally, Sam used the name Slinker to refer to Gollum's slinking around before they had captured him.<ref>{{TT|Taming}}, p. 604</ref> He then came to use Slinker and Stinker to refer to the two contrasting sides of Gollum's personality,<ref name=gate/> caused by possession of the [[One Ring]] for so long.<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}, pp. 53-5</ref> Slinker was the fawning, desperate, and eager-to-please, "Sméagol" side demeanour; and Stinker was the plotting and sinister "Gollum" side of him.<ref name=gate>{{TT|Gate}}, p. 638</ref> When he first came into the service of [[Frodo Baggins]] his Slinker side was more prominent but the closer they got to the [[Black Gate]] the more the Stinker side started to take over and Slinker became more like Stinker and Sam started using the name to generally refer to Gollum.<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 714</ref>

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 and choked him.

Sméagol, as a Hobbit, was perhaps good at heart, but he was relatively greedy and mean.<ref name=L214/> 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==
[[File:Turner Mohan - The Ringbearers.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''The Ringbearers'' by [[:Category:Images by Turner Mohan|Turner Mohan]]]]

''Sméagol'' is the translation of an actual [[Westron]] name ''[[Trahald]]'', the meaning of which was "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 [[language of Dale|Dalish]]"{{Fact}} was ''[[Trāgu]]'', and the ''Trah-'' stem in ''Trahald'' and ''Trâgu'' is thus an analogue of the Germanic stem present in both ''Sméagol'' and ''Smaug''.

[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] explained in his "[[Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings|Guide to the Names in ''The Lord of the Rings'']]" the origin of the name ''Sméagol'' in the lemma on [[smials]]:
{{blockquote|'''Smials'''. A word peculiar to hobbits (not Common Speech), meaning 'burrow'; leave unchanged. It is a form that the Old English word '''smygel''' 'burrow' might have had, if it had survived. The same element appears in Gollum's real name, '''Sméagol'''.}}

The name ''[[Smaug]]'', which means "squeezed through a hole", is thus related.<ref>{{L|31}}</ref>

===Pronunciation===
{{Pronounce|Anglo-Saxon - Sméagol.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
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".<ref>{{webcite|author=J.R.R. Tolkien|website=J.R.R. Tolkien reads from 'The Lord of the Rings' #1|articleurl=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBQJTaMMMhI&feature=youtu.be&t=95|articlename=J.R.R. Tolkien reads from 'The Lord of the Rings' #1}}</ref> 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 ''[[The 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.

==Inspiration==
[[John Garth]] has suggested that the character of Gollum carries echoes of the "''night-haunting, man-eating''" [[Ogres|ogre]] [[Wikipedia:Grendel|Grendel]] in ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]''.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[John Garth]]|articleurl=http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/05/j-r-r-tolkien-beowulf-one-mans-passion-threshold-between-myth-and-reality|articlename=J R R Tolkien's Beowulf: one man's passion for the threshold between myth and reality|dated=29 May 2014|website=[http://www.newstatesman.com/ newstatesman.com]|accessed=29 May 2014}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Gollum in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:The Hobbit (1967 film) - Gollum.jpg|[[The Hobbit (1967 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1967 film)]]
File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Gollum.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:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Concept art Gollum.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Gollum poster.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Sméagol2.jpg|As Sméagol in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Gollum.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 Icon.jpg|''[[Guardians of Middle-earth]]
File:Shadow of Mordor - Gollum.jpg|''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Gollum - Gollum's description.jpeg|Gollum's description in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]''
</gallery>

===Films===
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Gollum is a frog-like green creature, voiced by [[Theodore Isidore Gottlieb|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.{{Fact}} 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 ground-breaking 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: [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]:'''
:[[Andy Serkis]] reprised 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>

===Television===
'''1993: ''[[Hobitit]]'':'''
:Gollum is depicted as an old, white creature, portrayed by [[Kari Väänänen]], the same actor who played [[Aragorn]] in the series.

===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"
</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.

'''1980: [[Der Hobbit (1980 German radio series)|''Der Hobbit'' (1980 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Jürgen von Manger.

'''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>

'''1989: [[Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series)|''Hobit'' (1989 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Karol Čálik.

'''1992: [[Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series)|''Der Herr der Ringe'' (1992 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Dietmar Mues.

'''2002-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Ibrahim Maiga.

===Games===
'''1982: ''[[The Hobbit (1982 video game)]]'''''
:Gollum appears in the tunnels of the Misty Mountains. He will persistently speak riddles to Bilbo, and strangle him to death if he fails to answer them in time. However, if Bilbo puts the [[One Ring|Ring]] on, then Gollum will not be able to see him. He can also be killed by Bilbo or his companions, even though doing so would seriously conflict with established canon.
'''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>

'''2014: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character. In the game, set between ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Gollum is searching for [[the One Ring]] and encounters [[Talion]], the protagonist of the game and helps him in his Quest.

'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character.

'''2023: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]'':'''
:Gollum appears in the game as the protagonist character.

==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}}
{{ringbearers}}
{{hobbitfilms}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Stoors]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Gollum]]
[[fi:Klonkku]]

Gollum

2026-01-13T02:39:50Z

Wandelf: rewrite of etymology

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Anglo-Saxon - Sméagol.mp3|Gilgamesh|The Old English pronunciation of ''Sméagol''}}
Although Sméagol's people spoke [[Westron]] natively, Tolkien notes that he and his kinsman Déagol bore names taken from "the Mannish language of the region near the [[Gladden River|Gladden]]", i.e. [[Rohanese]].<ref>{{App|F1iii}}</ref> His actual name was [[Trahald]], meaning "burrowing" or "worming in".<ref>{{App|F2}}</ref> As Rohanese is represented in the books by Old English, this was translated as Sméagol, from the Old English verb [[wiktionary:smeagan|''sméagan'']], meaning "to scrutinize, investigate", and the adjectival suffix [[wiktionary:-ol#Old_English|-''ol'']].<ref>{{HM|RW}}, p. 191</ref>

The Old English pronunciation would be [⁠ˈsmæɑːɣol⁠]; however, Tolkien himself used the modernized pronunciation /⁠ˈsmiːgɔːl⁠/.<ref>{{webcite|articleurl=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlKfe5ze7Ww&t=91s|website=YT|articlename=Tolkien reads - Of herbs and stewed rabbit|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlKfe5ze7Ww&t=91s|accessed=13 January 2026}}</ref>

Beorn

2026-01-07T21:37:42Z

Wandelf: /* History */

{{disambig-two|the [[skin-changer]]|uncle of [[Eriol]]|[[Beorn (son of Heden)]]}}
{{infobox character
| people=[[Northmen|Northman]]
| name=Beorn
| image=Lelia - Beorn.jpg
| caption="Beorn" by [[:Category:Images by Lelia|Lelia]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| titles=
| position=
| location=[[Beorn's Hall]]
| affiliation=[[Thorin and Company]] [[Beornings]]
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth=Before {{TA|2941}}
| birthlocation=
| rule=
| death=Before {{TA|3018}}
| deathlocation=
| age=
| notablefor=being a [[Skin-changers|Skin-changer]]
| house=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=[[Grimbeorn]]
| gender=Male
| height=Tall
| hair=Black
| eyes=
| clothing=Woollen tunic<ref name="Queer">{{H|Queer}}</ref>
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
'''Beorn''' was a [[Skin-changers|Skin-changer]], a man who could assume the form of a huge black [[bears|bear]]. He aided [[Thorin and Company]] during their [[Quest of Erebor]].

==History==
[[File:Jef Murray - At the Carrock.jpg|[[Jef Murray]] - ''At the Carrock''|thumb|left]]
His origins lay in the distant past, and [[Gandalf]] suspected he and his people had originally come from [[Misty Mountains|the mountains]], until the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]] drove them away. He lived with his tame [[horses]] in a [[Beorn's Hall|wooden house]] between the [[Anduin|Great River]] and [[Mirkwood]].

Beorn named stone eyots in the Great River "carrocks"; the one closer to his home he named "the [[Carrock]]" and created some steps that led from its base to the flat top. While Gandalf knew him, Beorn did not know Gandalf; but he knew his fellow wizard, [[Radagast]]. Once Gandalf saw him as a huge black bear sitting all alone on the top of the Carrock watching the moon sinking towards the Misty Mountains, and heard him growl in the tongue of bears "The day will come when [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains|they]] will perish and I shall go back!".<ref name="Queer" />

During the [[Quest of Erebor]], Beorn received Gandalf, [[Bilbo Baggins]] and the thirteen [[Dwarves]] and gave the Dwarves and Bilbo help in their quest. As Gandalf knew that he disliked guests, he presented the dwarves gradually, while narrating his adventures in an exciting way. Beorn agreed to host them and provided them [[ponies]] until they reached the Mirkwood. To be sure about his ponies, Beorn stalked the company in the form of a bear, seen by Gandalf and Bilbo, and before Gandalf left them, insisted that the Dwarves should leave the ponies behind, as promised, as they had been always under their master's watch.<ref name="Queer" />

Beorn heard news of the [[Dragons|Dragon]] [[Smaug]]'s death in [[Lake-town|Esgaroth]].<ref name = "H14">{{H|14}}</ref>

In the [[Battle of Five Armies]], Beorn appeared transformed into a giant black bear, rescued [[Thorin]] from the [[Orcs|Goblins]] and killed their leader, [[Bolg]].<ref name="H18">{{H|18}}</ref>
[[File:David T. Wenzel - Beorn The Return Journey.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Beorn reunites with [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] and [[Gandalf]] following the [[Battle of Five Armies]] - Artwork by [[David T. Wenzel]]]]

After Thorin's burial, Beorn followed Bilbo, Gandalf and [[Thranduil]] on their way back to the west. Beorn once more hosted Bilbo and Gandalf and other [[Woodmen]] who came to celebrate [[Yule]].<ref name="H18" />

Eventually, he became a "great chief" in the [[Vales of Anduin]], and it is said that his descendants also were skin-changers, able to take the shape of a bear.<ref name="H18" /> His people became known as the [[Beornings]],<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''passim''</ref> and they helped defend [[Thranduil]]'s kingdom of northern Mirkwood.<ref>{{App|B3}}</ref>{{fact}}. Beorn presumably died some time before the [[War of the Ring]] began<ref>{{L|144}}</ref> and was succeeded by his son [[Grimbeorn|Grimbeorn the Old]].<ref>{{FR|II1}}</ref>

==Character & Appearance==
Beorn was a great strong black-haired man with huge arms and a great beard.<ref name="Queer" /> He was generally benevolent and hated goblins and wargs; but he was also a loner and distrustful of travelers and beggars. He was never polite, and became easily angry. He never invited people into his house and his very few friends, who lived a good way away, came no more than a couple to his house at a time. Added to this, Beorn was not fond of [[Dwarves]]. Although fierce to his enemies, once convinced of the others' goodwill, he was welcoming, generous and helpful. He did not eat any meat, as he could talk with his animals, who helped him. His grove was occupied by huge [[bees]]. Beorn's diet was mainly honey and cream.

==Etymology==
'''Beorn''' is an [[Old English]] word,<ref name="Shippey">[[Tom Shippey]], ''[[The Road to Middle-earth]]'' (revised and expanded ed. 2012), Chapter 3 The Bourgeois Burglar, The Ring as ‘Equalizer’, p. 91</ref><ref name="LT1">{{LT1|In}}, Commentary, about ''Beorn'', the brother of ''Eoh'' and uncle of ''Eriol''</ref><ref name="RC">{{HM|RC}}, p. 207</ref><ref>{{HM|IE}}, The Giving of Names, On Old English, pp. 212 and Meaningful Names, p. 218</ref> which originally meant "bear"<ref name="Shippey"/><ref name="LT1"/> and also means "prince",<ref name="RC"/><ref name="IE">{{HM|IE}}, The Giving of Names, p. 218</ref><ref name="BT">{{webcite|website=[http://www.bosworthtoller.com/ Bosworth-Toller Anglo-Saxon Dictionary]|articleurl=https://bosworthtoller.com/3757|articlename=BEORN|accessed=4 October 2025}}</ref> "nobleman",<ref name="RC"/><ref name="BT"/> "warrior"<ref name="RC"/><ref name="IE"/><ref name="LT1"/><ref name="BT"/> or poetic "man"<ref name="Shippey"/><ref name="RC"/><ref name="IE"/><ref name="BT"/>.<ref name="AH164">{{HM|AH}}, pp. 164-5</ref><ref name="RW">{{HM|RW}}, pp. 95-6</ref> It is cognate with the [[Old Norse]] word ''björn''.<ref name="LT1"/>

In the [[The Etymologies|''Etymologies'']], [[Ilkorin]] ''[[ber]]'' ("valiant man, warrior") and [[Danian]] ''[[Beorn (Nandorin)|beorn]]'' ("man") derive from the [[Elvish]] [[Sundocarme|root]] [[BER]].<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, root BER-; cf. root [[BES|BES-]]), p. 352</ref>

==Genealogy==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| BEO | |BEO='''BEORN''' ''fl. {{TA|2941}}''}}
{{familytree| |!| | |}}
{{familytree| GRI | |GRI=[[Grimbeorn]] ''fl. {{TA|3019}}''}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In early manuscripts of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', the name of the character that would become Beorn is ''Medwed''. Medwed's ability to change shape to a bear was due to an enchantment, perhaps of his own.<ref>{{HH|Medwed}}</ref> It has been suggested that ''Medwed'' is a Slavic name<ref>{{HH|Medwed}}, 'vi. Radagast', 'The Name Radagast'</ref> with ''[[wiktionary:medved|medved]]'' being a common Slavic word for "bear".

It should be noted that [[wiktionary:Reconstruction:Proto-Slavic/medv%C4%9Bd%D1%8C|''medved'']] is a taboo word for "bear" with the literal sense being "honey-eater"; the same etymology is constructed by J.R.R. Tolkien for the [[Noldorin]] word ''[https://eldamo.org/content/words/word-2314741507.html megli]'' (''mad-'' "eat" + ''glî'' "honey"; thus "honey eater"),<ref>{{LR|Etymologies}}, root '''LIS-''' and root '''MAT-''' </ref> suggesting that Tolkien was aware of the slavic word.

==Inspiration==
It has been suggested that the character Beorn was influenced by the Norse ''[[Hrólfs saga kraka|Saga of Hrólfr Kraki]]''.<ref name="RME73">[[Tom Shippey]], ''[[The Road to Middle-earth]]'' (revised and expanded ed. 2012), pp. 91-2</ref> In the saga appears a great bear defending [[wikipedia:Hrólfr Kraki|Hrólfr Kraki]], and also a man cursed to being transformed into a bear during nighttime. The work was well-known to [[J.R.R. Tolkien]], as one of his students and friend, Stella Miller, made [[The Saga of Hrolf Kraki|a translation of the saga]] dedicated to Tolkien, [[E.V. Gordon]] and C.T. Onions;<ref name="AH164" /> but even more importantly as Tolkien himself wrote an unpublished short story of the tale, entitled ''[[Sellic Spell]]''.<ref>{{HM|MB}}, pp. 256-60</ref>

Another suggested inspiration is the character of ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]'', "''whose name is commonly explained as Beowulf = 'bees' wolf' = honey-eater = bear, and one who breaks swords, rips off arms and cracks ribs with ursine power and clumsiness.''"<ref name="RME73" />

==Portrayal in adaptations==
<gallery class=center mode=nolines widths=300 heights=200>
File:Glen Michael Angus - Beorn.jpg|Beorn in ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]''
File:Stefano Baldo - Beorn.jpg|Beorn in ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game|MECCG]]''
File:The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug - Beorn.jpg|Beorn in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]
File:The Hobbit - The Desolation of Smaug - Beorn as a bear.png|Beorn in bear form in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Beorn.jpg|Beorn in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
</gallery>
'''1980: [[Der Hobbit (1980 German radio series)|''Der Hobbit'' (1980 German radio series)]]:'''
:Beorn is played by Martin Hirthe.

'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:Beorn is one of the Lords of the Beijabar (Beornings). His manor is called Muidwe Beorn.<ref>{{ICE|8003}}, p. 19</ref><ref>{{ICE|2019}}, pp. 105-6</ref>

'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
:Beorn is a Character, with the Home Site Beorn's House.

'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:In the GBA version, Beorn is visited after Thorin and Company depart from the Carrock. In the console and PC versions, Beorn appears only during the Battle of Five Armies and the ending cutscene, both times in the shape of a black bear.<ref>[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]], "The Clouds Burst"</ref>

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]'''
:[[Mikael Persbrandt]] portrays Beorn.<ref name="AFTONBLADETCasting">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/film/article13349150.ab|articlename=Persbrandt den bäste för jobbet|dated=30-April-2011|website=[http://www.aftonbladet.se/ AFTONBLADET]|accessed=23-Dec-2011}}</ref> In ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'', while in bear form, he picks up on the [[Thorin and Company|Company's]] trail and chases them into his [[Beorn's Hall|home]]. He stands guard overnight, thwarting the plans of [[Azog]] and his [[Orcs|Orc]] pack to attack. The next morning, he lends the Company some of his [[horses]] in order to get to [[Mirkwood]] before the Orcs. In ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'', he arrives with [[Radagast]] on the back of one of the [[Eagles]] late in the [[Battle of Five Armies|battle]], and leaps down to the ground, transforming into his bear form in midair. Along with the rest of the Eagles, he helps decimate the remaining Orc army. He is also present during the funeral of Thorin, Fili and Kili.

'''2019: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Beorn makes a brief cameo in a flashback sequence where he saved a [[Woodmen]] child from [[Gollum]] the child-snatcher.

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

{{references}}
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
|race=northmen
|house=
|born=Before {{TA|2941}}
|died=Before {{TA|3018}}
}}
{{seq
|pvac=None
|prev=Title established
|list=1st Chieftain of the [[Beornings]]
|dates=After {{TA|2941}} - before {{TA|3018}}
|next=[[Grimbeorn]]
}}
{{seq-end}}
{{hobbitfilms}}
[[Category:Beornings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Old English names]]
[[Category:Rulers in Middle-earth]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]

[[de:Beorn]]
[[fi:Beorn]]
[[fr:encyclo:personnages:hommes:3a:hommes du nord:beornides:beorn]]

Were-worms

2026-01-07T05:00:21Z

Wandelf: copyedit / expand

{{Quote|Tell me what you want done, and I will try it, if I have to walk from here to the East of East and fight the wild Were-worms in the Last Desert.|[[Bilbo Baggins]], from ''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[An Unexpected Party]]"}}

According to [[Bilbo Baggins]], '''were-worms''' were creatures dwelling in the [[Last Desert]] in the [[Uttermost East|East of East]].<ref>{{H|Party}}</ref> They were mentioned only by him. It is not known if they were an actual race or merely a part of Hobbit folklore, which mentions several mythical creatures, such as [[dumbledors]],<ref name=Errantry>{{AB|Errantry}}</ref> [[hummerhorns]]<ref name=Errantry/> and [[turtle-fish]].<ref>{{AB|Fastitocalon}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The element "were-" (as found in "werewolf") derives from a Germanic term denoting male humans.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/were-|articlename=were-|dated=|website=[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Wiktionary:Main_Page Wiktionary]|accessed=29 April 2025}}</ref> A were-worm would therefore be a "man-worm".

==Other versions of the legendarium==
In the earliest fragment of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', Bilbo offered to walk to the "Great Desert of Gobi and fight the Wild Wire worm of the Chinese".<ref>{{HH|Pryftan}}, p. 9</ref> Tolkien altered this in a slightly later version to "the last desert in the East" and "the Wild Wireworms of the Chinese",<ref>{{HH|Bladorthin}}, p. 40</ref> making the word plural. In real life, the term "wireworm" denotes the larva of the click beetle, a pest of crops.<ref>{{webcite|articleurl=https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/fieldcropsipm/insects/corn-wireworms.php|articlename=Wireworms|website=Purdue University Field Crops Entomology|accessed=4 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.tolweb.org/Elateridae/9190|articlename=Elateridae|website=Tree of Life web project|accessed=4 September 2020}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations ==
===Were-worms in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="201px" heights="150px">
File:Angus McBride - Were worms.jpg|Illustration for the were-worm card in the [[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]], by [[Angus McBride]]
File:The Hobbit - The Battle of the Five Armies - Wereworm.jpg|A were-worm in ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]''
</gallery>
'''1982–97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
: Were-worms are depicted as a very unusual breed of legless, wingless dragon, capable of altering their shapes. They are divided into two varieties: sand-drakes, animalistic beasts that can mimic the characteristics of objects they touch, and true were-worms, intelligent beings that use sorcery to take on the forms of other things.<ref>{{ICE|2012}}</ref>

'''2014: ''[[The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies]]'':'''
:[[Azog]]'s forces use giant worms, which Azog calls "earth eaters", to tunnel underground towards the city of [[Dale]]. When the creatures appear during the [[Battle of Five Armies]], [[Gandalf]] identifies them as "were-worms". In the film, they are depicted as absolutely gigantic, with [[Weta Digital]] stating that they are 400 feet long and 75 feet in diameter. They are apparently used only for tunneling, not fighting, as they do not take part in the ensuing battle.

{{References}}
{{Legend}}
[[Category:Enigmas]]
[[Category:Other races]]
[[fi:Hirmukäärmeet (Viimeinen erämaa)]]

Sharkey

2026-01-06T17:10:46Z

Wandelf: citation

[[File:Matt Stewart - Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire.jpg|thumb|''Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire'' by [[:Category:Images by Matt Stewart|Matt Stewart]]]]
'''Sharkey''' was the name by which [[Saruman]] was known among his followers at [[Isengard]] and later among the [[ruffians]] who overran [[the Shire]] at his behest. Saruman apparently did not object to its use, regarding it as a "sign of affection".<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 6.08.219}}</ref>

==Etymology==
A footnote to "[[The Scouring of the Shire]]" states that the name probably derived from the [[Orkish]] word ''[[sharkû]]'', meaning "old man".<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 6.08.219-fn}}</ref> Tolkien describes it in "[[Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings|Nomenclature of ''The Lord of the Rings'']]" as an "[Orkish] nickname modified to fit [[Common Speech|CS]]", which in the books is represented by English, hence the use of the English diminutive ending [[wiktionary:-ey#Etymology_2|-''ey'']].<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 763</ref>

== Development ==
In an early version of "The Scouring of the Shire", the name Sharkey is borne by one of the ruffians who accost Frodo and his friends at [[Bywater]]. Later, Tolkien applied the name to a head ruffian residing at [[Bag End]]. The head ruffian was replaced in the final version of the chapter by Saruman, who then took on the name.<ref>{{SD|IX}}, p. 94</ref>

{{References}}
[[Category:Anglicized Westron words]]
[[Category:Epithets]]
__NOTOC__

Gollum

2026-01-06T16:27:50Z

Wandelf: copyedit

{{infobox character
| people=[[Hobbits|Hobbit]]
| name=Gollum
| image=John Howe - Gollum.jpg
| caption="Gollum" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Sméagol ''[[Trahald]]'' ([[Westron|W]]) Stinker Slinker
| titles=
| position=
| location=[[Vales of Anduin]], [[Misty Mountains]], [[Mordor]], [[Woodland Realm]], [[Desolation of the Morannon]], [[North Ithilien]], [[Shelob's Lair]], [[Cracks of Doom|Sammath Naur]]
| affiliation=[[Stoors]], [[Ring-bearers]]
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth=c. {{TA|2430}}<ref name=guide>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 167, entry "Gollum"</ref>
| birthlocation=Near [[Gladden Fields]], [[Vales of Anduin]]
| rule=
| death=[[25 March]] {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=[[Mount Doom]], [[Plateau of Gorgoroth]]
| age=c. 589
| notablefor=
| family=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Thin, lank<ref name="Taming">{{TT|Taming}}</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{qtlisten|And when he said 'gollum' he made a horrible swallowing noise in his throat. That is how he got his name, though he always called himself 'my precious.'||''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[Riddles in the Dark]]"|J.R.R. Tolkien - Gollum Quote.mp3}}
'''Gollum''', also known as '''Sméagol''', was a creature (originally a [[Stoors|Stoorish]] [[Hobbits|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 fires of [[Mount Doom]].

==History==
===Early life===
Sméagol was a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] of [[Stoors|Stoorish]] race who lived on the banks of the [[Anduin]] in the later [[Third Age]], during the time of the [[Watchful Peace]], when [[Sauron]] was in the [[East]]. He belonged to a reputable family led by a stern and wise matriarch, his grandmother.<ref name=ta/><ref name=shadow/>

He had some amount of education in lore, as during his youth he learned of the events concerning the [[War of the Last Alliance]].<ref name=Passage>{{TT|IV2}}</ref> He also knew the [[riddle-game]], and riddles that were known to the Stoors' cousins in [[the Shire]].<ref name=shadow/><ref name=riddles>{{H|Riddles}}</ref>

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Sméagol and the Ring.jpg|left|thumb|''Sméagol and the Ring'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

Around the year {{TA|2463}}, on his birthday, his friend (and close relative) [[Déagol]] offered him a cheap present.<ref name=L214>{{L|214}}</ref> Later that day they went boating in the [[Gladden Fields]]. As Sméagol was nosing around on the banks, Déagol was pulled into the water by a large fish, and found a gold ring. Sméagol demanded the ring as a birthday present and strangled Deágol when he refused, hiding his body.<ref name=shadow/> He thus became the fourth [[Ring-bearers|Ringbearer]], succeeding Sauron, [[Isildur]], and Déagol.<ref name=ta>{{app|TA}}</ref>

After this incident, Sméagol returned home, telling no one of what had happened or what he had obtained. Discovering the Ring's power of invisibility, he used it for malicious purposes, spying on the other Stoors and learning their secrets. Soon he became unpopular and his peers avoided him; they often cursed and kicked him, and he bit their feet. Becoming a loner, he muttered to himself and gurgled in his throat, for which they called him "gollum", and he survived by stealing. Eventually even his grandmother, desiring peace, cast him out of the family [[hobbit-hole]].<ref name=shadow/>

===Exile===
[[File:Cor Blok - Gollum Goes into Hiding.jpg|thumb|"Gollum Goes into Hiding" by [[Cor Blok]]]]
Following his exile, Sméagol wandered up the Anduin and followed a stream to some deep pools. He lived on fish, which he ate raw. After some time, the [[sun]] began to burn his skin and eyes, leading him to seek shelter in the caves from which the stream issued, high in the [[Misty Mountains]].<ref name=shadow/>

The Ring's malignant influence twisted his Hobbit body and mind and prolonged his life far beyond its natural limit. The murder of Déagol haunted him, and he reassured himself by imagining that the Ring had been given to him by his grandmother as a birthday present. He began talking to the Ring constantly, calling it his "[[precious]]".<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Michael Hague - Riddles in the Dark.jpg|thumb|right|''Riddles in the Dark'' by [[Michael Hague]]]]

For over four hundred years he lived on a small island surrounded by a subterranean [[Gollum's lake|lake]]. He lived mostly on raw fish that he caught from his raft, though he sometimes managed to lay his hands on [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains|Goblins]] that had strayed from [[Goblin-town]]. In later years he began to find Hobbit and [[Elves|Elven]] food repulsive. The Ring's corrupting influence as well as centuries of isolation in the Misty Mountains took a deep toll on him both physically and mentally. He became disfigured and grotesque in appearance, and by the time he met the Hobbit [[Bilbo Baggins]] he was afflicted with almost complete madness.

===Loss of the Ring===
In {{TA|2941}}, during the [[Quest of Erebor]], Bilbo stumbled upon the Ring in the network of caves leading to Gollum's lake, Gollum having dropped it while hunting Goblins. It is possible that the Ring had a part in this, for it was known to have a will of its own. As [[Gandalf]] said later, the [[Necromancer]] was becoming more powerful, and it was a good time for the Ring to change hands and get back to Sauron.<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum is Defeated.jpg|thumb|left|''Gollum is Defeated'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

While still unaware of his loss, Gollum met Bilbo and engaged in the famous [[riddle-game]]. Gandalf later remarked that a small part of Gollum was glad to see another Hobbit for the first time in many years, but that this only made the evil part of him angrier.<ref name=shadow/> Following the game, Gollum refused to show Bilbo the promised way out and instead plotted to kill him. Before he could carry this out, he realized his "precious" was gone. Enraged, he gave Bilbo chase. The latter inadvertently stumbled upon the Ring's power of invisibility as he ran, allowing him to follow Gollum to the cave exit. There, Bilbo thought to kill Gollum, but pity struck him, so he instead jumped over him and fled.<ref>{{FR|Ring}}</ref>

===Into the wild===
Gollum spent a further three years skulking in the mountains,<ref name=ta/> but his longing for the Ring eventually overcame his hatred of sunlight, and so he sallied forth in search of Bilbo. Travelling by night, he passed through [[Mirkwood]] and reached [[Lake-town]] and [[Dale]]. He spent his time there spying and eavesdropping, which allowed him to learn more of Bilbo. He then headed in the direction of the Shire, but before he could cross the [[Great River]], he suddenly turned southwards. Gandalf had been tracking him all the while with the help of the [[Elves of Mirkwood]], but he gave up the chase at this time, something he would later regret.<ref name=shadow/>

News of [[Sauron]]'s resurgence had drawn Gollum towards [[Mordor]], in the foolish hope that the Enemy might help him wreak his revenge. After some thirty years of wandering he reached the [[Mountains of Shadow]], and met [[Shelob]].<ref name=ta/> Upon venturing into Mordor itself, he was captured and tortured by Sauron, who thereby learned that the Ring had been recovered and was in the possession of a Shire Hobbit. Meanwhile, Gandalf had begun to suspect that Bilbo's ring was the One Ring, which led him to resume his search for Gollum. In {{TA|3017}}, Gollum was set free, only to be caught at last by [[Aragorn]] in the [[Dead Marshes]], and turned over to Gandalf. Gandalf spent many "weary days" interrogating him, following which he placed him in the care of [[Thranduil]].<ref name=ta/>

===War of the Ring===
In {{TA|3018}}, Orcs raided the Elves of Mirkwood, allowing Gollum to escape. He entered [[Moria]], but was unable to open the [[Doors of Durin]]. Some months later, the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] passed through Moria, and Gollum began trailing it. When the Fellowship broke at [[Nen Hithoel]], Gollum followed [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] and [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]] into the [[Emyn Muil]]. 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. Gollum swore by the "precious" itself to do so, and Frodo released him. The unlikely company, guided by Gollum, made its way to the [[Black Gate]], the entrance to Mordor.

Frodo's kindness brought out what remained of Gollum's better side, and he made at least some effort to keep his promise. The two had a strange sort of bond from having both been Ringbearers; in Gollum, Frodo saw his possible future, and so wanted to save him so he could save himself. Gollum feared Frodo, and also thought that helping him would deprive Sauron of the Ring.

When the Black Gate was reached and found to be well-guarded, Gollum convinced Frodo and Sam to follow him south, where he knew of another entrance into Mordor. Before they could reach it, Frodo and Sam were captured by [[Faramir]]. Gollum followed the captives to the secret outpost of [[Henneth Annûn]], where he was spotted. Faramir then forced Frodo to aid Faramir's men in capturing the creature, a betrayal that Gollum felt keenly. While questioning Gollum, Faramir learned that the place to which he had been leading the Hobbits was [[Cirith Ungol]]. He warned Frodo and Sam that this was a place of great evil and that their guide was not to be trusted.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum at the Forbidden Pool.jpg|thumb|''Gollum at the Forbidden Pool'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Upon regaining their freedom, Frodo, Sam, and Gollum set out again for Mordor and reached the pass of Cirith Ungol. One night, 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.<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> 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 referred to him as "her sneak".

Just as Frodo warned him, Gollum's breach 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 [[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 fell victim to the Ring's power and put it on his finger instead of casting it into the [[Cracks of Doom]] as he had meant to. Then Gollum attacked again. The two fought while 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.

==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - The Stairs of Cirith Ungol.jpg|left|thumb|''The Stairs of Cirith Ungol'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
Sméagol was a Hobbit, but he spent long centuries in darkness and damp, influenced by the power of the Ring. It is possible that thanks to his hardy Hobbitish nature that he was not reduced to a [[Wraiths|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, pale skin, flat feet, long thin hands with clammy fingers, and large pale or green eyes that seemed to glow. His sense of sight, as well as his hearing and smelling, was very good, due to the time he spent underground.

He could move and climb silently like a spider, and although he had only six teeth left,<ref>{{H|5}}</ref> he could give deep bites, even able to bite off Frodo's finger.

===Personality===
Sméagol was quick and strong, the most inquisitive and curious-minded of his community. He was interested in roots and beginnings. He owed [[#Etymology|his name]] to his interest in roots and deep pools; he dove, burrowed and tunnelled under trees, plants, and mounds. He tended to neglect anything that was higher, like the flowers, the trees and looking at the hills.<ref name=shadow/>

During his centuries of loneliness and under the Ring's influence, he seems to have developed something similar to a personality disorder: his "Gollum" 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 quarreled with himself. Gollum both loved and hated the Ring and himself. He often referred both to the Ring and himself as "my Precious", perhaps confusing the two entities.<ref name=guide/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Endgame on the Mountain.jpg|thumb|right|''Endgame on the Mountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Years later, [[Samwise Gamgee]] would give two nickname to Gollum. Originally, Sam used the name Slinker to refer to Gollum's slinking around before they had captured him.<ref>{{TT|Taming}}, p. 604</ref> He then came to use Slinker and Stinker to refer to the two contrasting sides of Gollum's personality,<ref name=gate/> caused by possession of the [[One Ring]] for so long.<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}, pp. 53-5</ref> Slinker was the fawning, desperate, and eager-to-please, "Sméagol" side demeanour; and Stinker was the plotting and sinister "Gollum" side of him.<ref name=gate>{{TT|Gate}}, p. 638</ref> When he first came into the service of [[Frodo Baggins]] his Slinker side was more prominent but the closer they got to the [[Black Gate]] the more the Stinker side started to take over and Slinker became more like Stinker and Sam started using the name to generally refer to Gollum.<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 714</ref>

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 and choked him.

Sméagol, as a Hobbit, was perhaps good at heart, but he was relatively greedy and mean.<ref name=L214/> 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==
[[File:Turner Mohan - The Ringbearers.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''The Ringbearers'' by [[:Category:Images by Turner Mohan|Turner Mohan]]]]

''Sméagol'' is the translation of an actual [[Westron]] name ''[[Trahald]]'', the meaning of which was "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 [[language of Dale|Dalish]]"{{Fact}} was ''[[Trāgu]]'', and the ''Trah-'' stem in ''Trahald'' and ''Trâgu'' is thus an analogue of the Germanic stem present in both ''Sméagol'' and ''Smaug''.

[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] explained in his "[[Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings|Guide to the Names in ''The Lord of the Rings'']]" the origin of the name ''Sméagol'' in the lemma on [[smials]]:
{{blockquote|'''Smials'''. A word peculiar to hobbits (not Common Speech), meaning 'burrow'; leave unchanged. It is a form that the Old English word '''smygel''' 'burrow' might have had, if it had survived. The same element appears in Gollum's real name, '''Sméagol'''.}}

The name ''[[Smaug]]'', which means "squeezed through a hole", is thus related.<ref>{{L|31}}</ref>

===Pronunciation===
{{Pronounce|Anglo-Saxon - Sméagol.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
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".<ref>{{webcite|author=J.R.R. Tolkien|website=J.R.R. Tolkien reads from 'The Lord of the Rings' #1|articleurl=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBQJTaMMMhI&feature=youtu.be&t=95|articlename=J.R.R. Tolkien reads from 'The Lord of the Rings' #1}}</ref> 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 ''[[The 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.

==Inspiration==
[[John Garth]] has suggested that the character of Gollum carries echoes of the "''night-haunting, man-eating''" [[Ogres|ogre]] [[Wikipedia:Grendel|Grendel]] in ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]''.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[John Garth]]|articleurl=http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/05/j-r-r-tolkien-beowulf-one-mans-passion-threshold-between-myth-and-reality|articlename=J R R Tolkien's Beowulf: one man's passion for the threshold between myth and reality|dated=29 May 2014|website=[http://www.newstatesman.com/ newstatesman.com]|accessed=29 May 2014}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Gollum in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:The Hobbit (1967 film) - Gollum.jpg|[[The Hobbit (1967 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1967 film)]]
File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Gollum.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:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Concept art Gollum.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Gollum poster.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Sméagol2.jpg|As Sméagol in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Gollum.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 Icon.jpg|''[[Guardians of Middle-earth]]
File:Shadow of Mordor - Gollum.jpg|''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Gollum - Gollum's description.jpeg|Gollum's description in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]''
</gallery>

===Films===
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Gollum is a frog-like green creature, voiced by [[Theodore Isidore Gottlieb|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.{{Fact}} 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 ground-breaking 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: [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]:'''
:[[Andy Serkis]] reprised 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>

===Television===
'''1993: ''[[Hobitit]]'':'''
:Gollum is depicted as an old, white creature, portrayed by [[Kari Väänänen]], the same actor who played [[Aragorn]] in the series.

===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"
</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.

'''1980: [[Der Hobbit (1980 German radio series)|''Der Hobbit'' (1980 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Jürgen von Manger.

'''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>

'''1989: [[Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series)|''Hobit'' (1989 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Karol Čálik.

'''1992: [[Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series)|''Der Herr der Ringe'' (1992 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Dietmar Mues.

'''2002-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Ibrahim Maiga.

===Games===
'''1982: ''[[The Hobbit (1982 video game)]]'''''
:Gollum appears in the tunnels of the Misty Mountains. He will persistently speak riddles to Bilbo, and strangle him to death if he fails to answer them in time. However, if Bilbo puts the [[One Ring|Ring]] on, then Gollum will not be able to see him. He can also be killed by Bilbo or his companions, even though doing so would seriously conflict with established canon.
'''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>

'''2014: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character. In the game, set between ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Gollum is searching for [[the One Ring]] and encounters [[Talion]], the protagonist of the game and helps him in his Quest.

'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character.

'''2023: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]'':'''
:Gollum appears in the game as the protagonist character.

==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}}
{{ringbearers}}
{{hobbitfilms}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Stoors]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Gollum]]
[[fi:Klonkku]]

Gollum

2026-01-06T04:25:16Z

Wandelf: /* Into the wild */ copyedit

{{infobox character
| people=[[Hobbits|Hobbit]]
| name=Gollum
| image=John Howe - Gollum.jpg
| caption="Gollum" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Sméagol ''[[Trahald]]'' ([[Westron|W]]) Stinker Slinker
| titles=
| position=
| location=[[Vales of Anduin]], [[Misty Mountains]], [[Mordor]], [[Woodland Realm]], [[Desolation of the Morannon]], [[North Ithilien]], [[Shelob's Lair]], [[Cracks of Doom|Sammath Naur]]
| affiliation=[[Stoors]], [[Ring-bearers]]
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth=c. {{TA|2430}}<ref name=guide>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 167, entry "Gollum"</ref>
| birthlocation=Near [[Gladden Fields]], [[Vales of Anduin]]
| rule=
| death=[[25 March]] {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=[[Mount Doom]], [[Plateau of Gorgoroth]]
| age=c. 589
| notablefor=
| family=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Thin, lank<ref name="Taming">{{TT|Taming}}</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{qtlisten|And when he said 'gollum' he made a horrible swallowing noise in his throat. That is how he got his name, though he always called himself 'my precious.'||''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[Riddles in the Dark]]"|J.R.R. Tolkien - Gollum Quote.mp3}}
'''Gollum''', also known as '''Sméagol''', was a creature (originally a [[Stoors|Stoorish]] [[Hobbits|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 fires of [[Mount Doom]].

==History==
===Early life===
Sméagol was a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] of riverland [[Stoors|Stoor-kind]] who lived on the banks of the [[Anduin]] in the later [[Third Age]]. He belonged to a reputable family led by a stern and wise matriarch.<ref name=shadow/> He spent the early years of his life living with his extended family during the [[Watchful Peace]], when [[Sauron]] was in the [[East]].<ref name=ta/>

He had some amount of education in lore, as during his youth he had learned of the events concerning the [[War of the Last Alliance]] against [[Sauron]].<ref name=Passage>{{TT|IV2}}</ref> He also knew the [[riddle-game]], and riddles that were known to the Stoors' cousins in [[the Shire]].<ref name=shadow/><ref name=riddles>{{H|Riddles}}</ref>

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Sméagol and the Ring.jpg|left|thumb|''Sméagol and the Ring'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

Around the year {{TA|2463}}, on his birthday, his friend (and close relative) [[Déagol]] offered him a cheap present.<ref name=L214>{{L|214}}</ref> Later that day they went boating in the [[Gladden Fields]], and as Sméagol was nosing at the banks, Déagol was pulled into the water by a large fish, and found a gold ring. Sméagol demanded the ring as a birthday present and strangled Deágol when he refused, hiding his body.<ref name=shadow/> He then became the fourth [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]] after Sauron, [[Isildur]], and Déagol.<ref name=ta>{{app|TA}}</ref>

After this event, he returned home and understood he was invisible. He kept his treasure a secret and used it in malicious ways, to see and hear secrets and hurtful things. Soon he became unpopular and his peers avoided him; they often cursed and kicked him, and he bit their feet. Becoming a loner, he muttered to himself and gurgled in his throat, for which they called him ''gollum'', and he survived by stealing. Eventually even his grandmother, desiring peace, banished him from their family and [[hobbit-hole]].<ref name=shadow/>

===Exile===
[[File:Cor Blok - Gollum Goes into Hiding.jpg|thumb|"Gollum Goes into Hiding" by [[Cor Blok]]]]
Following his exile, he wandered up the river and then followed a stream to some deep pools. He lived on fish, which he ate raw. After some time, the [[sun]] began to burn his skin and eyes, leading him to seek shelter in the caves from which the stream issued, high in the [[Misty Mountains]].<ref name=shadow/>

The Ring's malignant influence twisted his Hobbit body and mind and prolonged his life far beyond its natural limit. The murder of Déagol haunted him, and he reassured himself by talking to the Ring constantly, calling it his "[[precious]]" and his "birthday present".<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Michael Hague - Riddles in the Dark.jpg|thumb|right|''Riddles in the Dark'' by [[Michael Hague]]]]

For over four hundred years he lived on a small island surrounded by a subterranean [[Gollum's lake|lake]]. He lived mostly on raw fish that he caught from his raft, though he sometimes managed to lay his hands on [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains|Goblins]] that had strayed from [[Goblin-town]]. In later years he began to find Hobbit and [[Elves|Elven]] food repulsive. The Ring's corrupting influence as well as centuries of isolation in the Misty Mountains took a deep toll on him both physically and mentally. He became disfigured and grotesque in appearance, and by the time he met the Hobbit [[Bilbo Baggins]] he was afflicted with almost complete madness.

===Departure of the Ring===
In {{TA|2941}}, during the [[Quest of Erebor]], Bilbo stumbled upon the Ring in the network of caves leading to Gollum's lake, Gollum having dropped it while hunting Goblins. It is possible that the Ring had a part in this, for it was known to have a will of its own. As [[Gandalf]] said later, the [[Necromancer]] was becoming more powerful, and it was a good time for the Ring to change hands and get back to Sauron.<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum is Defeated.jpg|thumb|left|''Gollum is Defeated'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

While still unaware of his loss, Gollum met Bilbo and engaged in the famous [[riddle-game]]. Gandalf remarked that a small part of Gollum was glad to see another Hobbit for the first time in many years, but that this only made the evil part of him angrier.<ref name=shadow/> Following the game, Gollum refused to show Bilbo the promised way out and instead plotted to kill him. Before he could carry this out, he realized his "precious" was gone. Enraged, he gave Bilbo chase. The latter inadvertently stumbled upon the Ring's power of invisibility as he ran, allowing him to follow Gollum to the cave exit. There, Bilbo thought to kill Gollum, but pity struck him, so he instead jumped over him and fled. As Bilbo left, Gollum cried out, "Thief! Thief, Baggins! We hates it forever!"<ref>{{FR|Ring}}</ref>

===Into the wild===
Gollum spent a further three years skulking in the mountains,<ref name=ta/> but his longing for the Ring eventually overcame his hatred of sunlight, and so he sallied forth in search of Bilbo. Travelling by night, he passed through [[Mirkwood]] and reached [[Lake-town]] and [[Dale]]. He spent his time there spying and eavesdropping, which allowed him to learn more of Bilbo. He then headed in the direction of the Shire, but before he could cross the [[Great River]], he suddenly turned southwards. Gandalf had been tracking him all the while with the help of the [[Elves of Mirkwood]], but he gave up the chase at this time, something he would later regret.<ref name=shadow/>

News of [[Sauron]]'s resurgence had drawn Gollum towards [[Mordor]], in the foolish belief that the Enemy might help him gain his revenge. After some thirty years of wandering he reached the [[Mountains of Shadow]], and met [[Shelob]].<ref name=ta/> Upon venturing into Mordor itself, he was captured and tortured by Sauron, who thereby learned that the Ring had been recovered and was in the possession of a Shire Hobbit. Meanwhile, Gandalf had begun to suspect that Bilbo's ring was the One Ring, which led him to resume his search for Gollum. In {{TA|3017}}, Gollum was set free, only to be caught at last by [[Aragorn]] in the [[Dead Marshes]], and turned over to Gandalf. Gandalf spent many "weary days" interrogating him, following which he placed him in the care of [[Thranduil]].<ref name=b3>{{App|B3}}</ref>

===War of the Ring===
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 presumably, he decided to hide into [[Moria]] in [[August]], in order to lose his pursuers, the [[Elves]] and the servants of [[Sauron]]. However he could not open the [[Doors of Durin]] from the inside so didn't exit into [[Eriador]] to reach [[the Shire]].<ref name=b3/>

Presumably he stayed there for months, until the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] entered Moria from the Door on [[13 January]] of [[Third Age 3019|the next year]], and Gollum picked up the trail of the new [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]], [[Frodo Baggins]], as they travelled through Moria.<ref name=b3/> [[January|Two days later]] Gandalf was lost while fighting a [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]] and breaking the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]; it is unknown how he crossed the chasm or the Bridge, but he came with them to [[Lothlórien]] without their knowing. Hiding somewhere around the shores of [[Anduin]], Gollum spied their departure,<ref name=b3/> and 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.

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 of 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, getting caught in the [[Forbidden Pool]] beneath [[Henneth Annûn]]. 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.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum at the Forbidden Pool.jpg|thumb|''Gollum at the Forbidden Pool'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Frodo, Sam, and Gollum left Faramir and began crossing the pass of Cirith Ungol in the border-mountains of the [[Ephel Dúath]]. On [[11 March]] 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.<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> 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".

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 [[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 [[Cracks 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.

==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - The Stairs of Cirith Ungol.jpg|left|thumb|''The Stairs of Cirith Ungol'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
Sméagol was a Hobbit, but he spent long centuries in darkness and damp, influenced by the power of the Ring. It is possible that thanks to his hardy Hobbitish nature that he was not reduced to a [[Wraiths|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, pale skin, flat feet, long thin hands with clammy fingers, and large pale or green eyes that seemed to glow. His sense of sight, as well as his hearing and smelling, was very good, due to the time he spent underground.

He could move and climb silently like a spider, and although he had only six teeth left,<ref>{{H|5}}</ref> he could give deep bites, even able to bite off Frodo's finger.

===Personality===
Sméagol was quick and strong, the most inquisitive and curious-minded of his community. He was interested in roots and beginnings. He owed [[#Etymology|his name]] to his interest in roots and deep pools; he dove, burrowed and tunnelled under trees, plants, and mounds. He tended to neglect anything that was higher, like the flowers, the trees and looking at the hills.<ref name=shadow/>

During his centuries of loneliness and under the Ring's influence, he seems to have developed something similar to a personality disorder: his "Gollum" 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 quarreled with himself. Gollum both loved and hated the Ring and himself. He often referred both to the Ring and himself as "my Precious", perhaps confusing the two entities.<ref name=guide/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Endgame on the Mountain.jpg|thumb|right|''Endgame on the Mountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Years later, [[Samwise Gamgee]] would give two nickname to Gollum. Originally, Sam used the name Slinker to refer to Gollum's slinking around before they had captured him.<ref>{{TT|Taming}}, p. 604</ref> He then came to use Slinker and Stinker to refer to the two contrasting sides of Gollum's personality,<ref name=gate/> caused by possession of the [[One Ring]] for so long.<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}, pp. 53-5</ref> Slinker was the fawning, desperate, and eager-to-please, "Sméagol" side demeanour; and Stinker was the plotting and sinister "Gollum" side of him.<ref name=gate>{{TT|Gate}}, p. 638</ref> When he first came into the service of [[Frodo Baggins]] his Slinker side was more prominent but the closer they got to the [[Black Gate]] the more the Stinker side started to take over and Slinker became more like Stinker and Sam started using the name to generally refer to Gollum.<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 714</ref>

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 and choked him.

Sméagol, as a Hobbit, was perhaps good at heart, but he was relatively greedy and mean.<ref name=L214/> 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==
[[File:Turner Mohan - The Ringbearers.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''The Ringbearers'' by [[:Category:Images by Turner Mohan|Turner Mohan]]]]

''Sméagol'' is the translation of an actual [[Westron]] name ''[[Trahald]]'', the meaning of which was "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 [[language of Dale|Dalish]]"{{Fact}} was ''[[Trāgu]]'', and the ''Trah-'' stem in ''Trahald'' and ''Trâgu'' is thus an analogue of the Germanic stem present in both ''Sméagol'' and ''Smaug''.

[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] explained in his "[[Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings|Guide to the Names in ''The Lord of the Rings'']]" the origin of the name ''Sméagol'' in the lemma on [[smials]]:
{{blockquote|'''Smials'''. A word peculiar to hobbits (not Common Speech), meaning 'burrow'; leave unchanged. It is a form that the Old English word '''smygel''' 'burrow' might have had, if it had survived. The same element appears in Gollum's real name, '''Sméagol'''.}}

The name ''[[Smaug]]'', which means "squeezed through a hole", is thus related.<ref>{{L|31}}</ref>

===Pronunciation===
{{Pronounce|Anglo-Saxon - Sméagol.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
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".<ref>{{webcite|author=J.R.R. Tolkien|website=J.R.R. Tolkien reads from 'The Lord of the Rings' #1|articleurl=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBQJTaMMMhI&feature=youtu.be&t=95|articlename=J.R.R. Tolkien reads from 'The Lord of the Rings' #1}}</ref> 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 ''[[The 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.

==Inspiration==
[[John Garth]] has suggested that the character of Gollum carries echoes of the "''night-haunting, man-eating''" [[Ogres|ogre]] [[Wikipedia:Grendel|Grendel]] in ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]''.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[John Garth]]|articleurl=http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/05/j-r-r-tolkien-beowulf-one-mans-passion-threshold-between-myth-and-reality|articlename=J R R Tolkien's Beowulf: one man's passion for the threshold between myth and reality|dated=29 May 2014|website=[http://www.newstatesman.com/ newstatesman.com]|accessed=29 May 2014}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Gollum in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:The Hobbit (1967 film) - Gollum.jpg|[[The Hobbit (1967 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1967 film)]]
File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Gollum.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:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Concept art Gollum.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Gollum poster.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Sméagol2.jpg|As Sméagol in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Gollum.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 Icon.jpg|''[[Guardians of Middle-earth]]
File:Shadow of Mordor - Gollum.jpg|''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Gollum - Gollum's description.jpeg|Gollum's description in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]''
</gallery>

===Films===
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Gollum is a frog-like green creature, voiced by [[Theodore Isidore Gottlieb|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.{{Fact}} 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 ground-breaking 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: [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]:'''
:[[Andy Serkis]] reprised 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>

===Television===
'''1993: ''[[Hobitit]]'':'''
:Gollum is depicted as an old, white creature, portrayed by [[Kari Väänänen]], the same actor who played [[Aragorn]] in the series.

===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"
</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.

'''1980: [[Der Hobbit (1980 German radio series)|''Der Hobbit'' (1980 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Jürgen von Manger.

'''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>

'''1989: [[Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series)|''Hobit'' (1989 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Karol Čálik.

'''1992: [[Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series)|''Der Herr der Ringe'' (1992 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Dietmar Mues.

'''2002-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Ibrahim Maiga.

===Games===
'''1982: ''[[The Hobbit (1982 video game)]]'''''
:Gollum appears in the tunnels of the Misty Mountains. He will persistently speak riddles to Bilbo, and strangle him to death if he fails to answer them in time. However, if Bilbo puts the [[One Ring|Ring]] on, then Gollum will not be able to see him. He can also be killed by Bilbo or his companions, even though doing so would seriously conflict with established canon.
'''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>

'''2014: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character. In the game, set between ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Gollum is searching for [[the One Ring]] and encounters [[Talion]], the protagonist of the game and helps him in his Quest.

'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character.

'''2023: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]'':'''
:Gollum appears in the game as the protagonist character.

==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}}
{{ringbearers}}
{{hobbitfilms}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Stoors]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Gollum]]
[[fi:Klonkku]]

Gollum

2026-01-06T03:13:23Z

Wandelf: /* Departure of the Ring */ copyedit

{{infobox character
| people=[[Hobbits|Hobbit]]
| name=Gollum
| image=John Howe - Gollum.jpg
| caption="Gollum" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Sméagol ''[[Trahald]]'' ([[Westron|W]]) Stinker Slinker
| titles=
| position=
| location=[[Vales of Anduin]], [[Misty Mountains]], [[Mordor]], [[Woodland Realm]], [[Desolation of the Morannon]], [[North Ithilien]], [[Shelob's Lair]], [[Cracks of Doom|Sammath Naur]]
| affiliation=[[Stoors]], [[Ring-bearers]]
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth=c. {{TA|2430}}<ref name=guide>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 167, entry "Gollum"</ref>
| birthlocation=Near [[Gladden Fields]], [[Vales of Anduin]]
| rule=
| death=[[25 March]] {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=[[Mount Doom]], [[Plateau of Gorgoroth]]
| age=c. 589
| notablefor=
| family=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Thin, lank<ref name="Taming">{{TT|Taming}}</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{qtlisten|And when he said 'gollum' he made a horrible swallowing noise in his throat. That is how he got his name, though he always called himself 'my precious.'||''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[Riddles in the Dark]]"|J.R.R. Tolkien - Gollum Quote.mp3}}
'''Gollum''', also known as '''Sméagol''', was a creature (originally a [[Stoors|Stoorish]] [[Hobbits|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 fires of [[Mount Doom]].

==History==
===Early life===
Sméagol was a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] of riverland [[Stoors|Stoor-kind]] who lived on the banks of the [[Anduin]] in the later [[Third Age]]. He belonged to a reputable family led by a stern and wise matriarch.<ref name=shadow/> He spent the early years of his life living with his extended family during the [[Watchful Peace]], when [[Sauron]] was in the [[East]].<ref name=ta/>

He had some amount of education in lore, as during his youth he had learned of the events concerning the [[War of the Last Alliance]] against [[Sauron]].<ref name=Passage>{{TT|IV2}}</ref> He also knew the [[riddle-game]], and riddles that were known to the Stoors' cousins in [[the Shire]].<ref name=shadow/><ref name=riddles>{{H|Riddles}}</ref>

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Sméagol and the Ring.jpg|left|thumb|''Sméagol and the Ring'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

Around the year {{TA|2463}}, on his birthday, his friend (and close relative) [[Déagol]] offered him a cheap present.<ref name=L214>{{L|214}}</ref> Later that day they went boating in the [[Gladden Fields]], and as Sméagol was nosing at the banks, Déagol was pulled into the water by a large fish, and found a gold ring. Sméagol demanded the ring as a birthday present and strangled Deágol when he refused, hiding his body.<ref name=shadow/> He then became the fourth [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]] after Sauron, [[Isildur]], and Déagol.<ref name=ta>{{app|TA}}</ref>

After this event, he returned home and understood he was invisible. He kept his treasure a secret and used it in malicious ways, to see and hear secrets and hurtful things. Soon he became unpopular and his peers avoided him; they often cursed and kicked him, and he bit their feet. Becoming a loner, he muttered to himself and gurgled in his throat, for which they called him ''gollum'', and he survived by stealing. Eventually even his grandmother, desiring peace, banished him from their family and [[hobbit-hole]].<ref name=shadow/>

===Exile===
[[File:Cor Blok - Gollum Goes into Hiding.jpg|thumb|"Gollum Goes into Hiding" by [[Cor Blok]]]]
Following his exile, he wandered up the river and then followed a stream to some deep pools. He lived on fish, which he ate raw. After some time, the [[sun]] began to burn his skin and eyes, leading him to seek shelter in the caves from which the stream issued, high in the [[Misty Mountains]].<ref name=shadow/>

The Ring's malignant influence twisted his Hobbit body and mind and prolonged his life far beyond its natural limit. The murder of Déagol haunted him, and he reassured himself by talking to the Ring constantly, calling it his "[[precious]]" and his "birthday present".<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Michael Hague - Riddles in the Dark.jpg|thumb|right|''Riddles in the Dark'' by [[Michael Hague]]]]

For over four hundred years he lived on a small island surrounded by a subterranean [[Gollum's lake|lake]]. He lived mostly on raw fish that he caught from his raft, though he sometimes managed to lay his hands on [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains|Goblins]] that had strayed from [[Goblin-town]]. In later years he began to find Hobbit and [[Elves|Elven]] food repulsive. The Ring's corrupting influence as well as centuries of isolation in the Misty Mountains took a deep toll on him both physically and mentally. He became disfigured and grotesque in appearance, and by the time he met the Hobbit [[Bilbo Baggins]] he was afflicted with almost complete madness.

===Departure of the Ring===
In {{TA|2941}}, during the [[Quest of Erebor]], Bilbo stumbled upon the Ring in the network of caves leading to Gollum's lake, Gollum having dropped it while hunting Goblins. It is possible that the Ring had a part in this, for it was known to have a will of its own. As [[Gandalf]] said later, the [[Necromancer]] was becoming more powerful, and it was a good time for the Ring to change hands and get back to Sauron.<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum is Defeated.jpg|thumb|left|''Gollum is Defeated'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

While still unaware of his loss, Gollum met Bilbo and engaged in the famous [[riddle-game]]. Gandalf remarked that a small part of Gollum was glad to see another Hobbit for the first time in many years, but that this only made the evil part of him angrier.<ref name=shadow/> Following the game, Gollum refused to show Bilbo the promised way out and instead plotted to kill him. Before he could carry this out, he realized his "precious" was gone. Enraged, he gave Bilbo chase. The latter inadvertently stumbled upon the Ring's power of invisibility as he ran, allowing him to follow Gollum to the cave exit. There, Bilbo thought to kill Gollum, but pity struck him, so he instead jumped over him and fled. As Bilbo left, Gollum cried out, "Thief! Thief, Baggins! We hates it forever!"<ref>{{FR|Ring}}</ref>

===Into the wild===
He stayed two more years in the Mountains although he was disgusted by the empty night, nasty furtive eating and resentful remembering. He hated darkness, light and the Ring most of all, but his addiction to it was so great that he overcame his hatred and fear of the light and the Orcs. He left and pursued Bilbo,<ref name=shadow/><ref name=ta/> but the trail was cold.

Hiding from the Sun and [[Moon]], quickly and silently he moved by night, hunting small creatures. As the Ring was no longer devouring him, he was a bit revived, and new food and air made him stronger. He followed Bilbo's trail through [[Mirkwood]] and even reached [[Esgaroth]] and [[Dale]]. Spying on the [[Men of Dale]] he learned more about the thief and [[the Shire|where he was from]]. Then apparently he decided to turn back and go [[Eriador|West]] to find the thief, again through Mirkwood. The [[Elves of Mirkwood]], apparently cooperating with [[Gandalf]], tracked him. His presence terrified the beasts and birds, as he ate eggs and the young animals from nests and holes, even broke into houses and approached cradles of the babies of the [[Woodmen]], who spoke about a blood-drinking ghost, until he reached again the Great River; then for some reason, as the Wood-elves say, he turned southwards and his traces were lost. And then Gandalf neglected the matter because he had much else to think at that time, which was a great mistake because it was the year [[Third Age 2951|when]] [[Sauron]] declared himself openly, and Gollum turned towards [[Mordor]].<ref name=shadow/><ref name=ta/>

[[Third Age 2980|Thirty years later]] he reached the confines of Mordor, and met [[Shelob]], who would help him take his revenge. As he ventured into Mordor he was captured by Sauron and for the next years he was forced to reveal what he knew about the Ring.<ref name=ta/> Thus Sauron's spies learned from him that the One Ring was found, and the names "[[The Shire|Shire]]" and "hobbits". Meanwhile ({{TA|3001|n}}) Gandalf suspected that Bilbo's Ring was one of the [[Rings of Power]] and changed his plans to resume his search for Gollum, but that was in vain as his tracks had been too old now,<ref name=shadow/> and Gollum was in Mordor. By {{TA|3017}} Gollum was set free, only to be caught at last by [[Aragorn]] at the skirts of the [[Dead Marshes]]. After many perils Aragorn led and turned him over to [[Gandalf]].<ref name=shadow/><ref name=ta/> Gollum whined and cringed and licked his wounded hands and fingers.<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Inger Edelfeldt - Gollum Held Captive by the Elves.jpg|thumb|right|''Gollum Held Captive by the Elves'' by [[Inger Edelfeldt]]]]

The [[Wizards|Wizard]] attempted to interrogate him and among Gollum's growling, snorting, curses and lies (he talked about his "birthday present", which his grandmother gave him among her [[Rings of Power|magic rings]]) Gandalf endured many weary days. He had to threaten him with fire, and managed to learn of the story he didn't know bit by bit, but Gollum didn't say much after the departure of Bilbo as he feared Mordor more. Gollum felt misunderstood and ill-treated, exiled into a hole and then "robbed"; and spoke about revenge, thanks to his new friends.<ref name=shadow/> Gandalf placed him in the care of the [[Silvan Elves]] living in [[Thranduil]]'s [[Woodland Realm]] of [[Mirkwood]].<ref name=b3>{{App|B3}}</ref>

===War of the Ring===
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 presumably, he decided to hide into [[Moria]] in [[August]], in order to lose his pursuers, the [[Elves]] and the servants of [[Sauron]]. However he could not open the [[Doors of Durin]] from the inside so didn't exit into [[Eriador]] to reach [[the Shire]].<ref name=b3/>

Presumably he stayed there for months, until the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] entered Moria from the Door on [[13 January]] of [[Third Age 3019|the next year]], and Gollum picked up the trail of the new [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]], [[Frodo Baggins]], as they travelled through Moria.<ref name=b3/> [[January|Two days later]] Gandalf was lost while fighting a [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]] and breaking the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]; it is unknown how he crossed the chasm or the Bridge, but he came with them to [[Lothlórien]] without their knowing. Hiding somewhere around the shores of [[Anduin]], Gollum spied their departure,<ref name=b3/> and 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.

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 of 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, getting caught in the [[Forbidden Pool]] beneath [[Henneth Annûn]]. 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.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum at the Forbidden Pool.jpg|thumb|''Gollum at the Forbidden Pool'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Frodo, Sam, and Gollum left Faramir and began crossing the pass of Cirith Ungol in the border-mountains of the [[Ephel Dúath]]. On [[11 March]] 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.<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> 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".

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 [[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 [[Cracks 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.

==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - The Stairs of Cirith Ungol.jpg|left|thumb|''The Stairs of Cirith Ungol'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
Sméagol was a Hobbit, but he spent long centuries in darkness and damp, influenced by the power of the Ring. It is possible that thanks to his hardy Hobbitish nature that he was not reduced to a [[Wraiths|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, pale skin, flat feet, long thin hands with clammy fingers, and large pale or green eyes that seemed to glow. His sense of sight, as well as his hearing and smelling, was very good, due to the time he spent underground.

He could move and climb silently like a spider, and although he had only six teeth left,<ref>{{H|5}}</ref> he could give deep bites, even able to bite off Frodo's finger.

===Personality===
Sméagol was quick and strong, the most inquisitive and curious-minded of his community. He was interested in roots and beginnings. He owed [[#Etymology|his name]] to his interest in roots and deep pools; he dove, burrowed and tunnelled under trees, plants, and mounds. He tended to neglect anything that was higher, like the flowers, the trees and looking at the hills.<ref name=shadow/>

During his centuries of loneliness and under the Ring's influence, he seems to have developed something similar to a personality disorder: his "Gollum" 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 quarreled with himself. Gollum both loved and hated the Ring and himself. He often referred both to the Ring and himself as "my Precious", perhaps confusing the two entities.<ref name=guide/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Endgame on the Mountain.jpg|thumb|right|''Endgame on the Mountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Years later, [[Samwise Gamgee]] would give two nickname to Gollum. Originally, Sam used the name Slinker to refer to Gollum's slinking around before they had captured him.<ref>{{TT|Taming}}, p. 604</ref> He then came to use Slinker and Stinker to refer to the two contrasting sides of Gollum's personality,<ref name=gate/> caused by possession of the [[One Ring]] for so long.<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}, pp. 53-5</ref> Slinker was the fawning, desperate, and eager-to-please, "Sméagol" side demeanour; and Stinker was the plotting and sinister "Gollum" side of him.<ref name=gate>{{TT|Gate}}, p. 638</ref> When he first came into the service of [[Frodo Baggins]] his Slinker side was more prominent but the closer they got to the [[Black Gate]] the more the Stinker side started to take over and Slinker became more like Stinker and Sam started using the name to generally refer to Gollum.<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 714</ref>

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 and choked him.

Sméagol, as a Hobbit, was perhaps good at heart, but he was relatively greedy and mean.<ref name=L214/> 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==
[[File:Turner Mohan - The Ringbearers.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''The Ringbearers'' by [[:Category:Images by Turner Mohan|Turner Mohan]]]]

''Sméagol'' is the translation of an actual [[Westron]] name ''[[Trahald]]'', the meaning of which was "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 [[language of Dale|Dalish]]"{{Fact}} was ''[[Trāgu]]'', and the ''Trah-'' stem in ''Trahald'' and ''Trâgu'' is thus an analogue of the Germanic stem present in both ''Sméagol'' and ''Smaug''.

[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] explained in his "[[Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings|Guide to the Names in ''The Lord of the Rings'']]" the origin of the name ''Sméagol'' in the lemma on [[smials]]:
{{blockquote|'''Smials'''. A word peculiar to hobbits (not Common Speech), meaning 'burrow'; leave unchanged. It is a form that the Old English word '''smygel''' 'burrow' might have had, if it had survived. The same element appears in Gollum's real name, '''Sméagol'''.}}

The name ''[[Smaug]]'', which means "squeezed through a hole", is thus related.<ref>{{L|31}}</ref>

===Pronunciation===
{{Pronounce|Anglo-Saxon - Sméagol.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
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".<ref>{{webcite|author=J.R.R. Tolkien|website=J.R.R. Tolkien reads from 'The Lord of the Rings' #1|articleurl=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBQJTaMMMhI&feature=youtu.be&t=95|articlename=J.R.R. Tolkien reads from 'The Lord of the Rings' #1}}</ref> 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 ''[[The 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.

==Inspiration==
[[John Garth]] has suggested that the character of Gollum carries echoes of the "''night-haunting, man-eating''" [[Ogres|ogre]] [[Wikipedia:Grendel|Grendel]] in ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]''.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[John Garth]]|articleurl=http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/05/j-r-r-tolkien-beowulf-one-mans-passion-threshold-between-myth-and-reality|articlename=J R R Tolkien's Beowulf: one man's passion for the threshold between myth and reality|dated=29 May 2014|website=[http://www.newstatesman.com/ newstatesman.com]|accessed=29 May 2014}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Gollum in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:The Hobbit (1967 film) - Gollum.jpg|[[The Hobbit (1967 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1967 film)]]
File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Gollum.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:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Concept art Gollum.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Gollum poster.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Sméagol2.jpg|As Sméagol in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Gollum.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 Icon.jpg|''[[Guardians of Middle-earth]]
File:Shadow of Mordor - Gollum.jpg|''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Gollum - Gollum's description.jpeg|Gollum's description in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]''
</gallery>

===Films===
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Gollum is a frog-like green creature, voiced by [[Theodore Isidore Gottlieb|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.{{Fact}} 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 ground-breaking 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: [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]:'''
:[[Andy Serkis]] reprised 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>

===Television===
'''1993: ''[[Hobitit]]'':'''
:Gollum is depicted as an old, white creature, portrayed by [[Kari Väänänen]], the same actor who played [[Aragorn]] in the series.

===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"
</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.

'''1980: [[Der Hobbit (1980 German radio series)|''Der Hobbit'' (1980 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Jürgen von Manger.

'''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>

'''1989: [[Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series)|''Hobit'' (1989 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Karol Čálik.

'''1992: [[Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series)|''Der Herr der Ringe'' (1992 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Dietmar Mues.

'''2002-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Ibrahim Maiga.

===Games===
'''1982: ''[[The Hobbit (1982 video game)]]'''''
:Gollum appears in the tunnels of the Misty Mountains. He will persistently speak riddles to Bilbo, and strangle him to death if he fails to answer them in time. However, if Bilbo puts the [[One Ring|Ring]] on, then Gollum will not be able to see him. He can also be killed by Bilbo or his companions, even though doing so would seriously conflict with established canon.
'''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>

'''2014: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character. In the game, set between ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Gollum is searching for [[the One Ring]] and encounters [[Talion]], the protagonist of the game and helps him in his Quest.

'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character.

'''2023: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]'':'''
:Gollum appears in the game as the protagonist character.

==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}}
{{ringbearers}}
{{hobbitfilms}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Stoors]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Gollum]]
[[fi:Klonkku]]

Gollum

2026-01-06T02:42:19Z

Wandelf: /* Exile */ copyedit

{{infobox character
| people=[[Hobbits|Hobbit]]
| name=Gollum
| image=John Howe - Gollum.jpg
| caption="Gollum" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Sméagol ''[[Trahald]]'' ([[Westron|W]]) Stinker Slinker
| titles=
| position=
| location=[[Vales of Anduin]], [[Misty Mountains]], [[Mordor]], [[Woodland Realm]], [[Desolation of the Morannon]], [[North Ithilien]], [[Shelob's Lair]], [[Cracks of Doom|Sammath Naur]]
| affiliation=[[Stoors]], [[Ring-bearers]]
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth=c. {{TA|2430}}<ref name=guide>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 167, entry "Gollum"</ref>
| birthlocation=Near [[Gladden Fields]], [[Vales of Anduin]]
| rule=
| death=[[25 March]] {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=[[Mount Doom]], [[Plateau of Gorgoroth]]
| age=c. 589
| notablefor=
| family=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Thin, lank<ref name="Taming">{{TT|Taming}}</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{qtlisten|And when he said 'gollum' he made a horrible swallowing noise in his throat. That is how he got his name, though he always called himself 'my precious.'||''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[Riddles in the Dark]]"|J.R.R. Tolkien - Gollum Quote.mp3}}
'''Gollum''', also known as '''Sméagol''', was a creature (originally a [[Stoors|Stoorish]] [[Hobbits|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 fires of [[Mount Doom]].

==History==
===Early life===
Sméagol was a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] of riverland [[Stoors|Stoor-kind]] who lived on the banks of the [[Anduin]] in the later [[Third Age]]. He belonged to a reputable family led by a stern and wise matriarch.<ref name=shadow/> He spent the early years of his life living with his extended family during the [[Watchful Peace]], when [[Sauron]] was in the [[East]].<ref name=ta/>

He had some amount of education in lore, as during his youth he had learned of the events concerning the [[War of the Last Alliance]] against [[Sauron]].<ref name=Passage>{{TT|IV2}}</ref> He also knew the [[riddle-game]], and riddles that were known to the Stoors' cousins in [[the Shire]].<ref name=shadow/><ref name=riddles>{{H|Riddles}}</ref>

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Sméagol and the Ring.jpg|left|thumb|''Sméagol and the Ring'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

Around the year {{TA|2463}}, on his birthday, his friend (and close relative) [[Déagol]] offered him a cheap present.<ref name=L214>{{L|214}}</ref> Later that day they went boating in the [[Gladden Fields]], and as Sméagol was nosing at the banks, Déagol was pulled into the water by a large fish, and found a gold ring. Sméagol demanded the ring as a birthday present and strangled Deágol when he refused, hiding his body.<ref name=shadow/> He then became the fourth [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]] after Sauron, [[Isildur]], and Déagol.<ref name=ta>{{app|TA}}</ref>

After this event, he returned home and understood he was invisible. He kept his treasure a secret and used it in malicious ways, to see and hear secrets and hurtful things. Soon he became unpopular and his peers avoided him; they often cursed and kicked him, and he bit their feet. Becoming a loner, he muttered to himself and gurgled in his throat, for which they called him ''gollum'', and he survived by stealing. Eventually even his grandmother, desiring peace, banished him from their family and [[hobbit-hole]].<ref name=shadow/>

===Exile===
[[File:Cor Blok - Gollum Goes into Hiding.jpg|thumb|"Gollum Goes into Hiding" by [[Cor Blok]]]]
Following his exile, he wandered up the river and then followed a stream to some deep pools. He lived on fish, which he ate raw. After some time, the [[sun]] began to burn his skin and eyes, leading him to seek shelter in the caves from which the stream issued, high in the [[Misty Mountains]].<ref name=shadow/>

The Ring's malignant influence twisted his Hobbit body and mind and prolonged his life far beyond its natural limit. The murder of Déagol haunted him, and he reassured himself by talking to the Ring constantly, calling it his "[[precious]]" and his "birthday present".<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Michael Hague - Riddles in the Dark.jpg|thumb|right|''Riddles in the Dark'' by [[Michael Hague]]]]

For over four hundred years he lived on a small island surrounded by a subterranean [[Gollum's lake|lake]]. He lived mostly on raw fish that he caught from his raft, though he sometimes managed to lay his hands on [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains|Goblins]] that had strayed from [[Goblin-town]]. In later years he began to find Hobbit and [[Elves|Elven]] food repulsive. The Ring's corrupting influence as well as centuries of isolation in the Misty Mountains took a deep toll on him both physically and mentally. He became disfigured and grotesque in appearance, and by the time he met the Hobbit [[Bilbo Baggins]] he was afflicted with almost complete madness.

===Departure of the Ring===
In July {{TA|2941}}, during the [[Quest of Erebor]], Bilbo stumbled upon Gollum's lake 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, the [[Necromancer]] was becoming more powerful, and it was a good time for the Ring to change hands and get back to Sauron.<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum is Defeated.jpg|thumb|left|''Gollum is Defeated'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

While he was unaware of his loss, he met [[Bilbo Baggins]] who was lost, and it's possible that Gollum's own part of his mind was pleased to hear again a kindly voice that reminded him of the outside world, but this also made his evil part angrier.<ref name=shadow/>

After the famous [[Riddle-game]], 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 became furious. Bilbo inadvertently 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!''"<ref>{{FR|Ring}}</ref>

===Into the wild===
He stayed two more years in the Mountains although he was disgusted by the empty night, nasty furtive eating and resentful remembering. He hated darkness, light and the Ring most of all, but his addiction to it was so great that he overcame his hatred and fear of the light and the Orcs. He left and pursued Bilbo,<ref name=shadow/><ref name=ta/> but the trail was cold.

Hiding from the Sun and [[Moon]], quickly and silently he moved by night, hunting small creatures. As the Ring was no longer devouring him, he was a bit revived, and new food and air made him stronger. He followed Bilbo's trail through [[Mirkwood]] and even reached [[Esgaroth]] and [[Dale]]. Spying on the [[Men of Dale]] he learned more about the thief and [[the Shire|where he was from]]. Then apparently he decided to turn back and go [[Eriador|West]] to find the thief, again through Mirkwood. The [[Elves of Mirkwood]], apparently cooperating with [[Gandalf]], tracked him. His presence terrified the beasts and birds, as he ate eggs and the young animals from nests and holes, even broke into houses and approached cradles of the babies of the [[Woodmen]], who spoke about a blood-drinking ghost, until he reached again the Great River; then for some reason, as the Wood-elves say, he turned southwards and his traces were lost. And then Gandalf neglected the matter because he had much else to think at that time, which was a great mistake because it was the year [[Third Age 2951|when]] [[Sauron]] declared himself openly, and Gollum turned towards [[Mordor]].<ref name=shadow/><ref name=ta/>

[[Third Age 2980|Thirty years later]] he reached the confines of Mordor, and met [[Shelob]], who would help him take his revenge. As he ventured into Mordor he was captured by Sauron and for the next years he was forced to reveal what he knew about the Ring.<ref name=ta/> Thus Sauron's spies learned from him that the One Ring was found, and the names "[[The Shire|Shire]]" and "hobbits". Meanwhile ({{TA|3001|n}}) Gandalf suspected that Bilbo's Ring was one of the [[Rings of Power]] and changed his plans to resume his search for Gollum, but that was in vain as his tracks had been too old now,<ref name=shadow/> and Gollum was in Mordor. By {{TA|3017}} Gollum was set free, only to be caught at last by [[Aragorn]] at the skirts of the [[Dead Marshes]]. After many perils Aragorn led and turned him over to [[Gandalf]].<ref name=shadow/><ref name=ta/> Gollum whined and cringed and licked his wounded hands and fingers.<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Inger Edelfeldt - Gollum Held Captive by the Elves.jpg|thumb|right|''Gollum Held Captive by the Elves'' by [[Inger Edelfeldt]]]]

The [[Wizards|Wizard]] attempted to interrogate him and among Gollum's growling, snorting, curses and lies (he talked about his "birthday present", which his grandmother gave him among her [[Rings of Power|magic rings]]) Gandalf endured many weary days. He had to threaten him with fire, and managed to learn of the story he didn't know bit by bit, but Gollum didn't say much after the departure of Bilbo as he feared Mordor more. Gollum felt misunderstood and ill-treated, exiled into a hole and then "robbed"; and spoke about revenge, thanks to his new friends.<ref name=shadow/> Gandalf placed him in the care of the [[Silvan Elves]] living in [[Thranduil]]'s [[Woodland Realm]] of [[Mirkwood]].<ref name=b3>{{App|B3}}</ref>

===War of the Ring===
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 presumably, he decided to hide into [[Moria]] in [[August]], in order to lose his pursuers, the [[Elves]] and the servants of [[Sauron]]. However he could not open the [[Doors of Durin]] from the inside so didn't exit into [[Eriador]] to reach [[the Shire]].<ref name=b3/>

Presumably he stayed there for months, until the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] entered Moria from the Door on [[13 January]] of [[Third Age 3019|the next year]], and Gollum picked up the trail of the new [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]], [[Frodo Baggins]], as they travelled through Moria.<ref name=b3/> [[January|Two days later]] Gandalf was lost while fighting a [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]] and breaking the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]; it is unknown how he crossed the chasm or the Bridge, but he came with them to [[Lothlórien]] without their knowing. Hiding somewhere around the shores of [[Anduin]], Gollum spied their departure,<ref name=b3/> and 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.

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 of 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, getting caught in the [[Forbidden Pool]] beneath [[Henneth Annûn]]. 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.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum at the Forbidden Pool.jpg|thumb|''Gollum at the Forbidden Pool'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Frodo, Sam, and Gollum left Faramir and began crossing the pass of Cirith Ungol in the border-mountains of the [[Ephel Dúath]]. On [[11 March]] 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.<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> 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".

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 [[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 [[Cracks 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.

==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - The Stairs of Cirith Ungol.jpg|left|thumb|''The Stairs of Cirith Ungol'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
Sméagol was a Hobbit, but he spent long centuries in darkness and damp, influenced by the power of the Ring. It is possible that thanks to his hardy Hobbitish nature that he was not reduced to a [[Wraiths|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, pale skin, flat feet, long thin hands with clammy fingers, and large pale or green eyes that seemed to glow. His sense of sight, as well as his hearing and smelling, was very good, due to the time he spent underground.

He could move and climb silently like a spider, and although he had only six teeth left,<ref>{{H|5}}</ref> he could give deep bites, even able to bite off Frodo's finger.

===Personality===
Sméagol was quick and strong, the most inquisitive and curious-minded of his community. He was interested in roots and beginnings. He owed [[#Etymology|his name]] to his interest in roots and deep pools; he dove, burrowed and tunnelled under trees, plants, and mounds. He tended to neglect anything that was higher, like the flowers, the trees and looking at the hills.<ref name=shadow/>

During his centuries of loneliness and under the Ring's influence, he seems to have developed something similar to a personality disorder: his "Gollum" 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 quarreled with himself. Gollum both loved and hated the Ring and himself. He often referred both to the Ring and himself as "my Precious", perhaps confusing the two entities.<ref name=guide/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Endgame on the Mountain.jpg|thumb|right|''Endgame on the Mountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Years later, [[Samwise Gamgee]] would give two nickname to Gollum. Originally, Sam used the name Slinker to refer to Gollum's slinking around before they had captured him.<ref>{{TT|Taming}}, p. 604</ref> He then came to use Slinker and Stinker to refer to the two contrasting sides of Gollum's personality,<ref name=gate/> caused by possession of the [[One Ring]] for so long.<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}, pp. 53-5</ref> Slinker was the fawning, desperate, and eager-to-please, "Sméagol" side demeanour; and Stinker was the plotting and sinister "Gollum" side of him.<ref name=gate>{{TT|Gate}}, p. 638</ref> When he first came into the service of [[Frodo Baggins]] his Slinker side was more prominent but the closer they got to the [[Black Gate]] the more the Stinker side started to take over and Slinker became more like Stinker and Sam started using the name to generally refer to Gollum.<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 714</ref>

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 and choked him.

Sméagol, as a Hobbit, was perhaps good at heart, but he was relatively greedy and mean.<ref name=L214/> 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==
[[File:Turner Mohan - The Ringbearers.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''The Ringbearers'' by [[:Category:Images by Turner Mohan|Turner Mohan]]]]

''Sméagol'' is the translation of an actual [[Westron]] name ''[[Trahald]]'', the meaning of which was "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 [[language of Dale|Dalish]]"{{Fact}} was ''[[Trāgu]]'', and the ''Trah-'' stem in ''Trahald'' and ''Trâgu'' is thus an analogue of the Germanic stem present in both ''Sméagol'' and ''Smaug''.

[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] explained in his "[[Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings|Guide to the Names in ''The Lord of the Rings'']]" the origin of the name ''Sméagol'' in the lemma on [[smials]]:
{{blockquote|'''Smials'''. A word peculiar to hobbits (not Common Speech), meaning 'burrow'; leave unchanged. It is a form that the Old English word '''smygel''' 'burrow' might have had, if it had survived. The same element appears in Gollum's real name, '''Sméagol'''.}}

The name ''[[Smaug]]'', which means "squeezed through a hole", is thus related.<ref>{{L|31}}</ref>

===Pronunciation===
{{Pronounce|Anglo-Saxon - Sméagol.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
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".<ref>{{webcite|author=J.R.R. Tolkien|website=J.R.R. Tolkien reads from 'The Lord of the Rings' #1|articleurl=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBQJTaMMMhI&feature=youtu.be&t=95|articlename=J.R.R. Tolkien reads from 'The Lord of the Rings' #1}}</ref> 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 ''[[The 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.

==Inspiration==
[[John Garth]] has suggested that the character of Gollum carries echoes of the "''night-haunting, man-eating''" [[Ogres|ogre]] [[Wikipedia:Grendel|Grendel]] in ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]''.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[John Garth]]|articleurl=http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/05/j-r-r-tolkien-beowulf-one-mans-passion-threshold-between-myth-and-reality|articlename=J R R Tolkien's Beowulf: one man's passion for the threshold between myth and reality|dated=29 May 2014|website=[http://www.newstatesman.com/ newstatesman.com]|accessed=29 May 2014}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Gollum in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:The Hobbit (1967 film) - Gollum.jpg|[[The Hobbit (1967 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1967 film)]]
File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Gollum.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:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Concept art Gollum.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Gollum poster.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Sméagol2.jpg|As Sméagol in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Gollum.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 Icon.jpg|''[[Guardians of Middle-earth]]
File:Shadow of Mordor - Gollum.jpg|''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Gollum - Gollum's description.jpeg|Gollum's description in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]''
</gallery>

===Films===
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Gollum is a frog-like green creature, voiced by [[Theodore Isidore Gottlieb|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.{{Fact}} 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 ground-breaking 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: [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]:'''
:[[Andy Serkis]] reprised 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>

===Television===
'''1993: ''[[Hobitit]]'':'''
:Gollum is depicted as an old, white creature, portrayed by [[Kari Väänänen]], the same actor who played [[Aragorn]] in the series.

===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"
</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.

'''1980: [[Der Hobbit (1980 German radio series)|''Der Hobbit'' (1980 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Jürgen von Manger.

'''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>

'''1989: [[Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series)|''Hobit'' (1989 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Karol Čálik.

'''1992: [[Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series)|''Der Herr der Ringe'' (1992 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Dietmar Mues.

'''2002-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Ibrahim Maiga.

===Games===
'''1982: ''[[The Hobbit (1982 video game)]]'''''
:Gollum appears in the tunnels of the Misty Mountains. He will persistently speak riddles to Bilbo, and strangle him to death if he fails to answer them in time. However, if Bilbo puts the [[One Ring|Ring]] on, then Gollum will not be able to see him. He can also be killed by Bilbo or his companions, even though doing so would seriously conflict with established canon.
'''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>

'''2014: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character. In the game, set between ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Gollum is searching for [[the One Ring]] and encounters [[Talion]], the protagonist of the game and helps him in his Quest.

'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character.

'''2023: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]'':'''
:Gollum appears in the game as the protagonist character.

==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}}
{{ringbearers}}
{{hobbitfilms}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Stoors]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Gollum]]
[[fi:Klonkku]]

Gollum

2026-01-06T02:26:11Z

Wandelf: copyedit

{{infobox character
| people=[[Hobbits|Hobbit]]
| name=Gollum
| image=John Howe - Gollum.jpg
| caption="Gollum" by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Sméagol ''[[Trahald]]'' ([[Westron|W]]) Stinker Slinker
| titles=
| position=
| location=[[Vales of Anduin]], [[Misty Mountains]], [[Mordor]], [[Woodland Realm]], [[Desolation of the Morannon]], [[North Ithilien]], [[Shelob's Lair]], [[Cracks of Doom|Sammath Naur]]
| affiliation=[[Stoors]], [[Ring-bearers]]
| language=[[Westron]]
| birth=c. {{TA|2430}}<ref name=guide>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 167, entry "Gollum"</ref>
| birthlocation=Near [[Gladden Fields]], [[Vales of Anduin]]
| rule=
| death=[[25 March]] {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=[[Mount Doom]], [[Plateau of Gorgoroth]]
| age=c. 589
| notablefor=
| family=
| parentage=
| siblings=
| spouse=
| children=
| gender=Male
| height=
| hair=Thin, lank<ref name="Taming">{{TT|Taming}}</ref>
| eyes=
| clothing=
| weapons=
| steed=
}}
{{qtlisten|And when he said 'gollum' he made a horrible swallowing noise in his throat. That is how he got his name, though he always called himself 'my precious.'||''[[The Hobbit]]'', "[[Riddles in the Dark]]"|J.R.R. Tolkien - Gollum Quote.mp3}}
'''Gollum''', also known as '''Sméagol''', was a creature (originally a [[Stoors|Stoorish]] [[Hobbits|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 fires of [[Mount Doom]].

==History==
===Early life===
Sméagol was a [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] of riverland [[Stoors|Stoor-kind]] who lived on the banks of the [[Anduin]] in the later [[Third Age]]. He belonged to a reputable family led by a stern and wise matriarch.<ref name=shadow/> He spent the early years of his life living with his extended family during the [[Watchful Peace]], when [[Sauron]] was in the [[East]].<ref name=ta/>

He had some amount of education in lore, as during his youth he had learned of the events concerning the [[War of the Last Alliance]] against [[Sauron]].<ref name=Passage>{{TT|IV2}}</ref> He also knew the [[riddle-game]], and riddles that were known to the Stoors' cousins in [[the Shire]].<ref name=shadow/><ref name=riddles>{{H|Riddles}}</ref>

[[File:Anke Eißmann - Sméagol and the Ring.jpg|left|thumb|''Sméagol and the Ring'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]

Around the year {{TA|2463}}, on his birthday, his friend (and close relative) [[Déagol]] offered him a cheap present.<ref name=L214>{{L|214}}</ref> Later that day they went boating in the [[Gladden Fields]], and as Sméagol was nosing at the banks, Déagol was pulled into the water by a large fish, and found a gold ring. Sméagol demanded the ring as a birthday present and strangled Deágol when he refused, hiding his body.<ref name=shadow/> He then became the fourth [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]] after Sauron, [[Isildur]], and Déagol.<ref name=ta>{{app|TA}}</ref>

After this event, he returned home and understood he was invisible. He kept his treasure a secret and used it in malicious ways, to see and hear secrets and hurtful things. Soon he became unpopular and his peers avoided him; they often cursed and kicked him, and he bit their feet. Becoming a loner, he muttered to himself and gurgled in his throat, for which they called him ''gollum'', and he survived by stealing. Eventually even his grandmother, desiring peace, banished him from their family and [[hobbit-hole]].<ref name=shadow/>

===Exile===
[[File:Cor Blok - Gollum Goes into Hiding.jpg|thumb|"Gollum Goes into Hiding" by [[Cor Blok]]]]
Sad for the hard world, he wandered in loneliness up the River, and followed a stream. He spent time by some deep pools, aided by the invisibility of the Ring, he caught fish which he ate raw. [[Third Age 2470|Some time later]]<ref name=ta/> eventually forgotten by him, the [[Sun]] started to scorch his skin and eyes, and as he looked up he noticed the [[Misty Mountains]] from which the stream ran down. He decided to go there, in the desirable darkness, safe from the scorching sun, with more "roots" and secrets to discover there. Indeed, by night he climbed up the highlands, and wormed into the little cave out of which the stream flowed.<ref name=shadow/>

The Ring's malignant influence twisted his Hobbit body and mind and prolonged his life far beyond its natural limits. The murder of Déagol haunted him, and as a psychological defence he repeated to it (as he talked to it) that it turned up to him so as to be his "Birthday Present" and his "[[precious]]".<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Michael Hague - Riddles in the Dark.jpg|thumb|right|''Riddles in the Dark'' by [[Michael Hague]]]]

Gollum lived longer than any other Hobbit could, and for over four hundred years he managed to live on a small island surrounded by a subterranean [[Gollum's lake|lake]]. He preyed upon any raw [[fish]] that he caught from his small raft, though sometimes he manages to catch [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains|Goblins]] from the nearby [[Goblin-town]]. In later years he found Hobbit and [[Elves|Elven]] food repulsive. The Ring's corrupting influence as well as centuries of isolation in the Misty Mountains took a deep toll on him both physically and mentally. He became disfigured and grotesque in appearance, and by the time he met the Hobbit [[Bilbo Baggins]] he was afflicted with almost complete madness.

===Departure of the Ring===
In July {{TA|2941}}, during the [[Quest of Erebor]], Bilbo stumbled upon Gollum's lake 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, the [[Necromancer]] was becoming more powerful, and it was a good time for the Ring to change hands and get back to Sauron.<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum is Defeated.jpg|thumb|left|''Gollum is Defeated'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

While he was unaware of his loss, he met [[Bilbo Baggins]] who was lost, and it's possible that Gollum's own part of his mind was pleased to hear again a kindly voice that reminded him of the outside world, but this also made his evil part angrier.<ref name=shadow/>

After the famous [[Riddle-game]], 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 became furious. Bilbo inadvertently 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!''"<ref>{{FR|Ring}}</ref>

===Into the wild===
He stayed two more years in the Mountains although he was disgusted by the empty night, nasty furtive eating and resentful remembering. He hated darkness, light and the Ring most of all, but his addiction to it was so great that he overcame his hatred and fear of the light and the Orcs. He left and pursued Bilbo,<ref name=shadow/><ref name=ta/> but the trail was cold.

Hiding from the Sun and [[Moon]], quickly and silently he moved by night, hunting small creatures. As the Ring was no longer devouring him, he was a bit revived, and new food and air made him stronger. He followed Bilbo's trail through [[Mirkwood]] and even reached [[Esgaroth]] and [[Dale]]. Spying on the [[Men of Dale]] he learned more about the thief and [[the Shire|where he was from]]. Then apparently he decided to turn back and go [[Eriador|West]] to find the thief, again through Mirkwood. The [[Elves of Mirkwood]], apparently cooperating with [[Gandalf]], tracked him. His presence terrified the beasts and birds, as he ate eggs and the young animals from nests and holes, even broke into houses and approached cradles of the babies of the [[Woodmen]], who spoke about a blood-drinking ghost, until he reached again the Great River; then for some reason, as the Wood-elves say, he turned southwards and his traces were lost. And then Gandalf neglected the matter because he had much else to think at that time, which was a great mistake because it was the year [[Third Age 2951|when]] [[Sauron]] declared himself openly, and Gollum turned towards [[Mordor]].<ref name=shadow/><ref name=ta/>

[[Third Age 2980|Thirty years later]] he reached the confines of Mordor, and met [[Shelob]], who would help him take his revenge. As he ventured into Mordor he was captured by Sauron and for the next years he was forced to reveal what he knew about the Ring.<ref name=ta/> Thus Sauron's spies learned from him that the One Ring was found, and the names "[[The Shire|Shire]]" and "hobbits". Meanwhile ({{TA|3001|n}}) Gandalf suspected that Bilbo's Ring was one of the [[Rings of Power]] and changed his plans to resume his search for Gollum, but that was in vain as his tracks had been too old now,<ref name=shadow/> and Gollum was in Mordor. By {{TA|3017}} Gollum was set free, only to be caught at last by [[Aragorn]] at the skirts of the [[Dead Marshes]]. After many perils Aragorn led and turned him over to [[Gandalf]].<ref name=shadow/><ref name=ta/> Gollum whined and cringed and licked his wounded hands and fingers.<ref name=shadow/>

[[File:Inger Edelfeldt - Gollum Held Captive by the Elves.jpg|thumb|right|''Gollum Held Captive by the Elves'' by [[Inger Edelfeldt]]]]

The [[Wizards|Wizard]] attempted to interrogate him and among Gollum's growling, snorting, curses and lies (he talked about his "birthday present", which his grandmother gave him among her [[Rings of Power|magic rings]]) Gandalf endured many weary days. He had to threaten him with fire, and managed to learn of the story he didn't know bit by bit, but Gollum didn't say much after the departure of Bilbo as he feared Mordor more. Gollum felt misunderstood and ill-treated, exiled into a hole and then "robbed"; and spoke about revenge, thanks to his new friends.<ref name=shadow/> Gandalf placed him in the care of the [[Silvan Elves]] living in [[Thranduil]]'s [[Woodland Realm]] of [[Mirkwood]].<ref name=b3>{{App|B3}}</ref>

===War of the Ring===
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 presumably, he decided to hide into [[Moria]] in [[August]], in order to lose his pursuers, the [[Elves]] and the servants of [[Sauron]]. However he could not open the [[Doors of Durin]] from the inside so didn't exit into [[Eriador]] to reach [[the Shire]].<ref name=b3/>

Presumably he stayed there for months, until the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] entered Moria from the Door on [[13 January]] of [[Third Age 3019|the next year]], and Gollum picked up the trail of the new [[Ring-bearers|Ring-bearer]], [[Frodo Baggins]], as they travelled through Moria.<ref name=b3/> [[January|Two days later]] Gandalf was lost while fighting a [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]] and breaking the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]]; it is unknown how he crossed the chasm or the Bridge, but he came with them to [[Lothlórien]] without their knowing. Hiding somewhere around the shores of [[Anduin]], Gollum spied their departure,<ref name=b3/> and 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.

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 of 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, getting caught in the [[Forbidden Pool]] beneath [[Henneth Annûn]]. 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.

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Gollum at the Forbidden Pool.jpg|thumb|''Gollum at the Forbidden Pool'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Frodo, Sam, and Gollum left Faramir and began crossing the pass of Cirith Ungol in the border-mountains of the [[Ephel Dúath]]. On [[11 March]] 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.<ref>{{App|Great}}</ref> 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".

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 [[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 [[Cracks 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.

==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
[[File:Peter Xavier Price - The Stairs of Cirith Ungol.jpg|left|thumb|''The Stairs of Cirith Ungol'' by [[Peter Xavier Price]]]]
Sméagol was a Hobbit, but he spent long centuries in darkness and damp, influenced by the power of the Ring. It is possible that thanks to his hardy Hobbitish nature that he was not reduced to a [[Wraiths|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, pale skin, flat feet, long thin hands with clammy fingers, and large pale or green eyes that seemed to glow. His sense of sight, as well as his hearing and smelling, was very good, due to the time he spent underground.

He could move and climb silently like a spider, and although he had only six teeth left,<ref>{{H|5}}</ref> he could give deep bites, even able to bite off Frodo's finger.

===Personality===
Sméagol was quick and strong, the most inquisitive and curious-minded of his community. He was interested in roots and beginnings. He owed [[#Etymology|his name]] to his interest in roots and deep pools; he dove, burrowed and tunnelled under trees, plants, and mounds. He tended to neglect anything that was higher, like the flowers, the trees and looking at the hills.<ref name=shadow/>

During his centuries of loneliness and under the Ring's influence, he seems to have developed something similar to a personality disorder: his "Gollum" 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 quarreled with himself. Gollum both loved and hated the Ring and himself. He often referred both to the Ring and himself as "my Precious", perhaps confusing the two entities.<ref name=guide/>

[[File:Ted Nasmith - Endgame on the Mountain.jpg|thumb|right|''Endgame on the Mountain'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

Years later, [[Samwise Gamgee]] would give two nickname to Gollum. Originally, Sam used the name Slinker to refer to Gollum's slinking around before they had captured him.<ref>{{TT|Taming}}, p. 604</ref> He then came to use Slinker and Stinker to refer to the two contrasting sides of Gollum's personality,<ref name=gate/> caused by possession of the [[One Ring]] for so long.<ref>{{FR|Shadow}}, pp. 53-5</ref> Slinker was the fawning, desperate, and eager-to-please, "Sméagol" side demeanour; and Stinker was the plotting and sinister "Gollum" side of him.<ref name=gate>{{TT|Gate}}, p. 638</ref> When he first came into the service of [[Frodo Baggins]] his Slinker side was more prominent but the closer they got to the [[Black Gate]] the more the Stinker side started to take over and Slinker became more like Stinker and Sam started using the name to generally refer to Gollum.<ref>{{TT|Stairs}}, p. 714</ref>

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 and choked him.

Sméagol, as a Hobbit, was perhaps good at heart, but he was relatively greedy and mean.<ref name=L214/> 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==
[[File:Turner Mohan - The Ringbearers.jpg|thumb|left|200px|''The Ringbearers'' by [[:Category:Images by Turner Mohan|Turner Mohan]]]]

''Sméagol'' is the translation of an actual [[Westron]] name ''[[Trahald]]'', the meaning of which was "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 [[language of Dale|Dalish]]"{{Fact}} was ''[[Trāgu]]'', and the ''Trah-'' stem in ''Trahald'' and ''Trâgu'' is thus an analogue of the Germanic stem present in both ''Sméagol'' and ''Smaug''.

[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] explained in his "[[Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings|Guide to the Names in ''The Lord of the Rings'']]" the origin of the name ''Sméagol'' in the lemma on [[smials]]:
{{blockquote|'''Smials'''. A word peculiar to hobbits (not Common Speech), meaning 'burrow'; leave unchanged. It is a form that the Old English word '''smygel''' 'burrow' might have had, if it had survived. The same element appears in Gollum's real name, '''Sméagol'''.}}

The name ''[[Smaug]]'', which means "squeezed through a hole", is thus related.<ref>{{L|31}}</ref>

===Pronunciation===
{{Pronounce|Anglo-Saxon - Sméagol.mp3|Gilgamesh}}
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".<ref>{{webcite|author=J.R.R. Tolkien|website=J.R.R. Tolkien reads from 'The Lord of the Rings' #1|articleurl=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBQJTaMMMhI&feature=youtu.be&t=95|articlename=J.R.R. Tolkien reads from 'The Lord of the Rings' #1}}</ref> 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 ''[[The 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.

==Inspiration==
[[John Garth]] has suggested that the character of Gollum carries echoes of the "''night-haunting, man-eating''" [[Ogres|ogre]] [[Wikipedia:Grendel|Grendel]] in ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]''.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[John Garth]]|articleurl=http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2014/05/j-r-r-tolkien-beowulf-one-mans-passion-threshold-between-myth-and-reality|articlename=J R R Tolkien's Beowulf: one man's passion for the threshold between myth and reality|dated=29 May 2014|website=[http://www.newstatesman.com/ newstatesman.com]|accessed=29 May 2014}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Gollum in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:The Hobbit (1967 film) - Gollum.jpg|[[The Hobbit (1967 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1967 film)]]
File:The Hobbit (1977 film) - Gollum.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:The Lord of the Rings- The Treason of Isengard - Concept art Gollum.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings: The Treason of Isengard]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Gollum poster.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Sméagol2.jpg|As Sméagol in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Gollum.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 Icon.jpg|''[[Guardians of Middle-earth]]
File:Shadow of Mordor - Gollum.jpg|''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Gollum - Gollum's description.jpeg|Gollum's description in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]''
</gallery>

===Films===
'''1977: [[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]:'''
:Gollum is a frog-like green creature, voiced by [[Theodore Isidore Gottlieb|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.{{Fact}} 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 ground-breaking 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: [[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]:'''
:[[Andy Serkis]] reprised 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>

===Television===
'''1993: ''[[Hobitit]]'':'''
:Gollum is depicted as an old, white creature, portrayed by [[Kari Väänänen]], the same actor who played [[Aragorn]] in the series.

===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"
</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.

'''1980: [[Der Hobbit (1980 German radio series)|''Der Hobbit'' (1980 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Jürgen von Manger.

'''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>

'''1989: [[Hobit (1989 Slovak radio series)|''Hobit'' (1989 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Karol Čálik.

'''1992: [[Der Herr der Ringe (1992 German radio series)|''Der Herr der Ringe'' (1992 German radio series)]]:'''
:Gollum is played by Dietmar Mues.

'''2002-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gollum is provided by Ibrahim Maiga.

===Games===
'''1982: ''[[The Hobbit (1982 video game)]]'''''
:Gollum appears in the tunnels of the Misty Mountains. He will persistently speak riddles to Bilbo, and strangle him to death if he fails to answer them in time. However, if Bilbo puts the [[One Ring|Ring]] on, then Gollum will not be able to see him. He can also be killed by Bilbo or his companions, even though doing so would seriously conflict with established canon.
'''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>

'''2014: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character. In the game, set between ''[[The Hobbit]]'' and ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', Gollum is searching for [[the One Ring]] and encounters [[Talion]], the protagonist of the game and helps him in his Quest.

'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:Gollum is featured in the game as a supporting character.

'''2023: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Gollum]]'':'''
:Gollum appears in the game as the protagonist character.

==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}}
{{ringbearers}}
{{hobbitfilms}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Evil]]
[[Category:Hobbits]]
[[Category:Ring-bearers]]
[[Category:Stoors]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Gollum]]
[[fi:Klonkku]]

Sharkey

2026-01-05T23:46:07Z

Wandelf:

[[File:Matt Stewart - Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire.jpg|thumb|''Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire'' by [[:Category:Images by Matt Stewart|Matt Stewart]]]]
'''Sharkey''' was the name by which [[Saruman]] was known among his followers at [[Isengard]] and later among the [[ruffians]] who overran [[the Shire]] at his behest. Saruman apparently did not object to its use, regarding it as a "sign of affection".<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 6.08.219}}</ref>

==Etymology==
A footnote to "[[The Scouring of the Shire]]" states that the name probably derived from the [[Orkish]] word ''[[sharkû]]'', meaning "old man". Tolkien describes it in "[[Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings|Nomenclature of ''The Lord of the Rings'']]" as an "[Orkish] nickname modified to fit [[Common Speech|CS]]", which in the books is represented by English, hence the use of the English diminutive ending [[wiktionary:-ey#Etymology_2|-''ey'']].<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 763</ref>

== Development ==
In an early version of "The Scouring of the Shire", the name Sharkey is borne by one of the ruffians who accost Frodo and his friends at [[Bywater]]. Later, Tolkien applied the name to a head ruffian residing at [[Bag End]]. The head ruffian was replaced in the final version of the chapter by Saruman, who then took on the name.<ref>{{SD|IX}}, p. 94</ref>

{{References}}
[[Category:Anglicized Westron words]]
[[Category:Epithets]]
__NOTOC__

Sharkey

2026-01-05T21:18:07Z

Wandelf: overhaul

[[File:Matt Stewart - Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire.jpg|thumb|''Sharkey, Tyrant of the Shire'' by [[:Category:Images by Matt Stewart|Matt Stewart]]]]
'''Sharkey''' was the name by which [[Saruman]] was known among his followers at [[Isengard]] and later among the [[ruffians]] who overran [[the Shire]] at his behest.<ref>{{Cite DTP|LR 6.08.219}}</ref>

==Etymology==
A footnote to "[[The Scouring of the Shire]]" states that the name probably derived from the [[Orkish]] word ''[[sharkû]]'', meaning "old man". Tolkien describes it in "[[Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings|Nomenclature of ''The Lord of the Rings'']]" as an "[Orkish] nickname modified to fit [[Common Speech|CS]]", which in the books is represented by English, hence the use of the English diminutive ending [[wiktionary:-ey#Etymology_2|-''ey'']].<ref>{{HM|N}}, p. 763</ref>

== Development ==
In an early version of "The Scouring of the Shire", the name Sharkey is borne by one of the ruffians who accost Frodo and his friends at [[Bywater]]. Later, Tolkien applied the name to a head ruffian residing at [[Bag End]]. The head ruffian was replaced in the final version of the chapter by Saruman, who then took on the name.<ref>{{SD|IX}}, p. 94</ref>

{{References}}
[[Category:Anglicized Westron words]]
[[Category:Epithets]]
__NOTOC__

Helm's Deep

2026-01-02T02:51:25Z

Wandelf: /* History */

{{disambig-more|Helm's Deep|[[Helm's Deep (disambiguation)]]}}
{{location infobox
| name=Helm's Deep
| image=J.R.R. Tolkien - Helm's Deep and the Hornburg.jpg
| caption="Helm's Deep and the Hornburg" by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]
| pronun=
| othernames=
| location=Northern side of [[White Mountains]]
| type=Valley
| description=
| regions=[[Westfold]] of [[Rohan]]
| towns=
| inhabitants=[[Gondorians]], later [[Rohirrim]]
| created=
| destroyed=
| events=[[Battle of the Hornburg|Battle of Helm's Deep]]
}}
'''Helm’s Deep''' was a deep gorge<ref>{{HM|UI}}, entry ''Helm's Deep'', p. 413</ref> below the [[Thrihyrne]] near the end of the northernmost arm of the [[White Mountains]]<ref name=Thrihyrne>{{HM|UI}}, entry ''Thrihyrne'', p. 412</ref> on the far side of the [[Westfold Vale]],<ref name=Deep>{{TT|Deep}}, p. 528</ref> which was named after [[Helm]],<ref>{{App|Eorl}}, entry for King Helm Hammerhand, p. 1066</ref> the ninth [[King of Rohan|King]] of [[Rohan]].<ref name=Helm>{{App|Mark}}, entry 9. Helm Hammerhand, p. 1068</ref>

==Geography and description==
The deep gorge was located below the Thrihyrne at the head<ref name=Thrihyrne/> of the Westfold Vale.<ref name=Deep/> Caves,<ref name=Dike/><ref>{{TT|Deep}}, pp. 535, 537-38, 542</ref><ref>{{TT|Road}}, p. 546</ref> such as the [[Glittering Caves]]<ref>{{TT|Road}}, p. 547</ref> were located in the cliff walls of the gorge. The lower entrance of the gorge, [[Helm's Gate]],<ref>{{HM|UI}}, entry ''Helm's Gate'', p. 414</ref> was fortified by the [[Deeping Wall]] and the [[Hornburg]].<ref name=Deep/> A quarter of a mile below Helm's Dike, a high rampart made from earth behind a trench ran across the [[Deeping-coomb]] from one side of the valley to the other side.<ref name=Dike>{{TT|Deep}}, p. 530</ref> The [[Deeping-stream]] flowed through the gorge through a culvert at the base of the Deeping Wall, turned to flow along the feet of the Hornburg down to Helm's Dike<ref name=Deep/> where it flowed through a wide breach in the rampart<ref name=Dike/> down the Deeping-coomb and into the Westfold Vale.<ref name=Deep/> The distance from the mouth of the Deeping-coomb to the [[Fords of Isen]] was approximately five leagues (15 miles)<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 421</ref> for the crows of [[Saruman]].<ref name="TT|Road">{{TT|Road}}, p. 548</ref>

==History==
In the long distant days of the glory of [[Gondor]],<ref name=Deep/> at the height of their power,<ref>{{S|Rings}}</ref> the [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] [[King of Gondor|sea-kings]] of Gondor built a fortress at the entrance to the gorge,<ref name=Deep/> which they called the [[Hornburg|fortress of Aglarond]],<ref name=UT11c>{{UT|11c}}</ref> which means "Glittering Caves"<ref name="TT|Road"/> in [[Sindarin]].<ref>{{HM|N}}, note on ''Aglarond'' removed by Tolkien from the final Nomenclature, pp. 421 and 751</ref> As a consequence, it is probable that [[Men]] from Gondor had already explored the gorge and its caves and named the fortress after the Glittering Caves.

When [[Ruling Stewards|Steward]] [[Cirion]] of [[Gondor]] granted the province of [[Calenardhon]] to King [[Eorl]] of the [[Éothéod]] (later referred to as the [[Rohirrim]]),<ref>{{App|Stewards}}, entry for Steward Cirion, p. 1053</ref> the fortress of Aglarond was repaired with the help of stonemasons from Gondor and handed over to the Rohirrim and the old hereditary guards of the fortress were transferred to the fortress of [[Isengard|Angrenost]], which remained under the control of Gondor.<ref name=UT11c/> The Rohirrim called the fortress the ''Súthburg'' and the caves ''Glǽmscrafu'' in their own [[Rohanese|language]].<ref name=UTFootnote>{{UT|11c}}, footnote relating to Aglarond</ref>

During the war against the [[Dunlendings]] and [[Wulf|Wulf's]] usurpation of Rohan, [[Helm|Helm Hammerhand]] took refuge in the keep, where they held out under siege during the [[Long Winter]] of [[Third Age|T.A.]] [[Third Age 2758|2758]]–[[Third Age 2759|2759]].<ref name=Helm/> After Helm’s death, the gorge was called Helm's Deep<ref name=Helm/> and the fortification was called the Hornburg.<ref name=UTFootnote/>

At the time of the [[War of the Ring]], Helm’s Deep became the refuge of some of the Rohirrim under [[Théoden|King Théoden]]. The keep fell under siege and was breached by [[Saruman|Saruman's]] Uruk-hai, and subsequently the [[Battle of the Hornburg]] was fought.<ref>{{TT|Deep}}</ref> After the battle, someone, probably the [[Huorns]],<ref>{{RK|Company}}, p. 777</ref> laid the slain [[Uruk-hai]] in a mound known after as the [[Death Down]].<ref>{{TT|Road}}, p. 553</ref> The [[Dunlendings]] allied with Saruman were buried more honourably in a separate mound below the Dike.<ref>{{TT|Road}}, p. 545</ref>

==Etymology==
The element ''Helm'' in the name ''Helm's Deep'' refers to Helm,<ref>{{HM|N}}, '''Helm's Deep, Helm's Dike, Helm's Gate''', entry, p. 772</ref> the King of Rohan who sought refuge in the Hornburg when his realm was invaded by the Dunlendings.<ref name=Helm/>

==Other versions of the legendarium==
[[Christopher Tolkien]] admits that he probably had not placed Helm's Deep on his [[General Map of Middle-earth]] and his [[The West of Middle-earth at the End of the Third Age]] map at precisely the point where J.R.R. Tolkien intended it to be.<ref>{{WR|1|VI}}, Note 2, p. 78</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
'''2002: '''''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]''''' by [[Peter Jackson]]

:The keep was filmed at [[Dry Creek Quarry|Dry Creek]], an active quarry in the Wellington region of New Zealand’s North Island.<ref>{{webcite|author=Shaw-Williams, H|articleurl=https://www.slashfilm.com/1125056/the-truly-epic-story-of-how-the-battle-of-helms-deep-was-filmed/|articlename=The Truly Epic Story Of How The Battle Of Helm's Deep Was Filmed|dated=|website=https://www.slashfilm.com/|accessed=22 December 2023}}</ref>

[[File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Hornburg.jpg|thumb|left|Hornburg in ''The Lord of the Rings Online'']]
'''2013: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
: Helm's Deep was added with the expansion of the same name in 2013. The "main" version is set chronologically shortly before the Battle of the Hornburg, but players also have access to a different-looking version set in the aftermath of the battle.

{{References}}
[[Category:Fortresses]]
[[Category:Rohan]]
[[Category:Valleys]]
[[Category:White Mountains]]
[[de:Helms Klamm]]
[[fi:Helmin syvänne]]

Dúnedain

2026-01-01T20:06:54Z

Wandelf: /* Etymology */

{{people infobox
| name=Dúnedain
| image=
| caption=
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ˈduːnedaɪn]}}
| othernames=Great People of the West, Men of the Ancient Houses, Men of the West, Men of Westernesse
| origin=Descendants of the [[Númenoreans]] in [[Middle-earth]]
| location=[[Eriador]], [[Arnor]], [[Gondor]]
| affiliation=[[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]], [[Host of the West (Arnor)|Host of the West]], [[Grey Company]]
| rivalry=[[Sauron]]
| language=[[Westron]], [[Sindarin]], [[Quenya]]
| members=[[Argeleb I]], [[Aragorn II]], [[Denethor]], [[Boromir]], [[Faramir]], [[Imrahil]], [[Morwen Steelsheen]]
| lifespan=''[[#Waning of the Dúnedain|See below]]''
| distinctions=Superior to the other Men of [[Middle-earth]] in nobility of spirit and body
| height=About 6'4"<ref name=height>{{UT|Linear}}</ref>
| hair=Dark
| skin=Pale
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
{{quote|Where now are the Dúnedain, Elessar, Elessar? Why do thy kinsfolk wander afar?|[[Galadriel's messages]]}}

The '''Dúnedain''' ([[Sindarin|S]]: "West-men"), singular '''Dúnadan''', were the [[Men of Númenor]] and their descendants who peopled the [[Westlands]] of [[Middle-earth]] in the [[Second Age|Second]] and [[Third Age]]s.<ref group=note>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] uses the terms ''Númenoreans'' and ''Dúnedain'' interchangeably; for clarity, [[Tolkien Gateway]] interprets the term '''Númenor'''eans literally, as those Dúnedain who were actually living ''on'' Númenor during the Second Age, whereas this article treats the race of Dúnedain in general (in Middle-earth and the Third Age).</ref>

Although they were from the beginning far fewer in number than the [[Middle Men|lesser men]], the Dúnedain were lords of long life, great power, and wisdom; far superior to the [[Middle Men|Men of Middle-earth]] among whom they dwelt and whom they ruled.<ref name=languages/>

==History==
===Early History===
The Dúnedain descend from the [[Edain]] of the [[First Age]], having been granted the island of [[Númenor]] in the [[Second Age]]. Many [[Men of Númenor]] settled in [[Middle-earth]], such as in [[Belfalas]], [[Umbar]] and [[Pelargir]]. The ancestors of the [[Princes of Dol Amroth]], were the most prominent of these.<ref name="Cirion">{{UT|Cirion}}</ref>

After the [[Downfall of Númenor]], [[Elendil]] and his sons led the [[Exiles of Númenor|Exiles]] to Middle-earth. Many who were in whole or part of [[Númenorean]] blood welcomed them and proceeded to found the [[Realms in Exile]], [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]].<ref name=languages>{{App|Men}}</ref><ref name=rings>{{s|Rings}}</ref>

Originally ruled by their [[High King (Dúnedain)|High King]], they were divided as the [[Dúnedain of Arnor]] and the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]], following the death of [[Isildur]], son of [[Elendil]], in {{TA|2}}.<ref name=rings/><ref name="AppB">{{App|B2}}</ref>

===Division===
====In Arnor====
{{Seealso|Dúnedain of Arnor}}
[[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]], [[Isildur]]'s youngest son, took up his rule in [[Annúminas]], but his people were diminished, and there were too few [[Númenoreans]] and native [[Men of Eriador]] to people the land or maintain the places [[Elendil]] built; many had died in the [[War of the Last Alliance]] and the [[Disaster of the Gladden Fields]].<ref name=rings/>

After the reign of [[Eärendur]], the seventh king that followed [[Valandil]], the [[Dúnedain of the North]] became divided into petty realms and lordships, and the witch-realm of [[Angmar]] destroyed them one by one.<ref name=rings/><ref name=eriador>{{App|Eriador}}</ref>

The remnants of the [[Northern Dúnedain]] were also heavily affected by the [[Great Plague]]; the joint garrison (of the North and South Kingdoms) at [[Tharbad]] ceased to exist,<ref>{{UT|6d}}</ref> and the last of the Dúnedain of [[Cardolan]] died on the [[Barrow-downs]].<ref name=eriador/>

After the [[Angmar War]], the [[Dúnedain of the North]] were reduced to [[Ranger of the North|Rangers]] wandering secretly in the wild, and their heritage was forgotten, save in [[Imladris]], where the [[Heir of Isildur|Heirs of Isildur]] were harboured and their line, from father to son, remained unbroken.<ref name=rings/><ref name=eriador/>

====In Gondor====
{{Seealso|Dúnedain of Gondor}}
In the south, the realm of [[Gondor]] endured and the splendour and might of the [[Dúnedain of the South]] grew, until it resembled the wealth and majesty of [[Númenor]] during the reign of [[Hyarmendacil I]].<ref name=rings/><ref name="AppB"/><ref name=gondor>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>

However, in the later [[Third Age]], the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]] waned for their blood became much mingled with that of other men, especially the [[Northmen of Rhovanion]]. King [[Eldacar (King of Gondor)|Eldacar]], who himself had [[Northmen|Northmannish]] blood, showed favour to the [[Northmen]] who supported him. This led to the [[Kin-strife]], when many of the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]] were slain. After his return from exile, many noble houses, including the royal [[House of Anárion]], became more mingled with the blood of "lesser" Men.<ref name=gondor/>

After the reign of King [[Eärnur]], royal descendants among the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]] had become few and no claimant for the throne could be found of pure [[Númenórean]] blood, or whose claim all would accept, and people were afraid of a new [[Kin-strife]] that would devastate the kingdom. Thus, by default, [[Mardil]] began the line of [[Ruling Stewards of Gondor]].<ref name=rings/><ref name=gondor/>

After the [[Stewards]] picked up the southern rule, the remnant of the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]] still defended the passage of the [[Anduin]] against the terrors of [[Minas Morgul]] and against all the enemies of the West.<ref name=rings/>

By the time of the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]] lived in [[Minas Tirith]] and the adjacent townlands, as well as the tributary fiefs and royal lands of [[Anórien]], [[Ithilien]], and [[Belfalas]].<ref name=languages/><ref name="Language">{{PM|Languages}}</ref>

===Reunification===
Upon the conclusion of the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Kingdoms of the Dúnedain]] were [[Reunited Kingdom|reunited]] under [[Aragorn II Elessar]], [[Isildur's Heir]], and their glory was renewed.<ref name=rings/>

==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
They were tall, pale-skinned, with dark hair, shining grey eyes, and proud faces.<ref name="Herbs">{{TT|Herbs}}</ref><ref name="Minas Tirith">{{RK|V1}}</ref><ref name="Sign">{{FR|Sign}}</ref> Although the stature of those with [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] descent decreased from what it once was (more than 2 [[ranga]]), the Dúnedain were still about 2 [[ranga]] or 6'4" on average.<ref name=height>{{UT|Linear}}</ref>

===Waning of the Dúnedain===
The [[Third Age]] marked the beginning of the waning of the Dúnedain, in which their gifts of wisdom, nobility, and long life were slowly withdrawn due to the [[Downfall of Númenor]] and their mingling with [[Middle Men|lesser men]].<ref name=gondor/>

In the beginning of their history, the Dúnedain were blessed with a lifespan thrice the life of [[Middle Men|lesser men]], yet this ever-diminished over the course of the [[Third Age]].<ref name=languages/><ref name=eriador/>

In [[Arnor]], the strife and dissensions between the kingdoms of [[Arthedain]], [[Cardolan]], and [[Rhudaur]] hastened the waning of the Dúnedain.<ref name=eriador/> "More swift was the waning in the [[Arnor|North-kingdom]], for [[Eriador]] became colder and there, the Dúnedain became ever less".<ref>{{PM|Third}}, p. 227</ref> The Dúnedain of Arnor, unlike their [[Gondorians|kin to the South]], were of unmingled [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] blood.<ref name=blood>{{VT|42a}}, pp. 11-3</ref> Although, their lifespans ever continued to shorten, the [[Dúnedain of Arnor]], especially their [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain|Chieftains]], maintained significant longevity living to twice the age of [[Middle Men|lesser men]].<ref name=eriador/><ref>{{PM|Second}}</ref> The [[Heir of Isildur|Heirs of Isildur]] even lived up to 160 years or more.<ref name=Tale>{{PM|Aii}}, p. 263</ref>

After [[Gondor]]'s numbers were replenished by lesser [[Northmen]] after the [[Kin-Strife]], the mingling did not at first hasten the waning of the Dúnedain, as had been feared, but it still proceeded little by little as it had before.<ref name=gondor/> However, after the fall of the [[Kings of Gondor|Kings]], the waning was much swifter in [[Gondor]] than in [[Arnor]].<ref name=eriador/> In fact, [[Hador (Steward of Gondor)|Hador]] the seventh [[Ruling Steward]] of [[Gondor]] was the last [[Gondorian]] to live 150 years and after his time the life-span of those with [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] blood waned more rapidly.<ref name="Elendil">{{PM|Elendil}}</ref> By the time of the [[War of the Ring]], few among the [[Gondorians]] passed 100 years with vigour, except in the more pure and noble houses.<ref>{{RK|Houses}}</ref>

Upon the reunification of the [[Kingdoms of the Dúnedain]], the might and dignity of the Dúnedain was lifted up and their glory was renewed.<ref name=rings/> Greatest among them was their [[High King (Dúnedain)|High King]] [[Aragorn II Elessar]] who lived up to 210 years (the longest since King [[Arvegil]]),<ref name=eriador/> and he received in some measure their former gifts. He wedded [[Arwen Undomiel]], daughter of [[Elrond]], brother of [[Elros]] first [[King of Númenor|King of Númenór]], and so restored the majesty and high lineage of the royal [[House of Telcontar]], but their life-span was not restored and continued to wane until it became as that of other men.<ref name="Elendil"/>

==Language==
After the [[Downfall of Númenor|Downfall]], [[Sindarin]] was the regular spoken tongue of the [[Exiles of Númenor]].<ref>{{UT|7}}, note 16</ref> When they arrived on the coasts of [[Middle-earth]], few among the colonists on the coasts remembered [[Sindarin]] since the neglected [[Adûnaic]] was used as a ''lingua franca'' among the [[Men]] of [[Middle-earth]], which developed into the [[Westron]] tongue.<ref name=languages/><ref name=Atani>{{PM|Atani}}</ref> They used the [[Common Speech]] in their dealings with other folk and in their governmental affairs. They enlarged the language and enriched it with many words from the Elven-tongues. In the days of the Númenorean kings, [[Westron]] became used more and more by the Dúnedain themselves.<ref name=languages/>

Among the Dúnedain, "the kings and high lords, and indeed all those of [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] blood in any degree," for long used [[Númenórean Sindarin|Sindarin]].<ref>{{PM|Languages}}, p. 34</ref> Many of the [[Men of Gondor]] could also speak the [[Elvish]] tongues, a notable distinction and characteristic among the Dúnedain there.<ref name=languages/> [[Sindarin]] had long ceased to be a "first language" in [[Gondor]], but was learned in early youth (by the Dúnedain) from loremasters, and used by them as a mark of rank and high-blood. For example, the [[Stewards of Gondor]] belonged to a [[House of Húrin|noble family of Dúnedain]] of the ancient [[Faithful]] who used (beside the [[Common Speech]]) the [[Númenórean Sindarin]] tongue after the fashion of [[Gondor]]. It had changed very little since the [[Downfall of Númenor]] and though the [[Men of Gondor]] altered some of the sounds, they could still understand the [[Elves]] and be understood by them.<ref name="Elendil"/> [[Westron]] became used more and more by the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]] themselves, so that at the time of the [[War of the Ring]], [[Sindarin]] was known to only a small part of the peoples of [[Gondor]] (and spoken daily by fewer); they dwelt mostly in [[Minas Tirith]] and the adjacent townlands, and in the land of the tributary princes of [[Dol Amroth]].<ref name=languages/>

[[Quenya]] was used by the Dúnedain, a tradition which has continued from the loremasters of [[Númenor]], to be used for places of fame and reverence in addition to the names of royalty and men of great renown.<ref name=languages/><ref name="quenya">{{L|347}}</ref> All the royal names of the [[Kings of Gondor]] as well as all the [[Stewards]] until [[Mardil Voronwë]] were [[Quenya]] names.<ref name=languages/><ref>{{App|South}}</ref> All the royal names of the [[Kings of Arnor]] were [[Quenya]] names. The [[Kings of Arthedain]] and later the [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain|Chieftains of the Dúnedain]], however, took [[Sindarin]] names.<ref name=North>{{App|North}}</ref> At the end of the [[Third Age]], there were more Men (being of Dúnedain descent) that knew [[Quenya]] or spoke [[Sindarin]] than there were [[Elves]] (those of [[Lindon]], [[Rivendell]], and [[Lórien]]) who did either.<ref name="quenya"/>

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Dunedain.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{quote|I thought you knew enough [[Elvish]] at least to know ''[[dûn|dún]]-[[adan]]'': Man of the West, Númenórean.|[[Bilbo Baggins]] in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[Many Meetings]]"}}

They are also called the ''Men of the West'' and the ''Men of Westernesse'' (direct translations of the [[Sindarin]] term).

The [[Quenya]] name was '''Núnatan''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈnuːnatan]}}), pl. '''Núnatani''' (pron. {{IPA|[nuːˈnatani]}}).

The [[Westron]] name for ''Dúnadan'' was simply '''[[Adûn]]''', "westerner", but this name was seldom used.

''[[The Silmarillion]]'' is explicit in noting that "Númenoreans" and "Dúnedain" are synonymous terms. Nevertheless, it seems more usual to call those born in [[Númenor]] "'''Númenoreans'''" and their descendants living in [[Middle-earth]] post-[[Akallabêth]] "'''Dúnedain'''".

==See also==
*[[Black Númenóreans]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.zarkanya.net/Tolkien/Decline%20of%20the%20Numenoreans_original.htm Decline of the Lifespan of the Númenóreans] and [http://www.zarkanya.net/Tolkien/Stewards_and_Dol_Amroth.htm The Lifespans of the Ruling Stewards of Gondor and the Lords of Dol Amroth], by Alcuin

{{references|n}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dunedain}}
[[Category:Dúnedain| ]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Sindarin demonyms]]
[[de:Dúnedain]]
[[fr:encyclo:peuples:hommes:dunedain]]
[[fi:Dúnedain]]

Dúnedain

2026-01-01T20:05:58Z

Wandelf: /* Reunification */ rewriting poorly written para

{{people infobox
| name=Dúnedain
| image=
| caption=
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ˈduːnedaɪn]}}
| othernames=Great People of the West, Men of the Ancient Houses, Men of the West, Men of Westernesse
| origin=Descendants of the [[Númenoreans]] in [[Middle-earth]]
| location=[[Eriador]], [[Arnor]], [[Gondor]]
| affiliation=[[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]], [[Host of the West (Arnor)|Host of the West]], [[Grey Company]]
| rivalry=[[Sauron]]
| language=[[Westron]], [[Sindarin]], [[Quenya]]
| members=[[Argeleb I]], [[Aragorn II]], [[Denethor]], [[Boromir]], [[Faramir]], [[Imrahil]], [[Morwen Steelsheen]]
| lifespan=''[[#Waning of the Dúnedain|See below]]''
| distinctions=Superior to the other Men of [[Middle-earth]] in nobility of spirit and body
| height=About 6'4"<ref name=height>{{UT|Linear}}</ref>
| hair=Dark
| skin=Pale
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
{{quote|Where now are the Dúnedain, Elessar, Elessar? Why do thy kinsfolk wander afar?|[[Galadriel's messages]]}}

The '''Dúnedain''' ([[Sindarin|S]]: "West-men"), singular '''Dúnadan''', were the [[Men of Númenor]] and their descendants who peopled the [[Westlands]] of [[Middle-earth]] in the [[Second Age|Second]] and [[Third Age]]s.<ref group=note>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] uses the terms ''Númenoreans'' and ''Dúnedain'' interchangeably; for clarity, [[Tolkien Gateway]] interprets the term '''Númenor'''eans literally, as those Dúnedain who were actually living ''on'' Númenor during the Second Age, whereas this article treats the race of Dúnedain in general (in Middle-earth and the Third Age).</ref>

Although they were from the beginning far fewer in number than the [[Middle Men|lesser men]], the Dúnedain were lords of long life, great power, and wisdom; far superior to the [[Middle Men|Men of Middle-earth]] among whom they dwelt and whom they ruled.<ref name=languages/>

==History==
===Early History===
The Dúnedain descend from the [[Edain]] of the [[First Age]], having been granted the island of [[Númenor]] in the [[Second Age]]. Many [[Men of Númenor]] settled in [[Middle-earth]], such as in [[Belfalas]], [[Umbar]] and [[Pelargir]]. The ancestors of the [[Princes of Dol Amroth]], were the most prominent of these.<ref name="Cirion">{{UT|Cirion}}</ref>

After the [[Downfall of Númenor]], [[Elendil]] and his sons led the [[Exiles of Númenor|Exiles]] to Middle-earth. Many who were in whole or part of [[Númenorean]] blood welcomed them and proceeded to found the [[Realms in Exile]], [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]].<ref name=languages>{{App|Men}}</ref><ref name=rings>{{s|Rings}}</ref>

Originally ruled by their [[High King (Dúnedain)|High King]], they were divided as the [[Dúnedain of Arnor]] and the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]], following the death of [[Isildur]], son of [[Elendil]], in {{TA|2}}.<ref name=rings/><ref name="AppB">{{App|B2}}</ref>

===Division===
====In Arnor====
{{Seealso|Dúnedain of Arnor}}
[[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]], [[Isildur]]'s youngest son, took up his rule in [[Annúminas]], but his people were diminished, and there were too few [[Númenoreans]] and native [[Men of Eriador]] to people the land or maintain the places [[Elendil]] built; many had died in the [[War of the Last Alliance]] and the [[Disaster of the Gladden Fields]].<ref name=rings/>

After the reign of [[Eärendur]], the seventh king that followed [[Valandil]], the [[Dúnedain of the North]] became divided into petty realms and lordships, and the witch-realm of [[Angmar]] destroyed them one by one.<ref name=rings/><ref name=eriador>{{App|Eriador}}</ref>

The remnants of the [[Northern Dúnedain]] were also heavily affected by the [[Great Plague]]; the joint garrison (of the North and South Kingdoms) at [[Tharbad]] ceased to exist,<ref>{{UT|6d}}</ref> and the last of the Dúnedain of [[Cardolan]] died on the [[Barrow-downs]].<ref name=eriador/>

After the [[Angmar War]], the [[Dúnedain of the North]] were reduced to [[Ranger of the North|Rangers]] wandering secretly in the wild, and their heritage was forgotten, save in [[Imladris]], where the [[Heir of Isildur|Heirs of Isildur]] were harboured and their line, from father to son, remained unbroken.<ref name=rings/><ref name=eriador/>

====In Gondor====
{{Seealso|Dúnedain of Gondor}}
In the south, the realm of [[Gondor]] endured and the splendour and might of the [[Dúnedain of the South]] grew, until it resembled the wealth and majesty of [[Númenor]] during the reign of [[Hyarmendacil I]].<ref name=rings/><ref name="AppB"/><ref name=gondor>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>

However, in the later [[Third Age]], the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]] waned for their blood became much mingled with that of other men, especially the [[Northmen of Rhovanion]]. King [[Eldacar (King of Gondor)|Eldacar]], who himself had [[Northmen|Northmannish]] blood, showed favour to the [[Northmen]] who supported him. This led to the [[Kin-strife]], when many of the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]] were slain. After his return from exile, many noble houses, including the royal [[House of Anárion]], became more mingled with the blood of "lesser" Men.<ref name=gondor/>

After the reign of King [[Eärnur]], royal descendants among the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]] had become few and no claimant for the throne could be found of pure [[Númenórean]] blood, or whose claim all would accept, and people were afraid of a new [[Kin-strife]] that would devastate the kingdom. Thus, by default, [[Mardil]] began the line of [[Ruling Stewards of Gondor]].<ref name=rings/><ref name=gondor/>

After the [[Stewards]] picked up the southern rule, the remnant of the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]] still defended the passage of the [[Anduin]] against the terrors of [[Minas Morgul]] and against all the enemies of the West.<ref name=rings/>

By the time of the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]] lived in [[Minas Tirith]] and the adjacent townlands, as well as the tributary fiefs and royal lands of [[Anórien]], [[Ithilien]], and [[Belfalas]].<ref name=languages/><ref name="Language">{{PM|Languages}}</ref>

===Reunification===
Upon the conclusion of the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Kingdoms of the Dúnedain]] were [[Reunited Kingdom|reunited]] under [[Aragorn II Elessar]], [[Isildur's Heir]], and their glory was renewed.<ref name=rings/>

==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
They were tall, pale-skinned, with dark hair, shining grey eyes, and proud faces.<ref name="Herbs">{{TT|Herbs}}</ref><ref name="Minas Tirith">{{RK|V1}}</ref><ref name="Sign">{{FR|Sign}}</ref> Although the stature of those with [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] descent decreased from what it once was (more than 2 [[ranga]]), the Dúnedain were still about 2 [[ranga]] or 6'4" on average.<ref name=height>{{UT|Linear}}</ref>

===Waning of the Dúnedain===
The [[Third Age]] marked the beginning of the waning of the Dúnedain, in which their gifts of wisdom, nobility, and long life were slowly withdrawn due to the [[Downfall of Númenor]] and their mingling with [[Middle Men|lesser men]].<ref name=gondor/>

In the beginning of their history, the Dúnedain were blessed with a lifespan thrice the life of [[Middle Men|lesser men]], yet this ever-diminished over the course of the [[Third Age]].<ref name=languages/><ref name=eriador/>

In [[Arnor]], the strife and dissensions between the kingdoms of [[Arthedain]], [[Cardolan]], and [[Rhudaur]] hastened the waning of the Dúnedain.<ref name=eriador/> "More swift was the waning in the [[Arnor|North-kingdom]], for [[Eriador]] became colder and there, the Dúnedain became ever less".<ref>{{PM|Third}}, p. 227</ref> The Dúnedain of Arnor, unlike their [[Gondorians|kin to the South]], were of unmingled [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] blood.<ref name=blood>{{VT|42a}}, pp. 11-3</ref> Although, their lifespans ever continued to shorten, the [[Dúnedain of Arnor]], especially their [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain|Chieftains]], maintained significant longevity living to twice the age of [[Middle Men|lesser men]].<ref name=eriador/><ref>{{PM|Second}}</ref> The [[Heir of Isildur|Heirs of Isildur]] even lived up to 160 years or more.<ref name=Tale>{{PM|Aii}}, p. 263</ref>

After [[Gondor]]'s numbers were replenished by lesser [[Northmen]] after the [[Kin-Strife]], the mingling did not at first hasten the waning of the Dúnedain, as had been feared, but it still proceeded little by little as it had before.<ref name=gondor/> However, after the fall of the [[Kings of Gondor|Kings]], the waning was much swifter in [[Gondor]] than in [[Arnor]].<ref name=eriador/> In fact, [[Hador (Steward of Gondor)|Hador]] the seventh [[Ruling Steward]] of [[Gondor]] was the last [[Gondorian]] to live 150 years and after his time the life-span of those with [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] blood waned more rapidly.<ref name="Elendil">{{PM|Elendil}}</ref> By the time of the [[War of the Ring]], few among the [[Gondorians]] passed 100 years with vigour, except in the more pure and noble houses.<ref>{{RK|Houses}}</ref>

Upon the reunification of the [[Kingdoms of the Dúnedain]], the might and dignity of the Dúnedain was lifted up and their glory was renewed.<ref name=rings/> Greatest among them was their [[High King (Dúnedain)|High King]] [[Aragorn II Elessar]] who lived up to 210 years (the longest since King [[Arvegil]]),<ref name=eriador/> and he received in some measure their former gifts. He wedded [[Arwen Undomiel]], daughter of [[Elrond]], brother of [[Elros]] first [[King of Númenor|King of Númenór]], and so restored the majesty and high lineage of the royal [[House of Telcontar]], but their life-span was not restored and continued to wane until it became as that of other men.<ref name="Elendil"/>

==Language==
After the [[Downfall of Númenor|Downfall]], [[Sindarin]] was the regular spoken tongue of the [[Exiles of Númenor]].<ref>{{UT|7}}, note 16</ref> When they arrived on the coasts of [[Middle-earth]], few among the colonists on the coasts remembered [[Sindarin]] since the neglected [[Adûnaic]] was used as a ''lingua franca'' among the [[Men]] of [[Middle-earth]], which developed into the [[Westron]] tongue.<ref name=languages/><ref name=Atani>{{PM|Atani}}</ref> They used the [[Common Speech]] in their dealings with other folk and in their governmental affairs. They enlarged the language and enriched it with many words from the Elven-tongues. In the days of the Númenorean kings, [[Westron]] became used more and more by the Dúnedain themselves.<ref name=languages/>

Among the Dúnedain, "the kings and high lords, and indeed all those of [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] blood in any degree," for long used [[Númenórean Sindarin|Sindarin]].<ref>{{PM|Languages}}, p. 34</ref> Many of the [[Men of Gondor]] could also speak the [[Elvish]] tongues, a notable distinction and characteristic among the Dúnedain there.<ref name=languages/> [[Sindarin]] had long ceased to be a "first language" in [[Gondor]], but was learned in early youth (by the Dúnedain) from loremasters, and used by them as a mark of rank and high-blood. For example, the [[Stewards of Gondor]] belonged to a [[House of Húrin|noble family of Dúnedain]] of the ancient [[Faithful]] who used (beside the [[Common Speech]]) the [[Númenórean Sindarin]] tongue after the fashion of [[Gondor]]. It had changed very little since the [[Downfall of Númenor]] and though the [[Men of Gondor]] altered some of the sounds, they could still understand the [[Elves]] and be understood by them.<ref name="Elendil"/> [[Westron]] became used more and more by the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]] themselves, so that at the time of the [[War of the Ring]], [[Sindarin]] was known to only a small part of the peoples of [[Gondor]] (and spoken daily by fewer); they dwelt mostly in [[Minas Tirith]] and the adjacent townlands, and in the land of the tributary princes of [[Dol Amroth]].<ref name=languages/>

[[Quenya]] was used by the Dúnedain, a tradition which has continued from the loremasters of [[Númenor]], to be used for places of fame and reverence in addition to the names of royalty and men of great renown.<ref name=languages/><ref name="quenya">{{L|347}}</ref> All the royal names of the [[Kings of Gondor]] as well as all the [[Stewards]] until [[Mardil Voronwë]] were [[Quenya]] names.<ref name=languages/><ref>{{App|South}}</ref> All the royal names of the [[Kings of Arnor]] were [[Quenya]] names. The [[Kings of Arthedain]] and later the [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain|Chieftains of the Dúnedain]], however, took [[Sindarin]] names.<ref name=North>{{App|North}}</ref> At the end of the [[Third Age]], there were more Men (being of Dúnedain descent) that knew [[Quenya]] or spoke [[Sindarin]] than there were [[Elves]] (those of [[Lindon]], [[Rivendell]], and [[Lórien]]) who did either.<ref name="quenya"/>

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Dunedain.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{quote|I thought you knew enough [[Elvish]] at least to know ''[[dûn|dún]]-[[adan]]'': Man of the West, Númenórean.|[[Bilbo Baggins]] in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[Many Meetings]]"}}

They are also called the ''Men of the West'' and the ''Men of Westernesse'' (direct translations of the [[Sindarin]] term) and comes from ''[[dûn]]'' and ''[[adan]]''.

The [[Quenya]] name was '''Núnatan''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈnuːnatan]}}), pl. '''Núnatani''' (pron. {{IPA|[nuːˈnatani]}}).

The [[Westron]] name for ''Dúnadan'' was simply '''[[Adûn]]''', "westerner", but this name was seldom used.

''[[The Silmarillion]]'' is explicit in noting that "Númenoreans" and "Dúnedain" are synonymous terms. Nevertheless, it seems more usual to call those born in [[Númenor]] "'''Númenoreans'''" and their descendants living in [[Middle-earth]] post-[[Akallabêth]] "'''Dúnedain'''".

==See also==
*[[Black Númenóreans]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.zarkanya.net/Tolkien/Decline%20of%20the%20Numenoreans_original.htm Decline of the Lifespan of the Númenóreans] and [http://www.zarkanya.net/Tolkien/Stewards_and_Dol_Amroth.htm The Lifespans of the Ruling Stewards of Gondor and the Lords of Dol Amroth], by Alcuin

{{references|n}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dunedain}}
[[Category:Dúnedain| ]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Sindarin demonyms]]
[[de:Dúnedain]]
[[fr:encyclo:peuples:hommes:dunedain]]
[[fi:Dúnedain]]

Dúnedain

2026-01-01T20:04:34Z

Wandelf: /* Early History */

{{people infobox
| name=Dúnedain
| image=
| caption=
| pronun=[[Sindarin|S]], {{IPA|[ˈduːnedaɪn]}}
| othernames=Great People of the West, Men of the Ancient Houses, Men of the West, Men of Westernesse
| origin=Descendants of the [[Númenoreans]] in [[Middle-earth]]
| location=[[Eriador]], [[Arnor]], [[Gondor]]
| affiliation=[[Last Alliance of Elves and Men]], [[Host of the West (Arnor)|Host of the West]], [[Grey Company]]
| rivalry=[[Sauron]]
| language=[[Westron]], [[Sindarin]], [[Quenya]]
| members=[[Argeleb I]], [[Aragorn II]], [[Denethor]], [[Boromir]], [[Faramir]], [[Imrahil]], [[Morwen Steelsheen]]
| lifespan=''[[#Waning of the Dúnedain|See below]]''
| distinctions=Superior to the other Men of [[Middle-earth]] in nobility of spirit and body
| height=About 6'4"<ref name=height>{{UT|Linear}}</ref>
| hair=Dark
| skin=Pale
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
{{quote|Where now are the Dúnedain, Elessar, Elessar? Why do thy kinsfolk wander afar?|[[Galadriel's messages]]}}

The '''Dúnedain''' ([[Sindarin|S]]: "West-men"), singular '''Dúnadan''', were the [[Men of Númenor]] and their descendants who peopled the [[Westlands]] of [[Middle-earth]] in the [[Second Age|Second]] and [[Third Age]]s.<ref group=note>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] uses the terms ''Númenoreans'' and ''Dúnedain'' interchangeably; for clarity, [[Tolkien Gateway]] interprets the term '''Númenor'''eans literally, as those Dúnedain who were actually living ''on'' Númenor during the Second Age, whereas this article treats the race of Dúnedain in general (in Middle-earth and the Third Age).</ref>

Although they were from the beginning far fewer in number than the [[Middle Men|lesser men]], the Dúnedain were lords of long life, great power, and wisdom; far superior to the [[Middle Men|Men of Middle-earth]] among whom they dwelt and whom they ruled.<ref name=languages/>

==History==
===Early History===
The Dúnedain descend from the [[Edain]] of the [[First Age]], having been granted the island of [[Númenor]] in the [[Second Age]]. Many [[Men of Númenor]] settled in [[Middle-earth]], such as in [[Belfalas]], [[Umbar]] and [[Pelargir]]. The ancestors of the [[Princes of Dol Amroth]], were the most prominent of these.<ref name="Cirion">{{UT|Cirion}}</ref>

After the [[Downfall of Númenor]], [[Elendil]] and his sons led the [[Exiles of Númenor|Exiles]] to Middle-earth. Many who were in whole or part of [[Númenorean]] blood welcomed them and proceeded to found the [[Realms in Exile]], [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]].<ref name=languages>{{App|Men}}</ref><ref name=rings>{{s|Rings}}</ref>

Originally ruled by their [[High King (Dúnedain)|High King]], they were divided as the [[Dúnedain of Arnor]] and the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]], following the death of [[Isildur]], son of [[Elendil]], in {{TA|2}}.<ref name=rings/><ref name="AppB">{{App|B2}}</ref>

===Division===
====In Arnor====
{{Seealso|Dúnedain of Arnor}}
[[Valandil (King of Arnor)|Valandil]], [[Isildur]]'s youngest son, took up his rule in [[Annúminas]], but his people were diminished, and there were too few [[Númenoreans]] and native [[Men of Eriador]] to people the land or maintain the places [[Elendil]] built; many had died in the [[War of the Last Alliance]] and the [[Disaster of the Gladden Fields]].<ref name=rings/>

After the reign of [[Eärendur]], the seventh king that followed [[Valandil]], the [[Dúnedain of the North]] became divided into petty realms and lordships, and the witch-realm of [[Angmar]] destroyed them one by one.<ref name=rings/><ref name=eriador>{{App|Eriador}}</ref>

The remnants of the [[Northern Dúnedain]] were also heavily affected by the [[Great Plague]]; the joint garrison (of the North and South Kingdoms) at [[Tharbad]] ceased to exist,<ref>{{UT|6d}}</ref> and the last of the Dúnedain of [[Cardolan]] died on the [[Barrow-downs]].<ref name=eriador/>

After the [[Angmar War]], the [[Dúnedain of the North]] were reduced to [[Ranger of the North|Rangers]] wandering secretly in the wild, and their heritage was forgotten, save in [[Imladris]], where the [[Heir of Isildur|Heirs of Isildur]] were harboured and their line, from father to son, remained unbroken.<ref name=rings/><ref name=eriador/>

====In Gondor====
{{Seealso|Dúnedain of Gondor}}
In the south, the realm of [[Gondor]] endured and the splendour and might of the [[Dúnedain of the South]] grew, until it resembled the wealth and majesty of [[Númenor]] during the reign of [[Hyarmendacil I]].<ref name=rings/><ref name="AppB"/><ref name=gondor>{{App|Gondor}}</ref>

However, in the later [[Third Age]], the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]] waned for their blood became much mingled with that of other men, especially the [[Northmen of Rhovanion]]. King [[Eldacar (King of Gondor)|Eldacar]], who himself had [[Northmen|Northmannish]] blood, showed favour to the [[Northmen]] who supported him. This led to the [[Kin-strife]], when many of the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]] were slain. After his return from exile, many noble houses, including the royal [[House of Anárion]], became more mingled with the blood of "lesser" Men.<ref name=gondor/>

After the reign of King [[Eärnur]], royal descendants among the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]] had become few and no claimant for the throne could be found of pure [[Númenórean]] blood, or whose claim all would accept, and people were afraid of a new [[Kin-strife]] that would devastate the kingdom. Thus, by default, [[Mardil]] began the line of [[Ruling Stewards of Gondor]].<ref name=rings/><ref name=gondor/>

After the [[Stewards]] picked up the southern rule, the remnant of the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]] still defended the passage of the [[Anduin]] against the terrors of [[Minas Morgul]] and against all the enemies of the West.<ref name=rings/>

By the time of the [[War of the Ring]], the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]] lived in [[Minas Tirith]] and the adjacent townlands, as well as the tributary fiefs and royal lands of [[Anórien]], [[Ithilien]], and [[Belfalas]].<ref name=languages/><ref name="Language">{{PM|Languages}}</ref>

===Reunification===
Upon the reunification of the [[Kingdoms of the Dúnedain]] after the [[War of the Ring]], the Dúnedain were [[Reunited Kingdom|reunited]] under [[Aragorn II Elessar]], [[Isildur's Heir]], and their the might and dignity was lifted up and their glory renewed.<ref name=rings/>

==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
They were tall, pale-skinned, with dark hair, shining grey eyes, and proud faces.<ref name="Herbs">{{TT|Herbs}}</ref><ref name="Minas Tirith">{{RK|V1}}</ref><ref name="Sign">{{FR|Sign}}</ref> Although the stature of those with [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] descent decreased from what it once was (more than 2 [[ranga]]), the Dúnedain were still about 2 [[ranga]] or 6'4" on average.<ref name=height>{{UT|Linear}}</ref>

===Waning of the Dúnedain===
The [[Third Age]] marked the beginning of the waning of the Dúnedain, in which their gifts of wisdom, nobility, and long life were slowly withdrawn due to the [[Downfall of Númenor]] and their mingling with [[Middle Men|lesser men]].<ref name=gondor/>

In the beginning of their history, the Dúnedain were blessed with a lifespan thrice the life of [[Middle Men|lesser men]], yet this ever-diminished over the course of the [[Third Age]].<ref name=languages/><ref name=eriador/>

In [[Arnor]], the strife and dissensions between the kingdoms of [[Arthedain]], [[Cardolan]], and [[Rhudaur]] hastened the waning of the Dúnedain.<ref name=eriador/> "More swift was the waning in the [[Arnor|North-kingdom]], for [[Eriador]] became colder and there, the Dúnedain became ever less".<ref>{{PM|Third}}, p. 227</ref> The Dúnedain of Arnor, unlike their [[Gondorians|kin to the South]], were of unmingled [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] blood.<ref name=blood>{{VT|42a}}, pp. 11-3</ref> Although, their lifespans ever continued to shorten, the [[Dúnedain of Arnor]], especially their [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain|Chieftains]], maintained significant longevity living to twice the age of [[Middle Men|lesser men]].<ref name=eriador/><ref>{{PM|Second}}</ref> The [[Heir of Isildur|Heirs of Isildur]] even lived up to 160 years or more.<ref name=Tale>{{PM|Aii}}, p. 263</ref>

After [[Gondor]]'s numbers were replenished by lesser [[Northmen]] after the [[Kin-Strife]], the mingling did not at first hasten the waning of the Dúnedain, as had been feared, but it still proceeded little by little as it had before.<ref name=gondor/> However, after the fall of the [[Kings of Gondor|Kings]], the waning was much swifter in [[Gondor]] than in [[Arnor]].<ref name=eriador/> In fact, [[Hador (Steward of Gondor)|Hador]] the seventh [[Ruling Steward]] of [[Gondor]] was the last [[Gondorian]] to live 150 years and after his time the life-span of those with [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] blood waned more rapidly.<ref name="Elendil">{{PM|Elendil}}</ref> By the time of the [[War of the Ring]], few among the [[Gondorians]] passed 100 years with vigour, except in the more pure and noble houses.<ref>{{RK|Houses}}</ref>

Upon the reunification of the [[Kingdoms of the Dúnedain]], the might and dignity of the Dúnedain was lifted up and their glory was renewed.<ref name=rings/> Greatest among them was their [[High King (Dúnedain)|High King]] [[Aragorn II Elessar]] who lived up to 210 years (the longest since King [[Arvegil]]),<ref name=eriador/> and he received in some measure their former gifts. He wedded [[Arwen Undomiel]], daughter of [[Elrond]], brother of [[Elros]] first [[King of Númenor|King of Númenór]], and so restored the majesty and high lineage of the royal [[House of Telcontar]], but their life-span was not restored and continued to wane until it became as that of other men.<ref name="Elendil"/>

==Language==
After the [[Downfall of Númenor|Downfall]], [[Sindarin]] was the regular spoken tongue of the [[Exiles of Númenor]].<ref>{{UT|7}}, note 16</ref> When they arrived on the coasts of [[Middle-earth]], few among the colonists on the coasts remembered [[Sindarin]] since the neglected [[Adûnaic]] was used as a ''lingua franca'' among the [[Men]] of [[Middle-earth]], which developed into the [[Westron]] tongue.<ref name=languages/><ref name=Atani>{{PM|Atani}}</ref> They used the [[Common Speech]] in their dealings with other folk and in their governmental affairs. They enlarged the language and enriched it with many words from the Elven-tongues. In the days of the Númenorean kings, [[Westron]] became used more and more by the Dúnedain themselves.<ref name=languages/>

Among the Dúnedain, "the kings and high lords, and indeed all those of [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] blood in any degree," for long used [[Númenórean Sindarin|Sindarin]].<ref>{{PM|Languages}}, p. 34</ref> Many of the [[Men of Gondor]] could also speak the [[Elvish]] tongues, a notable distinction and characteristic among the Dúnedain there.<ref name=languages/> [[Sindarin]] had long ceased to be a "first language" in [[Gondor]], but was learned in early youth (by the Dúnedain) from loremasters, and used by them as a mark of rank and high-blood. For example, the [[Stewards of Gondor]] belonged to a [[House of Húrin|noble family of Dúnedain]] of the ancient [[Faithful]] who used (beside the [[Common Speech]]) the [[Númenórean Sindarin]] tongue after the fashion of [[Gondor]]. It had changed very little since the [[Downfall of Númenor]] and though the [[Men of Gondor]] altered some of the sounds, they could still understand the [[Elves]] and be understood by them.<ref name="Elendil"/> [[Westron]] became used more and more by the [[Dúnedain of Gondor]] themselves, so that at the time of the [[War of the Ring]], [[Sindarin]] was known to only a small part of the peoples of [[Gondor]] (and spoken daily by fewer); they dwelt mostly in [[Minas Tirith]] and the adjacent townlands, and in the land of the tributary princes of [[Dol Amroth]].<ref name=languages/>

[[Quenya]] was used by the Dúnedain, a tradition which has continued from the loremasters of [[Númenor]], to be used for places of fame and reverence in addition to the names of royalty and men of great renown.<ref name=languages/><ref name="quenya">{{L|347}}</ref> All the royal names of the [[Kings of Gondor]] as well as all the [[Stewards]] until [[Mardil Voronwë]] were [[Quenya]] names.<ref name=languages/><ref>{{App|South}}</ref> All the royal names of the [[Kings of Arnor]] were [[Quenya]] names. The [[Kings of Arthedain]] and later the [[Chieftain of the Dúnedain|Chieftains of the Dúnedain]], however, took [[Sindarin]] names.<ref name=North>{{App|North}}</ref> At the end of the [[Third Age]], there were more Men (being of Dúnedain descent) that knew [[Quenya]] or spoke [[Sindarin]] than there were [[Elves]] (those of [[Lindon]], [[Rivendell]], and [[Lórien]]) who did either.<ref name="quenya"/>

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Dunedain.mp3|Ardamir}}
{{quote|I thought you knew enough [[Elvish]] at least to know ''[[dûn|dún]]-[[adan]]'': Man of the West, Númenórean.|[[Bilbo Baggins]] in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[Many Meetings]]"}}

They are also called the ''Men of the West'' and the ''Men of Westernesse'' (direct translations of the [[Sindarin]] term) and comes from ''[[dûn]]'' and ''[[adan]]''.

The [[Quenya]] name was '''Núnatan''' (pron. {{IPA|[ˈnuːnatan]}}), pl. '''Núnatani''' (pron. {{IPA|[nuːˈnatani]}}).

The [[Westron]] name for ''Dúnadan'' was simply '''[[Adûn]]''', "westerner", but this name was seldom used.

''[[The Silmarillion]]'' is explicit in noting that "Númenoreans" and "Dúnedain" are synonymous terms. Nevertheless, it seems more usual to call those born in [[Númenor]] "'''Númenoreans'''" and their descendants living in [[Middle-earth]] post-[[Akallabêth]] "'''Dúnedain'''".

==See also==
*[[Black Númenóreans]]

== External links ==
* [http://www.zarkanya.net/Tolkien/Decline%20of%20the%20Numenoreans_original.htm Decline of the Lifespan of the Númenóreans] and [http://www.zarkanya.net/Tolkien/Stewards_and_Dol_Amroth.htm The Lifespans of the Ruling Stewards of Gondor and the Lords of Dol Amroth], by Alcuin

{{references|n}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dunedain}}
[[Category:Dúnedain| ]]
[[Category:Pronounced articles]]
[[Category:Sindarin demonyms]]
[[de:Dúnedain]]
[[fr:encyclo:peuples:hommes:dunedain]]
[[fi:Dúnedain]]

Nazgûl

2026-01-01T15:23:17Z

Wandelf: this is less ambiguous

{{race infobox
| name=Nazgûl
| image = John Howe - The Hunt for the Ring.jpg
| caption=''The Hunt for the Ring'' by [[John Howe]]
| pronun=
| othernames=Ringwraiths, the Black Riders, the Nine, ''Úlairi'' ([[Quenya|Q]])
| origin=[[Men]] who received the [[Nine Rings]]; corrupted by [[Sauron]]
| location=[[Mordor]], [[Angmar]], [[Dol Guldur]], [[Minas Morgul]]
| affiliation=[[Sauron]]
| rivalry=
| language=[[Black Speech]], [[Westron]]
| people=
| members=[[Witch-king]], [[Khamûl]], "[[F]]"
| lifespan=Indefinite
| distinctions=Without physical form
| height=Man-high
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=Black robes
| weapons=[[Morgul-knife]]
}}

<center>{{quote| 'They come from [[Mordor]],' said [[Aragorn|Strider]] in a low voice. 'From Mordor, [[Barliman Butterbur|Barliman]], if that means anything to you.' |''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[Strider (chapter)|Strider]]"}}</center>
The '''[[#Etymology|Nazgûl]]''' ([[Black Speech]] for "'''Ringwraiths'''"), also known as the '''Nine Riders''' or '''Black Riders''' (or simply '''the Nine'''), were [[Sauron]]'s "most terrible servants" in [[Middle-earth]]. They were mortal [[Men]] who had been turned into wraiths by their [[Nine Rings]] of power.

==History==
===Origins===
Sometime during the [[Second Age]] (after the year {{SA|1697|n}}<ref group="note">Sauron captured the Rings of Power in the [[Sack of Eregion]] around this year, and later distributed the Nine Rings (cf. {{App|B}} and {{UT|Concerning}}).</ref>) Sauron gave [[Nine Rings|nine Rings of Power]] to nine mortal [[Men]]. It is said that three of the Nine were great lords of [[Númenoreans|Númenorean]] race.<ref name="Akallabeth">{{S|Akallabeth}}</ref><ref>{{L|156|39}}, "There were evil Númenoreans: Sauronians, [...] the wicked Kings who had become the Nazgûl or Ringwraiths."</ref>

The bearers of the rings gained great wealth and prestige and became "''mighty in their day, kings, sorcerers, and warriors of old''". The rings enabled them to turn invisible and see the [[Unseen]]. Their lives were prolonged so they seemed unending, but life became unendurable to them. Over time, depending on their native strength and their initial good or evil will, they succumbed to the powers of the rings and the domination of the [[The One Ring|One Ring]]. Their bodily forms faded until they became permanently invisible and turned into [[wraiths]].<ref name="Rings" />

Known as the Nazgûl, they first appeared around {{SA|2251}}<ref name="AppB1" /> and were soon established as Sauron's principal servants. However, the circumstances of this appearance are unknown, as are their actions during the [[Dark Years]], during Sauron's capture to [[Númenor]], and in the [[War of the Last Alliance]]. When Sauron was overthrown in {{SA|3441}} at the hands of the [[Last Alliance of Elves and Men|Last Alliance]], the wraiths faded into the shadows.<ref name="AppB1">{{App|B1}}</ref>
===Third Age===
The One Ring which dominated the Nazgûl was taken from Sauron and then it was lost in [[Anduin]] for the following centuries; both Sauron and the wraiths lost their powers and remained hidden.<ref name="Rings" /> However around {{TA|1050|n}} of the [[Third Age]] Sauron returned in the form of a shadow in [[Mirkwood|Greenwood the Great]], triggering also the return of his servants. [[Third Age 1100|About 50 years later]] [[the Wise]] of that Age discovered the [[shadow]] of [[Dol Guldur]] and theorized that it was one of the Nazgûl.<ref name="AppB2" />

But it was around {{TA|1300}} when evil things, like the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]], multiplied again, and the Nazgûl definitely reappeared; it was then when [[Witch-king|Lord of the Nazgûl]] gathered evil [[Men]] and founded the Witch-kingdom of [[Angmar]]. From there he led Sauron's forces against the mannish kingdom of [[Arnor]] in {{TA|1409}}.<ref name="AppB2" />

Meanwhile [[Gondor]] was weakened by the [[Great Plague]] and [[Wainrider/Balchoth War|War]], and it was believed that Sauron's plan was to open the way to [[Mordor]]; indeed as the watch on Mordor stopped and Gondor's borders withdrew, it is believed that the Nazgûl freely re-entered Mordor around {{TA|1856|n}} or later.<ref name="gondor">{{App|Gondor}}</ref>

The Witch-king was eventually [[Battle of Fornost|defeated]] in battle in {{TA|1975|n}} and [[Third Age 1980|sometime later]] returned to [[Mordor]], gathering the other Nazgûl in preparation for the return of Sauron to that realm.<ref name="AppB2" /><ref name="gondor" />

In {{TA|2000|}}, they issued by [[Cirith Ungol]], began a two-year siege against [[Minas Ithil]] and [[Second Fall of Minas Ithil|captured it]]. The city thereafter became their stronghold Nazgûl, from where they directed the rebuilding of Sauron's armies, also acquiring [[Ithil-stone|one of]] the ''[[palantíri]]'' for the Dark Lord.<ref name="AppB2">{{App|B2}}</ref>

During the [[Watchful Peace]], when Sauron hid from the power of the [[White Council]], the Nazgûl also remained hidden in [[Morgul Vale]], allowing some peaceful time for the first [[Ruling Stewards]] of Gondor.<ref>{{App|Stewards}}</ref>

But after his defeat in [[Dol Guldur]], Sauron returned to Mordor in {{TA|2942|n}} and declared himself openly in {{TA|2951|n}}. Three of the Nazgûl were sent to his fortress at Dol Guldur to garrison that outpost.<ref name="AppB2" />
[[File:Angus McBride - Rivendell.gif|thumb|''Rivendell'' by [[Angus McBride]]]]
In {{TA|3017|n}} Sauron commanded the Ringwraiths to recover [[the One Ring]] of Power from "Baggins of the Shire". Disguised as horse riders clad in black (hence the term ''Black Riders''), they sought out [[Bilbo Baggins]] who, as [[Gollum]] had revealed, had the One Ring in his possession.

The [[Dwarves]] of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] spoke of a rider who had come to offer Sauron's friendship and ask about [[Hobbits]]. As a token of their friendship he asked for a "trifle", a ring, "the least of rings", that the [[Bilbo Baggins|thief]] had stolen.<ref name="council">{{FR|II2}}</ref><ref group="note">The identity of the messenger is unknown. In [[fandom]] it has been proposed that he was the [[Mouth of Sauron]]. [[Michael Martinez]] [http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2012/01/26/is-the-messenger-sent-to-dain-a-black-rider-or-the-mouth-of-sauron/ considers it more likely] that it was a Nazgûl.</ref>

===War of the Ring===
Sauron decided to assault Gondor directly. In [[Sauron's attack on Osgiliath|attack]] on [[Osgiliath]] he let the Nazgûl lead, causing terror with the [[Black Shadow]] among the [[Gondorians]]<ref name="council" /><ref name="b3">{{app|B3}}</ref> and making them think that they are the vanguard of Sauron's military force. However this was a feigned move of Sauron, who intended them to send them invisible to look for the Ring.<ref name="hunt">{{UT|Hunt}}</ref>

The Nazgûl were given black horses (stolen from [[Rohan]]) for transportation and set off to find "[[the Shire]]", on their way learning from a [[Squint-eyed southerner]] that [[Saruman]] was not a true ally of Sauron. Failing to find it, they returned to the [[Wold]] empty-handed; messengers from Sauron sent them to [[Isengard]]. There they encountered [[Gríma Wormtongue]], who told them of the location of the Shire.<ref name="hunt" />

Crossing the [[Fords of Isen]], they reached [[Sarn Ford]] at evening and drove off the guard of [[Rangers of the North]] and five pursued the Rangers eastward, then returned to guard the [[Greenway]]. The other four entered the Shire before the dawn of [[23 September]]; at nightfall [[Khamûl]] came to [[Hobbiton]] and interrogated [[Hamfast Gamgee]] asking for "[[Baggins]]", not knowing that [[Frodo Baggins]], the [[Ring-bearer]], had left Bag End on his way out of Hobbiton that same day.<ref name="b3" />

On [[24 September]] a Rider approached Frodo and his companions near the [[Woody End]], when a [[Wandering Companies|Wandering Company]] of [[Elves]] approached from [[Emyn Beraid]], chanting the name of "[[Elbereth]]", and the rider fled away.<ref name="Three">{{FR|Three}}</ref>{{rp|78–9}} The [[25 September|next day]] a Rider came to [[Bamfurlong]] and approached [[Farmer Maggot]], asking about Baggins. The farmer directed him to Hobbiton. The Rider said that the individual had already left Hobbiton and offered Maggot gold if he would inform the rider if he saw Baggins. The farmer felt chill and was enraged by his trespassing and threatened him with his [[dogs]], which, however, yelped and ran. The Rider, infuriated by his defiance, hissed and rode away.<ref>{{FR|I4}}</ref>

On [[26 September]], two Riders came to ''[[The Prancing Pony]]'' at [[Bree]] and asked [[Nob]] for "Baggins", making the dogs and geese noisy. Nob, terrified, slammed the door on them, and the Riders continued all the way to [[Archet]].<ref name="strid">{{FR|Strider}}</ref>

Three days later, on [[29 September]] at night, the hobbits arrived at the ''Prancing Pony''.<ref>{{App|Great}}, entry for the year 3018, September 29, p. 1093</ref> On the same day, three Riders arrived in Bree and were informed by a spy from Isengard about the events with the Hobbits that took place at the ''Prancing Pony'' and guessed that the One Ring is present. One Rider was sent to find the Witch-king, but was stopped and driven away by the [[Dúnedain]], so that he only met the Witch-king on the next day.<ref name="PrancingRC">{{HM|RC}}, citing from the manuscript Marquette MSS 4/2/3, p. 166</ref> After [[Frodo]], [[Pippin]], and Sam returned from the big common-room to the parlour of the ''Prancing Pony'', [[Merry]] went outside for a walk, followed a shadow to the last house of the road in the dark, but began to feel terrified. After he had turned around to run back something came behind him and he fell over and became unconscious. However, [[Nob]] saw two men on the road lifting something and shouted.<ref name="strid" /> When he reached the spot on the road<ref name="strid" /> the two Riders had disappeared<ref name="PrancingRC" /> and he only found the unconscious Merry lying there<ref name="strid" />. Merry and Nob returned to the parlour and informed Frodo, Pippin, Sam, and [[Aragorn]] about what had happened. As a result, they decided to not go back to their rooms, but to spend the night in the parlour and to bar its window and door.<ref name="strid" />

In the early hours before dawn of [[30 September]], the two Riders rode through Bree and may have attacked the ''Prancing Pony'' while other Riders attacked [[Crickhollow]].<ref name="PrancingRC" /> When Aragorn and the Hobbits got up and returned to their bedrooms they discovered that the windows had been forced open, the beds had been tossed about, the bolsters had been slashed and the brown mat had been torn to pieces. At around ten o'clock Aragorn and the Hobbits left Bree eastwards on the East Road.<ref name="knife">{{FR|Knife}}</ref>

The Riders pursued [[Gandalf]] from Bree and attacked him at night on [[Weathertop]], where he defended himself with his [[magic]].<ref name="b3" /> Four Riders followed Gandalf as he escaped to the north.<ref name="council" /> The others later attacked [[Aragorn]] and the [[hobbits]] while they were camping under Weathertop, and the Witch-king [[Morgul-wound|wounded]] [[Frodo Baggins]] with a [[Morgul-knife]].<ref name="b3" /><ref name="knife" />

On [[11 October]] {{TA|3018|n}}<ref name="b3" /> three Riders were guarding the [[Last Bridge]] of [[Mitheithel]], expecting [[Aragorn]] and the [[hobbits]] on their journey to [[Rivendell]]. Their plan was foiled by [[Glorfindel]], who drove them away.<ref name="b3" /><ref name="Flight">{{FR|Flight}}</ref> Two days later, some of them pursued Frodo across the [[Ford of Bruinen]].<ref name="b3" /> [[Elrond]] and [[Gandalf]] released a flood and the waters of [[Bruinen]] swept away and drowned the horses of the Riders.<ref name="council" />

[[File:Ted_Nasmith_-_The_Nazgûl.jpg|thumb|''The Nazgûl'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]

The Ringwraiths were forced to return to Mordor to regroup.<ref name="Disguises">{{FR|South}}, p. 275</ref> They reappeared later mounted on [[Nazgûl-birds|flying creatures]],<ref name="White" /> at which point they were referred to as '''winged Nazgûl'''.<ref>{{TT|Uruk}}, p. 446</ref>

By the conclusion of the [[War of the Ring]], all of the Nine Nazgûl were destroyed. The [[Witch-king|Lord of the Nazgûl]] himself was slain by [[Éowyn]], the niece of King [[Théoden]] (with help from [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]]) during the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]].<ref>{{RK|Battle}}, 840-2</ref> The remaining eight Ringwraiths attacked the Army of the West during the last battle at the [[Black Gate]].<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 892</ref> However, when [[Frodo Baggins]] put on the ring in the fires of [[Mount Doom]], Sauron ordered the remaining Nazgûl to fly with all possible speed to Mount Doom to intercept Frodo. They arrived too late, with the Ring falling into the fire along with the hapless Gollum. The Nazgûl were caught in the firestorm of the erupting mountain and were destroyed.<ref>{{RK|Doom}}, pp. 946-7</ref>

==Characteristics==
===Appearance===
To mortals, the Nazgûl appeared as shadowy Men hidden by black hoods and cloaks that reached down to their boots.<ref name="Three" />{{rp|74}} Without their cloaks, they were shapeless,<ref name="MeetingsTwo">{{FR|Meetings}}, p. 222-3</ref> and invisible to all but the wearer of [[the One Ring]].<ref name="Rings" /> When the Witch-king removed his hood, his crown could be seen, although his head was invisible and the red fires shone through it.<ref name="Siege">{{RK|Siege}}</ref>{{rp|829}} During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, the deadly gleam of his eyes could be seen.<ref name="PelennorPage">{{RK|Battle}}, p. 840</ref>

When Frodo put on the Ring at Weathertop, he could see the forms of the Nazgûl clearly. They were tall, and beneath their black cloaks, they were robed in grey. Their hair was grey, and they wore silver helms, although the Witch-king wore a crown. Their eyes were merciless and piercing, and their hands were haggard. The Witch-king held a [[Morgul-knife|knife]], and the knife and his hand shone with a pale light.<ref name="Visible">{{FR|Knife}}, pp. 195-6</ref>

===Powers and abilities===
The chief power of the Nazgȗl was the unreasoning fear they struck in living things. Their powers and the fear that they inspired are greatly increased in darkness.<ref name="L210">{{L|210}}, 9.</ref> During the [[Siege of Gondor]], their cries were filled with evil and horror. When the Ringwraiths passed overhead unseen, even the bravest dropped their weapons from their nerveless hands or cowered on the ground due to the fear that overcame them. As a blackness entered their minds, they no longer thought about fighting, and only thought of hiding, crawling away, and death.<ref name="Siege" />{{rp|823}} Even when they could not be seen or heard, their terrible presence could be felt, and those nearby felt a sense of dread.<ref>{{RK|Gate}}, p. 886</ref> Animals also feared them, and the only creatures that endured them were horses bred for the service of Sauron<ref name="MeetingsTwo" /> and the [[Fell beasts|winged beasts]] that were given to them when their horses were destroyed.<ref name="White">{{TT|White}}, p. 498</ref> The evil aura that surrounded them was known as the ''[[Black Breath]]'', and those that came under its shadow fell ill and eventually passed into silence and died.<ref name="Houses">{{RK|Houses}}</ref>

The Ringwraiths did not have great physical power against fearless opponents.<ref name="L210" /> The Nazgûl also used physical weapons. At Weathertop, they bore steel swords, and the Witch-king had a knife that he stabbed Frodo with.<ref name="Visible" /> A shard of the [[Morgul-knife]] remained in Frodo's shoulder, and was moving deeper before it was removed by [[Elrond]]. It caused Frodo to begin to fade into the [[Unseen|wraith-world]], but the shard was unable to pierce his heart and bring him completely under the control of the Nazgȗl.<ref name="MeetingsTwo" /> The Ringwraiths were also known to use deadly black darts.<ref name="HousesPage" /> The Witch-king used a black mace during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.<ref name="PelennorPage" />

The Nazgûl could not be slain by arrows,<ref name="White" /> and only weapons endowed with a special power, such as the [[blade of Westernesse]] that Merry used, could do them any great damage.<ref>{{RK|Battle}}, pp. 842-4</ref> Any blades that pierced the Witch-king were destroyed.<ref name="Flight" />{{rp|198}}

[[File:Ted Nasmith - The Attack of the Wraiths.jpg|thumb|''The Attack of the Wraiths'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]

The Nazgûl existed mostly in the wraith-world and required their cloaks to give them form during their interactions with the living.<ref name="MeetingsTwo" /> When their steeds and disguises were destroyed, they were forced to return to Sauron to receive new ones.<ref name="Disguises" />

The Nazgûl had poor vision in the world of light, but they were aware of the presence of other beings, and their perception grew stronger in the dark. They could detect living things by the smell of their blood, and they were drawn by the Ring.<ref name="knife" />{{rp|189}} They could also see beings with a presence in the wraith-world, such as the wearer of the One Ring, as well as certain powerful Elves with control over the Unseen, such as [[Glorfindel]]. Anyone who could see into the wraith-world could see the Nazgûl, as Frodo did on Weathertop<ref name="MeetingsTwo" /> and at the Ford of Bruinen.<ref name="FlightPage">{{FR|Flight}}, p. 214</ref>

The [[Witch-king]] could also affect objects and people with his power, and was able to strike Frodo dumb and shatter the dagger that Frodo had gotten in the [[Barrow-downs]] by raising his hand,<ref name="FlightPage" /> and he also weakened both hearts and stone with terrifying words of power while attacking the [[Great Gate of Minas Tirith|Gate]] of [[Minas Tirith]]. He also caused flames to run along his sword.<ref name="Siege" />{{rp|828–9}} Whether other Nazgûl could perform similar feats is unknown.

==Identities==
Only a few of the Nazgûl are named or identified individually. Their leader was the [[Witch-king|Witch-king of Angmar]], and his second in command was named [[Khamûl]]. Khamûl was a lord of [[Easterlings]],<ref name="Black">{{UT|Black}}</ref> and was the only Nazgûl known by his name. Three of them were [[Númenóreans]].<ref name="Akallabeth" />

==Etymology==
''Nazgûl'' means "ringwraiths" in the [[Black Speech]]. It is a compound of ''[[nazg]]'' ("ring") and ''[[gûl]]'' ("[evil] spirit under control of Sauron").<ref>{{PE|17}}, entry B '''Nazgûl''', p. 79</ref>

==Other names==
Among their many names and titles were: the Ringwraiths,<ref name="Shadow">{{FR|Shadow}}, p. 51</ref> the Black Riders,<ref>{{FR|Three}}, p. 80</ref> the Fell Riders,<ref>{{RK|MT}}, p. 764</ref> the Nine Riders,<ref name="FlightPage" /> the Nine,<ref name="Shadow" /> the Nine Servants of the Lord of the Rings,<ref>{{FR|Meetings}}, p. 261</ref> the Black Wings,<ref>{{TT|Gate}}, p. 646</ref> Winged Messenger(s),<ref name="White" /> the Shadows,<ref name="HousesPage">{{RK|Houses}}, p. 864</ref> the Shriekers<ref>{{RK|Shadow}}, p. 925</ref>, the Nine Ring-slaves<ref name=":0">{{L|131}}</ref>, and the Black Rider(s) of the Air<ref name=":0" />.

An [[Elvish]] name given for the Ringwraiths is '''''Úlairi'''''.<ref name="Rings">{{S|Rings}}</ref><ref>{{PM|Akallabeth}}, p. 153 (§30)</ref> Linguists have remarked that it is a [[Quenya]] plural name of unknown meaning and etymology.<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Helge Fauskanger]]|articleurl=http://folk.uib.no/hnohf/eng-quen.rtf|articlename=English-Quenya Wordlist (Quettaparma Quenyanna)|dated=|website=Arda|accessed=25 June 2011}}</ref><ref>[[Ruth S. Noel]], ''[[The Languages of Tolkien's Middle-earth]]''</ref> [[Michael Martinez]], analysing the word, has tentatively suggested that:

{{blockquote| ''Úlairi'' is a compound formed from ''Ú'' + ''lai'' + ''ri'' with probable meaning of "un (bad or immoral)" + "shadow" + "ones". In other words, the name may mean something like "those who are in/of unnatural shadow".<ref>{{webcite|author=[[Michael Martinez]]|articleurl=http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2014/08/15/what-is-the-literal-translation-of-ulairi/|articlename=What is the Literal Translation of Úlairi?|dated=15 August 2014|website=[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/ middle-earth.xenite.org]|accessed=16 August 2014}}</ref>}}

==Other versions of the legendarium==
The first appearance of a Black Rider in Tolkien's drafts was actually a disguised [[Gandalf]] who scared the Hobbits on their way to Rivendell, before revealing himself.<ref>{{RS|Hobbiton}}</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Nazgûl in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Ringwraiths.jpg|Four of the Nazgûl on horseback in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Ringwraith.jpg|A Ringwraith in [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]
File:War in Middle Earth - Nazgul 2.png|A Nazgûl from ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Ringwraiths.jpg|The Nazgûl in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Nazgûl.jpg|The Nine in '[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''<nowiki/>''
File:The Lord of the Rings War in the North - Nazgûl.jpg|The Nazgûl attack [[Sarn Ford]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''.
</gallery>

===Films===
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:The Nine are clad in brown and black, and have red eyes. The attack on ''[[The Prancing Pony]]'' is their deed, not that of any accomplices. After the attack, they cast off their hoods, revealing the black armour and hideous masks they wear beneath their cloaks.

'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]'''
:The Nine are skull headed demons, who ride winged horses. The [[Witch-king]] himself rides a dragon-like creature, and has no face. Only a suspended crown and two red eyes can be seen. The Nazgûl have the [[Red Eye]] of [[Barad-dûr]] rather than the emblem of [[Minas Morgul]].

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:The Nazgûl serve as the main antagonists in the first half of [[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring|the first film]]. Their dialogue is changed; the conversation with [[Hamfast Gamgee]] is omitted, and the conversation with [[Farmer Maggot]] is reduced. In the [[Unseen]], they are pale white ghostly creatures.

:After the death of the Witch-king in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|the third film]], the other eight are taken out by [[Eagles]] and debris from [[Mount Doom]], however, nothing is told of their individual fates.

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''
:The Witch-king and the other Ringwraiths were buried in a dungeon in the [[High Fells of Rhudaur]] after the [[Battle of Fornost|fall]] of Angmar. The Witch-king initially appears in Dol Guldur, where he briefly fights [[Radagast]] with his Morgul-blade; he drops it and Radagast takes it, ultimately bringing it to [[Gandalf]], who then shows to the [[White Council]] in [[Rivendell]]. Later, Gandalf, following Galadriel's advice, visits the High Fells and discovers that the Nazgûl's cells were empty, broken open from the inside. Through this investigation, he is convinced that the Necromancer in Dol Guldur is indeed Sauron.

:During the [[Attack on Dol Guldur]] they appeared in armour, ghostly versions of their mortal forms. The Nine do battle with Galadriel, [[Saruman]], and Elrond. During the confrontation between Galadriel and Sauron, their living forms seem to [[Unseen|phase in and out of reality]] as holograms. Eventually they are driven to Mordor, with their master following suit.

===Television===
'''1993: ''[[Hobitit]]'':'''
:The Nine are featured in this adaptation through CGI as a passing shadow with their winged steed. They do not speak at all.

===Radio series===
'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:The role of the Ringwraiths was expanded with material from ''[[The Hunt for the Ring]]''.

===Games===
'''1977: [[War of the Ring (1977 board game)|''War of the Ring'' (board game)]]:'''
:The Nazgûl are present in this game. The Witch-king is the most powerful character available to the Sauron player. The second most powerful is identified as [[Gothmog]].

'''1982-97: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:The name of the eight, other than Khamûl, are given as ''Er-Mûrazôr'' (the [[Witch-king]], of Númenórean race), ''[[Third of the Nazgûl|Dendra Dwar of Waw]]'', ''[[Fourth of the Nazgûl|Jí Indûr Dawndeath]]'', ''[[Fifth of the Nazgûl|Akhôrahil]]'' (Númenórean), ''[[Sixth of the Nazgûl|Hôarmûrath of Dír]]'', ''[[Seventh of the Nazgûl|Adûnaphel]]'' (female Númenórean), ''[[Eighth of the Nazgûl|Ren the Unclean]]'' and ''[[Ninth of the Nazgûl|Ûvatha Achef the Horseman]]''.<ref>{{ICE|Mannish}}</ref><ref>{{ICE|Angus}}</ref>

'''1995: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl appear as hazard cards within ''[[Middle-earth: The Wizards]]''. Their names are identical to those used in Middle-Earth Role Playing, except for the Witch-king, who is referred to only as the Witch-king of Angmar.

'''1988: ''[[J.R.R. Tolkien's War in Middle Earth]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl are portrayed as black figures with red eyes and purple mantle.

'''2001-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]'':'''
:All the Nazgûl are named - The Witch-king of [[Angmar]], The Dark Marshal, Khamûl The [[Easterlings|Easterling]], The Betrayer, The Shadow Lord, The Undying, The [[Dwimmerlaik]], The Tainted and The Knight of [[Umbar]]. Versions based on their depiction in ''The Hobbit'' trilogy retain the Witch-king and Khamûl; however, the remaining seven are dubbed the Dark Headsman, the Forsaken, the Lingering Shadow, and two pairs known as the Abyssal Knights and the Slayers of Men.

'''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)]]:'''
:Black Riders form a threat in the Shire-stages of the game, where they need to be avoided by the player (in the persona of [[Frodo Baggins]]), and as the end boss for the game (in the persona of [[Aragorn]]). They are tall and robed in black, and nothing is seen underneath.

'''2001-7: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl, other than the Witch-king, are given [[Neo-Elvish|Neo-Quenya]] titles based on their numbers, and various English titles:
:*[[Khamûl|Úlairë Attëa]] (from ''[[atta]]'' = 2); Black Predator, Keeper of [[Dol Guldur]], Second of the Nine Riders, The Easterling.
:*[[Third of the Nazgûl|Úlairë Nelya]] (from ''[[neldë]]'' = 3); Black Hunter, Lieutenant of Morgul, Third of the Nine Riders
:*[[Fourth of the Nazgûl|Úlairë Cantëa]] (from ''[[canta]]'' = 4); Black Assassin, Lieutenant of Dol Guldur, Fourth of the Nine Riders
:*[[Fifth of the Nazgûl|Úlairë Lemenya]] (from ''[[lempe]]'' = 5); Black Enemy, Lieutenant of Morgul, Fifth of the Nine Riders
:*[[Sixth of the Nazgûl|Úlairë Enquëa]] (from ''[[enquë]]'' = 6); Black Threat, Lieutenant of Morgul, Sixth of the Nine Riders
:*[[Seventh of the Nazgûl|Úlairë Ostëa]] [''sic'', later corrected to Úlairë Otsëa] (from ''[[otso]]'' = 7); Black Specter, Lieutenant of Morgul, Seventh of the Nine Riders
:*[[Eighth of the Nazgûl|Úlairë Toldëa]] (from ''[[tolto]]'' = 8); Black Shadow, Messenger of Morgul, Eighth of the Nine Riders
:*[[Ninth of the Nazgûl|Úlairë Nertëa]] (from ''[[nertë]]'' = 9); Black Horseman, Messenger of Dol Guldur, Ninth of the Nine Riders.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=801|articlename=Naming the Nazgul|dated=|website=[http://forum.barrowdowns.com/index.php? Forum.Barrowdowns.com]|accessed=31 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.tradecardsonline.com/im/selectCard/game_id/1/goal/|articlename=Lord Of The Rings (search function)|dated=|website=[http://www.tradecardsonline.com/ Trade Cards Online]|accessed=31 July 2012}}</ref>

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:The Mordor faction has two different Nazgûl units: "Witch-king on Fell Beast" and "Nazgûl on Fell Beast". They are primarily used for scouting and surprise attacks.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:A new Ringwraith is introduced in the expansion pack, ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II: The Rise of the Witch-king|The Rise of the Witch-king]]''. Morgomir is the "Lieutenant of Carn-Dûm", the right-hand man of the Witch-king, of [[Black Númenóreans|Black Númenórean]] descent. The design is similar to that in [[Peter Jackson]]'s films: he is hooded and cloaked when he works for the [[Mordor]] faction, and white and ghostly when he fights for Angmar.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl appear throughout the game. Three are Easterlings: "The Bane of Rhûn", "The Woe of Khand", and "The Cursed Rider"; three are [[Haradrim]]: "The Grim Southron", "The High Sorcerer of Harad", and "The Forsaken Reaver"; and three are of Númenórean origin: "The Black Blade of Lebennin", "The Gloom of Nurn", and the Witch-king of Angmar. The Nazgûl are also given the [[Sindarin]] name "Gwatharan" (pl. "Gwetherain").

:Early in the game one of the Nine wounds a [[Dúnedain]] ranger, Amdir, with a [[Morgul-knife|Morgul blade]], who is later transformed into a Wraith himself, despite the best efforts of Free Peoples. Later, the player attempts to resist the troubles the Nine are spreading in Bree-Land. During the Fellowship's stay in [[Lothlórien]], the [[Galadhrim]] Elves launch a military strike against [[Dol Guldur]], to draw the attention of the Eye from the company departing down the Shores of Anduin. During their travel down the waters of the Great River, Legolas shot and killed a fell shadow in the sky, not knowing it to be a Nazgûl. The player is later able to find the corpse of the fell beast in the [[Brown Lands]] and it becomes clear that a Nazgûl is not far. At night, the Wraith ambushes the player who manages to drive him away with the use of fire.

:During the Battle of the Pelennor, the Witch-king plays the role as described in the books. The High Sorcerer of Harad and the Woe of Khand guard the way to Gothmog in the raid instance "Throne of the Dread Terror", and the Forsaken Reaver is found at the end of the "Quays of the [[Harlond (Gondor)|Harlond]] instance, in which he attempts to prevent Aragorn and his host from joining the battle. The Gloom of Nurn confronts the players at the conclusion of "The Silent Street" instance, as he attempts to reclaim the crown of Eärnur among the tombs of Gondor's kings and stewards.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:In the Evil Campaign, the Eight Nazgûl bring the Witch-King back to life after Sauron reclaims the One Ring.

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl appear in a flashback during the prologue of the game, in which they attack the [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] at [[Sarn Ford]], the entrance of [[the Shire]]. Later in the flashback their leader, the [[Witch-king]], speaks with [[Agandaûr]].<ref>[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]], ''Prologue''</ref>

'''2014: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor]]'':'''
:Although the Nazgûl do not appear in the game, they are mentioned many times within it.

'''2017: ''[[Middle-earth: Shadow of War]]'':'''
:The Nazgûl are featured in the game. Besides the [[Witch-king]] and [[Khamûl]] the other Nazgûl include:

:*[[Helm|Helm Hammerhand]], the king of Rohan who fell into darkness after receiving a Ring of Power from Sauron and Celebrimbor, and in his rage he was turned into a Nazgûl.
:*[[Talion]], who succumbed into the power of the Ring.
:*[[Isildur]], whose body was found by Orcs. He was revived by Sauron after receiving a Ring of Power; he was eventually freed by Talion who took his place amongst the Nazgûl.
:*Suladân, an original character, who was once a Númenórean king.
:*The Nazgûl Sisters, also original characters, known as Riya and Yuka, who stole their Rings from the other Nazgûl and took their places.

'''2022: ''[[War of the Ring: The Card Game]]'':'''
:The seven unnamed Nazgûl are given titles: ''[[:File:John Howe - The Reaver.jpg|The Reaver]]'', ''[[:File:John Howe - The Commander.jpg|The Commander]]'', ''[[:File:Jon Hodgson - The Destroyer.jpg|The Destroyer]]'',<ref>[https://issuu.com/aresgames/docs/wotr101-waroftheringcardgame-rulebook-en-web War of the Ring - The Card Game (English Rulebook) by. Ares Games Srl - Issuu]</ref> ''[[:File:John Howe - Nazgul 02.jpg|The Messenger]]'',<ref>[https://www.aresgames.eu/33595 War of the Ring: The Card Game: Against the Shadow Rulebook]</ref> ''[[:File:John Howe - The Hunter.png|The Hunter]]'', ''[[:File:John Howe - The Beguiler.jpg|The Beguiler]]'' and ''[[:File:John Howe - The Warrior.jpg|The Warrior]]''.<ref>[https://www.shelfside.co/reviews-2023/wotrcardgame-review War of the Ring: The Card Game Review]</ref>

==See also==
*The [[Witch-king]] of [[Angmar]]
*[[Khamûl]]
*[[F]]

==External links==
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2014/01/29/what-is-the-history-of-the-nazgul/ What is the History of the Nazgul?] by [[Michael Martinez]]
*[http://www.zarkanya.net/Tolkien/origins_of_Nazgul.htm Origins of the Nazgûl and the Downfall of Númenor] by Alcuin

{{references|note}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nazgul}}
[[Category:Black Speech words]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Silmarillion]]
[[Category:Second Age characters]]
[[Category:Servants of Sauron]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[Category:Nazgûl]]
[[Category:Undead]]
[[de:Nazgûl]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hommes/3a/nazgul]]
[[fi:Sormusaaveet]]

Gimli

2026-01-01T01:51:07Z

Wandelf:

{{Sources}}
{{disambig-two|the dwarf in ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''|elf in [[The Tale of Tinúviel]]|[[Gimli (elf)]]}}
{{infobox character
| people = [[Dwarves|Dwarf]]
| name = Gimli
| image = Matt Stewart - Forty-Two.jpg
| caption = "Forty-Two" by [[:Category:Images by Matt Stewart|Matt Stewart]]
| pronun =
| othernames = [[Elf-friend]], [[Lockbearer]]
| titles = [[Lord of the Glittering Caves]]
| position =
| location = [[Thorin's Halls]] [[Lonely Mountain]] [[Glittering Caves]]
| affiliation = [[Fellowship of the Ring]]
| language = [[Khuzdul]] and [[Westron]]
| birth = {{TA|2879}}
| birthlocation = [[Thorin's Halls]]
| rule = Early [[Fourth Age]] - {{FoA|120}}
| sailedwest = {{FoA|120}}
| sailedfrom = [[Ithilien]]
| age = 262
| notablefor =
| house = [[House of Durin]]
| parentage = [[Glóin]]
| siblings =
| spouse =
| children =
| gender = Male
| height =
| hair =
| eyes = Dark<ref name="Riders">{{TT|Riders}}</ref>
| clothing = Short shirt of steel rings<ref name="South"/> cap of iron and leather<ref name="King">{{TT|King}}</ref> belt,<ref name="South">{{FR|South}}</ref> hood, boots,<ref name="Journey">{{FR|Journey}}</ref> shield<ref name="King"/>
| weapons = Broad-bladed axe<ref name="South"/>
| steed = [[Arod]]
}}
{{quote|Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.|Gimli in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[The Ring Goes South]]"}}

'''Gimli''' was a [[Dwarves|dwarf]] of the [[House of Durin]] who became famous as the only Dwarven member of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]].

==History==
Gimli was born in the [[Blue Mountains]] during a time of exile for [[Durin's Folk]], about [[Third Age 2770|a century]] after the tragic destruction of [[Dale]] and the [[Sack of Erebor|Sacking]] of [[Lonely Mountain|Erebor]] by [[Smaug]] the Golden. His father was [[Glóin]], a direct descendant of [[King of Durin's Folk|King]] [[Náin II]] and, through him, of [[Durin|Durin the Deathless]].<ref name=appdurin>{{App|Durin}}</ref> His father joined [[Thorin and Company]] in their [[Quest of Erebor|quest]] to reclaim the [[Kingdom under the Mountain]], but Gimli was forbidden because he was too young: only 62 at the time.<ref>{{UT|Erebor}}</ref>

The Dwarves were successful in their Quest and Gimli and his father were among the Dwarves who returned to Erebor. Years later, in {{TA|3017}}, Gimli witnessed the arrival of a messenger of [[Sauron]] (possibly a [[Nazgûl]]) inquiring about [[Bilbo Baggins]], old acquaintance of his father, and the [[One Ring|Ring of Power]], promising tempting offers. Gimli accompanied his troubled father to [[Rivendell]] for the dual purpose of warning Bilbo and seeking the counsel of [[Elrond]] on such weighty matters. He attended the [[Council of Elrond]] as a representative of the [[Dwarves of Erebor]].<ref>{{FR|Council}}</ref>

===The Fellowship of the Ring===
Gimli, as the only young dwarf seen at the council of Elrond, was appointed as a member of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]. He alone of the company wore a mail-shirt, and carried a broad-bladed axe. He quickly distinguished himself in the company by declaring that he "[needed] no map" and naming the [[Misty Mountains]] individually by their [[Khuzdul]] names, inspiring the comment from [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]]: "A fair jaw-cracker dwarf-language must be!"<ref name="South">{{FR|South}}</ref>
[[File:Anke Eißmann - Balin's Tomb.jpg|left|thumb|''Balin's Tomb'' by [[Anke Eißmann]]]]
Gimli stood more than all the others with [[Gandalf]] on the matter of passing through [[Moria]]. This may be influenced by his curiosity about the fate of his cousin [[Balin]], who went thither to [[Balin's folk|refound]] the ancient kingdom of the [[Durin's Folk|Longbeards]], and also his vengeful nature. His first clash with [[Legolas]] occurred before the [[Doors of Durin]], in a brief dispute over whose fault it was (the Elves’ or the Dwarves’) that the friendship between the two races waned.<ref name="Journey">{{FR|Journey}}</ref> Gandalf quickly intervened, though it was not until [[Lothlórien]] that they would truly become friends.

He was quite helpful to Gandalf in explaining the Doors to the other curious members of the fellowship. Gandalf showed his appreciation of Gimli’s skills by letting him walk up front through the dark tunnels beside himself, and taking brief counsels with him when the way was unsure. It is probable that here Gandalf was tapping into Dwarven inborn or developed skills rather than actual knowledge of Moria itself, as Gimli had never personally been there.

Gimli reacted most indignantly to Sam’s suggestion that Moria was but "holes", going so far as to chant for him an ancient [[The world was young, the mountains green,|song]]. Gimli continued to be helpful to Gandalf on the rest of the dark passage, and boldly aided in the [[Battle of the Chamber of Mazarbul]], protecting Balin’s tomb. After Gandalf remained behind to halt the Balrog, Gimli led the others across the [[Bridge of Khazad-dûm]].

He again showed great emotion when they neared [[Kheled-zâram]], taking [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] alone out of all the company with him to see it (though Sam followed as well).<ref name="Lorien">{{FR|Lorien}}</ref> This hinted at a degree of affection for Frodo, though it may merely have been because he was the most important of the company. Despite his helpfulness, at [[Lothlórien]] he became the greatest hindrance to the Company, when he alone was required to be blindfolded and of all of them liked the idea the least (save for perhaps Legolas). The compromise was made that the entire company would go through the Golden Wood in this manner, that Gimli would not suffer alone.<ref name="Lorien" />

Despite this early struggle, it was Gimli of all the company that was most remembered for his deeds in Lothlórien. For his heart softened towards [[Galadriel]] and as a result toward Elves in general when that great lady sympathised with his sorrows, using the traditional Khuzdul names.<ref name="Mirror">{{FR|Mirror}}</ref> In return he attempted to compliment her, as he saw her love and understanding. Though slightly clumsy in his first attempt, he distinguished himself when, as Galadriel gave the Company [[Gifts of Galadriel|gifts]], he asked only for a single strand of her hair. Galadriel gave him three hairs with a blessing, probably remembering when [[Fëanor]] had requested a similar gift several millennia ago. She later referred to him as "[[Lockbearer]]". Gimli wept openly at the departure from Lothlórien, calling the light more dangerous than the darkness he had feared.<ref>{{TT|III5}}</ref>

By the time the Fellowship departed from Lothlórien, Gimli had become fast friends with Legolas the Elf, a result of Galadriel’s kindness. This, too, made him famous among all the Dwarves of the [[Third Age]].

===The Three Hunters===
{{Main|Three Hunters}}
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - Pursuit in Rohan.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''Pursuit in Rohan'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
After the [[Breaking of the Fellowship]], during which he and Legolas slew many [[orcs]], Gimli listened in silence as his only remaining comrades, [[Aragorn]] and Legolas, sang a [[Song of Boromir|lament]] for Boromir in the character of three of the Winds. Only the East Wind was left, and Gimli would not sing it, which Aragorn declared to be appropriate.<ref>{{TT|Departure}}</ref>

For most of the chase he served as a commentator, usually leaving the decisions to Aragorn. His reaction was quite hostile to the suspicious [[Rohirrim]], especially after [[Éomer]]'s rash comments about Galadriel. Little did either know that they would become close friends in the times to come as fiery words passed between them. After the [[Three Hunters]] were lent horses, Gimli and Éomer parted in peace, with promises to one another of reconciliation.

Of the Three Hunters, Gimli seemed the most shaken by [[Fangorn Forest]] while they searched for traces of [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]]. Gimli felt no reluctance to shoot the “unarmed” old man whom they thought was [[Saruman]], unlike Aragorn and Legolas. After Gandalf was revealed to them, Gimli fell to his knees. Gandalf put his hand on Gimli’s head, and the dwarf laughed for the first time recorded during the [[Quest of the Ring]].

Gimli was delighted by the [[White Mountains]] and [[Helm's Deep]], declaring "This country has tough bones". He declared that if he had a hundred of his kin he could make the fortress invincible.<ref>{{TT|Deep}}, p. 532</ref>

===War of the Ring===
[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Glittering Caves of Aglarond.jpg|thumb|left|''The Glittering Caves of Aglarond'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
During the [[Battle of the Hornburg]], Gimli saved Éomer’s life outside the gates. He came in, boasting of his first two orc-kills to his friend Legolas. Legolas estimated his slaughter to amount to twenty, starting the good-hearted orc-killing game that continued through the rest of the battle. Gimli was among the first to the culvert when the orcs crept through, leaping heroically into their midst from the walls. He then proceeded to lead the blocking up of the culvert.<ref>{{TT|Deep}}</ref> During the course of the battle, Gimli was one of those forced into the [[Glittering Caves]]. He was astonished to see the magnificence of these caverns, moving even Legolas with his glowing description of them.<ref>{{TT|Road}}, pp. 547-8</ref> This one sight would change his life.

His final kill score number was forty-two in that battle, surpassing his friend the elf by one.<ref>{{TT|Road}}, p. 543</ref> Gimli shows a hint of humour and affection when he greets the two [[Hobbits]] Merry and Pippin comfortably situated among [[wikipedia:flotsam|flotsam]] and [[wikipedia:jetsam|jetsam]] in the ruin of [[Isengard]].<ref>{{TT|Road}}, p. 557</ref> He declared himself deep in Pippin’s debt when the hobbit lent him his spare pipe.<ref>{{TT|Flotsam}}, p. 563</ref>

Gimli shows some of the stone hardness of Dwarves when they meet [[Saruman]] at [[Orthanc]]. Saruman uses the power in his voice to sway [[Théoden]] to forgive him and make peace, and many of the [[Rohirrim]] are moved by his magic and are spell-bound. Unmoved, Gimli comments that Saruman's words cannot be trusted and that from Orthanc, help would mean ruin. Saruman is angered enough by Gimli that for a moment he loses his charm.

As the fellowship of friends again began to break up – Gandalf and Pippin heading for [[Minas Tirith]], [[Théoden]] and his riders for [[Dunharrow]] – Gimli out of love and respect for Aragorn went with him, Legolas, the sons of Elrond, and the [[Dúnedain]] [[Rangers of the North|Rangers]] on the [[Paths of the Dead]]. He showed great reluctance before the [[Dark Door]], the final thought that drove him downward was the thought of being bested by an Elf underground.

He participated in the epic [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]], returning with Aragorn and his other companions on the ships of the [[Corsairs of Umbar]], and later recounted their journey to the fascinated Hobbits. He began to fear for Legolas, who seemed entranced by the Sea. His position on Elves completely changed, he remarked "If all the fair folk take to the Havens, it will be a duller world for those who are doomed to stay".<ref>{{RK|Debate}}</ref> He was much more sceptical as to the overall end of [[Men]] than his comrade.{{fact}}

Gimli fought in the [[Battle of the Morannon]], passing through unscathed, and finding the alive but bruised Pippin among the dead lying on the hill. He returned to the [[Field of Cormallen]] to be reunited with his friends, and there displayed open affection for all of them, even Pippin ("If only because of the pains you have cost me, which I shall never forget").<ref>{{RK|Cormallen}}</ref>

===After the War of the Ring===
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Legolas and Gimli Reach the Shores of Valinor.jpg|thumb|right|''Gimli and Legolas reach the shores of Valinor'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
After the coronation of Aragorn, Gimli said farewell to his old friend Éomer, who begged for pardon as to his words on Galadriel, though he added that he still didn’t think she was the fairest in the world. When he added that he considered [[Arwen]] the fairest instead, Gimli was content with this.<ref>{{RK|Partings}}, p. 975</ref>

During the return journey he visited many places with Legolas, including Fangorn Forest and [[Glittering Caves|Aglarond]]. Eventually he returned to Erebor, to find it nearly devastated by war. [[Dáin Ironfoot|Dáin II Ironfoot]] had died, and [[Thorin Stonehelm|Thorin III Stonehelm]] was now King. Eventually, though, he returned to the Glittering Caves with a contingent of dwarves, becoming the "[[Lord of the Glittering Caves]]". He rebuilt the gates of Minas Tirith with ''[[mithril]]'' and steel, and in both [[Gondor]] and [[Rohan]] accomplished great works. There he met his friends Merry and Pippin and the [[Appendix A|history of his people]] made its way to the [[Red Book]];<ref>{{App|A}}</ref> he also set out the genealogical tree of the [[Dwarves of Erebor]] for King Elessar.<ref name=appdurin/>

In Aglarond, it is assumed, he lived on until he was old, and in {{FoA|120}} he sailed with his friend Legolas across [[Belegaer]] to [[Valinor]], becoming the first and only Dwarf to do so.<ref>{{App|Later}}</ref>

==Etymology==
{{Pronounce|Gimli.mp3|Ardamir}}
In [[1978]], [[Jim Allan]] noted that the name ''Gimli'' appears once in the ''[[Völuspá]]'' and three times in the ''Prose Edda''. Allan suggested that ''Gimli'' means "One-of-Gimlé" or "One-of-Gimill", where [[Wikipedia:Gimlé|''Gimlé''/''Gimill'']] in the ''Eddas'' is a hall of the after-life "''inhabited solely by [[Calaquendi#Inspiration|Light-elves]]''" (evoking Gimli's leaving for [[Aman]]). He also noted that the nominative form ''Gimlé'' of the dative form ''Gimli'' consists of the elements ''gim'' ("fire") and ''hlé'' ("shelter", "lee").<ref>[[Jim Allan]], "Giving of Names", in ''[[An Introduction to Elvish]]'', p. 225</ref>

[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] wrote in a draft letter after he had been questioned about the name ''Gimli'' that the poetic archaic [[Old Norse]] word ''gim'' seems to have meant "fire".<ref>{{L|297}}, p. 382</ref>

== Genealogy ==
{{familytree/start}}
{{familytree| | | | | | NAI | | | | | | | | | | | |NAI=[[Náin II]] ''{{TA|2338|n}} - {{TA|2585|n}}''}}
{{familytree| |,|-|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|-|.| | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| DAI | | | | | | | | BOR | | | | | | |DAI=[[Dáin I]] ''{{TA|2440|n}} - {{TA|2589|n}}''†| BOR=[[Borin]] ''{{TA|2450|n}} - {{TA|2711|n}}''}}
{{familytree| |!| | | | | | | | | |!| | | | | | | |}}
{{familytree| THR | | | | | | | | FAR | | | | | | |THR=[[Thrór]] ''{{TA|2542|n}} - {{TA|2790|n}}''†''|FAR=[[Farin]] ''{{TA|2560|n}} - {{TA|2803|n}}''}}
{{familytree| |!| | | | | |,|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|.| | | |}}
{{familytree| THR | | | | FUN | | | | | | GRO | | |THR=[[Thráin|Thráin II]] ''{{TA|2644|n}} - {{TA|2850|n}}''†|FUN=[[Fundin]] ''{{TA|2662|n}} - {{TA|2799|n}}''†|GRO=[[Gróin]] ''{{TA|2671|n}} - {{TA|2923|n}}''}}
{{familytree| |!| | | |,|-|^|-|.| | | |,|-|^|-|.| |}}
{{familytree| THO | | BAL | | DWA | | OIN | | GLO |THO=[[Thorin]] ''{{TA|2746|n}} - {{TA|2941|n}}''†|BAL=[[Balin]] ''{{TA|2763|n}} - {{TA|2994|n}}''†|DWA=[[Dwalin]] ''{{TA|2772|n}} - {{FoA|91}}''|OIN=[[Óin]] ''{{TA|2774|n}} - {{TA|2994|n}}''†|GLO=[[Glóin]] ''{{TA|2783|n}} - {{FoA|15}}''}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |!| |}}
{{familytree| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | GIM |GIM='''GIMLI''' ''{{TA|2879|n}} - {{FoA|120}}+''}}
{{familytree/end}}

==Other versions of the legendarium==
The name "[[Gimli (elf)|Gimli]]" was first used by Tolkien for the name of a [[Gnome]] in the ''[[Tale of Tinúviel]]'', written in mid-1910s.<ref>{{LT2|I}}</ref>

In the [[Adûnaic]] language described in ''[[The Notion Club Papers]]'' ([[1945]]), ''gimli'' (pl. ''gimil'') is the word for "[[stars|star]]", derived from a [[root]] G-M-L and having the Characteristic Vowel I. From these derive others words such as ''igmil'' "a star-shaped formation"; and ''Gimilnitîr'' "Star-kindler" ([[Gilthoniel]]), a name for [[Varda]].<ref>{{SD|3vi5}}, p. 427-428</ref>

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Pictures of adaptations of Gimli===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:Sagan om Ringen - Gimli.png|''[[Sagan om Ringen (1971 film)|Sagan om Ringen]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Gimli.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Gimli.jpg|[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring (video game) - Gimli.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:SBG - Gimli.gif|''[[The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game]]''
File:Aragorn's Quest - Gimli.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Gimli.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:Lego - Gimli mini figure.png|''[[Lego]] mini figure''
File:Gimli - The Lord of the Rings Return to Moria.jpg|''[[The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria]]''
</gallery>

'''1955: [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1955 radio series)]]:'''
:The part of Gimli was read by [[Eric Lugg]].

'''1971: [[Sagan om Ringen (1971 film)|''Sagan om Ringen'' (1971 film)]]:'''
:Gimli is chosen as the [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] representative of the [[Fellowship of the Ring]]. He departs second-last, in front of [[Legolas]].

'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:Gimli is portrayed as almost as tall as [[Aragorn]] and [[Legolas]]. He has a brown beard and wears a hood. [[David Buck]] provided Gimli's voice.

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

'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''
:Both Gimli and Legolas are omitted from this adaptation, as it centres on Aragorn.

'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:Gimli is played by [[Douglas Livingstone]], who uses a heavily articulated accent. He travels to Rivendell without his father, who is spoken of as the one to whom the messenger of Mordor came rather than Dain.

'''2001-2003: [[Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)|''Pán prsteňov'' (2001-2003 Slovak radio series)]]:'''
:The voice of Gimli is provided by Vladimír "Ady" Hajdu. Hajdu portrays Gimli's voice as less gruff than most other adaptations, and though he is a fierce warrior, he is sensitive and insightful and often fairly cheerful. At one point in the series, when his companions in the Fellowship ask him if he heard a suspicious noise, he exclaims "I only hear the whisper of stones and mosses" (a possible reference to Tolkien's Dwarves being attuned to stone and the mountains as much as Elves are to the woods and sea).

'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:[[John Rhys-Davies]] portrayed Gimli in voice and close-ups; Brett Beattie was his size-double. Jackson used the antagonism between Legolas and Gimli, although he placed most of it on Gimli's plate.

'''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)]]:'''
:Gimli is portrayed as a burly lumberjack, slightly smaller than Legolas, but the same size as Boromir. His moment of glory is in [[Moria]], where he aids the player (at this point, Frodo) in trying to find the Bridge. He is voiced by [[James Horan]].

'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''
:Now that [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] were no longer around to provide comic relief, Gimli was chosen to fill the spot. This has led to much criticism.

'''2002: [[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (video game)|''The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'' (video game)]]:'''
:Gimli is one of the three playable characters.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''
:As in the second film Gimli's character was somewhat controversially used to insert comic relief into the scenes he appeared in.

'''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)]]:'''
:Gimli is a playable character, with an aggressive fighting style. He and Legolas accompany Aragorn through Paths of the Dead, later he fights on Pelennor fields and at the Black Gate.

'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring|Sierra's War of the Ring]]'':'''
:[[Bob Papenbrook]] provided the voice of Gimli, who is a Hero Unit for the Free People side. His first appearance is near the Lonely Mountain, where he and other dwarves fight orcs and later activate a giant catapult.

'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''
:Gimil is a Hero Unit for the Rohan faction in skirmishes, though he accompanies the Fellowship in the storyline mode.

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:Gimli is now the Hero for the Dwarven faction.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Gimli is first met by Dwarven characters in the intro taking place in {{TA|2941}}, shortly before the Quest for Erebor. Later, all characters meet him in Rivendell where Gimli accompanies them on a mission to the [[Misty Mountains]]. The player catches up with Gimli at several points during the Fellowship's journey and also fights alongside Gimli in the [[Glittering Caves]] during the [[Battle of Helm's Deep]], the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]] and in Northern [[Ithilien]] during the [[Army of the West]]'s march towards the [[Black Gate]]. After the downfall of [[Sauron]], Gimli and Legolas join the [[Gondor]]ian army in exploring and securing the Land of Shadow. There, Gimli finds a dwarven clan from the East who have been used as skilled slaves by the Dark Lord for centuries. He leads the survivors to [[Erebor]] and secures King [[Thorin Stonehelm]]'s permission for them to reside in his halls, before returning south to [[Minas Tirith]] for the wedding of Aragorn and [[Arwen]].

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:Gimli is a playable hero available in several missions.

'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:Gimli can be found and talked to in Rivendell, he retains the appearance from the movies. While he provides insight into many events, interactions with him do not affect the main plot.

'''2013: ''[[The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'':'''
:When Thorin's Company are arrested in [[Mirkwood]], Legolas searches Glóin's possessions and finds a picture wallet. Legolas comments how ugly the portraits are and Glóin points out that it's his son's portrait, parodying the future friendship of the two.

'''2023: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria]]'':'''
:During the [[Fourth Age]], Gimli summons a company of Dwarves and tasks them with reclaiming the lost spoils from the Dwarven homeland of [[Moria]].

{{references}}
{{seq-start}}
{{seq-head
| race=dwarf
| house=[[House of Durin]]
| born={{TA|2879}}
| died=after {{FoA|120}}
}}
{{seq
| pvac=None
| prev=Position created
| list=[[Lord of the Glittering Caves]]
| dates=unknown – {{FoA|120}}
| nvac=Unknown
}}
{{seq-end}}

{{councilofelrond}}
{{fellowship}}
{{FellowshipRoute}}
{{lordoftheringsfilms}}

[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Dwarves]]
[[Category:Fourth Age characters]]
[[Category:Longbeards]]
[[Category:Norse names]]
[[Category:Rulers in Middle-earth]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]

[[de:Gimli]]
[[fi:Gimli]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/nains/3a/gimli]]
[[ru:Гимли]]

The Shire

2026-01-01T01:31:07Z

Wandelf: /* Etymology */ rewrite for clarity

{{location infobox
| name=The Shire
| image=Ted Nasmith - Green Hill Morning.jpg
| caption="Green Hill Morning" by [[Ted Nasmith]]
| pronun=
| othernames=''[[Sûza]]'' ([[Westron|W]]) ''Drann'' ([[Sindarin|S]])
| location=[[Eriador]]
| type=[[Region]]
| description=
| regions=[[Eastfarthing]], [[Southfarthing]], [[Northfarthing]], [[Westfarthing]]; [[Buckland]], [[Westmarch]]; [[Bridgefields]], [[Green Hill Country]], [[Marish]], [[Tookland]], [[Woody End]]
| settlements=[[Bywater]], [[Hobbiton]], [[Michel Delving]], [[Tuckborough]]
| inhabitants=[[Hobbits]]
| created={{TA|1601}}<ref name="FRHobbits">{{FR|Hobbits}}</ref><ref name="AppB2">{{App|B2}}</ref> {{SR|1452}} - [[Westmarch]] added to the Shire<ref name="AppB5">{{App|B5}}</ref>
| destroyed=
| events=[[Battle of Greenfields]] [[Battle of Bywater]]
| gallery=the Shire
}}

The '''Shire''' was a region in [[Eriador]] inhabited by [[Hobbits]].

==Geography==
The Shire is described as a small but beautiful and fruitful land, beloved by its inhabitants. The Hobbits had an extensive agricultural system in the Shire, but did not proceed with industrialisation. Various supplies could be found in the Shire, including cereals, fruit, wood and [[pipe-weed]] (a favourite treat of Hobbits).

The Shire was quite densely populated in parts with many villages and a few towns, but it still was open enough to allow for wide forested areas and marshes. There were green, rolling hills and freshly tilled earth, along with gardens and flower boxes on window sills.

Thanks to the protective presence of the [[Rangers of the North]] in the lands of the former Arnor, the Shire for centuries ignored the wide world outside, despite being traversed by the [[East Road]].

From the west to the east, the Shire originally measured 40 leagues (120 miles) from the [[Far Downs]] to the [[Brandywine Bridge]]. From the north to the south, it measured 50 leagues (150 miles) from the [[North Moors|northern moors]] to the [[marshes in the south]].<ref name="FRHobbits" /> The total area of the Shire must have extended roughly about 20,000 square miles.<ref group="note">[[Robert Foster]] estimates the total area of the Shire to be "about 18,000 square miles"; [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] has calculated a larger figure, about 21,400 square miles. See: {{HM|Guide}}, entry "Shire" and {{HM|AME}}, revised edn (London: HarperCollins, 1991), p. 69</ref>

In {{SR|1452}}, [[Aragorn|King Elessar]] gave the [[Westmarch]] to the [[Shire-hobbits]] as a gift. This extended the western boundaries of the Shire to the [[Tower Hills]].<ref name="AppB5" /> [[Buckland]], to the east of the Brandywine, remained an independent region occupied by [[Hobbits]].

[[File:Christopher Tolkien - A Part of the Shire.jpg|thumb|500px|center|''[[A Part of the Shire]]'' by [[Christopher Tolkien]]]]

The boundaries of the Shire were as follows:<ref name="FRHobbits" />

{{navigation
| title=Boundaries of the Shire
| north-west=
| north=[[North Moors]]
| north-east=Possibly [[Dwaling]]
| west=[[Tower Hills]]
| east=[[Baranduin|Brandywine River]]
| south-west=
| south=[[Marshes in the south]]
| south-east=Possibly [[Sarn Ford]]
}}

==History==

{{Quote|But it is not your own Shire. Others dwelt here before hobbits were; and others will dwell here again when hobbits are no more. The wide world is all about you: you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot for ever fence it out.|[[Gildor Inglorion]] in ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', "[[Three is Company]]"}}
The Shire was a fertile and well-tilled part of [[Arnor]], with many royal farms, [[corn]]lands, vineyards, and woods. It had long been deserted during the waning days of the Kingdom when it was known as the splinter-realm of [[Arthedain]];<ref name="FRHobbits" /> it had been the hunting grounds of the [[King of Arnor]].<ref>{{PM|Prologue}}, p.9</ref> The [[Hobbits]] from [[Bree]] got official permission from King [[Argeleb II]] at Norbury ([[Fornost]]) to settle the lands. This was finally done in {{TA|1601}} (Year 1 in [[Shire Reckoning]]) by Hobbits from [[Bree]], led by the brothers [[Marcho]] and [[Blanco]].<ref name="FRHobbits" /> They were joined by other hobbits who lived in [[Dunland]] and parts of depopulated [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]].

[[File:Ted Nasmith - One Morning Long Ago.jpg|thumb|left|''One Morning Long Ago'' by [[Ted Nasmith]]]]
By 30 years later, almost all of the Hobbits of Middle-earth could be found in the Shire. The [[Shire-hobbits]] considered themselves as subjects of the [[Kings of Arthedain|King]], at least nominally, considering the isolation of their country. Nevertheless the Hobbits sent some support troops to the great battles Arnor fought against [[Angmar]]. After the fall of Arnor, the Shire remained a minor but independent political unit and the title of [[Thain]] was established to fill the absence of a Kingship.<ref name="FRHobbits" />

Its small size, relative lack of importance, and brave and resilient Hobbit population made it too modest an objective for conquest. More important was that the Shire was guarded and protected by the [[Dúnedain]] [[Rangers of the North]] (and [[Gandalf]]), who watched the borders and kept out intruders. The only strangers to enter the Shire were the [[Dwarves]] travelling on the [[East Road]] that ran through the Shire to and from their mines in the [[Blue Mountains]], and the occasional [[Elves]] on their way to the [[Emyn Beraid]] or the [[Grey Havens]].

In {{TA|2340}}, the [[Oldbucks]] of the [[Marish]] crossed the [[Brandywine]] because of overpopulation and founded [[Buckland]].

However, the Shire faced its adversities since it was inside the range of the [[Great Plague]] of {{TA|1636}}, and [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains|Goblins]] from [[Mount Gram]] invaded the Shire until they were driven out after the [[Battle of Greenfields]] ({{TA|2747}}). The Shire also suffered because of the [[Long Winter]] ({{TA|2758}}) soon followed by the [[Days of Dearth]] ({{TA|2760}}) and the [[Fell Winter (Third Age)|Fell Winter]] ({{TA|2911}}) when [[White Wolves]] entered the Shire.<ref name="AppB2" />

[[Saruman]] followed Gandalf's interest for the Hobbits and put spies in Bree and Southfarthing. In the years leading up to the [[War of the Ring]], his spies saw that the Shire was closely guarded by the Rangers. When Gandalf suspected that Bilbo Baggins possessed the [[One Ring]] the guard was doubled<ref name="AppB2" /> (perhaps at his request to [[Chieftains of the Dúnedain|Chieftain]] [[Aragorn]]).

===War of the Ring===
During the [[War of the Ring]], the Shire was first visited by the Nine [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]] when the Rangers were off to the War. This left the Shire defenseless, leaving it open to be captured by Sharkey (Alias of Saruman) and some [[Ruffians]], through the use of [[Lotho Sackville-Baggins]]. It was liberated after [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] returned from Gondor. Their victory at the [[Battle of Bywater]] and the death of Saruman put a final end to the War.

Yet the physical damage which Saruman caused by forced industrialisation was undone by the Hobbits' efforts and the soil from [[Lothlórien]] (given to Sam by [[Galadriel]]) and {{TA|3021}} was considered to be the most productive and prosperous year in their history.

===Fourth Age===
With [[Aragorn]]'s return as the King of [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]], the Shire joined the [[Reunited Kingdom]]<ref>{{FR|Records}}</ref> and in {{FoA|6}} became a Free Land, protected enclave inside the Kingdom; a royal order forbade the entrance of any one other than [[Hobbits]] into the Shire. In {{FoA|31}}, King Aragorn extended the land westwards to [[Emyn Beraid]]; this land was named [[Westmarch]] and many hobbits relocated there.<ref>{{App|Later}}</ref>

==Administration==
[[File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - The Shire.jpg|250px|left|thumb|The Shire in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'']]
At its founding, the Shire was a part of Arthedain and the Hobbits considered themselves to be subjects of the King. It was only after the fall of Arthedain that the Shire became an independent state. Once independent, the Hobbits of the Shire selected a '''[[Thain]]''' to lead them. The office of Thain was hereditary, initially belonging to the [[Oldbuck Family|Oldbuck]] family. When the Oldbucks left the Shire for [[Buckland]], the office passed to the [[Took Family|Took]] family of [[Tuckborough]]. While nominally the Thain ruled over the four [[Farthings]], in practice authority was so decentralised that the title was seen as more of a formality and ceremonial.

The Shire was originally divided into four [[Farthings]] ([[Northfarthing]], [[Southfarthing]], [[Eastfarthing]], and [[Westfarthing]]). Within the Farthings there were smaller, unofficial divisions, such as towns or regions associated with particular families. The [[Took Family|Tooks]], for instance, mostly lived in or near [[Tuckborough]]. In many cases, Hobbit family names were derived from their places of origin. For example, [[Samwise Gamgee]]'s surname was derived from the town of [[Gamwich]] whence the family originated.

The only elected official of the Shire was the '''[[Mayor of Michel Delving]]''' in the [[White Downs]] (by extension seen as the mayor of the Shire). The Mayor's chief duties were serving as postmaster of the Shire's [[Messenger Service]], charging the [[Watch]], and presiding at fairs.

The sole law enforcement officials in the Shire were the [[Shirriffs]]. Their primary responsibility was the protection of the Shire from trespassers. There were three in each Farthing and were distinguished from "civilians" by a feather worn in their caps. The [[Bounders]] were the land's border-guard, charged with turning back unwanted people or beasts; their number varied according to need.

After [[Westmarch]] was added to the Shire, the Thain established the title of [[Warden of Westmarch]]. This was a hereditary office with unclear responsibilities. It was first given to the [[Fairbairn family|Fairbairns]], descendants of Samwise Gamgee.

Buckland, which was not part of the Shire proper, was controlled by the '''[[Master of Buckland]]''' at [[Bucklebury]]. The office of Master was established by the Oldbucks when they left the Shire. Their descendants continued to hold the office when they became the [[Brandybuck Family|Brandybucks]].

==Etymology==
A "shire" ([[Old English]] ''scír'') is an organised region with a county town, which in the case of the Hobbits' Shire was [[Michel Delving]].<ref name="Nomen" /> [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] notes that the usual Germanic word for "district", represented in Dutch by ''gouw'' and in German by ''Gau'', was replaced in English by ''scír'' at an early date. ''Ge'', the English cognate of these words, survives only in a handful of place-names, such as [[wikipedia:Surrey|''Surrey'']] (from Old English ''Suðer-ge'', "southern district").<ref name="Nomen">{{HM|N}}, p. 775</ref>

==Other names==
The original [[Westron]] name for "Shire" was '''''[[Sûza]]''''',<ref name="AppF">{{App|F2}}</ref> while the definite form ("''The'' Shire") was ''Sûza-t''.<ref>{{PM|II}}, p. 45</ref>

The [[Sindarin]] name is only attested in the [[Lenition|lenited]] form '''''Drann''''' and the adjectival ''Drannail'',<ref>[[Vinyar Tengwar 31|''Vinyar Tengwar'' 31]], "The ''King's Letter'': An Historical and Comparative Analysis" by [[Carl F. Hostetter]], pp. 21-22</ref><ref>{{SD|XI2}}, p. 129</ref> so it would be ''Trann''.<ref>{{webcite|author=Paul Strack|articleurl=http://eldamo.org/content/words/word-1044609725.html|articlename=S. #''Trann'' loc.|website=Eldamo|accessed=22 January 2020}}</ref>

==Inspiration==
{{quote|I could draw you a map of every inch of [Sarehole] [...] I loved it with an intensity of love that was a kind of nostalgia reversed [...] It was a kind of lost paradise and it was wonderful.|[[J.R.R. Tolkien]] interview to John Ezard<ref>''[[Oxford Mail]]'', [[3 August]] [[1966]], p. 4</ref>}}
On Tolkien's maps, the Shire is located at about the same position as England is on modern European maps and has been cited as an example of [[Wikipedia:Deep England|Deep England]] ideology (though, of course, England is on an island while the Shire is a landlocked country). Throughout the narrative, Tolkien also implies numerous points of similarity between the two, such as weather, agriculture and dialect. One can also see England as Tolkien's source of inspiration for the Shire in its very name. Tolkien had spent his youth in [[Sarehole]], Worcestershire.

According to [[Paula Marmor]], the hobbit brothers [[Marcho]] and [[Blanco]] bear names related to horses, parallel to [[Hengest]] and [[Horsa]], the [[Wikipedia:Hengest and Horsa|legendary leaders]] who brought the Saxons to Britain. Hengest was the founder of [[Wikipedia:Kent|Kent]] whose geography is similar to the Shire (North Downs above, hills to the west, water to the east and marshes to the southeast).<ref>{{HM|IE}}, "An etymological excursion among the Shire-Folk" by [[Paula Marmor]]</ref>

The industrialisation of the Shire was based on Tolkien's witnessing of the extension of the Industrial Revolution to rural Warwickshire during his youth, and especially the deleterious consequences thereof. The rebellion of the hobbits and the restoration of the pre-industrial Shire may be interpreted as a prescription of voluntary simplicity as a remedy to the problems of modern society.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
===Pictures of the Shire in adaptations===
<gallery mode="traditional" widths="200px" heights="150px">
File:The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Hobbiton.jpg|The Shire in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - The Shire map.jpg|Map of the Shire from ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
File:The Lord of the Rings Online - The Yondershire map.jpg|Map of the "Yondershire" from ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
</gallery>

===Films===
'''1977: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:The Shire is featured in the opening and last scenes of the film. Only [[Bag End]] is featured extensively.

'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:Shire scenes were shot on location in Matamata, New Zealand. Following the shooting, the area was returned to its natural state, but even without Hobbit holes it became a prime tourist attraction.

'''2012-14: [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' (film series)]]:'''
:Shire scenes were shot at the same place where shooting of [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]] took place. Unlike the previous time, Hobbiton was constructed out of permanent materials, with intention of lasting for decades.

===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)]]:'''
:The first three levels of the game take place in the Shire, from [[Frodo]] leaving [[Bag End]] up until the entrance into the [[Old Forest]].

'''2003: [[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]:'''
:The Shire is the first level of the game. Unlike the original story, Bilbo has to perform various side-quests before he ever reached [[Green Dragon]].

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:The Shire is a battleground appearing in Evil campaign and skirmish mode.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Shire is one of the starting regions of the game, where Hobbit-characters start, represented almost in its entirely - of the original map by Christopher Tolkien only some parts of [[Westfarthing]] and [[Southfarthing]] are not represented. Also, part of the [[Northfarthing]] is placed within the borders of [[Evendim]] region for gameplay purposes. The Shire is inhabited by hundreds of non-playable characters, involved in hundreds of quests.

:In 2022 an extension to the region called "[[the Yondershire]]" was added. This area includes the Shire's less-tamed north-western reaches and the surrounding territory, reaching to the [[Lhûn|River Lune]] in the west and the [[Hills of Evendim]] in the north. It encompasses the rest of the Northfarthing, and most of the Westfarthing that wasn't yet in the game. It is made for players of a higher level.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=https://www.lotro.com/update-notes/lotro-update-33-release-notes-en|articlename=Update 33 Release Notes|dated=20 April 2022|website=LOTRO|accessed=}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=Matt "Scenario" Elliott|articleurl=https://www.twitch.tv/videos/1436262669|articlename=A Casual Stroll Through Yondershire with Scenario|dated=|website=[https://www.twitch.tv/ Twitch]|accessed=}}</ref>

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:The Shire is one of game's battlegrounds, razed by Sauron's forces in the Evil campaign.

'''2010: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest]]'':'''
:The Shire is featured in the beginning of the game.

'''2024''': ''[[Tales of the Shire: A "The Lord of the Rings" Game]]'':
:As it's name suggests, the Shire, specifically the village of [[Bywater]], is the main setting of the game.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL7HyTzcLQY Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game - Trailer | Nintendo Direct 2024]</ref>

==See also==
*[[Thain|Thains of the Shire]]

{{References|n}}

{{companyroute}}
{{thains}}
[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:The Shire]]

[[de:Auenland]]
[[fi:Kontu]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:regions:eriador:comte]]
[[ru:Шир]]

Letter 171

2024-11-27T20:31:57Z

Wandelf: /* Summary */

{{letter infobox
| #=171
| to=[[Wikipedia:Hugh Brogan|Hugh Brogan]], draft
| date=Unsent, [[1955#September|September]] [[1955]]
| subject=Defending the use of an archaic narrative style
}}{{letter|171}}
==Preface==
In December 1954, Hugh Brogan, a teenage admirer of Tolkien's works, wrote to him to criticize the archaic style he had used in parts of ''[[The Two Towers]]''. He described it as "Ossianic" and concurred with a critic who had called it "tushery". Tolkien did not reply. On 18 September 1955, Brogan wrote to apologize for being "impertinent, stupid, or sycophantic". Tolkien began the following draft, but instead sent a note stating that the matter of archaism would take too long to debate and must await their next meeting.

Brogan wrote again on 4 December 1955 to say that he was so worried that he had been stupid or tactless that he was experiencing "recurrent nightmares". Tolkien reassured him in [[Letter 179]].

==Summary==
Tolkien says that he did not notice any impertinence in Brogan's letters, and that in any case, anyone so "appreciative and perceptive" is entitled to make criticisms. He does find it painful, however, to hear critics attack the use of archaisms, particularly in an age in which "almost all auctorial manhandling of English is permitted [...] in the name of art or 'personal expression'". He rejects the charge of "tushery", since this term properly denotes low-quality pastiches rather than "real archaic English". The latter is far terser than modern English, and it is also capable of saying things that cannot be said in the "slack and often frivolous idiom" of today. Tolkien takes as an example a passage from "[[The King of the Golden Hall]]" (a chapter that Brogan had singled out for criticism):

{{blockquote|‘Nay, [[Gandalf]]!’ said the [[Théoden|King]]. ‘You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself shall go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better [in my grave].’}}

According to Tolkien, the modern version of this passage would be:

{{blockquote|Not at all my dear G. You don't know your own skill as a doctor. Things aren't going to be like that. I shall go to the war in person, even if I have to be one of the first casualties. I should sleep sounder in my grave like that rather than if I stayed at home.}}

The problem with using modern language to express Théoden's thoughts is that Théoden's thoughts are themselves archaic. Modern people do not think of the dead as "sleeping in their graves", and so putting this thought into modern English creates a "disunion of word and meaning". Théoden comes across as insincere, as though he were using a figure of speech rather than speaking literally.

Tolkien also addresses Brogan's criticism of the passage in which [[Aragorn]], [[Legolas]], and [[Gimli]] arm themselves for battle. He points out that such a scene would never take place in modern times; thus, it would make no sense to use modern words to describe it. He asks why an author should be restricted to only one style when the "wealth of English" offers many to choose from, without any loss of intelligibility. He can see "no more reason for not using the much terser and more vivid ancient style, than for changing the obsolete weapons, helms, shields, hauberks into modern uniforms". He also defends his use of atypical word order in the sentence "Helms too they chose." It is useful, he argues, to be able to rearrange a sentence so that a particular word comes first, and if the English language has lost this feature, then someone ought to reintroduce it.

Finally, Tolkien expresses disappointment that Brogan has fallen for the "extraordinary 20th-century delusion" that modern usages are better simply because they are modern. He advises him to "shake [himself] out of this parochialism of time!" He also recommends that Brogan learn to distinguish between bogus antiques and genuine ones, "as you would if you hoped not to be cheated by a dealer!"

{{letters}}
[[Category:Letters to Hugh Brogan| ]]
[[de:Brief 171]]

Letter 171

2024-10-03T19:19:51Z

Wandelf: removing superfluous ref section

{{letter infobox
| #=171
| to=[[Wikipedia:Hugh Brogan|Hugh Brogan]], draft
| date=Unsent, [[1955#September|September]] [[1955]]
| subject=Defending the use of an archaic narrative style
}}{{letter|171}}
==Preface==
In December 1954, Hugh Brogan, a teenage admirer of Tolkien's works, wrote to him to criticize the archaic style he had used in parts of ''[[The Two Towers]]''. He described it as "Ossianic" and concurred with a critic who had called it "tushery". Tolkien did not reply. On 18 September 1955, Brogan wrote to apologize for being "impertinent, stupid, or sycophantic". Tolkien began the following draft, but instead sent a note stating that the matter of archaism would take too long to debate and must await their next meeting.

Brogan wrote again on 4 December 1955 to say that he was so worried that he had been stupid or tactless that he was experiencing "recurrent nightmares". Tolkien reassured him in [[Letter 179]].

==Summary==
Tolkien says that he did not notice any impertinence in Brogan's letters, and that in any case, anyone so "appreciative and perceptive" is entitled to make criticisms. He does find it painful, however, to hear critics attack the use of archaisms, particularly in an age in which "almost all auctorial manhandling of English is permitted [...] in the name of art or 'personal expression'". He rejects the charge of "tushery", since this term properly denotes low-quality pastiches rather than "real archaic English". The latter is far terser than modern English, and it is also capable of saying things that cannot be said in the "slack and often frivolous idiom" of today. Tolkien takes as an example a passage from "[[The King of the Golden Hall]]" (a chapter that Brogan had singled out for criticism):

{{blockquote|‘Nay, [[Gandalf]]!’ said the [[Théoden|King]]. ‘You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself shall go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better [in my grave].’}}

According to Tolkien, the modern version of this passage would be:

{{blockquote|Not at all my dear G. You don't know your own skill as a doctor. Things aren't going to be like that. I shall go to the war in person, even if I have to be one of the first casualties. I should sleep sounder in my grave like that rather than if I stayed at home.}}

The problem with using modern language to express Théoden's thoughts is that Théoden's thoughts are themselves archaic. Modern people do not think of the dead as "sleeping in their graves", and so putting this thought into modern English creates a "disunion of word and meaning". Théoden comes across as insincere, as though he were merely using a figure of speech.

Tolkien also addresses Brogan's criticism of the passage in which [[Aragorn]], [[Legolas]], and [[Gimli]] arm themselves for battle. He points out that such a scene would never take place in modern times; thus, it would make no sense to use modern words to describe it. He asks why an author should be restricted to only one style when the "wealth of English" offers many to choose from, without any loss of intelligibility. He can see "no more reason for not using the much terser and more vivid ancient style, than for changing the obsolete weapons, helms, shields, hauberks into modern uniforms". He also defends his use of atypical word order in the sentence "Helms too they chose." It is useful, he argues, to be able to rearrange a sentence so that a particular word comes first, and if the English language has lost this feature, then someone ought to reintroduce it.

Finally, Tolkien expresses disappointment that Brogan has fallen for the "extraordinary 20th-century delusion" that modern usages are better simply because they are modern. He advises him to "shake [himself] out of this parochialism of time!" He also recommends that Brogan learn to distinguish between bogus antiques and genuine ones, "as you would if you hoped not to be cheated by a dealer!"

{{letters}}
[[Category:Letters to Hugh Brogan| ]]
[[de:Brief 171]]

Letter 171

2024-10-03T19:07:27Z

Wandelf: /* Summary */

{{letter infobox
| #=171
| to=[[Wikipedia:Hugh Brogan|Hugh Brogan]], draft
| date=Unsent, [[1955#September|September]] [[1955]]
| subject=Defending the use of an archaic narrative style
}}{{letter|171}}
==Preface==
In December 1954, Hugh Brogan, a teenage admirer of Tolkien's works, wrote to him to criticize the archaic style he had used in parts of ''[[The Two Towers]]''. He described it as "Ossianic" and concurred with a critic who had called it "tushery". Tolkien did not reply. On 18 September 1955, Brogan wrote to apologize for being "impertinent, stupid, or sycophantic". Tolkien began the following draft, but instead sent a note stating that the matter of archaism would take too long to debate and must await their next meeting.

Brogan wrote again on 4 December 1955 to say that he was so worried that he had been stupid or tactless that he was experiencing "recurrent nightmares". Tolkien reassured him in [[Letter 179]].

==Summary==
Tolkien says that he did not notice any impertinence in Brogan's letters, and that in any case, anyone so "appreciative and perceptive" is entitled to make criticisms. He does find it painful, however, to hear critics attack the use of archaisms, particularly in an age in which "almost all auctorial manhandling of English is permitted [...] in the name of art or 'personal expression'". He rejects the charge of "tushery", since this term properly denotes low-quality pastiches rather than "real archaic English". The latter is far terser than modern English, and it is also capable of saying things that cannot be said in the "slack and often frivolous idiom" of today. Tolkien takes as an example a passage from "[[The King of the Golden Hall]]" (a chapter that Brogan had singled out for criticism):

{{blockquote|‘Nay, [[Gandalf]]!’ said the [[Théoden|King]]. ‘You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself shall go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better [in my grave].’}}

According to Tolkien, the modern version of this passage would be:

{{blockquote|Not at all my dear G. You don't know your own skill as a doctor. Things aren't going to be like that. I shall go to the war in person, even if I have to be one of the first casualties. I should sleep sounder in my grave like that rather than if I stayed at home.}}

The problem with using modern language to express Théoden's thoughts is that Théoden's thoughts are themselves archaic. Modern people do not think of the dead as "sleeping in their graves", and so putting this thought into modern English creates a "disunion of word and meaning". Théoden comes across as insincere, as though he were merely using a figure of speech.

Tolkien also addresses Brogan's criticism of the passage in which [[Aragorn]], [[Legolas]], and [[Gimli]] arm themselves for battle. He points out that such a scene would never take place in modern times; thus, it would make no sense to use modern words to describe it. He asks why an author should be restricted to only one style when the "wealth of English" offers many to choose from, without any loss of intelligibility. He can see "no more reason for not using the much terser and more vivid ancient style, than for changing the obsolete weapons, helms, shields, hauberks into modern uniforms". He also defends his use of atypical word order in the sentence "Helms too they chose." It is useful, he argues, to be able to rearrange a sentence so that a particular word comes first, and if the English language has lost this feature, then someone ought to reintroduce it.

Finally, Tolkien expresses disappointment that Brogan has fallen for the "extraordinary 20th-century delusion" that modern usages are better simply because they are modern. He advises him to "shake [himself] out of this parochialism of time!" He also recommends that Brogan learn to distinguish between bogus antiques and genuine ones, "as you would if you hoped not to be cheated by a dealer!"

{{references}}
{{letters}}
[[Category:Letters to Hugh Brogan| ]]
[[de:Brief 171]]

Letter 171

2024-10-03T17:47:44Z

Wandelf: /* Preface */

{{letter infobox
| #=171
| to=[[Wikipedia:Hugh Brogan|Hugh Brogan]], draft
| date=Unsent, [[1955#September|September]] [[1955]]
| subject=Defending the use of an archaic narrative style
}}{{letter|171}}
==Preface==
In December 1954, Hugh Brogan, a teenage admirer of Tolkien's works, wrote to him to criticize the archaic style he had used in parts of ''[[The Two Towers]]''. He described it as "Ossianic" and concurred with a critic who had called it "tushery". Tolkien did not reply. On 18 September 1955, Brogan wrote to apologize for being "impertinent, stupid, or sycophantic". Tolkien began the following draft, but instead sent a note stating that the matter of archaism would take too long to debate and must await their next meeting.

Brogan wrote again on 4 December 1955 to say that he was so worried that he had been stupid or tactless that he was experiencing "recurrent nightmares". Tolkien reassured him in [[Letter 179]].

==Summary==
Tolkien says that he did not notice any impertinence in Brogan's letters, and that in any case, anyone so "appreciative and perceptive" is entitled to make criticisms. He does find it painful, however, to hear critics attack the use of archaisms, particularly in an age in which "almost all auctorial manhandling of English is permitted". He rejects the charge of "tushery", since this term properly denotes low-quality pastiches rather than "real archaic English". The latter is far terser than modern English, and it is also capable of saying things that cannot be said in the "slack and often frivolous idiom" of today. Tolkien takes as an example a passage from "[[The King of the Golden Hall]]" (a chapter that Brogan had singled out for criticism):

{{blockquote|‘Nay, [[Gandalf]]!’ said the [[Théoden|King]]. ‘You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself shall go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better [in my grave].’}}

According to Tolkien, the modern version of this passage would be:

{{blockquote|Not at all my dear G. You don't know your own skill as a doctor. Things aren't going to be like that. I shall go to the war in person, even if I have to be one of the first casualties. I should sleep sounder in my grave like that rather than if I stayed at home.}}

The problem with using modern language to express Théoden's thoughts is that Théoden's thoughts are themselves archaic. Modern people do not think of the dead as "sleeping in their graves", and so putting this thought into modern English creates a "disunion of word and meaning". Théoden comes across as insincere, as though he were merely using a figure of speech.

Tolkien also addresses Brogan's criticism of the passage in which [[Aragorn]], [[Legolas]], and [[Gimli]] arm themselves for battle. He points out that such a scene would never take place in modern times; thus, it would make no sense to use modern words to describe it. He asks why an author should be restricted to only one style when the "wealth of English" offers many to choose from, without any loss of intelligibility. He can see "no more reason for not using the much terser and more vivid ancient style, than for changing the obsolete weapons, helms, shields, hauberks into modern uniforms". He also defends his use of atypical word order in the sentence "Helms too they chose." It is useful, he argues, to be able to rearrange a sentence so that a particular word comes first, and if the English language has lost this feature, then someone ought to reintroduce it.

Finally, Tolkien expresses disappointment that Brogan has fallen for the "extraordinary 20th-century delusion" that modern usages are better simply because they are modern. He advises him to "shake [himself] out of this parochialism of time!" He also recommends that Brogan learn to distinguish between bogus antiques and genuine ones, "as you would if you hoped not to be cheated by a dealer!"

{{references}}
{{letters}}
[[Category:Letters to Hugh Brogan| ]]
[[de:Brief 171]]

Letter 171

2024-10-03T17:27:08Z

Wandelf: /* Summary */

{{letter infobox
| #=171
| to=[[Wikipedia:Hugh Brogan|Hugh Brogan]], draft
| date=Unsent, [[1955#September|September]] [[1955]]
| subject=Defending the use of an archaic narrative style
}}{{letter|171}}
==Preface==
In December 1954, Hugh Brogan, a teenage admirer of Tolkien's works, wrote to him to criticize the archaic style he had used in parts of ''[[The Two Towers]]''. He described it as "Ossianic" and expressed agreement with a critic who had called it "tushery". Tolkien did not reply. On 18 September 1955, Brogan wrote to apologize for being "impertinent, stupid, or sycophantic". Tolkien began the following draft, but instead sent a note stating that the matter of archaism would take too long to debate and must await their next meeting.

Brogan wrote again on 4 December 1955 to say that he was so worried that he had been stupid or tactless that he was experiencing "recurrent nightmares". Tolkien reassured him in [[Letter 179]].

==Summary==
Tolkien says that he did not notice any impertinence in Brogan's letters, and that in any case, anyone so "appreciative and perceptive" is entitled to make criticisms. He does find it painful, however, to hear critics attack the use of archaisms, particularly in an age in which "almost all auctorial manhandling of English is permitted". He rejects the charge of "tushery", since this term properly denotes low-quality pastiches rather than "real archaic English". The latter is far terser than modern English, and it is also capable of saying things that cannot be said in the "slack and often frivolous idiom" of today. Tolkien takes as an example a passage from "[[The King of the Golden Hall]]" (a chapter that Brogan had singled out for criticism):

{{blockquote|‘Nay, [[Gandalf]]!’ said the [[Théoden|King]]. ‘You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself shall go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better [in my grave].’}}

According to Tolkien, the modern version of this passage would be:

{{blockquote|Not at all my dear G. You don't know your own skill as a doctor. Things aren't going to be like that. I shall go to the war in person, even if I have to be one of the first casualties. I should sleep sounder in my grave like that rather than if I stayed at home.}}

The problem with using modern language to express Théoden's thoughts is that Théoden's thoughts are themselves archaic. Modern people do not think of the dead as "sleeping in their graves", and so putting this thought into modern English creates a "disunion of word and meaning". Théoden comes across as insincere, as though he were merely using a figure of speech.

Tolkien also addresses Brogan's criticism of the passage in which [[Aragorn]], [[Legolas]], and [[Gimli]] arm themselves for battle. He points out that such a scene would never take place in modern times; thus, it would make no sense to use modern words to describe it. He asks why an author should be restricted to only one style when the "wealth of English" offers many to choose from, without any loss of intelligibility. He can see "no more reason for not using the much terser and more vivid ancient style, than for changing the obsolete weapons, helms, shields, hauberks into modern uniforms". He also defends his use of atypical word order in the sentence "Helms too they chose." It is useful, he argues, to be able to rearrange a sentence so that a particular word comes first, and if the English language has lost this feature, then someone ought to reintroduce it.

Finally, Tolkien expresses disappointment that Brogan has fallen for the "extraordinary 20th-century delusion" that modern usages are better simply because they are modern. He advises him to "shake [himself] out of this parochialism of time!" He also recommends that Brogan learn to distinguish between bogus antiques and genuine ones, "as you would if you hoped not to be cheated by a dealer!"

{{references}}
{{letters}}
[[Category:Letters to Hugh Brogan| ]]
[[de:Brief 171]]

Letter 171

2024-10-03T17:25:30Z

Wandelf: /* Summary */

{{letter infobox
| #=171
| to=[[Wikipedia:Hugh Brogan|Hugh Brogan]], draft
| date=Unsent, [[1955#September|September]] [[1955]]
| subject=Defending the use of an archaic narrative style
}}{{letter|171}}
==Preface==
In December 1954, Hugh Brogan, a teenage admirer of Tolkien's works, wrote to him to criticize the archaic style he had used in parts of ''[[The Two Towers]]''. He described it as "Ossianic" and expressed agreement with a critic who had called it "tushery". Tolkien did not reply. On 18 September 1955, Brogan wrote to apologize for being "impertinent, stupid, or sycophantic". Tolkien began the following draft, but instead sent a note stating that the matter of archaism would take too long to debate and must await their next meeting.

Brogan wrote again on 4 December 1955 to say that he was so worried that he had been stupid or tactless that he was experiencing "recurrent nightmares". Tolkien reassured him in [[Letter 179]].

==Summary==
Tolkien says that he did not notice any impertinence in Brogan's letters, and that in any case, anyone so "appreciative and perceptive" is entitled to make criticisms. He does find it painful, however, to hear critics attack the use of archaisms, particularly in an age in which "almost all auctorial manhandling of English is permitted". He rejects the charge of "tushery", since this term properly denotes low-quality pastiches (as distinct from "real archaic English"). The latter is far terser than modern English, and it is also capable of saying things that cannot be said in the "slack and often frivolous idiom" of today. Tolkien takes as an example a passage from "[[The King of the Golden Hall]]" (a chapter that Brogan had singled out for criticism):

{{blockquote|‘Nay, [[Gandalf]]!’ said the [[Théoden|King]]. ‘You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself shall go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better [in my grave].’}}

According to Tolkien, the modern version of this passage would be:

{{blockquote|Not at all my dear G. You don't know your own skill as a doctor. Things aren't going to be like that. I shall go to the war in person, even if I have to be one of the first casualties. I should sleep sounder in my grave like that rather than if I stayed at home.}}

The problem with using modern language to express Théoden's thoughts is that Théoden's thoughts are themselves archaic. Modern people do not think of the dead as "sleeping in their graves", and so putting this thought into modern English creates a "disunion of word and meaning". Théoden comes across as insincere, as though he were merely using a figure of speech.

Tolkien also addresses Brogan's criticism of the passage in which [[Aragorn]], [[Legolas]], and [[Gimli]] arm themselves for battle. He points out that such a scene would never take place in modern times; thus, it would make no sense to use modern words to describe it. He asks why an author should be restricted to only one style when the "wealth of English" offers many to choose from, without any loss of intelligibility. He can see "no more reason for not using the much terser and more vivid ancient style, than for changing the obsolete weapons, helms, shields, hauberks into modern uniforms". He also defends his use of atypical word order in the sentence "Helms too they chose." It is useful, he argues, to be able to rearrange a sentence so that a particular word comes first, and if the English language has lost this feature, then someone ought to reintroduce it.

Finally, Tolkien expresses disappointment that Brogan has fallen for the "extraordinary 20th-century delusion" that modern usages are better simply because they are modern. He advises him to "shake [himself] out of this parochialism of time!" He also recommends that Brogan learn to distinguish between bogus antiques and genuine ones, "as you would if you hoped not to be cheated by a dealer!"

{{references}}
{{letters}}
[[Category:Letters to Hugh Brogan| ]]
[[de:Brief 171]]

Letter 171

2024-10-03T16:02:29Z

Wandelf:

{{letter infobox
| #=171
| to=[[Wikipedia:Hugh Brogan|Hugh Brogan]], draft
| date=Unsent, [[1955#September|September]] [[1955]]
| subject=Defending the use of an archaic narrative style
}}{{letter|171}}
==Preface==
In December 1954, Hugh Brogan, a teenage admirer of Tolkien's works, wrote to him to criticize the archaic style he had used in parts of ''[[The Two Towers]]''. He described it as "Ossianic" and expressed agreement with a critic who had called it "tushery". Tolkien did not reply. On 18 September 1955, Brogan wrote to apologize for being "impertinent, stupid, or sycophantic". Tolkien began the following draft, but instead sent a note stating that the matter of archaism would take too long to debate and must await their next meeting.

Brogan wrote again on 4 December 1955 to say that he was so worried that he had been stupid or tactless that he was experiencing "recurrent nightmares". Tolkien reassured him in [[Letter 179]].

==Summary==
Tolkien says that he did not notice any impertinence in Brogan's letters, and that in any case, anyone so "appreciative and perceptive" is entitled to make criticisms. He does find it painful, however, to hear critics attack the use of archaisms, particularly in an age in which "almost all auctorial manhandling of English is permitted". He rejects the charge of "tushery", since this term properly denotes low-quality pastiches (as distinct from "real archaic English"). The latter is far terser than modern English, and it is also capable of saying things that cannot be said in the "slack and often frivolous idiom" of today. Tolkien takes as an example a passage from "[[The King of the Golden Hall]]" (a chapter that Brogan had singled out for criticism):

{{blockquote|‘Nay, [[Gandalf]]!’ said the [[Théoden|King]]. ‘You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself shall go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better [in my grave].’}}

The modern version of this passage would be:

{{blockquote|Not at all my dear G. You don't know your own skill as a doctor. Things aren't going to be like that. I shall go to the war in person, even if I have to be one of the first casualties. I should sleep sounder in my grave like that rather than if I stayed at home.}}

The problem with using modern language to express Théoden's thoughts is that Théoden's thoughts are themselves archaic. Modern people do not think of the dead as "sleeping in their graves", and so putting this thought into modern English creates a "disunion of word and meaning". Théoden comes across as insincere, as though he were merely using a figure of speech.

Tolkien also addresses Brogan's criticism of the passage in which [[Aragorn]], [[Legolas]], and [[Gimli]] arm themselves for battle. He points out that such a scene would never take place in modern times; thus, it would make no sense to use modern words to describe it. He asks why an author should be restricted to only one style when the "wealth of English" offers many to choose from, without any loss of intelligibility. He can see "no more reason for not using the much terser and more vivid ancient style, than for changing the obsolete weapons, helms, shields, hauberks into modern uniforms". He also defends his use of atypical word order in the sentence "Helms too they chose." It is useful, he argues, to be able to rearrange a sentence so that a particular word comes first, and if the English language has lost this feature, then it ought to reacquire it.

Finally, Tolkien expresses disappointment that Brogan has been affected by the "extraordinary 20th-century delusion" that modern usages are better simply by virtue of the fact that they are modern. He rejects the notion that to use an older style is to commit some kind of blunder, instructing Brogan to "shake [himself] out of this parochialism of time!" He also suggests that Brogan learn to distinguish between bogus antiques and genuine ones, "as you would if you hoped not to be cheated by a dealer!"

{{references}}
{{letters}}
[[Category:Letters to Hugh Brogan| ]]
[[de:Brief 171]]

Letter 171

2024-10-03T15:19:21Z

Wandelf: /* Summary */

{{letter infobox
| #=171
| to=[[Wikipedia:Hugh Brogan|Hugh Brogan]], draft
| date=Unsent, [[1955#September|September]] [[1955]]
| subject=Defending the use of an archaic narrative style
}}{{letter|171}}
==Preface==
In December 1954, Hugh Brogan, a teenage admirer of Tolkien's works, wrote to him to criticize the archaic style he had used in parts of ''[[The Two Towers]]''. He described it as "Ossianic" and expressed agreement with a critic who had called it "tushery". Tolkien did not reply. On 18 September 1955, Brogan wrote to apologize for being "impertinent, stupid, or sycophantic". Tolkien began the following draft, but instead sent a note stating that the matter of archaism would take too long to debate and must await their next meeting.

Brogan wrote again on 4 December 1955 to say that he was so worried that he had been stupid or tactless that he was experiencing "recurrent nightmares". Tolkien reassured him in [[Letter 179]].

==Summary==
Tolkien says that he did not notice any impertinence in Brogan's letters, and that in any case, anyone so "appreciative and perceptive" is entitled to make criticisms. He does find it painful, however, to hear critics attack the use of archaisms, particularly in an age in which "almost all auctorial manhandling of English is permitted". He rejects the "tushery" label, since this word properly applies to poorly written pastiches that use oaths such as "tush" and "zounds" in an attempt to sound medieval. Real archaic English, on the other hand, is far terser than modern English. It is also capable of saying things that cannot be said in the "slack and often frivolous idiom" of today. Tolkien takes as an example a passage from "[[The King of the Golden Hall]]" (a chapter that Brogan had singled out for criticism):

{{blockquote|‘Nay, [[Gandalf]]!’ said the [[Théoden|King]]. ‘You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself shall go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better [in my grave].’}}

The modern version of this passage would be:

{{blockquote|Not at all my dear G. You don't know your own skill as a doctor. Things aren't going to be like that. I shall go to the war in person, even if I have to be one of the first casualties. I should sleep sounder in my grave like that rather than if I stayed at home.}}

The problem with using modern language to express Théoden's thoughts is that Théoden's thoughts are themselves archaic. Modern people do not think of the dead as "sleeping in their graves", and so putting this thought into modern English creates a "disunion of word and meaning". Théoden comes across as insincere, as though he were merely using a figure of speech.

Tolkien also addresses Brogan's criticism of the passage in which [[Aragorn]], [[Legolas]], and [[Gimli]] arm themselves for battle. He points out that such a scene would never take place in modern times; thus, it would make no sense to use modern words to describe it. He asks why an author should be restricted to only one style when the "wealth of English" offers many to choose from, without any loss of intelligibility. He can see "no more reason for not using the much terser and more vivid ancient style, than for changing the obsolete weapons, helms, shields, hauberks into modern uniforms". He also defends his use of atypical word order in the sentence "Helms too they chose." It is useful, he argues, to be able to rearrange a sentence so that a particular word comes first, and if the English language has lost this feature, then it ought to reacquire it.

Finally, Tolkien expresses disappointment that Brogan has been affected by the "extraordinary 20th-century delusion" that modern usages are better simply by virtue of the fact that they are modern. He rejects the notion that to use an older style is to commit some kind of blunder, instructing Brogan to "shake [himself] out of this parochialism of time!" He also suggests that Brogan learn to distinguish between bogus antiques and genuine ones, "as you would if you hoped not to be cheated by a dealer!"

{{references}}
{{letters}}
[[Category:Letters to Hugh Brogan| ]]
[[de:Brief 171]]

Letter 171

2024-10-03T15:12:59Z

Wandelf: /* Summary */

{{letter infobox
| #=171
| to=[[Wikipedia:Hugh Brogan|Hugh Brogan]], draft
| date=Unsent, [[1955#September|September]] [[1955]]
| subject=Defending the use of an archaic narrative style
}}{{letter|171}}
==Preface==
In December 1954, Hugh Brogan, a teenage admirer of Tolkien's works, wrote to him to criticize the archaic style he had used in parts of ''[[The Two Towers]]''. He described it as "Ossianic" and expressed agreement with a critic who had called it "tushery". Tolkien did not reply. On 18 September 1955, Brogan wrote to apologize for being "impertinent, stupid, or sycophantic". Tolkien began the following draft, but instead sent a note stating that the matter of archaism would take too long to debate and must await their next meeting.

Brogan wrote again on 4 December 1955 to say that he was so worried that he had been stupid or tactless that he was experiencing "recurrent nightmares". Tolkien reassured him in [[Letter 179]].

==Summary==
Tolkien says that he did not notice any impertinence in Brogan's letters, and that in any case, anyone so "appreciative and perceptive" is entitled to make criticisms. He does find it painful, however, to hear critics attack the use of archaisms, particularly in an age in which "almost all auctorial manhandling of English is permitted". He rejects the "tushery" label, since this word properly applies to poorly written pastiches that use oaths such as "tush" and "zounds" in an attempt to sound medieval. Real archaic English, on the other hand, is far terser than modern English. It is also capable of saying things that cannot be said in the "slack and often frivolous idiom" of today. Tolkien takes as an example a passage from "[[The King of the Golden Hall]]" (a chapter that Brogan had singled out for criticism):

{{blockquote|‘Nay, [[Gandalf]]!’ said the [[Théoden|King]]. ‘You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself shall go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better [in my grave].’}}

The modern version of this passage would be:

{{blockquote|Not at all my dear G. You don't know your own skill as a doctor. Things aren't going to be like that. I shall go to the war in person, even if I have to be one of the first casualties. I should sleep sounder in my grave like that rather than if I stayed at home.}}

The problem with using modern language to express Théoden's thoughts is that Théoden's thoughts are themselves archaic. Modern people do not think of the dead as "sleeping in their graves", and so putting this thought into modern English creates a "disunion of word and meaning". Théoden comes across as insincere, as though he were merely using a figure of speech.

Tolkien also addresses Brogan's criticism of the passage in which [[Aragorn]], [[Legolas]], and [[Gimli]] arm themselves for battle. He points out that such a scene would never take place in modern times; thus, it would make no sense to use modern words to describe it. He asks why an author should be restricted to only one style when the "wealth of English" offers many to choose from, without any loss of intelligibility. He can see "no more reason for not using the much terser and more vivid ancient style, than for changing the obsolete weapons, helms, shields, hauberks into modern uniforms". He also defends his use of atypical word order in the sentence "Helms too they chose." It is useful, he argues, to be able to rearrange a sentence so that a particular word comes first, and if English-speakers have lost the ability to do this, then they ought to reacquire it.

Finally, Tolkien expresses disappointment that Brogan has been affected by the "extraordinary 20th-century delusion" that modern usages are better simply by virtue of the fact that they are modern. He rejects the notion that to use an older style is to commit some kind of blunder, instructing Brogan to "shake [himself] out of this parochialism of time!" He also suggests that Brogan learn to distinguish between bogus antiques and genuine ones, "as you would if you hoped not to be cheated by a dealer!"

{{references}}
{{letters}}
[[Category:Letters to Hugh Brogan| ]]
[[de:Brief 171]]

Letter 171

2024-10-03T13:12:44Z

Wandelf: /* Preface */ more

{{letter infobox
| #=171
| to=[[Wikipedia:Hugh Brogan|Hugh Brogan]], draft
| date=Unsent, [[1955#September|September]] [[1955]]
| subject=Defending the use of an archaic narrative style
}}{{letter|171}}
==Preface==
In December 1954, Hugh Brogan, a teenage admirer of Tolkien's works, wrote to him to criticize the archaic style he had used in parts of ''[[The Two Towers]]''. He described it as "Ossianic" and expressed agreement with a critic who had called it "tushery". Tolkien did not reply. On 18 September 1955, Brogan wrote to apologize for being "impertinent, stupid, or sycophantic". Tolkien began the following draft, but instead sent a note stating that the matter of archaism would take too long to debate and must await their next meeting.

Brogan wrote again on 4 December 1955 to say that he was so worried that he had been stupid or tactless that he was experiencing "recurrent nightmares". Tolkien reassured him in [[Letter 179]].

==Summary==
Tolkien says that he did not notice any impertinence in Brogan's letters, and that in any case, anyone so "appreciative and perceptive" is entitled to make criticisms. He does find it painful, however, to hear critics attack the use of archaisms, particularly in an age in which "almost all auctorial manhandling of English is permitted". He rejects the "tushery" label, since this word properly applies to poorly written pastiches that use oaths such as "tush" and "zounds" in an attempt to sound medieval. Real archaic English, on the other hand, is far terser than modern English. It is also capable of saying things that cannot be said in the "slack and often frivolous idiom" of today. Tolkien takes as an example a passage from "[[The King of the Golden Hall]]" (a chapter that Brogan had singled out for criticism):

{{blockquote|‘Nay, [[Gandalf]]!’ said the [[Théoden|King]]. ‘You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself shall go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better [in my grave].’}}

The modern version of this passage would be:

{{blockquote|Not at all my dear G. You don't know your own skill as a doctor. Things aren't going to be like that. I shall go to the war in person, even if I have to be one of the first casualties. I should sleep sounder in my grave like that rather than if I stayed at home.}}

The problem with using modern language to express Théoden's thoughts is that Théoden's thoughts are themselves archaic. Modern people do not think about how they will "sleep" once they are dead, and so putting this thought into modern English creates a "disunion of word and meaning". Théoden comes across as insincere, as though he were merely using a figure of speech.

Tolkien also addresses Brogan's criticism of the passage in which [[Aragorn]], [[Legolas]], and [[Gimli]] arm themselves for battle. He points out that such a scene would never take place in modern times; thus, it would make no sense to use modern words to describe it. He asks why an author should be restricted to only one style when the "wealth of English" offers many to choose from, without any loss of intelligibility. He can see "no more reason for not using the much terser and more vivid ancient style, than for changing the obsolete weapons, helms, shields, hauberks into modern uniforms". He also defends his use of atypical word order in the sentence "Helms too they chose." It is useful, he argues, to be able to rearrange a sentence so that a particular word comes first, and if English-speakers have lost the ability to do this, then they ought to reacquire it.

Finally, Tolkien expresses disappointment that Brogan has been affected by the "extraordinary 20th-century delusion" that modern usages are better simply by virtue of the fact that they are modern. He rejects the notion that to use an older style is to commit some kind of blunder, instructing Brogan to "shake [himself] out of this parochialism of time!" He also suggests that Brogan learn to distinguish between bogus antiques and genuine ones, "as you would if you hoped not to be cheated by a dealer!"

{{references}}
{{letters}}
[[Category:Letters to Hugh Brogan| ]]
[[de:Brief 171]]

Letter 171

2024-10-03T12:51:57Z

Wandelf:

{{letter infobox
| #=171
| to=[[Wikipedia:Hugh Brogan|Hugh Brogan]], draft
| date=Unsent, [[1955#September|September]] [[1955]]
| subject=Defending the use of an archaic narrative style
}}{{letter|171}}
==Preface==
In December 1954, Hugh Brogan, a teenage correspondent of Tolkien's, wrote to him to criticize the archaic style he had used in parts of ''[[The Two Towers]]''. He agreed with a critic's description of it as "tushery". Tolkien did not reply. On 18 September 1955, Brogan wrote to apologize for being "impertinent, stupid, or sycophantic". Tolkien began the following draft, but instead sent a note stating that the matter of archaism would take too long to debate and must await their next meeting.

Brogan wrote again on 4 December 1955 to say that he was so worried that he had been stupid or tactless that he was experiencing "recurrent nightmares". Tolkien reassured him in [[Letter 179]].

==Summary==
Tolkien says that he did not notice any impertinence in Brogan's letters, and that in any case, anyone so "appreciative and perceptive" is entitled to make criticisms. He does find it painful, however, to hear critics attack the use of archaisms, particularly in an age in which "almost all auctorial manhandling of English is permitted". He rejects the "tushery" label, since this word properly applies to poorly written pastiches that use oaths such as "tush" and "zounds" in an attempt to sound medieval. Real archaic English, on the other hand, is far terser than modern English. It is also capable of saying things that cannot be said in the "slack and often frivolous idiom" of today. Tolkien takes as an example a passage from "[[The King of the Golden Hall]]" (a chapter that Brogan had singled out for criticism):

{{blockquote|‘Nay, [[Gandalf]]!’ said the [[Théoden|King]]. ‘You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself shall go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better [in my grave].’}}

The modern version of this passage would be:

{{blockquote|Not at all my dear G. You don't know your own skill as a doctor. Things aren't going to be like that. I shall go to the war in person, even if I have to be one of the first casualties. I should sleep sounder in my grave like that rather than if I stayed at home.}}

The problem with using modern language to express Théoden's thoughts is that Théoden's thoughts are themselves archaic. Modern people do not think about how they will "sleep" once they are dead, and so putting this thought into modern English creates a "disunion of word and meaning". Théoden comes across as insincere, as though he were merely using a figure of speech.

Tolkien also addresses Brogan's criticism of the passage in which [[Aragorn]], [[Legolas]], and [[Gimli]] arm themselves for battle. He points out that such a scene would never take place in modern times; thus, it would make no sense to use modern words to describe it. He asks why an author should be restricted to only one style when the "wealth of English" offers many to choose from, without any loss of intelligibility. He can see "no more reason for not using the much terser and more vivid ancient style, than for changing the obsolete weapons, helms, shields, hauberks into modern uniforms". He also defends his use of atypical word order in the sentence "Helms too they chose." It is useful, he argues, to be able to rearrange a sentence so that a particular word comes first, and if English-speakers have lost the ability to do this, then they ought to reacquire it.

Finally, Tolkien expresses disappointment that Brogan has been affected by the "extraordinary 20th-century delusion" that modern usages are better simply by virtue of the fact that they are modern. He rejects the notion that to use an older style is to commit some kind of blunder, instructing Brogan to "shake [himself] out of this parochialism of time!" He also suggests that Brogan learn to distinguish between bogus antiques and genuine ones, "as you would if you hoped not to be cheated by a dealer!"

{{references}}
{{letters}}
[[Category:Letters to Hugh Brogan| ]]
[[de:Brief 171]]

Letter 171

2024-10-03T12:49:13Z

Wandelf: fix quote

{{letter infobox
| #=171
| to=[[Wikipedia:Hugh Brogan|Hugh Brogan]], draft
| date=Unsent, [[1955#September|September]] [[1955]]
| subject=Defending the use of an archaic narrative style
}}{{letter|171}}
==Preface==
In December 1954, Hugh Brogan, a teenage correspondent of Tolkien's, wrote to him to criticize the archaic style he had used in parts of ''[[The Two Towers]]''. He agreed with a critic's description of it as "tushery". Tolkien did not reply. On 18 September 1955, Brogan wrote to apologize for being "impertinent, stupid, or sycophantic". Tolkien began the following draft, but instead sent a note stating that the matter of archaism would take too long to debate and must await their next meeting.

Brogan wrote again on 4 December 1955 to say that he was so worried that he had been stupid or tactless that he was experiencing "recurrent nightmares". Tolkien reassured him in [[Letter 179]].

==Summary==
Tolkien says that he did not notice any impertinence in Brogan's letters, and that in any case, anyone so "appreciative and perceptive" is entitled to make criticisms. He does find it painful, however, to hear critics attack the use of archaisms, particularly in an age in which "almost all auctorial manhandling of English is permitted". He rejects the "tushery" label, since this word properly applies to poorly written pastiches that use oaths such as "tush" and "zounds" in an attempt to sound medieval. Real archaic English, on the other hand, is far terser than modern English. It is also capable of saying things that cannot be said in the "slack and often frivolous idiom" of today. Tolkien takes as an example a passage from "[[The King of the Golden Hall]]" (a chapter that Brogan had singled out for criticism):

{{blockquote|‘Nay, [[Gandalf]]!’ said the [[Théoden|King]]. ‘You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself shall go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better [in my grave].’}}

According to Tolkien, if this interaction had taken place in 1955, Théoden would have said:

{{blockquote|Not at all my dear G. You don't know your own skill as a doctor. Things aren't going to be like that. I shall go to the war in person, even if I have to be one of the first casualties. I should sleep sounder in my grave like that rather than if I stayed at home.}}

The problem with using modern language to express Théoden's thoughts is that Théoden's thoughts are themselves archaic. Modern people do not think about how they will "sleep" once they are dead, and so putting this thought into modern English creates a "disunion of word and meaning". Théoden comes across as insincere, as though he were merely using a figure of speech.

Tolkien also addresses Brogan's criticism of the passage in which [[Aragorn]], [[Legolas]], and [[Gimli]] arm themselves for battle. He points out that such a scene would never take place in modern times; thus, it would make no sense to use modern words to describe it. He asks why an author should be restricted to only one style when the "wealth of English" offers many to choose from, without any loss of intelligibility. He can see "no more reason for not using the much terser and more vivid ancient style, than for changing the obsolete weapons, helms, shields, hauberks into modern uniforms". He also defends his use of atypical word order in the sentence "Helms too they chose." It is useful, he argues, to be able to rearrange a sentence so that a particular word comes first, and if English-speakers have lost the ability to do this, then they ought to reacquire it.

Finally, Tolkien expresses disappointment that Brogan has been affected by the "extraordinary 20th-century delusion" that modern usages are better simply by virtue of the fact that they are modern. He rejects the notion that to use an older style is to commit some kind of blunder, instructing Brogan to "shake [himself] out of this parochialism of time!" He also suggests that Brogan learn to distinguish between bogus antiques and genuine ones, "as you would if you hoped not to be cheated by a dealer!"

{{references}}
{{letters}}
[[Category:Letters to Hugh Brogan| ]]
[[de:Brief 171]]

Letter 171

2024-10-03T12:44:51Z

Wandelf: /* Summary */ more

{{letter infobox
| #=171
| to=[[Wikipedia:Hugh Brogan|Hugh Brogan]], draft
| date=Unsent, [[1955#September|September]] [[1955]]
| subject=Defending the use of an archaic narrative style
}}{{letter|171}}
==Preface==
In December 1954, Hugh Brogan, a teenage correspondent of Tolkien's, wrote to him to criticize the archaic style he had used in parts of ''[[The Two Towers]]''. He agreed with a critic's description of it as "tushery". Tolkien did not reply. On 18 September 1955, Brogan wrote to apologize for being "impertinent, stupid, or sycophantic". Tolkien began the following draft, but instead sent a note stating that the matter of archaism would take too long to debate and must await their next meeting.

Brogan wrote again on 4 December 1955 to say that he was so worried that he had been stupid or tactless that he was experiencing "recurrent nightmares". Tolkien reassured him in [[Letter 179]].

==Summary==
Tolkien says that he did not notice any impertinence in Brogan's letters, and that in any case, anyone so "appreciative and perceptive" is entitled to make criticisms. He does find it painful, however, to hear critics attack the use of archaisms, particularly in an age in which "almost all auctorial manhandling of English is permitted". He rejects the "tushery" label, since this word properly applies to poorly written pastiches that use oaths such as "tush" and "zounds" in an attempt to sound medieval. Real archaic English, on the other hand, is far terser than modern English. It is also capable of saying things that cannot be said in the "slack and often frivolous idiom" of today. Tolkien takes as an example a passage from "[[The King of the Golden Hall]]" (a chapter that Brogan had singled out for criticism):

{{blockquote|‘Nay, [[Gandalf]]!’ said the [[Théoden|King]]. ‘You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself shall go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better [in my grave].’}}

According to Tolkien, if this interaction had taken place in 1955, Théoden would have said:

{{blockquote|Not at all my dear G. You don't know your own skill as a doctor. Things aren't going to be like that. I shall go to the war in person, even if I have to be one of the first casualties. I should sleep sounder in my grave like that rather than if I stayed at home.}}

The problem with using modern language to express Théoden's thoughts is that Théoden's thoughts are themselves archaic. Modern people do not think about how they will "sleep" once they are dead, and so putting this thought into modern English creates a "disunion of word and meaning". Théoden comes across as insincere, as though he were merely using a figure of speech.

Tolkien also addresses Brogan's criticism of the passage in which [[Aragorn]], [[Legolas]], and [[Gimli]] arm themselves for battle. He points out that such a scene would never take place in modern times; thus, it would make no sense to use modern words to describe it. He asks why an author should be restricted to only one style when the "wealth of English" offers many to choose from, without any loss of intelligibility. He can see "no more reason for not using the much terser and more vivid ancient style, than for changing the obsolete weapons, helms, shields, hauberks into modern weapons". He also defends his use of atypical word order in the sentence "Helms too they chose." It is useful, he argues, to be able to rearrange a sentence so that a particular word comes first, and if English-speakers have lost the ability to do this, then they ought to reacquire it.

Finally, Tolkien expresses disappointment that Brogan has been affected by the "extraordinary 20th-century delusion" that modern usages are better simply by virtue of the fact that they are modern. He rejects the notion that to use an older style is to commit some kind of blunder, instructing Brogan to "shake [himself] out of this parochialism of time!" He also suggests that Brogan learn to distinguish between bogus antiques and genuine ones, "as you would if you hoped not to be cheated by a dealer!"

{{references}}
{{letters}}
[[Category:Letters to Hugh Brogan| ]]
[[de:Brief 171]]

Letter 171

2024-10-03T09:17:50Z

Wandelf: /* Summary */ fix quote

{{letter infobox
| #=171
| to=[[Wikipedia:Hugh Brogan|Hugh Brogan]], draft
| date=Unsent, [[1955#September|September]] [[1955]]
| subject=Defending the use of an archaic narrative style
}}{{letter|171}}
==Preface==
In December 1954, Hugh Brogan, a teenage correspondent of Tolkien's, wrote to him to criticize the archaic style he had used in parts of ''[[The Two Towers]]''. He agreed with a critic's description of it as "tushery". Tolkien did not reply. On 18 September 1955, Brogan wrote to apologize for being "impertinent, stupid, or sycophantic". Tolkien began the following draft, but instead sent a note stating that the matter of archaism would take too long to debate and must await their next meeting.

Brogan wrote again on 4 December 1955 to say that he was so worried that he had been stupid or tactless that he was experiencing "recurrent nightmares". Tolkien reassured him in [[Letter 179]].

==Summary==
Tolkien says that he did not notice any impertinence in Brogan's letters, and that in any case, anyone so "appreciative and perceptive" is entitled to make criticisms. He does find it painful, however, to hear critics attack the use of archaisms, particularly in an age in which "almost all auctorial manhandling of English is permitted". He rejects the "tushery" label, since this word properly applies to poorly written pastiches that use oaths such as "tush" and "zounds" in an attempt to sound medieval. Real archaic English, on the other hand, is far terser than modern English. It is also capable of saying things that cannot be said in the "slack and often frivolous idiom" of today. Tolkien takes as an example a passage from "[[The King of the Golden Hall]]" (a chapter that Brogan had singled out for criticism):

{{blockquote|‘Nay, [[Gandalf]]!’ said the [[Théoden|King]]. ‘You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself shall go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better [in my grave].’}}

According to Tolkien, if this interaction had taken place in 1955, Théoden would have said:

{{blockquote|Not at all my dear G. You don't know your own skill as a doctor. Things aren't going to be like that. I shall go to the war in person, even if I have to be one of the first casualties.}}

Tolkien acknowledges that he could have modernized the language without distorting the meaning (e.g. "I should sleep sounder in my grave like that rather than if I stayed at home"), but he points out that Théoden's thoughts are themselves archaic: modern people do not think about how they will sleep once they are dead. If Théoden were to express archaic thoughts in a modern style, it would sound as though he were being insincere.

Tolkien also addresses Brogan's criticism of the passage in "The King of the Golden Hall" in which the [[Three Hunters]] arm themselves for battle. He points out that such a scene would never take place in modern times, and thus that it would make no sense to use modern words to describe it. He asks why an author should be restricted to only one style when the "wealth of English" offers many to choose from, without any loss of intelligibility. He can see "no more reason for not using the much terser and more vivid ancient style, than for changing the obsolete weapons, helms, shields, hauberks into modern weapons".

Finally, Tolkien expresses disappointment that Brogan has been affected by the "extraordinary 20th-century delusion" that modern usages are better simply by virtue of the fact that they are modern. He rejects the notion that to use an older style is to commit some kind of blunder, instructing Brogan to "shake [himself] out of this parochialism of time!" He also suggests that Brogan learn to distinguish between bogus antiques and genuine ones, "as you would if you hoped not to be cheated by a dealer!"

{{references}}
{{letters}}
[[Category:Letters to Hugh Brogan| ]]
[[de:Brief 171]]

Letter 171

2024-10-03T09:02:40Z

Wandelf: /* Summary */

{{letter infobox
| #=171
| to=[[Wikipedia:Hugh Brogan|Hugh Brogan]], draft
| date=Unsent, [[1955#September|September]] [[1955]]
| subject=Defending the use of an archaic narrative style
}}{{letter|171}}
==Preface==
In December 1954, Hugh Brogan, a teenage correspondent of Tolkien's, wrote to him to criticize the archaic style he had used in parts of ''[[The Two Towers]]''. He agreed with a critic's description of it as "tushery". Tolkien did not reply. On 18 September 1955, Brogan wrote to apologize for being "impertinent, stupid, or sycophantic". Tolkien began the following draft, but instead sent a note stating that the matter of archaism would take too long to debate and must await their next meeting.

Brogan wrote again on 4 December 1955 to say that he was so worried that he had been stupid or tactless that he was experiencing "recurrent nightmares". Tolkien reassured him in [[Letter 179]].

==Summary==
Tolkien says that he did not notice any impertinence in Brogan's letters, and that in any case, anyone so "appreciative and perceptive" is entitled to make criticisms. He does find it painful, however, to hear critics attack the use of archaisms, particularly in an age in which "almost all auctorial manhandling of English is permitted". He rejects the "tushery" label, since this word properly applies to poorly written pastiches that use oaths such as "tush" and "zounds" in an attempt to sound medieval. Real archaic English, on the other hand, is far terser than modern English. It is also capable of saying things that cannot be said in the "slack and frivolous idiom" of today. Tolkien takes as an example a passage from "[[The King of the Golden Hall]]" (a chapter that Brogan had singled out for criticism):

{{blockquote|‘Nay, [[Gandalf]]!’ said the [[Théoden|King]]. ‘You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself shall go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better [in my grave].’}}

According to Tolkien, if this interaction had taken place in 1955, Théoden would have said:

{{blockquote|Not at all my dear G. You don't know your own skill as a doctor. Things aren't going to be like that. I shall go to the war in person, even if I have to be one of the first casualties.}}

Tolkien acknowledges that he could have modernized the language without distorting the meaning (e.g. "I should sleep sounder in my grave like that rather than if I stayed at home"), but he points out that Théoden's thoughts are themselves archaic: modern people do not think about how they will sleep once they are dead. If Théoden were to express archaic thoughts in a modern style, it would sound as though he were being insincere.

Tolkien also addresses Brogan's criticism of the passage in "The King of the Golden Hall" in which the [[Three Hunters]] arm themselves for battle. He points out that such a scene would never take place in modern times, and thus that it would make no sense to use modern words to describe it. He asks why an author should be restricted to only one style when the "wealth of English" offers many to choose from, without any loss of intelligibility. He can see "no more reason for not using the much terser and more vivid ancient style, than for changing the obsolete weapons, helms, shields, hauberks into modern weapons".

Finally, Tolkien expresses disappointment that Brogan has been affected by the "extraordinary 20th-century delusion" that modern usages are better simply by virtue of the fact that they are modern. He rejects the notion that to use an older style is to commit some kind of blunder, instructing Brogan to "shake [himself] out of this parochialism of time!" He also suggests that Brogan learn to distinguish between bogus antiques and genuine ones, "as you would if you hoped not to be cheated by a dealer!"

{{references}}
{{letters}}
[[Category:Letters to Hugh Brogan| ]]
[[de:Brief 171]]

Letter 171

2024-10-03T08:57:04Z

Wandelf: rewriting and expanding summary; adding more context to preface (who Brogan was + subsequent correspondence between him and Tolkien)

{{letter infobox
| #=171
| to=[[Wikipedia:Hugh Brogan|Hugh Brogan]], draft
| date=Unsent, [[1955#September|September]] [[1955]]
| subject=Defending the use of an archaic narrative style
}}{{letter|171}}
==Preface==
In December 1954, Hugh Brogan, a teenage correspondent of Tolkien's, wrote to him to criticize the archaic style he had used in parts of ''[[The Two Towers]]''. He agreed with a critic's description of it as "tushery". Tolkien did not reply. On 18 September 1955, Brogan wrote to apologize for being "impertinent, stupid, or sycophantic". Tolkien began the following draft, but instead sent a note stating that the matter of archaism would take too long to debate and must await their next meeting.

Brogan wrote again on 4 December 1955 to say that he was so worried that he had been stupid or tactless that he was experiencing "recurrent nightmares". Tolkien reassured him in [[Letter 179]].

==Summary==
Tolkien says that he did not notice any impertinence in Brogan's letters, and that in any case, anyone so "appreciative and perceptive" is entitled to make criticisms. He does find it painful, however, to hear critics attack the use of archaisms, particularly in an age in which "almost all auctorial manhandling of English is permitted". He rejects the "tushery" label, since this word properly applies to poorly written pastiches that use oaths such as "tush" and "zounds" in an attempt to sound medieval. Real archaic English, on the other hand, is far terser than modern English. It is also capable of saying things that cannot be said in the "slack and frivolous idiom" of today. Tolkien takes as an example a passage from "[[The King of the Golden Hall]]" (a chapter that Brogan had singled out for criticism):

{{blockquote|‘Nay, [[Gandalf]]!’ said the [[Théoden|King]]. ‘You do not know your own skill in healing. It shall not be so. I myself shall go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better [in my grave].’}}

According to Tolkien, if this interaction had take place in 1955, Théoden would have said:

{{blockquote|Not at all my dear G. You don't know your own skill as a doctor. Things aren't going to be like that. I shall go to the war in person, even if I have to be one of the first casualties.}}

Tolkien acknowledges that he could have modernized the language without distorting the meaning (e.g. "I should sleep sounder in my grave like that rather than if I stayed at home"), but he points out that Théoden's thoughts are themselves archaic: modern people do not think about how they will sleep once they are dead. If Théoden were to express archaic thoughts in a modern style, it would sound as though he were being insincere.

Tolkien also addresses Brogan's criticism of the passage in "The King of the Golden Hall" in which the [[Three Hunters]] arm themselves for battle. He points out that such a scene would never take place in modern times, and thus that it would make no sense to use modern words to describe it. He asks why an author should be restricted to only one style when the "wealth of English" offers many to choose from, without any loss of intelligibility. He can see "no more reason for not using the much terser and more vivid ancient style, than for changing the obsolete weapons, helms, shields, hauberks into modern weapons".

Finally, Tolkien expresses disappointment that Brogan has been affected by the "extraordinary 20th-century delusion" that modern usages are better simply by virtue of the fact that they are modern. He rejects the notion that to use an older style is to commit some kind of blunder, instructing Brogan to "shake [himself] out of this parochialism of time!" He also suggests that Brogan learn to distinguish between bogus antiques and genuine ones, "as you would if you hoped not to be cheated by a dealer!"

{{references}}
{{letters}}
[[Category:Letters to Hugh Brogan| ]]
[[de:Brief 171]]