Gnomes: Difference between revisions

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The term '''Gnomes''' or '''Noldoli''' was briefly used in [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s early work ''[[The Book of Lost Tales]]'' to describe the race of [[Elves]] that would become the '''[[Noldor]]'''. In those works he borrowed several folkloric names to describe his original creations, like [[Fae]], [[Elves]], [[Dwarves]], [[Ogres]] and [[Orcs#Orcs and Goblins|Goblins]].
The terms '''Gnomes''' and '''Noldoli''' were used for many decades in [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s earlier phases of his legendarium to describe the race of [[Elves]] that would become the '''[[Noldor]]'''.


The names of the Noldoli are in the [[Goldogrin]] (or Gnomish) language.
The names of the Noldoli are in the [[Gnomish]] language.
 
 
==History==
Gnomes and Noldoli were both used from the beginning of Tolkien's legendarium, [[The Book of Lost Tales]]. Noldoli became the later form Noldor c. the mid-1930s, when most of the major texts of the Silmarillion tradition had new revised versions made of them, all having Noldor where earlier texts had Noldoli.<ref>{{LR|P2I}}, p. 108</ref> Gnomes, however, continued to be used well after this point. It was published in the first edition of ''[[The Hobbit]]'' in 1937.<ref>{{LT1|In}}, p. 43</ref> It continued to be used in drafting of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]''.<ref>{{RS|1XII}}, p. 212</ref><ref>{{TI|VI}}, p. 124</ref> It was even used as far into the story as the drafting of the chapter that became "The Window on the West" which was written in 1944.<ref>{{WR|2V}}, pp. 144, 160</ref>. However, by the time Tolkien began to draft the material that became the [[Appendices]] to ''The Lord of the Rings'' in the late 1940s, Gnome had been abandoned as "too misleading" due to confusion with the different popular concept of Gnomes.<ref>{{LT1|In}}, pp. 43-44</ref>


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
In a letter dating from [[1973]], Tolkien stated that the word ''gnome'' derives from  [[Wikipedia:Paracelsus|Paracelsus]],<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Elena Jeronimides]]" (letter)</ref> who is known to have used Modern Latin ''gnomus'' in a 16th century treatise.<ref>{{webcite|author=Douglas Harper|articleurl=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=gnome&allowed_in_frame=0|articlename=gnome|dated=|website=[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php Online Etymology Dictionary]|accessed=19 June 2012}}</ref>
In a letter dating from [[1973]], Tolkien stated that the word ''gnome'' derives from  [[Wikipedia:Paracelsus|Paracelsus]],<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], "[[Letter to Elena Jeronimides]]" (letter)</ref> who is known to have used Modern Latin ''gnomus'' in a 16th century treatise.<ref>{{webcite|author=Douglas Harper|articleurl=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=gnome&allowed_in_frame=0|articlename=gnome|dated=|website=[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php Online Etymology Dictionary]|accessed=19 June 2012}}</ref>


The word likely comes from ''genomos'' "earth-dweller". It has a similarity with Greek ''γνώσις'' gnosis "knowledge" which is why Tolkien used it for the wise clan of his Elves ([[Quenya]] ''[[Noldor|Ñoldo]]'' "the Wise").{{fact}}
The ''Gnome'' of Paracelsus likely means "earth-dweller". The basis for Tolkien's use of ''Gnome'' was Greek ''gnōmē'' meaning thought or intelligence.<ref>{{LT1|In}}, pp. 43-44</ref>


Cf. also the [[Mannish]] word ''[[nóm]]'' meaning "wisdom".
Cf. also the [[Mannish]] word ''[[nóm]]'' meaning "wisdom".<ref>{{S|17}}</ref>


After the flight of Noldoli and slaughter of [[Solosimpi]], the gnomes who stayed in Aman and did not join other tribes were called '''''Aulenossë''''' (''nossë'' "kind, people" is related to ''-nor'' in ''[[Valinor]]'' (root NO in a dictionary of Qenya)<ref>{{LT1|Appendix}}, entries "Aulenossë" and "Valinor"</ref>), the people of [[Aulë]]. He himself called the gnomes who stayed in his palace just Eldar.<ref>{{LT1|VIII}}</ref>
After the flight of Noldoli and slaughter of [[Solosimpi]], the gnomes who stayed in Aman and did not join other tribes were called '''''Aulenossë''''' (''nossë'' "kind, people" is related to ''-nor'' in ''[[Valinor]]'' (root NO in a dictionary of Qenya)<ref>{{LT1|Appendix}}, entries "Aulenossë" and "Valinor"</ref>), the people of [[Aulë]]. He himself called the gnomes who stayed in his palace just Eldar.<ref>{{LT1|VIII}}</ref>

Revision as of 00:26, 4 April 2022

"Who told you, and who sent you?" — Gandalf
 This article or section needs more/new/more-detailed sources to conform to a higher standard and to provide proof for claims made.
This article is about an early concept of elves. For the race of elves the Gnomes became, see Noldor.
Gnomes
People
General Information
Other namesNoldoli
LocationsKôr, Nargothrond, Dorthonion, Gondolin, Tol Eressea
LanguagesKornoldorin, Noldorin
MembersFinwë, Fëanor, Finrod, Inglor, Beren, Turgon
Physical Description
LifespanImmortal
DistinctionsGreat skill with metal and gems, deep knowledge
Average heightTall
Hair colorDark
Skin colorWhite
GalleryImages of Gnomes

The terms Gnomes and Noldoli were used for many decades in J.R.R. Tolkien's earlier phases of his legendarium to describe the race of Elves that would become the Noldor.

The names of the Noldoli are in the Gnomish language.


History

Gnomes and Noldoli were both used from the beginning of Tolkien's legendarium, The Book of Lost Tales. Noldoli became the later form Noldor c. the mid-1930s, when most of the major texts of the Silmarillion tradition had new revised versions made of them, all having Noldor where earlier texts had Noldoli.[1] Gnomes, however, continued to be used well after this point. It was published in the first edition of The Hobbit in 1937.[2] It continued to be used in drafting of The Lord of the Rings.[3][4] It was even used as far into the story as the drafting of the chapter that became "The Window on the West" which was written in 1944.[5]. However, by the time Tolkien began to draft the material that became the Appendices to The Lord of the Rings in the late 1940s, Gnome had been abandoned as "too misleading" due to confusion with the different popular concept of Gnomes.[6]

Etymology

In a letter dating from 1973, Tolkien stated that the word gnome derives from Paracelsus,[7] who is known to have used Modern Latin gnomus in a 16th century treatise.[8]

The Gnome of Paracelsus likely means "earth-dweller". The basis for Tolkien's use of Gnome was Greek gnōmē meaning thought or intelligence.[9]

Cf. also the Mannish word nóm meaning "wisdom".[10]

After the flight of Noldoli and slaughter of Solosimpi, the gnomes who stayed in Aman and did not join other tribes were called Aulenossë (nossë "kind, people" is related to -nor in Valinor (root NO in a dictionary of Qenya)[11]), the people of Aulë. He himself called the gnomes who stayed in his palace just Eldar.[12]

Inspiration

A Gnome is a dwarf-like creature of European folklore, often associated with Dwarves and Goblins. Traditional Gnomes however were unlike his depiction of his High Elves: they were imagined as deformed underground dwellers, and by the 19th century were depicted dwarf-like.

For that reason Tolkien dropped the term since that would confuse the readers. However, other folkloric names like "Elves", "Dwarves" and "Goblins" would persist in Tolkien's writing ever since, although he would be unsure about them (he did replace "Goblin" with "Orcs" after the publication of The Hobbit").

In the first Portuguese translation of The Hobbit, the title of the book is translated as gnomo, the Portuguese word for gnome. See: O Gnomo.

Other versions of the legendarium

At one time, "Gnomes" also referred to the Valar.

External links

References

  1. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, "Part Two: Valinor and Middle-earth before The Lord of the Rings, I. The Texts and their Relations", p. 108
  2. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "I. The Cottage of Lost Play": "Notes and Commentary", p. 43
  3. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Return of the Shadow, "The First Phase: XII. At Rivendell", p. 212
  4. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Treason of Isengard, "VI. The Council of Elrond (1)", p. 124
  5. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The War of the Ring, , pp. 144, 160
  6. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "I. The Cottage of Lost Play": "Notes and Commentary", pp. 43-44
  7. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "Letter to Elena Jeronimides" (letter)
  8. ↑ Douglas Harper, "gnome", Online Etymology Dictionary (accessed 19 June 2012)
  9. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "I. The Cottage of Lost Play": "Notes and Commentary", pp. 43-44
  10. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Coming of Men into the West"
  11. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, Appendix: Names in the Lost Tales – Part I, entries "Aulenossë" and "Valinor"
  12. ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "VIII. The Tale of the Sun and Moon"
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