Gongs
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| Gongs | |
|---|---|
| Race | |
| General Information | |
| Other names | False-fairies, Goblins, Kaukareldar |
| Origins | Created by Melko in the likeness of Elves and Men |
| Locations | Angamandi, Nargothrond, Linwë's halls, Rôs |
| Affiliation | Úvanimor |
| Rivalries | Elves, Gnomes, Men |
| Languages | Melkian |
| Physical Description | |
| Lifespan | Unknown |
| Distinctions | Evil footsoldiers of the Enemy |
| Average height | Bent back |
Gongs were evil beings, obscurely related to Orcs that appeared within The Book of Lost Tales, the earliest version of the Legendarium.[1]
History[edit]
After the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, Melko created Gongs,[note 1] in the image of Men and Elves in order to deceive and betray Men.[2]
Mîm the petty-dwarf commanded a guard of Orcs and Gongs to protect the treasures of Glorund in Nargothrond. They were slain by Húrin and his companions.[3]
Not long after, a group of Gongs sacked Linwë's halls, killing Linwë, stealing the cursed gold, and fleeing far away. However, they are attacked by Beren Ermabwed, forcing the gold and Silmaril into the river Sirion, though the Silmaril was eventually found washed up by the Nauglath.[3]
During the Faring Forth, a group of Gongs, alongside Orcs, Dwarves, Trolls, and evil Men were among the evil participants of the Battle of Rôs.[4]
Etymology[edit]
In his commentary, Christopher Tolkien remarks that the Gnomish Lexicon defines a Gong as "one of a tribe of the Orcs, a goblin", but notes that Gongs might just be another name for Kaukareldar,[5] an early Quenya word under the root KAWA ("stoop") which has five derivations: kauka ("crooked, bent, humped"), kauko ("humpback"), kawin ("I bow"), kaurë ("fear"), and kaurëa ("timid").[6] In the Quenya Lexicon, Eldar, the second element of Kaukareldar, is defined as "a beach-fay or Solosimpë".[7]
The Gnomish Lexicon reportedly compares the word Gongs to sithagong ("dragonfly") derived from sitha ("fly") and Gong.[8][9]
Other versions of the legendarium[edit]
There are no references to Gongs in J.R.R. Tolkien's later legendarium and the author appears to have abandoned the concept.
Notes
- ↑ Within the text, the word Gongs appears bracketed close to false-fairies and Kaukareldar.
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "Index", entry "Gongs"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "X. Gilfanon's Tale: The Travail of the Noldoli and the Coming of Mankind"
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "II. Turambar and the Foalókë": "Notes and Commentary"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "VI. The History of Eriol or Ælfwine and the End of the Tales": "Ælfwine of England"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, "X. Gilfanon's Tale: The Travail of the Noldoli and the Coming of Mankind": "Notes and Commentary", note 10
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, Appendix: Names in the Lost Tales – Part I, entry "Kaukareldar"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, Appendix: Names in the Lost Tales – Part I, entry "Eldar"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part One, Appendix: Names in the Lost Tales – Part I, entry "Gong"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, "I-Lam na-Ngoldathon: The Grammar and Lexicon of the Gnomish Tongue", in Parma Eldalamberon XI (edited by Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, and Patrick H. Wynne), p. 68
