The Lord of the Rings - by J.R.R. Tolkien

(The Hobbit); The Fellowship of the Ring; The Two Towers; The Return of the King

A. Arthurian Legend

          1. Merlin/Gandalf

§         LOTR: Gandalf the Great is a wise old and powerful wizard with a grey/white beard.

§         Originally: Merlin was the wizard King Arthur looked to for guidance, assurance and protection. He is often depicted as an old man with a long grey or white beard. Merlin himself is based on a late sixth century northern bard named Myrddin (Welsh) said to have the gift of sight and predicted a Celtic uprising. The Latin version of Myrddin is Merlinus which is then obviously shortened to Merlin. The Merlin we know is probably the most famous wizard in mythology.

B. Celtic Mythology

          1. Elves

§         See General Folklore

C. General Folklore

          1. Dragons

§         LOTR: Fire breathing dragon “kills” Gandalf the Great.

§         Originally: The dragon is a common occurrence in ancient mythology and modern day fantasy and although its characteristics vary slightly, there are many consistencies. They are usually depicted as lizard-like creatures, larger then an elephant, with long fangs, twin horns, sometimes with leathery skin but typically covered in scales, and most have the ability to breathe fire. They range in all colors but the most common are red, green, black, and gold. Western cultures usually include bat-like wings whereas eastern cultures give them a more magically means of flying without wings and are more snake-like looking.

2. Dwarfs

§         LOTR: Short but strong, proud warriors.

§         Originally: About half the size of a man, they live in caves, hollow trees, or holes in the ground. They can be hostile towards humans but also sometimes perform small labors and tasks for them. They work in mines and are skillful with their hands.

3. Elves

§         LOTR: Human-like creatures with pointy ears, superhuman abilities and live forever.

§         Originally: Elves of Norse and Teutonic origin are spirits of the dead who bring fertility. They later became supernatural beings shaped as humans who can be very beautiful (elves of light) or very ugly (dark elves) and live in trees, mountains, and waterfalls. Danish Elves are beautiful with hollow backs and Celtic elves are the size of humans. Elves from the British Isles in the 8th and 9th century where called fairies.

4. Goblins

§         LOTR: In The Hobbit, preceding LOTR, Tolkien had yet to give Orcs their name and so called them goblins instead.

§         Originally: Grotesque creatures which can be playful but sometimes with an evil intent with tricks that can harm. They originated in France but quickly spread all over Europe. They usually live in the mossy clefts of rocks or roots of trees but never stay in one place very long.

5. Orc

§         LOTR: Used mainly as soldiers, they are ugly, miserable creatures who know only how to destroy.

§         Originally: In Old English means "demon". A huge sea monster armed with teeth. (Also see Orcus in Greek/Roman Mythology).

D. Greek/Roman Mythology

1. Orcus/Orc

§         LOTR: Orcs were used mainly as soldiers; they are ugly, miserable creatures who know only how to destroy.

§         Originally: Orcus was another title for Pluto, Roman god of the dead and underworld. (Also see Orc in General Folklore).

E. Norse Mythology

          1. Elves

§         See General Folklore