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{{Disputedcanon}}
{{race infobox
[[File:Angus McBride - Giants.jpg|frame|right|[[Angus McBride]] - ''Giants'']]
| name=Giants
| image=[[File:Angus McBride - Giants.jpg|250px]]
| caption="Giants" by [[Angus McBride]]
| pronun=
| othernames=''Noroth''<ref name="Web"/>, ''hanako''<ref name="Vin"/>
| origin=
| location=[[Misty Mountains]]<ref name="Hill"/>, [[Araman|Eruman]]<ref>{{LT2|In}}, pp. 67-8</ref>, [[White Mountains]]<ref>[[J.R.R. Tolkien]], ''[[Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings|Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings]]'', omitted entry quoted in [[Wayne G. Hammond]], [[Christina Scull]], ''[[The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion]]'', pp. 536-7</ref>
| affiliation=[[Morgoth|Melko]] (only in [[The Book of Lost Tales]])<ref name="Lost"/><br/>[[Sauron|The Necromancer]] (only in early drafts of [[The Lord of the Rings]]<ref>{{RS|2XV}}, p. 253</ref>
| rivalry=[[Bears]]<ref name="Queer"/>
| language=
| people=''stone-giants''<ref name="Queer"/>, ''wood-giants'' (''ulbandi'')<ref name="Parma"/>, ''mountainous-giants'' (''taulir'')<ref name="Parma"/>
| members=[[Tarlang]]<ref name="Tarlang"/>, [[Nan (Giant)|Nan]]<ref name="Lays"/>, [[Gilim]]<ref name="Lays"/>
| lifespan=
| distinctions=
| height=Large
| hair=
| skin=
| clothing=
| weapons=
}}
'''Giants''' were one of the mysterious [[:Portal:Characters|races]] of [[Middle-earth]], mentioned only fleetingly.
'''Giants''' were one of the mysterious [[:Portal:Characters|races]] of [[Middle-earth]], mentioned only fleetingly.


==History==
== History ==
Giants are beings shrouded in mystery. [[Gandalf|Gandalf the Grey]] was known for telling stories about [[dragons]] and [[Orcs|goblins]] and giants<ref>{{H|Party}}</ref> and [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] had heard of giants in tales,<ref>{{H|Riddles}}</ref> but none of these tales survive and the origin and history of the giants is obscure.<ref name="Giants">{{HH|IV}}, "(iii): The Giants", pp. 143-5</ref>
Giants are beings shrouded in mystery. [[Gandalf|Gandalf the Grey]] was known for telling stories about [[dragons]] and [[Orcs|goblins]] and giants<ref>{{H|Party}}</ref> and [[Bilbo Baggins|Bilbo]] had heard of giants in tales,<ref>{{H|Riddles}}</ref> but none of these tales survive and the origin and history of the giants is obscure.<ref name="Giants">{{HH|IV}}, "(iii): The Giants", pp. 143-5</ref>


A local legend among the [[Pre-Númenóreans|indigenous people]] of [[Gondor]] told of giants making the [[White Mountains]], to keep [[Men]] out of their lands by the [[Belegaer|Sea]]. One of them, [[Tarlang]], tripped, and broke his neck. The other giants did not clean up his body, which became incorporated in the land instead. The giant's neck became [[Tarlang's Neck]], his head [[Dol Tarlang]], and the stones he was carrying [[Cûl Veleg]] and [[Cûl Bîn]].<ref>{{HM|N}}, pp. 536-7</ref> The city of [[Minas Tirith]], as stood on [[Amon Tirith]], seemed to have been "carved" by giants out of the rock.<ref name=rk>{{RK|V1}}</ref>
A local legend among the [[Pre-Númenóreans|indigenous people]] of [[Gondor]] told of giants making the [[White Mountains]], to keep [[Men]] out of their lands by the [[Belegaer|Sea]]. One of them, [[Tarlang]], tripped, and broke his neck. The other giants did not clean up his body, which became incorporated in the land instead. The giant's neck became [[Tarlang's Neck]], his head [[Dol Tarlang]], and the stones he was carrying [[Cûl Veleg]] and [[Cûl Bîn]].<ref name="Tarlang">{{HM|N}}, pp. 536-7</ref> The city of [[Minas Tirith]], as stood on [[Amon Tirith]], seemed to have been "carved" by giants out of the rock.<ref name=rk>{{RK|V1}}</ref>


The [[Ettenmoors]] owed their name to some gigantic creatures of that land, although these were perhaps merely some kind of [[trolls]].<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 183</ref><ref>{{FR|Flight}}</ref>
The [[Ettenmoors]] owed their name to some gigantic creatures of that land, although these were perhaps merely some kind of [[trolls]].<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 183</ref><ref>{{FR|Flight}}</ref>


The ''stone-giants'' lived in the Misty Mountains during the late [[Third Age]]. Upon coming, they drove out the majority of the [[bears]] that lived there.<ref>{{H|Queer}}</ref> They found a sport in throwing rocks at each other, and then into the depths below them to hear them shatter among the trees.<ref>{{H|Hill}}</ref>
The ''stone-giants'' lived in the Misty Mountains during the late [[Third Age]]. Upon coming, they drove out the majority of the [[bears]] that lived there.<ref name="Queer">{{H|Queer}}</ref> They found a sport in throwing rocks at each other, and then into the depths below them to hear them shatter among the trees.<ref name="Hill">{{H|Hill}}</ref>


Presumably, not all giants were evil, as Gandalf hoped to convince a more or less decent giant to block the [[Front Porch]] to [[Goblin-town]], to make the [[High Pass]] in the [[Misty Mountains]] safe again.<ref>{{H|6}}</ref>
Presumably, not all giants were evil, as Gandalf hoped to convince a more or less decent giant to block the [[Front Porch]] to [[Goblin-town]], to make the [[High Pass]] in the [[Misty Mountains]] safe again.<ref>{{H|6}}</ref>


==Fandom==
== Fandom ==
Giants are notable for being definitely mentioned in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' as actual creatures of the mythological setting, yet appearing nowhere else among the creatures and races of [[Arda]], nor participating in any of the wars. The [[Valaquenta]] doesn't mention them, nor do they appear in the wars of the ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', neither does [[Sauron]] use them in the [[War of the Ring]].
Giants are notable for being definitely mentioned in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' as actual creatures of the mythological setting, yet appearing nowhere else among the creatures and races of [[Arda]], nor participating in any of the wars. The ''[[Valaquenta]]'' doesn't mention them, nor Treebeard's [[Learn now the lore of Living Creatures!|list of the living creatures]], nor do they appear in the wars of the [[Elder Days]], neither does [[Sauron]] use them as he did with the [[Orcs of the Misty Mountains]].


This led some [[Tolkienists]] to assume that giants are maybe a fleeting idea of Tolkien that perhaps should not be considered [[canon]]ical. [[Robert Foster]] comments that the ''stone-giants'' "may be no more serious than [[Golfimbul]]".<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 366</ref>
This led some [[Tolkienists]] to assume that giants are maybe a fleeting idea of Tolkien that perhaps should not be considered [[canon]]ical. [[Robert Foster]] comments that the ''stone-giants'' "may be no more serious than [[Golfimbul]]".<ref>{{HM|Guide}}, p. 366</ref>


Other theories attempt to include the giants among the known races of Arda. For example they might be a large race of [[Men]] (like [[Hobbits]] are a small race of Men), or [[Trolls]], or simply "nature [[Spirit (disambiguation)|spirits]]" more or less like [[Tom Bombadil]].<ref>{{webcite|author=Steuard Jensen|website=[[Tolkien meta-FAQ]]|articlename=What were the giants?|articleurl=http://tolkien.slimy.com/faq/Creatures.html#Giants}}</ref> Furthermore, [[Douglas A. Anderson]]'s annotations in ''[[The Annotated Hobbit: Revised and Expanded Edition]]'' express the opinion that stone-giants are a variety of troll.<ref>{{HM|AH}}, p. 104</ref>
Other theories attempt to include the giants among the known races of Arda. For example they might be a large race of [[Men]] (like [[Hobbits]] are a small race of Men), or [[Trolls]], or simply "nature [[Spirit (disambiguation)|spirits]]" more or less like [[Tom Bombadil]].<ref>{{webcite|author=Steuard Jensen|website=FAQ|articlename=What were the giants?|articleurl=http://tolkien.slimy.com/faq/Creatures.html#Giants}}</ref> Furthermore, [[Douglas A. Anderson]]'s annotations in ''[[The Annotated Hobbit: Revised and Expanded Edition]]'' express the opinion that stone-giants are a variety of troll.<ref>{{HM|AH}}, p. 104</ref>


==Other versions of the legendarium==
== Other versions of the legendarium ==
===Before ''The Hobbit''===
=== Before ''The Hobbit'' ===
Giants originally had a larger part in the [[legendarium]]. In one early manuscript, the giants are counted among the [[úvanimo|Úvanimor]], servants of [[Morgoth|Melko]].<ref>{{LT1|X}}</ref> In another manuscript, the giants are counted among the Earthlings, and are divided between the "wood-giants" ([[Qenya]] ''ulbandi'') and "mountainous-giants" (Qenya ''taulir'').<ref>{{PE|14}}, p. 9</ref> And in other early writings, two giants are named: [[Nan (Giant)|Nan]] (said to be like an [[Elms|Elm]]-tree) and [[Gilim]] (whose name is [[Gnomish]] for "winter").<ref>{{LB|C5}} (verse 1497)</ref><ref>{{LT2|I}}</ref>.
Giants originally had a larger part in the [[legendarium]]. In one early manuscript, the giants are counted among the [[úvanimo|Úvanimor]], servants of [[Morgoth|Melko]].<ref name="Lost">{{LT1|X}}</ref> In another manuscript, the giants are counted among the Earthlings, and are divided between the "wood-giants" ([[Qenya]] ''ulbandi'') and "mountainous-giants" (Qenya ''taulir'').<ref name="Parma">{{PE|14}}, p. 9</ref> And in other early writings, two giants are named: [[Nan (Giant)|Nan]] (said to be like an [[Elms|Elm]]-tree) and [[Gilim]] (whose name is [[Gnomish]] for "winter").<ref name="Lays">{{LB|C5}} (verse 1497)</ref><ref>{{LT2|I}}</ref>.


It is quite possible that their appearance in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' is a relic from this early phase of the legendarium. [[John D. Rateliff]] has argued that they might have become "free agents"; not wicked, but simply not aware of their surroundings.<ref name="Giants"/>
It is quite possible that their appearance in ''[[The Hobbit]]'' is a relic from this early phase of the legendarium. [[John D. Rateliff]] has argued that they might have become "free agents"; not wicked, but simply not aware of their surroundings.<ref name="Giants"/>


===Other names and etymologies===
=== Giants and Ents ===
An early [[Sundocarmë|root]] for "giant" is given as [[NOROTH]]. This yields [[Quenya]] ''[[norsa]]'',<ref name="NOROTH">{{LR|Etymologies}} (cf. [[Sundocarmë|Root]] ''[[NOROTH]]'')</ref> and ''Noroth'' (likely supposed to be a [[Noldorin]] word<ref>{{webcite|author=Roman Rausch|articleurl=http://sindanorie.lima-city.de/RS&TI&WR.htm|articlename=''Essekenta Endamarwa'' - Names from ''The Return of the Shadow'', ''The Treason of Isengard'' and ''The War of the Ring''|dated=23 December 2006|website=Sindanórie|accessed=8 October 2011}}</ref>). A discarded Quenya word was ''hanako'', from a root KHAN-AK.<ref>{{VT|45a}}, p. 21</ref>
Giants were the wicked precursors of [[Ents]]. The elm-like features of the Giant Nan, and that in early versions of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' it was the Giant [[Treebeard]] who held [[Gandalf]] captive, not [[Saruman]],<ref>{{RS|3XXI}}</ref> makes the connection between Giants and Ents within [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s imagination clear.<ref name="Giants"/>  


An early name for the [[Ettenmoors]] was called "Entish Lands". As [[Christopher Tolkien]] notes, "Ent" comes from an [[Old English]] word for "giant",<ref>{{RS|1XId}}</ref> and was used before Tolkien conceived the later benevolent Ents of ''[[The Two Towers]]''. The word is seen at various points in ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]'', for example line 2717, ''enta geweorc'', "the work of giants".<ref>Howell D. Chickering, Jr., "Beowulf: A Dual Language Edition", pp. 212-3</ref>


===Giants and Ents===
=== Giants as a subgroup of Men ===
Giants were the wicked precursors of [[Ents]]. The elm-like features of the Giant Nan, and that in early versions of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' it was the Giant [[Treebeard]] who held [[Gandalf]] captive, not [[Saruman]],<ref>{{RS|3XXI}}</ref> makes the connection between Giants and Ents within [[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s imagination clear.<ref name="Giants"/>  
In a draft for what would become the chapter ''[[The Shadow of the Past]]'' from ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', it is mentioned that the [[Sauron|Necromancer]] was rallying his forces and causing wars and devastation from his stronghold in [[Mordor]], and that giants were said to be among those forces. There, the giants were described as "a [[Men|Big Folk]] only far bigger and stronger than Men the [?ordinary] Big Folk, and no stupider, indeed often full of cunning and wizardry."<ref>{{RS|2XV}}, p. 253</ref>


An early name for the [[Ettenmoors]] was called "Entish Lands". As [[Christopher Tolkien]] notes, "Ent" comes from an [[Old English]] word for "giant",<ref>{{RS|1XId}}</ref> and was used before Tolkien conceived the later benevolent Ents of ''[[The Two Towers]]''. The word is seen at various points in ''[[Beowulf (poem)|Beowulf]]'', for example line 2717, ''enta geweorc'', "the work of giants".<ref>Howell D. Chickering, Jr., "Beowulf: A Dual Language Edition", pp. 212-3</ref>
=== Other names and etymologies ===
An early [[Sundocarmë|root]] for "giant" is given as [[NOROTH]]. This yields [[Quenya]] ''[[norsa]]'',<ref name="NOROTH">{{LR|Etymologies}} (cf. [[Sundocarmë|Root]] ''[[NOROTH]]'')</ref> and ''Noroth'' (likely supposed to be a [[Noldorin]] word<ref name="Web">{{webcite|author=Roman Rausch|articleurl=http://sindanorie.lima-city.de/RS&TI&WR.htm|articlename=''Essekenta Endamarwa'' - Names from ''The Return of the Shadow'', ''The Treason of Isengard'' and ''The War of the Ring''|dated=23 December 2006|website=Sindanórie|accessed=8 October 2011}}</ref>). A discarded Quenya word was ''hanako'', from a root KHAN-AK.<ref name="Vin">{{VT|45a}}, p. 21</ref>


==Inspiration==
== Inspiration ==
In Germanic mythology names for the giants were ''jotun'' ([[Norse]]) and ''eoten'' ([[Old English]]). From the latter word Tolkien derived the name "[[Ent]]".
In Germanic mythology names for the giants were ''jotun'' ([[Norse]]) and ''eoten'' ([[Old English]]). From the latter word Tolkien derived the name "[[etten]]".


In the ''[[The Return of the King|Return of the King]]'' it is noted that [[Minas Tirith]] "''seemed to have been not builded but carven by giants out of the bones of the earth''".<ref name=rk/> [[Wayne G. Hammond|Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull|Scull]] have suggested that this notion derives from [[Old English]] mythology, in which giants were often portrayed as builders of ancient structures.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 514</ref>
In the ''[[The Return of the King|Return of the King]]'' it is noted that [[Minas Tirith]] "''seemed to have been not builded but carven by giants out of the bones of the earth''".<ref name=rk/> [[Wayne G. Hammond|Hammond]] and [[Christina Scull|Scull]] have suggested that this notion derives from [[Old English]] mythology, in which giants were often portrayed as builders of ancient structures.<ref>{{HM|RC}}, p. 514</ref>


==Other fiction==
== Other fiction ==
In ''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]'', [[The Giant|a giant]] troubles [[Farmer Giles]]' land, who chases him off with his blunderbuss.
In ''[[Farmer Giles of Ham]]'', [[The Giant|a giant]] troubles [[Farmer Giles]]' land, who chases him off with his blunderbuss.
==Portrayal in adaptations==
 
== Portrayal in adaptations ==
{{Gallery
{{Gallery
|title=Giants in adaptations
|title=Giants in adaptations
Line 58: Line 80:
|File:The Lord of the Rings - War in the North - Bargrisar.png|Bargrisar in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
|File:The Lord of the Rings - War in the North - Bargrisar.png|Bargrisar in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]''
}}
}}
===Films===
 
=== Films ===
'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''
'''2012: ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'':'''
:''Stone-giants'' are seen throwing rocks and crashing into each other as [[Thorin and Company]] travel over the [[Misty Mountains]]. In the film, they are interpreted as literally being colossal stone entities.
:''Stone-giants'' are seen throwing rocks and crashing into each other as [[Thorin and Company]] travel over the [[Misty Mountains]]. In the film, they are interpreted as literally being colossal stone entities.


===Games===
=== Games ===
'''1982: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
'''1982: ''[[Middle-earth Role Playing]]'':'''
:Several divisions and races of giants are described and given statistics, such as Stone Giants<ref>{{ICE|8070}}</ref>, Ice Giants<ref>{{ICE|2025}}</ref>, Giants of the Southern Misty Mountains<ref>{{ICE|3600}}</ref>, and Red Giants<ref>{{ICE|2012}}</ref>.
:Several divisions and races of giants are described and given statistics, such as Stone Giants<ref>{{ICE|8070}}</ref>, Ice Giants<ref>{{ICE|2025}}</ref>, Giants of the Southern Misty Mountains<ref>{{ICE|3600}}</ref>, and Red Giants<ref>{{ICE|2012}}</ref>.
Line 79: Line 102:


'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
'''2011: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'':'''
:A renegade ''Stone-Giant'' named Bargrisar appears in the game, serving as a boss character. He is the leader of a small army of Orcs and Trolls. Similar to the portrayal in ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'', he is a being composed entirely of stone.
:A renegade ''Stone-Giant'' named Bargrisar appears in the game, serving as a boss character. Swayed by [[Sauron]] to serve him, he becomes the leader of a large party of Orcs and Trolls. Backed by his army, Bargrisar seeks to destroy the nests of the [[Great Eagles]] and plunder the North for riches. Similar to the portrayal in ''[[The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'', he is a being composed entirely of stone.


===Other===
'''2014: ''[[Lego The Hobbit: The Video Game]]'':'''
:Multiple stone-giants appear as the main conflict in the level ''Over Hill and Under Hill'', in which their fighting poses a threat to the party.
 
=== Other ===
'''1989: [[The Hobbit (comic book)|''The Hobbit'' (comic book)]]:'''
'''1989: [[The Hobbit (comic book)|''The Hobbit'' (comic book)]]:'''
:Giants are displayed as bearded gigantic men with regular leather attire.
:Giants are displayed as bearded gigantic men with regular leather attire.


==See also==
== See also ==
*[[:Category:Images of Giants|Images of Giants]]
*[[Etten]]
*[[Ettenmoors]] and [[Ettendales]]
*[[Ents]]
*[[Ents]]
*[[Trolls]]
*[[Trolls]]


==External links==
== External links ==
 
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2013/03/26/are-the-stone-giants-supposed-to-be-demons-like-the-balrog/ Are the Stone Giants Supposed to Be Demons like the Balrog?] by [[Michael Martinez]]
*[http://middle-earth.xenite.org/2013/03/26/are-the-stone-giants-supposed-to-be-demons-like-the-balrog/ Are the Stone Giants Supposed to Be Demons like the Balrog?] by [[Michael Martinez]]


{{references}}
{{references}}
{{Legend}}
{{legend}}
[[Category:Giants| ]]
 
[[Category:Giants]]
[[de:Riesen]]
[[de:Riesen]]
[[fi:Jättiläiset]]
[[fi:Jättiläiset]]

Revision as of 17:24, 12 July 2021

Giants
Race
Angus McBride - Giants.jpg
"Giants" by Angus McBride
General Information
Other namesNoroth[1], hanako[2]
LocationsMisty Mountains[3], Eruman[4], White Mountains[5]
AffiliationMelko (only in The Book of Lost Tales)[6]
The Necromancer (only in early drafts of The Lord of the Rings[7]
RivalriesBears[8]
Peoplestone-giants[8], wood-giants (ulbandi)[9], mountainous-giants (taulir)[9]
MembersTarlang[10], Nan[11], Gilim[11]
Physical Description
Average heightLarge
GalleryImages of Giants

Giants were one of the mysterious races of Middle-earth, mentioned only fleetingly.

History

Giants are beings shrouded in mystery. Gandalf the Grey was known for telling stories about dragons and goblins and giants[12] and Bilbo had heard of giants in tales,[13] but none of these tales survive and the origin and history of the giants is obscure.[14]

A local legend among the indigenous people of Gondor told of giants making the White Mountains, to keep Men out of their lands by the Sea. One of them, Tarlang, tripped, and broke his neck. The other giants did not clean up his body, which became incorporated in the land instead. The giant's neck became Tarlang's Neck, his head Dol Tarlang, and the stones he was carrying Cûl Veleg and Cûl Bîn.[10] The city of Minas Tirith, as stood on Amon Tirith, seemed to have been "carved" by giants out of the rock.[15]

The Ettenmoors owed their name to some gigantic creatures of that land, although these were perhaps merely some kind of trolls.[16][17]

The stone-giants lived in the Misty Mountains during the late Third Age. Upon coming, they drove out the majority of the bears that lived there.[8] They found a sport in throwing rocks at each other, and then into the depths below them to hear them shatter among the trees.[3]

Presumably, not all giants were evil, as Gandalf hoped to convince a more or less decent giant to block the Front Porch to Goblin-town, to make the High Pass in the Misty Mountains safe again.[18]

Fandom

Giants are notable for being definitely mentioned in The Hobbit as actual creatures of the mythological setting, yet appearing nowhere else among the creatures and races of Arda, nor participating in any of the wars. The Valaquenta doesn't mention them, nor Treebeard's list of the living creatures, nor do they appear in the wars of the Elder Days, neither does Sauron use them as he did with the Orcs of the Misty Mountains.

This led some Tolkienists to assume that giants are maybe a fleeting idea of Tolkien that perhaps should not be considered canonical. Robert Foster comments that the stone-giants "may be no more serious than Golfimbul".[19]

Other theories attempt to include the giants among the known races of Arda. For example they might be a large race of Men (like Hobbits are a small race of Men), or Trolls, or simply "nature spirits" more or less like Tom Bombadil.[20] Furthermore, Douglas A. Anderson's annotations in The Annotated Hobbit: Revised and Expanded Edition express the opinion that stone-giants are a variety of troll.[21]

Other versions of the legendarium

Before The Hobbit

Giants originally had a larger part in the legendarium. In one early manuscript, the giants are counted among the Úvanimor, servants of Melko.[6] In another manuscript, the giants are counted among the Earthlings, and are divided between the "wood-giants" (Qenya ulbandi) and "mountainous-giants" (Qenya taulir).[9] And in other early writings, two giants are named: Nan (said to be like an Elm-tree) and Gilim (whose name is Gnomish for "winter").[11][22].

It is quite possible that their appearance in The Hobbit is a relic from this early phase of the legendarium. John D. Rateliff has argued that they might have become "free agents"; not wicked, but simply not aware of their surroundings.[14]

Giants and Ents

Giants were the wicked precursors of Ents. The elm-like features of the Giant Nan, and that in early versions of The Lord of the Rings it was the Giant Treebeard who held Gandalf captive, not Saruman,[23] makes the connection between Giants and Ents within J.R.R. Tolkien's imagination clear.[14]

An early name for the Ettenmoors was called "Entish Lands". As Christopher Tolkien notes, "Ent" comes from an Old English word for "giant",[24] and was used before Tolkien conceived the later benevolent Ents of The Two Towers. The word is seen at various points in Beowulf, for example line 2717, enta geweorc, "the work of giants".[25]

Giants as a subgroup of Men

In a draft for what would become the chapter The Shadow of the Past from The Fellowship of the Ring, it is mentioned that the Necromancer was rallying his forces and causing wars and devastation from his stronghold in Mordor, and that giants were said to be among those forces. There, the giants were described as "a Big Folk only far bigger and stronger than Men the [?ordinary] Big Folk, and no stupider, indeed often full of cunning and wizardry."[26]

Other names and etymologies

An early root for "giant" is given as NOROTH. This yields Quenya norsa,[27] and Noroth (likely supposed to be a Noldorin word[1]). A discarded Quenya word was hanako, from a root KHAN-AK.[2]

Inspiration

In Germanic mythology names for the giants were jotun (Norse) and eoten (Old English). From the latter word Tolkien derived the name "etten".

In the Return of the King it is noted that Minas Tirith "seemed to have been not builded but carven by giants out of the bones of the earth".[15] Hammond and Scull have suggested that this notion derives from Old English mythology, in which giants were often portrayed as builders of ancient structures.[28]

Other fiction

In Farmer Giles of Ham, a giant troubles Farmer Giles' land, who chases him off with his blunderbuss.

Portrayal in adaptations

Giants in adaptations
Thunder's Companion by Nicholas Jainschigg for MECCG  

Films

2012: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey:

Stone-giants are seen throwing rocks and crashing into each other as Thorin and Company travel over the Misty Mountains. In the film, they are interpreted as literally being colossal stone entities.

Games

1982: Middle-earth Role Playing:

Several divisions and races of giants are described and given statistics, such as Stone Giants[29], Ice Giants[30], Giants of the Southern Misty Mountains[31], and Red Giants[32].

1995: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:

Giants, called Thunder's Companions, are one of the Hazard Creatures.

2003: The Hobbit (2003 video game):

Stone-giants are golem-like creatures that appear in the fourth level, hurling rocks at Bilbo as he tries to travel along a mountain path. They are completely made of stone, and their stones are dangerous.[33]

2006: The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II:

"Mountain Giants" are large and powerful beings in the Goblin faction, with brown scaly skin. They can hurl stones at great distance, and serve as the faction's artillery units.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Several tribes of giants appear in the game, including Stone-giants, Ogres (also called Jorthkyn or Earth-kin), and Ice-giants. While some are enemy creatures, others remain neutral and can be befriended by the player.

2011: The Lord of the Rings: War in the North:

A renegade Stone-Giant named Bargrisar appears in the game, serving as a boss character. Swayed by Sauron to serve him, he becomes the leader of a large party of Orcs and Trolls. Backed by his army, Bargrisar seeks to destroy the nests of the Great Eagles and plunder the North for riches. Similar to the portrayal in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, he is a being composed entirely of stone.

2014: Lego The Hobbit: The Video Game:

Multiple stone-giants appear as the main conflict in the level Over Hill and Under Hill, in which their fighting poses a threat to the party.

Other

1989: The Hobbit (comic book):

Giants are displayed as bearded gigantic men with regular leather attire.

See also

External links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Roman Rausch, "Essekenta Endamarwa - Names from The Return of the Shadow, The Treason of Isengard and The War of the Ring" dated 23 December 2006, Sindanórie (accessed 8 October 2011)
  2. 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Addenda and Corrigenda to the Etymologies — Part One" (edited by Carl F. Hostetter and Patrick H. Wynne), in Vinyar Tengwar, Number 45, November 2003, p. 21
  3. 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Over Hill and Under Hill"
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "I. The Tale of Tinúviel": "Notes and Commentary", pp. 67-8
  5. J.R.R. Tolkien, Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings, omitted entry quoted in Wayne G. Hammond, Christina Scull, The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, pp. 536-7
  6. 6.0 6.1 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"
  7. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Return of the Shadow, "The Second Phase: XV. Ancient History", p. 253
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Queer Lodgings"
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Early Qenya and The Valmaric Script", in Parma Eldalamberon XIV (edited by Carl F. Hostetter, Christopher Gilson, Arden R. Smith, Patrick H. Wynne, and Bill Welden), p. 9
  10. 10.0 10.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, "Nomenclature of The Lord of the Rings" in Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, pp. 536-7
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lays of Beleriand, "III. The Lay of Leithian: Canto V (Lúthien's captivity in Doriath)" (verse 1497)
  12. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "An Unexpected Party"
  13. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Riddles in the Dark"
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, John D. Rateliff (ed.), The History of The Hobbit, Mr. Baggins, The Second Phase, "Goblins", "(iii): The Giants", pp. 143-5
  15. 15.0 15.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King, "Minas Tirith"
  16. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 183
  17. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Flight to the Ford"
  18. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, "Out of the Frying-Pan into the Fire"
  19. Robert Foster, The Complete Guide to Middle-earth, p. 366
  20. Steuard Jensen, "What were the giants?", Tolkien Meta-FAQ (accessed 28 March 2024)
  21. J.R.R. Tolkien; Douglas A. Anderson, (ed.), (2002) The Annotated Hobbit: Revised and Expanded Edition, p. 104
  22. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Book of Lost Tales Part Two, "I. The Tale of Tinúviel"
  23. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Return of the Shadow, "The Third Phase (3): XXI. To Weathertop and Rivendell"
  24. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Return of the Shadow, "The First Phase: XI. From Weathertop to the Ford, Note on the Entish Lands"
  25. Howell D. Chickering, Jr., "Beowulf: A Dual Language Edition", pp. 212-3
  26. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Return of the Shadow, "The Second Phase: XV. Ancient History", p. 253
  27. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Lost Road and Other Writings, Part Three: "The Etymologies" (cf. Root NOROTH)
  28. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull (eds), The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion, p. 514
  29. Carl Willner (1985), Goblin-gate and Eagle's Eyrie (#8070)
  30. Randy Maxwell (1997), The Northern Waste (#2025)
  31. Randell E. Doty (1987), Dunland and the Southern Misty Mountains (#3600)
  32. Ruth Sochard Pitt, Jeff O'Hare, Peter C. Fenlon, Jr. (1994), Creatures of Middle-earth (2nd edition) (#2012)
  33. The Hobbit (2003 video game), "Over Hill and Under Hill"
Legendary races of Arda
 Animals:  Dumbledors · Gorcrows · Hummerhorns · Pards · Swans of Gorbelgod · Turtle-fish
Dragon-kind:  Sea-serpents · Spark-dragons · Were-worms
Evil Races:  Ettens · Giants · Half-trolls · Hobgoblins · Ogres · Snow-trolls · Two-headed Trolls
Other:  Badger-folk · Great beasts · Lintips · Mewlips · Nameless things · Spectres
Individuals:  Talking Gurthang · Talking purse · The Hunter · Lady of the Sun · Lonely Troll · Man in the Moon · The Rider · River-woman · Tarlang · Tim · Tom · White cow