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{{rohirrim infobox
{{rohirrim infobox
| image=[[Image:John Alvin - Untitled (Theoden and Wormtongue).jpg|250px]]
| image=[[File:John Alvin - Untitled (Theoden and Wormtongue).jpg|250px]]
| name=Gríma Wormtongue
| name=Gríma
| othernames=
| pronun=
| othernames=''Wormtongue''
| titles=
| position=King's Advisor
| position=King's Advisor
| noinline=
| location=
| birth=  
| affiliation=[[Saruman]]
| rule=  
| language=
| death= [[November 3]], [[Third Age 3019]].
| birth=
| gender=Male
| birthlocation=
| description=Tall, dark hair
| rule=
| death=[[3 November]] {{TA|3019}}
| deathlocation=[[Bag End]]
| age=
| notablefor=
| house=
| parentage=[[Gálmód]]
| parentage=[[Gálmód]]
| siblings=
| spouse=
| spouse=
| children=
| children=
|}}
| gender=Male
| height=Tall{{fact}}
| hair=Dark{{fact}}
| eyes=Dark<ref name=Golden/>
| clothing=
| weapons=Knife
| steed=
}}
'''Gríma Wormtongue''' (died [[Third Age]] November 3, 3019)<ref>{{App|B4}}</ref> was the chief advisor to King [[Théoden]] of [[Rohan]]. He was the son of [[Gálmód]].<ref name=Golden/>  
'''Gríma Wormtongue''' (died [[Third Age]] November 3, 3019)<ref>{{App|B4}}</ref> was the chief advisor to King [[Théoden]] of [[Rohan]]. He was the son of [[Gálmód]].<ref name=Golden/>  


==History==
==History==
Gríma was secretly in thrall to [[Saruman]], and worked to weaken Théoden and his kingdom. Upon [[Gandalf]]'s arrival, "many things which men had missed" were found locked in his trunk and he was given a grim choice: ride into battle or into exile.<ref name=Golden>{{TT|III6}}</ref> Choosing the latter, he went to dwell with Saruman at [[Orthanc]]. Saruman had cause to regret this when, following the confrontation between Saruman and Gandalf, he mistakenly threw a "heavy rock"&mdash;which was actually the ''[[palantíri|palantír]]'' of Orthanc&mdash;at the [[Rohirrim]] accompanying Gandalf, an act for which Saruman seems to have punished him severely.<ref>{{TT|III10}}</ref>
Gríma was secretly in thrall to [[Saruman]], who had promised him [[Éowyn]]. Gríma not only informed Saruman about the secrets of [[Rohan]], but also worked to weaken Théoden and his kingdom with his words and poison.
 
During the [[War of the Ring]], the Nine [[Nazgûl]] came to Rohan and questioned Wormtongue, who, terrified, answered that the [[Wizards|Wizard]] [[Gandalf]] had passed through Rohan, and also revealed to them where the [[The Shire|Shire]] was. He also told them that Saruman had lied to them in this information, revealing his treachery against [[Sauron]].<ref>{{UT|Hunt}}</ref>
 
Upon [[Gandalf]]'s arrival, he tried to discredit Gandalf, until he managed to heal Théoden. After this, "many things which men had missed" were found locked in Gríma's trunk and he was given a grim choice: ride into battle or into exile.<ref name=Golden>{{TT|III6}}</ref> Choosing the latter, he went to dwell with Saruman at [[Orthanc]], where he witnessed the [[Battle of Isengard]]. Following the confrontation between Saruman and Gandalf, he mistakenly threw a "heavy rock"&mdash;which was actually the ''[[palantíri|palantír]]'' [[Orthanc-stone|of Orthanc]]&mdash;at the [[Rohirrim]] accompanying Gandalf, an act for which Saruman seems to have punished him severely.<ref>{{TT|III10}}</ref>
[[File:Ted Nasmith - Saruman is Overtaken.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ted Nasmith]] - ''Saruman is Overtaken'']]
While being held there, he was reduced more weak and thin. When [[Treebeard]] released them in August, they left. On their way, they were confronted by Gandalf, [[Celeborn]], [[Galadriel]] and the Hobbits on their way to northern [[Dunland]]. They found them as traveling beggars and Saruman kicked Gríma to move on, as he exclaimed how he hated his master. Galadriel told Gríma that he was free to leave him but he did not reply.<ref>{{RK|Partings}}</ref>


He then accompanied Saruman to [[the Shire]], where the two sought revenge in petty tyranny over the hobbits (though Saruman had already been exerting control from afar by sending evil Men to the Shire). During this time he became increasingly degraded until he was a crawling wretch, almost resembling [[Gollum]], and Saruman shortened his nickname to "Worm". During this time he killed [[Lotho Sackville-Baggins]], and may have eaten him.<ref name=RKVI8>{{RK|VI8}}</ref>
Saruman had already been exerting his control over the Shire from afar by sending [[ruffians|evil Men]] there, thus Saruman sought his revenge in petty tyranny over the hobbits. During this time Gríma became increasingly degraded until he was a crawling wretch, almost resembling [[Gollum]], and Saruman shortened his nickname to "Worm". During this time he killed [[Lotho Sackville-Baggins]], and may have eaten him.<ref name=RKVI8>{{RK|VI8}}</ref>


Spurred by the words of [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] that he did not have to follow Saruman, and being pushed over the edge when Saruman scorned him, he used a hidden knife to slit the throat of [[Saruman]] and darted down the road. He was quickly killed by several Hobbit arrows.<ref name=RKVI8/>
Spurred by the words of [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]] that he did not have to follow Saruman, and being pushed over the edge when Saruman scorned him, he used a hidden knife to slit the throat of [[Saruman]] and darted down the road. He was quickly killed by several Hobbit arrows, and thus Wormtongue was the final casualty of the War of the Ring.<ref name=RKVI8/>


==Etymology==
==Etymology==
Line 30: Line 51:


== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
== Portrayal in Adaptations ==
[[Image:Ralph Bakshi's Gríma Wormtongue.jpg|thumb|right|Gríma Wormtongue as portrayed in [[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings]]]]
 
[[Image:Peter Jackson's Gríma Wormtongue.jpg|thumb|[[Brad Dourif]] as Gríma Wormtongue in [[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]]]
{{Gallery
|title=Gríma in adaptations
|height=150
|width=200
|lines=2
|File:The Lord of the Rings (1978 film) - Gríma Wormtongue.jpg|Gríma Wormtongue in [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings (film series) - Gríma Wormtongue.jpg|Gríma Wormtongue in [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]
|File:The Lord of the Rings Online - Gríma Wormtongue.jpg|Gríma Wormtongue in ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
|File:Lego The Lord of the Rings (video game) - Gríma Wormtongue.png|Gríma Wormtongue in ''[[Lego The Lord of the Rings: The Video Game]]''
}}
'''1956: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1956 radio series)]]'':'''
'''1956: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1956 radio series)]]'':'''
:[[Bernard Rebel]] played Gríma.
:[[Bernard Rebel]] played Gríma.


'''1978: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)]]'':'''
'''1978: [[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]:'''
:Gríma Wormtongue was voiced by [[Michael Deacon]].
:Gríma Wormtongue was voiced by [[Michael Deacon]].


'''1979: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)]]'':'''
'''1979: [[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''
:[[John Vickery]] played Gríma.
:[[John Vickery]] played Gríma.
'''1981: ''[[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)]]'':'''
'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''
:[[Paul Brooke]] played Gríma.
:[[Paul Brooke]] played Gríma.  He is introduced much earlier than in the book in excerpts from [[The Hunt for the Ring]] when he is questioned by the Nazgul on his way to Isengard.  His death at Bag End is also included in the final episode.


'''2001-3: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]'':'''
'''2001-03: [[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (film series)]]:'''
:Gríma is played by [[Brad Dourif]]. The reason for Gríma's pale and emaciated appearance in the movie is not entirely clear. Perhaps it is meant to suggest that by throwing in his lot with Saruman he has started down the same path to physical and mental corruption that caused Gollum to become a twisted parody of his original self, although it is just as likely that Jackson simply wanted to make it clear that Wormtongue was one of the "bad guys" in the large and confusing cast of characters.
:Gríma is played by [[Brad Dourif]]. The reason for Gríma's pale and emaciated appearance in the movie is not entirely clear. Perhaps it is meant to suggest that by throwing in his lot with Saruman he has started down the same path to physical and mental corruption that caused Gollum to become a twisted parody of his original self, although it is just as likely that Jackson simply wanted to make it clear that Wormtongue was one of the "bad guys" in the large and confusing cast of characters.


:The events of "[[The Scouring of the Shire]]" do not appear in the film version, so Saruman's death was moved to an earlier scene. Other than the location, the manner of their deaths is very much the same. As in the book, Gríma kills Saruman, but by stabbing him in the back, not slitting his throat. Saruman's body then falls from the tower and is impaled on a spiked wheel, a remnant of his war machine. Gríma himself is shot by an arrow fired by Legolas, thereby mirroring his death in the book. This scene was to have included a line where Saruman blamed Gríma for killing [[Théodred]], replacing Lotho in the context of that scene, but the line was cut out.
:The events of "[[The Scouring of the Shire]]" do not appear in the film version, so Saruman's death was moved to an earlier scene. Other than the location, which was moved to the tower of [[Orthanc]], the manner of their deaths is very much the same. As in the book, Gríma kills Saruman, but by stabbing him in the back, not slitting his throat. Saruman's body then falls from the tower and is impaled on a spiked wheel, one of the remnants of his war machines. Gríma himself is shot by an arrow fired by Legolas, thereby mirroring his death in the book. This scene was to have included a line where Saruman blamed Gríma for killing [[Théodred]], replacing Lotho in the context of that scene, but the line was cut out.
 
'''2007-: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:Gríma Wormtongue, having the skill Seeds of Doubt, appears in the instance quest The Wizard's Vale.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.tentonhammer.com/node/193712/page/2|articlename=LotRO's Rise of Isengard: The Road to Level 75, Days 4 & 5 - Page 2|dated=5 October 2011|website=[http://www.tentonhammer.com/lotro Tentonhammer.com]|accessed=9 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://lotro.allakhazam.com/db/bestiary.html?lotrmob=7509|articlename=Grima Wormtongue (Player)|dated=|website=[http://lotro.allakhazam.com/ Lotro.allakhazam.com/]|accessed=9 March 2013}}</ref>


'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:[[Kirk Thornton]] played Gríma.
:Kirk Thornton did the voicework of Gríma.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0861558/|articlename=Kirk Thornton|dated=|website=[http://www.imdb.com/ IMDb]|accessed=9 March 2013}}</ref>
 
'''2013: ''[[Lego The Lord of the Rings: The Video Game]]'':'''
:Gríma Wormtongue appears as a minifigure in the video game.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/Gr%C3%ADma_Wormtongue|articlename=Gríma Wormtongue|dated=|website=[http://lego.wikia.com/wiki/LEGO_Wiki Brickipedia]|accessed=9 March 2013}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[:Category:Images of Gríma Wormtongue|Images of Gríma Wormtongue]]
* [[:Category:Images of Gríma|Images of Gríma ]]
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grima}}
{{references}}
{{references}}
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Characters in The Lord of the Rings]]
[[Category:Rohirrim]]
[[Category:Rohirrim]]
[[Category:Third Age characters]]
[[de:Gríma Schlangenzunge]]
[[de:Gríma Schlangenzunge]]
[[fi:Gríma]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hommes/3a/hommes_du_nord/rohirrim/grima]]
[[fr:encyclo/personnages/hommes/3a/hommes_du_nord/rohirrim/grima]]
[[fi:Gríma]]

Revision as of 13:08, 17 July 2015

"...It is a long tale..." — Aragorn
This article or section needs expansion and/or modification. Please help the wiki by expanding it.
Gríma
Rohir
John Alvin - Untitled (Theoden and Wormtongue).jpg
Biographical Information
Other namesWormtongue
PositionKing's Advisor
AffiliationSaruman
Death3 November T.A. 3019
Bag End
Family
ParentageGálmód
Physical Description
GenderMale
HeightTall[source?]
Hair colorDark[source?]
Eye colorDark[1]
WeaponryKnife
GalleryImages of Gríma

Gríma Wormtongue (died Third Age November 3, 3019)[2] was the chief advisor to King Théoden of Rohan. He was the son of Gálmód.[1]

History

Gríma was secretly in thrall to Saruman, who had promised him Éowyn. Gríma not only informed Saruman about the secrets of Rohan, but also worked to weaken Théoden and his kingdom with his words and poison.

During the War of the Ring, the Nine Nazgûl came to Rohan and questioned Wormtongue, who, terrified, answered that the Wizard Gandalf had passed through Rohan, and also revealed to them where the Shire was. He also told them that Saruman had lied to them in this information, revealing his treachery against Sauron.[3]

Upon Gandalf's arrival, he tried to discredit Gandalf, until he managed to heal Théoden. After this, "many things which men had missed" were found locked in Gríma's trunk and he was given a grim choice: ride into battle or into exile.[1] Choosing the latter, he went to dwell with Saruman at Orthanc, where he witnessed the Battle of Isengard. Following the confrontation between Saruman and Gandalf, he mistakenly threw a "heavy rock"—which was actually the palantír of Orthanc—at the Rohirrim accompanying Gandalf, an act for which Saruman seems to have punished him severely.[4]

Ted Nasmith - Saruman is Overtaken

While being held there, he was reduced more weak and thin. When Treebeard released them in August, they left. On their way, they were confronted by Gandalf, Celeborn, Galadriel and the Hobbits on their way to northern Dunland. They found them as traveling beggars and Saruman kicked Gríma to move on, as he exclaimed how he hated his master. Galadriel told Gríma that he was free to leave him but he did not reply.[5]

Saruman had already been exerting his control over the Shire from afar by sending evil Men there, thus Saruman sought his revenge in petty tyranny over the hobbits. During this time Gríma became increasingly degraded until he was a crawling wretch, almost resembling Gollum, and Saruman shortened his nickname to "Worm". During this time he killed Lotho Sackville-Baggins, and may have eaten him.[6]

Spurred by the words of Frodo that he did not have to follow Saruman, and being pushed over the edge when Saruman scorned him, he used a hidden knife to slit the throat of Saruman and darted down the road. He was quickly killed by several Hobbit arrows, and thus Wormtongue was the final casualty of the War of the Ring.[6]

Etymology

The name Gríma derives from the Old English or Icelandic word meaning "mask, visor, helmet" or "spectre".[7][8][9] It is also possible to link the name to the English word "grim", which among other characteristics meant "ugly" in Old English.[10]

Wormtongue is a modernized form of Old English wyrm-tunge ("snake-tongue").[11]

Portrayal in Adaptations

Gríma in adaptations
Gríma Wormtongue in The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)  
Gríma Wormtongue in The Lord of the Rings (film series)  
Gríma Wormtongue in The Lord of the Rings Online  

1956: The Lord of the Rings (1956 radio series):

Bernard Rebel played Gríma.

1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):

Gríma Wormtongue was voiced by Michael Deacon.

1979: The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series):

John Vickery played Gríma.

1981: The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series):

Paul Brooke played Gríma. He is introduced much earlier than in the book in excerpts from The Hunt for the Ring when he is questioned by the Nazgul on his way to Isengard. His death at Bag End is also included in the final episode.

2001-03: The Lord of the Rings (film series):

Gríma is played by Brad Dourif. The reason for Gríma's pale and emaciated appearance in the movie is not entirely clear. Perhaps it is meant to suggest that by throwing in his lot with Saruman he has started down the same path to physical and mental corruption that caused Gollum to become a twisted parody of his original self, although it is just as likely that Jackson simply wanted to make it clear that Wormtongue was one of the "bad guys" in the large and confusing cast of characters.
The events of "The Scouring of the Shire" do not appear in the film version, so Saruman's death was moved to an earlier scene. Other than the location, which was moved to the tower of Orthanc, the manner of their deaths is very much the same. As in the book, Gríma kills Saruman, but by stabbing him in the back, not slitting his throat. Saruman's body then falls from the tower and is impaled on a spiked wheel, one of the remnants of his war machines. Gríma himself is shot by an arrow fired by Legolas, thereby mirroring his death in the book. This scene was to have included a line where Saruman blamed Gríma for killing Théodred, replacing Lotho in the context of that scene, but the line was cut out.

2007-: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Gríma Wormtongue, having the skill Seeds of Doubt, appears in the instance quest The Wizard's Vale.[12][13]

2009: The Lord of the Rings: Conquest:

Kirk Thornton did the voicework of Gríma.[14]

2013: Lego The Lord of the Rings: The Video Game:

Gríma Wormtongue appears as a minifigure in the video game.[15]

See also

References