Were-worms: Difference between revisions

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[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] only ever mentions Were-worms once, in the quote given above, so we know almost nothing about them. We cannot even be certain that they actually existed — the [[Hobbits]] had a rich folklore full of fantastic creatures, and Were-worms quite possibly fall into that category.
[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] only ever mentions Were-worms once, in the quote given above, so we know almost nothing about them. We cannot even be certain that they actually existed — the [[Hobbits]] had a rich folklore full of fantastic creatures, and Were-worms quite possibly fall into that category.
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
Though the name "were-worm" suggests a shapeshifting creature like the werewolf of modern-day folktales, that might not be the case in Tolkien's [[legendarium]]. In [[Middle-earth]], "[[Werewolves]]", such as [[Draugluin]], were horrific, supernatural wolves of enormous size, but they did not shapechage. Thus Were-worms, if they did exist, could be a bizarre type of Dragon, though this must remain in the realm of speculation.
The element "were-" is a Germanic term that refers to humans. It suggests a shapeshifting creature like the werewolf of modern-day folktales. In [[Middle-earth]], "[[Werewolves]]", such as [[Draugluin]], did not shapechange and the name perhaps refers to the size and intelligence.  
 
Thus Were-worms, if they did exist, could be a human-like type of Dragon, though this must remain in the realm of speculation.


[[Category:Creatures]]
[[Category:Creatures]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]
[[Category:Characters in The Hobbit]]

Revision as of 13:04, 9 January 2009

"Tell me what you want done, and I will try it, if I have to walk from here to the East of East and fight the wild Were-worms in the Last Desert."
Bilbo Baggins, from The Hobbit, "An Unexpected Party"

Were-worms were creatures of an unknown kind, possibly mythical and presumably related to Dragons, that were said to dwell in the Last Desert.

Tolkien only ever mentions Were-worms once, in the quote given above, so we know almost nothing about them. We cannot even be certain that they actually existed — the Hobbits had a rich folklore full of fantastic creatures, and Were-worms quite possibly fall into that category.

Etymology

The element "were-" is a Germanic term that refers to humans. It suggests a shapeshifting creature like the werewolf of modern-day folktales. In Middle-earth, "Werewolves", such as Draugluin, did not shapechange and the name perhaps refers to the size and intelligence.

Thus Were-worms, if they did exist, could be a human-like type of Dragon, though this must remain in the realm of speculation.