Werewolves: Difference between revisions
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{{disambig-more|Wolf|[[Wolf (disambiguation)]]}}[[Image:The White Council - Werewolf.jpg|thumb|250px|Werewolf sketch from [[The Lord of the Rings: The White Council]] game]] | {{disambig-more|Wolf|[[Wolf (disambiguation)]]}}[[Image:The White Council - Werewolf.jpg|thumb|250px|Werewolf sketch from [[The Lord of the Rings: The White Council]] game]] | ||
'''Werewolves''' were servants of [[Morgoth]], bred from [[Wolves|wolf]] and inhabited by dreadful spirits (fallen lesser [[Maiar]] or [[fëar]] of [[Orcs]]). | '''Werewolves''' ([[Sindarin|Sind.]] sing., ''[[gaur]]'', pl. ''gaurhoth'')<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref><ref>{{S|Appendix}}</ref> were servants of [[Morgoth]], bred from [[Wolves|wolf]] and inhabited by dreadful spirits (fallen lesser [[Maiar]] or [[fëar]] of [[Orcs]]). | ||
They were created (or a least corrupted from some other form) by [[Sauron]], who was their master, and who took the shape of a great [[Wolves|wolf]] himself at least once | They were created (or a least corrupted from some other form) by [[Sauron]], who was their master, and who took the shape of a great [[Wolves|wolf]] himself at least once. | ||
The first werewolf was [[Draugluin]], and the greatest was [[Carcharoth]], the guardian of [[Angband]], a descendant of Draugluin as all other werewolves were. | The first werewolf was [[Draugluin]], and the greatest was [[Carcharoth]], the guardian of [[Angband]], a descendant of Draugluin as all other werewolves were. | ||
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The name ''werewolf'' appears to have been chosen because they were in essence sentient (but evil), and thus had a status beyond that of normal wolves. The element "were-" is a Germanic term that refers to humans. It suggests a shapeshifting creature of modern-day folktales such as [[Wikipedia:wererat|wererat]]. | The name ''werewolf'' appears to have been chosen because they were in essence sentient (but evil), and thus had a status beyond that of normal wolves. The element "were-" is a Germanic term that refers to humans. It suggests a shapeshifting creature of modern-day folktales such as [[Wikipedia:wererat|wererat]]. | ||
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Revision as of 15:46, 17 October 2010
Werewolves (Sind. sing., gaur, pl. gaurhoth)[1][2] were servants of Morgoth, bred from wolf and inhabited by dreadful spirits (fallen lesser Maiar or fëar of Orcs).
They were created (or a least corrupted from some other form) by Sauron, who was their master, and who took the shape of a great wolf himself at least once.
The first werewolf was Draugluin, and the greatest was Carcharoth, the guardian of Angband, a descendant of Draugluin as all other werewolves were.
It is probable that the Wargs of the Third Age were descended from the werewolves, as these wolves could speak, suggesting they had fëar. Another possibility is that Sauron attempted to recreate the werewolves after his return to Middle-earth, and that the Wargs were the result.
Etymology
The Middle-earth werewolves were not shapeshifters like the Werewolves of European folk culture.
The name werewolf appears to have been chosen because they were in essence sentient (but evil), and thus had a status beyond that of normal wolves. The element "were-" is a Germanic term that refers to humans. It suggests a shapeshifting creature of modern-day folktales such as wererat.
References
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Index of Names"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Appendix: Elements in Quenya and Sindarin Names"
| Wolves | |
| Individuals: | Carcharoth · Draugluin · Hound of Sauron · (Wolf-Sauron) |
|---|---|
| Races: | Wargs · Werewolves · White Wolves |
