Giants and Ogres?
 

So what do you guys think about the subject of Ogres and Giants? Personally I believe there is enough evidence to support the fact that they exist in middle earth, but I'd like to hear someone else's opinion

I've also wondered about this. In the Hobbit, Bilbo mentions Stone Giants hurling rocks during the storm in the Misty Mountains. Whether they are a metaphor, or really giants is up for debate; since they are not mentioned elsewere in Tolkien's works(that I am aware of).

I believe that Gandalf mentions using a Stone Giant's rock to stop up the Goblin cave at the end of The Hobbit.

Yes, I quite remember both those parts from The Hobbit. It would seem there are giants. Now, what about ogres? Is it possible that instead of using the term ogre, he used giants instead?

i've always read that part in the hobbit and wondered where else they appeared. i don't think they do.

glirdan, i think giant are really tall peole, ogers are evil, really talk/buff/mean beasts. i wouldn't think that giants and ogers could be used interchangably

A previous Giant Thread

Hope that thread can add to your discussion :)

Rats in the pipe
 

I've always made the assumption, although it is completely improvable, that Giants (mainly stone giants) were another breed of Troll. Perhaps ones that looked more 'man-like'. Perhaps Sauron's attempt at a mockery of mankind in his Tolls. It seems to be the only thing, to my mind, that would fit in Middle Earth.

actually i think it says somewhere that trolls were make in mockery of ents, but they are obviously weaker (stone in daylight, not as strong, not as smart, etc.).

Giants are also mentioned in Sam and Ted's conversation at the Green Dragon in Book I, Chapter II.

If giants appeared only in The Hobbit, I would say that this is a fairy-tale embellishment by Tolkien (similar to the cockney trolls) and not to be taken seriously when considering Middle-earth proper. But, the reference in LOTR changes all that. Then again, as far as I know, giants are never again mentioned or alluded to in the slightest way in any of Tolkien's other writings.

Ogres are, I believe, never mentioned in any of Tolkien's writings.