Goblins, Orcs, and Arwen - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

haste · 04-26-2002, 12:06 PM

Half hobbit: I think your might be mistaken on your theory about the name orc coming exclusively from mordor and goblins are from elsewhere. For in The Sil. it says that orcs where first made at Utumno, and they were even called orcs when they occupied Angband. But I think someone said it best in a previous line that. Goblins were from the Hobbit and orcs are from LOTR. I personally believe that goblin by nature is a less "scary" word then orc and being that "The Hobbit" was more of a childrens book it is only fitting that Tolkien used Goblin instead of orc. And since the first drafts of the Simarillian were found all the way back to 1917 with the word orc in it I feel that the "kid" aspect is the only reason he used Goblin instead of orc.
And while I'm on the subject of child phychology I might as well add this as well. Goblin is a more widely used and defined term then orc, and since The Hobbit being a kids book is aimed at their growing minds Tolkien may of wanted to use the simpliest explanation necessary.

Just my thoughts I guess...

04-26-2002, 12:06 PM	#7
haste Pile O'Bones Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 18	Half hobbit: I think your might be mistaken on your theory about the name orc coming exclusively from mordor and goblins are from elsewhere. For in The Sil. it says that orcs where first made at Utumno, and they were even called orcs when they occupied Angband. But I think someone said it best in a previous line that. Goblins were from the Hobbit and orcs are from LOTR. I personally believe that goblin by nature is a less "scary" word then orc and being that "The Hobbit" was more of a childrens book it is only fitting that Tolkien used Goblin instead of orc. And since the first drafts of the Simarillian were found all the way back to 1917 with the word orc in it I feel that the "kid" aspect is the only reason he used Goblin instead of orc. And while I'm on the subject of child phychology I might as well add this as well. Goblin is a more widely used and defined term then orc, and since The Hobbit being a kids book is aimed at their growing minds Tolkien may of wanted to use the simpliest explanation necessary. Just my thoughts I guess...