Orcs and Goblins! - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Scott · 05-15-2003, 02:52 PM

I believe that it's from the Hobbit, Burra.
And as for the quote, I've always read it interpreting "even the big ones" to be referring to the goblins earlier in the statement, as if they were the same thing. To the best of my knowledge goblin was the first title to orcs that Tolkien used when he first started to form the mythologies; the name orc came along later as a more formal title for the creatures. Also, being that orcs were a new creation of Tolkien's, the pseudonym goblin gave a bit more description to the readers, who most likely would alreay have a view on what a proper goblin should look like.
~Scott

05-15-2003, 02:52 PM	#3
Scott Wight Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ohio/Grey Havens Posts: 183	I believe that it's from the Hobbit, Burra. And as for the quote, I've always read it interpreting "even the big ones" to be referring to the goblins earlier in the statement, as if they were the same thing. To the best of my knowledge goblin was the first title to orcs that Tolkien used when he first started to form the mythologies; the name orc came along later as a more formal title for the creatures. Also, being that orcs were a new creation of Tolkien's, the pseudonym goblin gave a bit more description to the readers, who most likely would alreay have a view on what a proper goblin should look like. ~Scott __________________ Those who the Gods would destroy, They first make mad. ~Those Crazy Greeks