Fantasy before Tolkien - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Olorin_TLA · 12-28-2003, 06:04 PM

Elves, Dwarves, Trolls and Dwarves all existed in myths and folklore (most recognisable in Norse when comparing to Middle-earth), but certainly Tolkien's versions are unique, except the Dragons, whihc like all Dragons are terrifying, deadly monsters. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Balrogs are his own, as are Hobbits and Ents (Ent is Old English for Giant, but the whole walking tree thing is his (well, in the way he used it: I'm positive that there exist, somewhere, myths about a walking tree, or more than 1); Orks are also his, though inspired by folklore's goblins - but once again, the change between those goblins and his is as big as the chnage between folklore's dwarfs, elfs and trolls, and his dwarves, elves and trolls.

[img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

12-28-2003, 06:04 PM	#3
Olorin_TLA Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Gardens of Lórien, Valinor. Posts: 420	Elves, Dwarves, Trolls and Dwarves all existed in myths and folklore (most recognisable in Norse when comparing to Middle-earth), but certainly Tolkien's versions are unique, except the Dragons, whihc like all Dragons are terrifying, deadly monsters. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] Balrogs are his own, as are Hobbits and Ents (Ent is Old English for Giant, but the whole walking tree thing is his (well, in the way he used it: I'm positive that there exist, somewhere, myths about a walking tree, or more than 1); Orks are also his, though inspired by folklore's goblins - but once again, the change between those goblins and his is as big as the chnage between folklore's dwarfs, elfs and trolls, and his dwarves, elves and trolls. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ "For I am Olórin! And Olórin means me!" ELENDIL! - Join "Forth Tolkiengas!"