Iceland in Tolkien's Work?

[davem]

Originally Posted by Kath

Ah, well, that's not entirely true according to some of those who live there. Many people still believe in 'the little people', and have done for a long time. In fact the belief is so strong that when roads were built they made sure not to build them over where the little people lived for fear that if they did it would cause these legends to become angry with them.

And there are episodes in the sagas where individuals fight trolls, Elves & ghosts. 'Ghosts' are interesting in Scandinavian lore, as they have a physical presence & engage in combat with heroes (Grettir fights trolls & breaks into a barrow to steal grave goods. He has to fight the ghost of the inhabitant, & defeats him in the traditional way - beheading the ghost & placing its head between its buttocks.

Clearly there was a belief right from the start that Iceland was inhabited by supernatural beings, & that they had to be respected or combatted.