Wormtongue: Birth of an orcfather?

[Cazoz]

So I don't see Wormtongue evolving into a mythological Orc. Instead, I see him evolving into __________________ who is very much present in our modern world. (You fill in the blank with the name of your choice.)

Erm, Tony Blair?

But seriously, I just think Wormtongue's demeanour and physical deformities are the result of years of mental degradation, which in the same vein as stress, will eventually transcend into physical degradation.
I wouldn't use Gollum as a comparison, but just as he was once of Hobbit kin and would have resembled one, the evil of the Ring slowly extended its contamination from his mind to his body. And this process of aesthetical change could be similarly applied to Grima.
I think Saruman's voice/power, what have you, would have the same effect on Wormtongue.
Tolkien generally goes by the adage of 'What goes around, comes around' and people closely remembling their nature and characteristics. And I think Wormtongue is a pathetic, corrupted man and over time his appearance has morphed to reflect this.

[ September 16, 2002: Message edited by: Cazoz ]