Hobgoblins - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Burzdol · 02-03-2004, 06:54 PM

I am rereading the Hobbit, and it says something in the chapter "Queer Lodgings" about hobgoblins in the Misty Mountains. I don't think any one has asked or discussed this yet, so info would be nice.

Lord of Angmar · 02-03-2004, 06:55 PM

Probably just another name for or certain breed of orcs.

Burzdol · 02-03-2004, 06:58 PM

That's what I had thought, but Gandalf makes it sound like it's a different species completely.

Kransha · 02-03-2004, 06:59 PM

Hobgoblins are apparently a larger sect of orcs. More primitive, less intelligent, stronger than most Misty mountain orcs, but not as strong as uruk-hai, while lacking in intellect. Hobgoblin technically means "big goblin".

Kalimac · 02-04-2004, 01:21 AM

Strange - I always pictured hobgoblins as being tinier than usual. Probably because they share a first syllable with hobbits...

Armetiel · 02-04-2004, 01:41 AM

^suddenly pictures a mixture between a hobbit and an orc...nope not good, not good at all...

burrahobbit · 02-04-2004, 01:55 PM

There is a note in the front of The Hobbit that talks about the relationship between Goblins, Hobgoblins, and Orcs. It is of the sort that one would have with oneself.

Angry Brandybuck · 02-04-2004, 02:53 PM

FUnny you should mention the similarity of 'hobgoblin' with 'hobbit'. When he was 'inventing' hobbits didn't Tolkien look at the seven things that would come before it in the dictionary and make a combination of those seven things.

I also thought of Hobgoblins as small a sneaky, but thats because the beer 'Hobgoblin' has a picture of a small, sneaky creature on the bottle.

Kransha · 02-04-2004, 03:25 PM

Found a helpful quote.

Quote:

Orc is not an English word. It occurs in one or two places but is usually translated goblin (or hobgoblin for the larger kinds

-Preface to The Hobbit

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 02-04-2004, 04:24 PM

Quote:

When he was 'inventing' hobbits didn't Tolkien look at the seven things that would come before it in the dictionary and make a combination of those seven things.

No.

Quote:

All I remember about the start of The Hobbit is sitting correcting School Certificate papers in the everlasting weariness of that annual task forced on impecunious academics with children. On a blank leaf I scrawled: 'In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.' I did not and do not know why.

Letter #163

Silmiel of Imladris · 02-04-2004, 04:42 PM

Just kind of a cool side note that I learned in one of my high school english classes. Hobgoblin not only is a orc creature but it is also a term for fears. For example, one of my hobgoblins is scorpions. Weird this word goes that deep.

Armetiel · 02-04-2004, 04:48 PM

^or perhaps as Bilbo would say "One of my hobgoblins is hobgoblins." [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Iaurhirwen · 02-04-2004, 10:56 PM

Whoa, my brain hurts from reading that one. But maybe thats simply because its 12:00 at night.

Anyhoo . . . . .
Through what little I've read of Norse, and this one old computer game I used to play when I was younger, Hobgoblins were similar to a normal goblin except they were bigger, fiercer, more intelligent, and more skilled in the use of weapons. (In the game they were harder to kill than the regular goblins [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] )

02-03-2004, 06:55 PM	#2
Lord of Angmar Tyrannus Incorporalis Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: the North Posts: 833	Probably just another name for or certain breed of orcs. __________________ ...where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own defence.

02-03-2004, 06:58 PM	#3
Burzdol Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The Fair City of Rivendell Posts: 276	That's what I had thought, but Gandalf makes it sound like it's a different species completely. __________________ "Kill them all for all I care. You just keep that bow away from me!"

02-03-2004, 06:59 PM	#4
Kransha Ubiquitous Urulóki Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: The port of Mars, where Famine, Sword, and Fire, leash'd in like hounds, crouch for employment Posts: 747	Hobgoblins are apparently a larger sect of orcs. More primitive, less intelligent, stronger than most Misty mountain orcs, but not as strong as uruk-hai, while lacking in intellect. Hobgoblin technically means "big goblin". __________________ "What mortal feels not awe/Nor trembles at our name, Hearing our fate-appointed power sublime/Fixed by the eternal law. For old our office, and our fame," -Aeschylus, Song of the Furies

02-04-2004, 01:21 AM	#5
Kalimac Candle of the Marshes Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Flyover Country Posts: 780	Strange - I always pictured hobgoblins as being tinier than usual. Probably because they share a first syllable with hobbits... __________________ Father, dear Father, if you see fit, We'll send my love to college for one year yet Tie blue ribbons all about his head, To let the ladies know that he's married.

02-04-2004, 01:41 AM	#6
Armetiel Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 74	^suddenly pictures a mixture between a hobbit and an orc...nope not good, not good at all... __________________ "Love the Lord with all your heart, with all your strength, and with all your soul." Deuteronomy 6:5

02-03-2004, 06:54 PM	#1
Burzdol Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: The Fair City of Rivendell Posts: 276	Hobgoblins I am rereading the Hobbit, and it says something in the chapter "Queer Lodgings" about hobgoblins in the Misty Mountains. I don't think any one has asked or discussed this yet, so info would be nice. __________________ "Kill them all for all I care. You just keep that bow away from me!"

02-04-2004, 01:55 PM	#7
burrahobbit Hidden Spirit Join Date: May 2000 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,436	There is a note in the front of The Hobbit that talks about the relationship between Goblins, Hobgoblins, and Orcs. It is of the sort that one would have with oneself. __________________ What's a burrahobbit got to do with my pocket, anyways?

02-04-2004, 02:53 PM	#8
Angry Brandybuck Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wotton-on-the-Edge Posts: 86	FUnny you should mention the similarity of 'hobgoblin' with 'hobbit'. When he was 'inventing' hobbits didn't Tolkien look at the seven things that would come before it in the dictionary and make a combination of those seven things. I also thought of Hobgoblins as small a sneaky, but thats because the beer 'Hobgoblin' has a picture of a small, sneaky creature on the bottle. __________________ The pain of war cannot exceed the woe of aftermath, The drums will shake the castle wall, the ring wraiths ride in black, Ride on.

02-04-2004, 04:42 PM	#11
Silmiel of Imladris Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Looking into a crystal ball- still see nothing Posts: 395	Just kind of a cool side note that I learned in one of my high school english classes. Hobgoblin not only is a orc creature but it is also a term for fears. For example, one of my hobgoblins is scorpions. Weird this word goes that deep. __________________ Legolas 20 ales later: I feel something, a slight tingling in my fingers. I think it's affecting me. Figwit on his name: Are you suggesting that I have the wit of a fig?

02-04-2004, 04:48 PM	#12
Armetiel Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 74	^or perhaps as Bilbo would say "One of my hobgoblins is hobgoblins." [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] __________________ "Love the Lord with all your heart, with all your strength, and with all your soul." Deuteronomy 6:5

02-04-2004, 10:56 PM	#13
Iaurhirwen Wight Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: In the theatre!!SHOWTIME!!!! Posts: 217	Whoa, my brain hurts from reading that one. But maybe thats simply because its 12:00 at night. Anyhoo . . . . . Through what little I've read of Norse, and this one old computer game I used to play when I was younger, Hobgoblins were similar to a normal goblin except they were bigger, fiercer, more intelligent, and more skilled in the use of weapons. (In the game they were harder to kill than the regular goblins [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] ) __________________ "Will somebody find my pants?" - "What do you do with a drunkin sailor?" - "You have a giant mole!!!!" - "Tom!! Get out of the Girls's dressing room!" "But she asked me to help find her pants!!" - - - opening night chaos