Werewolves: Difference between revisions

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{{disambig-more|Wolf|[[Wolf (disambiguation)]]}}[[Image:The White Council - Werewolf.jpg|thumb|250px|Werewolf sketch from [[The Lord of the Rings: The White Council]] game]]
{{disambig-more|Wolf|[[Wolf (disambiguation)]]}}[[Image:The White Council - Werewolf.jpg|thumb|250px|Werewolf sketch from [[The Lord of the Rings: The White Council]] game]]
'''Werewolves''' ([[Sindarin|Sind.]] sing., ''[[gaur]]'', pl. ''gaurhoth'')<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref><ref>{{S|Appendix}}</ref> were servants of [[Morgoth]], bred from [[Wolves|wolf]] and inhabited by dreadful spirits (fallen lesser [[Maiar]] or [[fëar]] of [[Orcs]]).  
'''Werewolves''' ([[Sindarin|Sind.]] sing., ''[[gaur]]'', pl. ''gaurhoth'')<ref>{{S|Index}}</ref><ref>{{S|Appendix}}</ref> were servants of [[Morgoth]], bred in the [[Elder Days]] from [[Wolves|wolf]] and inhabited by dreadful spirits (fallen lesser [[Maiar]] or [[fëar]] of [[Orcs]]).


They were created (or a least corrupted from some other form) by [[Sauron]], who was their master, and who took the shape of a great [[Wolves|wolf]] himself at least once.
They were created (or a least corrupted from some other form) by [[Sauron]], who was their master, and who took the shape of a great [[Wolves|wolf]] himself at least once.
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The first werewolf was [[Draugluin]], and the greatest was [[Carcharoth]], the guardian of [[Angband]], a descendant of Draugluin as all other werewolves were.
The first werewolf was [[Draugluin]], and the greatest was [[Carcharoth]], the guardian of [[Angband]], a descendant of Draugluin as all other werewolves were.


It is probable that the [[Wargs]] of the [[Third Age]] were descended from the werewolves, as these wolves could speak, suggesting they had fëar. Another possibility is that Sauron attempted to recreate the werewolves after his return to Middle-earth, and that the Wargs were the result.
Although not appearing as such in the known written records of [[Arda]] during the [[Second Age|Second]] and [[Third Age|Third]] Ages, Gandalf mentioned the werewolves as being among Sauron's servants in the late Third Age, along with [[orcs]], [[trolls]], [[wargs]], and [[wraiths]].<ref>{{FR|Meetings}}</ref>
==Etymology==
==Etymology==
The Middle-earth werewolves were not shapeshifters like the Werewolves of European folk culture.  
The Middle-earth werewolves were not shapeshifters like the Werewolves of European folk culture.  
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{{references}}
{{references}}
{{wolves}}
{{wolves}}
[[Category:Werewolves| ]]
[[Category:Werewolves| ]]
[[Category:Wolves]]
[[Category:Wolves]]
[[Category:Creatures]]
[[Category:Creatures]]
[[fi:Ihmissudet]]
[[fi:Ihmissudet]]

Revision as of 00:47, 8 November 2010

The name Wolf refers to more than one character, item or concept. For a list of other meanings, see Wolf (disambiguation).

Werewolves (Sind. sing., gaur, pl. gaurhoth)[1][2] were servants of Morgoth, bred in the Elder Days from wolf and inhabited by dreadful spirits (fallen lesser Maiar or fëar of Orcs).

They were created (or a least corrupted from some other form) by Sauron, who was their master, and who took the shape of a great wolf himself at least once.

The first werewolf was Draugluin, and the greatest was Carcharoth, the guardian of Angband, a descendant of Draugluin as all other werewolves were.

Although not appearing as such in the known written records of Arda during the Second and Third Ages, Gandalf mentioned the werewolves as being among Sauron's servants in the late Third Age, along with orcs, trolls, wargs, and wraiths.[3]

Etymology

The Middle-earth werewolves were not shapeshifters like the Werewolves of European folk culture.

The name werewolf appears to have been chosen because they were in essence sentient (but evil), and thus had a status beyond that of normal wolves. The element "were-" is a Germanic term that refers to humans. It suggests a shapeshifting creature of modern-day folktales such as wererat.

References


Wolves
Individuals: Carcharoth · Draugluin · Hound of Sauron · (Wolf-Sauron)
Races: Wargs · Werewolves · White Wolves