William: Difference between revisions

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{{evil infobox
{{evil infobox
| image=[[Image:William.jpg|250px]]
| image=[[File:Liz Danforth - William.jpg|250px]]
| name=William Huggins
| name=William Huggins
| othernames="Bill"
| othernames="Bill"
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| appearance=Large, brutish
| appearance=Large, brutish
| accomplishments=Almost killed [[Thorin and Company]]
| accomplishments=Almost killed [[Thorin and Company]]
|}}
}}
'''William Huggins''', also known as '''Bill''', was with [[Tom]] and [[Bert]], one of the three trolls encountered by [[Bilbo Baggins]] and the [[Dwarves]] on their eastward journey to the [[Lonely Mountain]].  
'''William Huggins''', also known as '''Bill''', was with [[Tom]] and [[Bert]], one of the three trolls encountered by [[Bilbo Baggins]] and the [[Dwarves]] on their eastward journey to the [[Lonely Mountain]].  



Revision as of 18:19, 9 July 2012

William Huggins
Troll (probably Stone-troll[1])
Liz Danforth - William.jpg
Biographical Information
Other names"Bill"
Physical Description
RaceTroll (probably Stone-troll[1])
GenderMale
GalleryImages of William Huggins

William Huggins, also known as Bill, was with Tom and Bert, one of the three trolls encountered by Bilbo Baggins and the Dwarves on their eastward journey to the Lonely Mountain.

History

Bill seems to have been the leader of the troll-band - at least, it was he who led them to the woodlands of Trollshaws, according to his companions. It was William's pocket that Bilbo Baggins tried to pick as his first act of "burglary", an attempt that brought the entire expedition close to disaster. Luckily, Gandalf was able to trick William and his two companions into arguing together until sunrise, whereupon they all turned to stone.[2]

Etymology

Following Tolkien's use of modern names, logically "William Huggins" would be a "translation" of the troll's "real", Westron name, which is not recorded.[source?]

Inspiration

There was a real historical figure named William Huggins, a pioneering astronomer of the mid-nineteenth century, though there is no apparent reason that Tolkien based his foul-mouthed troll on this noted scientist.

Portrayal in adaptations

1968: The Hobbit (1968 radio series):

The Trolls are encountered in the second episode, "Out of the Frying-pan into the Fire". Brian Haines plays Bert, Victor Lucas Bill, and Francis de Wolff Tom. The scene is taken verbatim from the book.

1979: The Hobbit (1979 radio series):

The troll's scene is adapted without alterations. No actors are credited for the individual parts of the three trolls.

1982: The Hobbit (1982 video game):

The three trolls are the first obstacle encountered after leaving Bag End.

1982-97: Middle-earth Role Playing:

William is a member of the Hugath tribe of Stone Trolls of the Trollshaw. In Hobbit lore he is known as "William Huggins", while his real name is Wûluag Hugath.[3]

1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:

William is playable both as an Hazard Creature and as a Minion. The troll is also given the MERP variant name, Wûluag.
File:Tom Bert Bill.jpg
Bert, Tom and Bill, turned to stone (The Lord of the Rings Online)

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

Aragorn and the Hobbits rest at the petrified Trolls after Frodo is stabbed by the Witch-king.

2003: The Hobbit (2003 video game):

Bert, Bill and Tom are the first bosses of the game, though they cannot be fought. Bilbo has to sneak around the Trolls, waiting for them to turn or walk away.

2007: The Lord of the Rings Online:

Bert, Tom and Bill, turned to stone, can be found in the wilderness of the Trollshaws.

References