Orc
Orc is a word used to refer to various tough and warlike humanoid creatures in various fantasy settings, particularly in the stories of Middle-earth written by J. R. R. Tolkien and derivative fictions. Ogre and Goblin are sometimes used as synonyms or refer to similar creatures within fiction, however hostorically the Orc shares little in common with either.
Description
Orcs are often portrayed as misshapen humanoids with brutal, warmongering, sadistic, yet cowardly tendencies, although some sources portray them as a proud warrior race with a strong sense of honour. They are variously portrayed as physically stronger or weaker than humans, but always high in numbers. They often ride wolves or wargs. In many role-playing and computer games, though not in Tolkien's works, Orcs have green skin (earning the name "Greenskins" in most games) and have faces that resemble a cross between a pig and a primate.
Etymology
The modern use of the English word "orc" to denote a race of evil, humanoid creatures begins with J.R.R. Tolkien. Tolkien's earliest elvish dictionaries include the entry "Ork (orq-) monster, ogre, demon" together with "orqindi ogresse." Tolkien sometimes used the plural form orqui in his early texts. In Tolkien's own recollections, he discussed the origin of orc as following:
- "the word is as far as I am concerned actually derived from Old English orc 'demon', but only because of its phonetic suitability"[1]
- "I originally took the word from Old English orc (Beowulf 112 orc-neas and the gloss orc = þyrs ('ogre'), heldeofol ('hell-devil'). This is supposed not to be connected with modern English orc, ork, a name applied to various sea-beasts of the dolphin order."[2]
- "The word used in translation of Q urko, S orch is Orc. But that is because of the similarity of the ancient English word orc, 'evil spirit or bogey', to the Elvish words. There is possibly no connection between them. The English word is now generally supposed to be derived from Latin Orcus."[3]
Tolkien sometimes, particularly in The Hobbit, used the word "goblin" instead of "orc" to describe the same type of creature.[4] It should be noted that in more classical settings, goblins are hardly seen as human-size and warrior-like, but are rather smaller and more mischevious like pixies. In more modern traditions, goblins and orcs have come closer in meaning and are at times interchangible.
Literary Representations
At least one other major author used orcs in their writings before Tolkien (not including the use of goblins: See Goblin article) and that was the British poet William Blake. Unlike the medieval sea beast, or Basile's (see above) & Tolkien's humanoid monster, Blake's Orc is a positive figure; the embodiment of creative passion and energy, Orc being an anagram of Cor, heart.
In Tolkien's writing, Orcs are of human shape, but smaller than Men, ugly, and filthy. In a private letter, Tolkien describes them as "squat, broad, flat-nosed, sallow-skinned, with wide mouths and slant eyes".[5] Although not dim-witted, they are portrayed as dull and miserable beings, who are only able to destroy, not to create.
Orcs are first described in The Tale of Tinúviel as "foul broodlings of Melko [sic] who fared abroad doing his evil work." In The Fall of Gondolin Tolkien wrote that "all that race were bred by Melko of the subterranean heats and slime. Their hearts were of granite and their bodies deformed; foul their faces which smiled not, but their laugh that of the clash of metal, and to nothing were they more fain than to aid in the basest of the purposes of Melko."
Orcs eat all manner of flesh, including human. In some versions of his stories, Tolkien conceived Orcs to be marred Elves, enslaved by Morgoth, broken and twisted into his evil soldiers. Other versions (including notes made both early and late in Tolkien's life) have Orcs as 'parodies' or false-creations of Morgoth's that are animated solely by his evil will (or, perhaps, by his own essence diffused into each), and made intentionally to mock or spite Eru's creations — the Eldar and Edain.
Tolkien also "suggested" that Men were cross-bred with Orcs under Morgoth's lieutenant, Sauron (and possibly under Morgoth himself). The fierce black orcs known as Uruks were created in this way. The process was later repeated during the War of the Ring by Saruman, enabling him to create the "fighting" Uruk-Hai.
Pop Culture
In the early eighties new interest in the works of Tolkien coincidened with the beginnings of a fantasy sub-culture that included literature, films, television shows, role-playing and video games. Tolkien's impact on this movement can be seen in how much is bored from his tales of middle-earth, particularly the idea of orcs. In the popular role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons a major character, Warhammer, is indeitifiable to an orc.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
External links
- 9 milestones in orcs history. Wired magazine article
- Words at Random:The Maven's word of the day: Orc
- Orcs History in Russian
- RPG.NET Article about Orcs
- Za Frûmi
- The origin of "Orkney"
- Orc Roleplaying Community Site
- Orc Magazine (Orc Parody)
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