Development Dwarf (Middle-earth)

1 development

1.1 book of lost tales
1.2 hobbit
1.3 lord of rings
1.4 quenta silmarillion
1.5 later silmarillion , last writings
1.6 spelling dwarves

1.6.1 adjectives


1.7 wicked dwarves

development
the book of lost tales

in book of lost tales few dwarves appear portrayed evil beings, employers of orc mercenaries , in conflict elves—who imagined authors of myths, , therefore biased against dwarves. tolkien inspired dwarves of norse myths , dwarves of germanic folklore (such of brothers grimm), whom dwarves take characteristic affinity mining, metalworking, crafting , avarice.

the hobbit

the representation of dwarves evil changed dramatically hobbit. here dwarves became comedic , bumbling, largely seen honourable, serious-minded, still portraying negative characteristics such being gold-hungry, extremely proud , officious. tolkien influenced own selective reading of medieval texts regarding jewish people , history. dwarves characteristics of being dispossessed of homeland (the lonely mountain, ancestral home, goal exiled dwarves seek reclaim), , living among other groups whilst retaining own culture derived medieval image of jews, whilst warlike nature stems accounts in hebrew bible. medieval views of jews saw them having propensity making well-crafted , beautiful things, trait shared norse dwarves. hobbit dwarf-names taken dvergatal or catalogue of dwarves , found in poetic edda. however, more supplying names, catalogue of dwarves appears have inspired tolkien supply meaning , context list of names—that travelled together, , in turn became quest told of in hobbit. dwarves written language represented on maps , in illustrations anglo-saxon runes. dwarf calendar invented hobbit reflects jewish calendar in beginning in late autumn. dwarves taking bilbo out of complacent existence has been seen eloquent metaphor impoverishment of western society without jews .

the lord of rings

gimli, son of gloin


by perrie nicholas smith.

when writing lord of rings tolkien continued many of themes had set in hobbit. when giving dwarves own language (khuzdul) tolkien decided create analogue of semitic language influenced hebrew phonology. medieval jewish groups, dwarves use own language amongst themselves, , adopted languages of live amongst part, example taking public names cultures lived within, whilst keeping true-names , true language secret. along few words in khuzdul, tolkien developed runes of own invention (the cirth), said have been invented elves , later adopted dwarves. tolkien further underlines diaspora of dwarves lost stronghold of mines of moria. in lord of rings, tolkien uses main dwarf character gimli reconcile conflict between elves , dwarves through showing great courtesy galadriel , forming deep friendship legolas, has been seen tolkien s reply toward gentile anti-semitism , jewish exclusiveness .

tolkien elaborated on jewish influence on dwarves in letter: think of dwarves jews: @ once native , alien in habitations, speaking languages of country, accent due own private tongue...

the quenta silmarillion

after preparing lord of rings, tolkien returned again matter of silmarillion, in gave dwarves creation myth. dwarf-centric story book of lost tales, nauglafring , not redrafted fit later positive portrayal of dwarves hobbit , lord of rings, nor other events in silmarillion, leading christopher tolkien rewrite input guy gavriel kay in preparation publication.

the later silmarillion , last writings

sometime before 1969 tolkien wrote essay of dwarves , men, in detailed consideration given dwarves use of language, names given in stories of northern mannish origin, , khuzdul being own secret tongue , naming of 7 houses of dwarves. essay represents last of tolkien s writing regarding dwarves , published in volume 12 of history of middle-earth in 1996.

in last interview before death, tolkien, after discussing nature of elves, briefly says of dwarves: dwarves of course quite obviously, wouldn t in many ways remind of jews? words semitic, obviously, constructed semitic.

spelling dwarves

the original editor of hobbit corrected tolkien s plural dwarves dwarfs, did editor of puffin paperback edition of hobbit. according tolkien, real historical plural of dwarf dwarrows or dwerrows. referred dwarves piece of private bad grammar . in appendix f of lord of rings explained if still spoke of dwarves regularly, english might have retained special plural word dwarf goose—geese. despite tolkien s fondness it, form dwarrow appears in writing dwarrowdelf, name moria.

tolkien used dwarves, instead, corresponds elf , elves. in matter, 1 has consider fact etymological development of term dwarf differs similar-sounding word scarf (plural scarves). english word related old norse dvergr, which, in other case, have had form dvorgr. word never recorded, , f/g-emendation (english/norse) dates further in language history.

adjectives

tolkien used dwarvish , dwarf(-) (e.g. dwarf-lords, old dwarf road) adjectives people created, dwarven if ever.

wicked dwarves

of people of middle-earth, dwarves resistant corruption , influence of morgoth , later sauron. 7 rings of power of dwarves did not turn them evil, did amplify greed , lust gold. said few wilfully served side of darkness. of did little written. of 7 houses few fought on either side during last alliance @ end of second age, , s known none house of durin ever fought on side of evil. during parts of third age (or @ least in legends of previous), known in places wicked dwarves had made alliances orcs. suggested tolkien in of notes of dwarves turned wickedness came dwarves of far eastern mansions (and perhaps of nearer ones) came under shadow of morgoth , turned evil. unclear if these refer dwarves beyond iron hills (the eastern known stronghold of dwarves). because dwarves not evil nature, few ever served enemy of own free (though rumours of men suggest total greater).

some of dwarves accused of fighting on side of darkness may have been in conflict due enmity between races due misunderstandings (which may apply petty-dwarves distrust , hatred of elves), or enmity between races caused greed , envy (men lusting after dwarves wealth , handiwork, , possibly between dwarvish clans themselves), or races becoming estranged each other (the rise of enmity , distrust between dwarves , elves after fall of khazad-dûm). may have been fought in self-defence may seen evil action opposing force. in these cases involved never allied enemy or ambassadors (though wars between free peoples may have worked advantage). trust , interaction between elves , dwarves later restored through friendship of legolas , gimli.