02-23-2004, 07:14 PM
Hadrianus,<br>
Contray to popular belief, Tolkien did not create the word "orc" any more than the other classic fantasy standbys of elf, dragon, troll or dwarf.<br>
I seem to recall people thinking it was an abbreviation for "Oxford Rugby Club" but in fact, it was merely taken from "The Legends of Charlemagne" which Tolkien well knew. The orginal "ORC" was a well armored, dragon-like sea creature (ripped off directly from the familiar Greek myth as virtually every other Medieval story), with a penchant for devouring sacrificial maidens chained to rocks. The hero in this case, Rogero momentarily stuns the beast by the reflection of his shield, long enough to rescue the damsel.<br>
From a previous thread, some readers were surprised to learn of Bilbos theft of the cup from Smaug was taken directly from the Beowulf legend, but Tolkien stories are quite filled with the like.<br>
<br>
I think the only thing truly "original" done by Tolkien, was changing his beloved Germanic barbarians from the authentic destroyers of the real "Middle Earth" (that land between heaven and hell), to the the righteous saviours of his fantasy Middle Earth, and the descendent of those barbarians, (Nazis or otherwise), have naturally praised him ever since.<br>
<br>
But for those of you who want to compose amusing satires of his fairy tales (if it is even possible to satirize such nonsense), fear not, you can use ORC without fear of copyright restrictions leveled by lawyers of the Tolkien Corporation, for it is yet one more Tolkien 'rip-off'.<br>
<br>
Dan <p></p><i></i>
Contray to popular belief, Tolkien did not create the word "orc" any more than the other classic fantasy standbys of elf, dragon, troll or dwarf.<br>
I seem to recall people thinking it was an abbreviation for "Oxford Rugby Club" but in fact, it was merely taken from "The Legends of Charlemagne" which Tolkien well knew. The orginal "ORC" was a well armored, dragon-like sea creature (ripped off directly from the familiar Greek myth as virtually every other Medieval story), with a penchant for devouring sacrificial maidens chained to rocks. The hero in this case, Rogero momentarily stuns the beast by the reflection of his shield, long enough to rescue the damsel.<br>
From a previous thread, some readers were surprised to learn of Bilbos theft of the cup from Smaug was taken directly from the Beowulf legend, but Tolkien stories are quite filled with the like.<br>
<br>
I think the only thing truly "original" done by Tolkien, was changing his beloved Germanic barbarians from the authentic destroyers of the real "Middle Earth" (that land between heaven and hell), to the the righteous saviours of his fantasy Middle Earth, and the descendent of those barbarians, (Nazis or otherwise), have naturally praised him ever since.<br>
<br>
But for those of you who want to compose amusing satires of his fairy tales (if it is even possible to satirize such nonsense), fear not, you can use ORC without fear of copyright restrictions leveled by lawyers of the Tolkien Corporation, for it is yet one more Tolkien 'rip-off'.<br>
<br>
Dan <p></p><i></i>
