Ents
Quick Facts
| Dates: | Originated shortly after the Elves |
|---|---|
| Meaning: | Ent is in fact an Anglo-Saxon word meaning 'giant', and so is likely to have been given to this race by Men |
| Other Names: | Onodrim, Shepherds of the Trees |
The Shepherds of the Trees
A race of giant, tree-like people whose purpose was to protect the forests of Middle-earth. By the end of the Third Age, the great forests had dwindled, and so had the Ents, but they were still to be found in Fangorn Forest.
It has been noted by Tolkien scholar's that the origin of the Ents and Huorns was due in part to Tolkien's stated dislike of Shakespeare's play Macbeth. Tolkein was disappointed in the portrayal of the outcome of the curse placed on Macbeth, and how it was realized. The prophetic curse was given by three witches and it detailed the conditional event that would signify MacBeth's imminent death, that he should "never vanquish'd be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him." Thus the imagery suggested a forest of marching trees assaulting the fortifications of Dunsinane Hill. However, the realization of this imagery was made manifest by soldiers, who camouflaged themselves with tree branches, and marched to assault MacBeth's castle.
Needless to say, Tolkien considered this to be a sort of literary slight of hand, and was disappointed in the written event. So when the Macbeth of Lord of the Rings falls (the traitorous Saruman) the forest does march to his fortification, and their appearance foretells his doom.
- Entered by Dustonpike 1-28-09
