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}}The''' Great Spiders''', also known as the '''Children of [[Ungoliant]]''', were a race of over-sized and sapient arachnids that lived in [[Middle-earth]], particularly in dark and perilous places affected by the power of evil. |
}}The''' Great Spiders''', also known as the '''Children of [[Ungoliant]]''', were a race of over-sized and sapient arachnids that lived in [[Middle-earth]], particularly in dark and perilous places affected by the power of evil. |
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| − | ==Description== |
+ | == Description == |
The Great Spiders could speak to one another, though only those imbued with the power of (or derived from) the [[Ainur]] could understand them. Like [[Orcs]] and [[Goblins]], Great Spiders were known to detest light, yet they thirsted for it and sought to devour it. Great Spiders comprise three separate known species. |
The Great Spiders could speak to one another, though only those imbued with the power of (or derived from) the [[Ainur]] could understand them. Like [[Orcs]] and [[Goblins]], Great Spiders were known to detest light, yet they thirsted for it and sought to devour it. Great Spiders comprise three separate known species. |
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| − | ===Giant Spiders=== |
+ | === Giant Spiders === |
Giant Spiders were a sentient race of Great Spiders that lived in [[Middle-earth]]. They lived in the [[South|South of Middle-earth]] in the [[First Age]], but by the [[Third Age]] they had spread to other areas. They were descended from the spider-creatures of the [[Ered Gorgoroth]]. Giant Spiders infested the great forest of [[Greenwood|Greenwood the Great]] after the shadow of [[Sauron]] fell upon it and it became known as [[Mirkwood]]. |
Giant Spiders were a sentient race of Great Spiders that lived in [[Middle-earth]]. They lived in the [[South|South of Middle-earth]] in the [[First Age]], but by the [[Third Age]] they had spread to other areas. They were descended from the spider-creatures of the [[Ered Gorgoroth]]. Giant Spiders infested the great forest of [[Greenwood|Greenwood the Great]] after the shadow of [[Sauron]] fell upon it and it became known as [[Mirkwood]]. |
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| − | ===Umaiar spiders=== |
+ | === Umaiar spiders === |
The [[Umaiar|''Umaiar'']] spiders, a subspecies of Umaiar (and by extension a sub-subspecies of [[Maiar]]), included [[Ungoliant]]. They were Maiar who took the form of giant spiders upon joining [[Morgoth]]. Apart from Ungoliant (who died by devouring herself), the fate of this race is unknown. |
The [[Umaiar|''Umaiar'']] spiders, a subspecies of Umaiar (and by extension a sub-subspecies of [[Maiar]]), included [[Ungoliant]]. They were Maiar who took the form of giant spiders upon joining [[Morgoth]]. Apart from Ungoliant (who died by devouring herself), the fate of this race is unknown. |
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| − | ===Spawn of Ungoliant=== |
+ | === Spawn of Ungoliant === |
The Spawn of Ungoliant are the third race of Great Spiders. This race was borne by Ungoliant after she fled to the South. She mated with and devoured the mortal giant spiders who lived there. Because they were half [[:Category:Demons|Umaiar]], these spiders were immortal; they were bigger, stronger and smarter than their mortal kin. |
The Spawn of Ungoliant are the third race of Great Spiders. This race was borne by Ungoliant after she fled to the South. She mated with and devoured the mortal giant spiders who lived there. Because they were half [[:Category:Demons|Umaiar]], these spiders were immortal; they were bigger, stronger and smarter than their mortal kin. |
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| − | ==History== |
+ | == History == |
The first [[Dark Lord]], [[Melkor]], used Ungoliant to help him destroy the [[Two Trees of Valinor]] and steal the [[Silmarils]].<ref>''[[The Silmarillion]]'', ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', Chapter VIII: "[[Of the Darkening of Valinor]]"</ref> Ungoliant, who had an insatiable desire to devour light, asked for the Silmarils to be given to her. Melkor refused and she attempted to kill him. Ungoliant was subsequently driven off by Melkor's Balrogs, and she ultimately wandered across Middle-earth, consuming anything that gave off light, such as gemstones; and often mated with other large spiders. Her offspring were a great bane on the world in later years. She was described as surrounded by "an aura of darkness". Her fate is unknown, but it is said that, always hungry, Ungoliant ended by devouring herself.<ref>''[[The Silmarillion]]'', ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', Chapter IX: "[[Of the Flight of the Noldor]]"</ref> |
The first [[Dark Lord]], [[Melkor]], used Ungoliant to help him destroy the [[Two Trees of Valinor]] and steal the [[Silmarils]].<ref>''[[The Silmarillion]]'', ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', Chapter VIII: "[[Of the Darkening of Valinor]]"</ref> Ungoliant, who had an insatiable desire to devour light, asked for the Silmarils to be given to her. Melkor refused and she attempted to kill him. Ungoliant was subsequently driven off by Melkor's Balrogs, and she ultimately wandered across Middle-earth, consuming anything that gave off light, such as gemstones; and often mated with other large spiders. Her offspring were a great bane on the world in later years. She was described as surrounded by "an aura of darkness". Her fate is unknown, but it is said that, always hungry, Ungoliant ended by devouring herself.<ref>''[[The Silmarillion]]'', ''[[Quenta Silmarillion]]'', Chapter IX: "[[Of the Flight of the Noldor]]"</ref> |
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[[Frodo Baggins]] and [[Sam Gamgee]] encountered Ungoliant's daughter, [[Shelob]], in her [[Shelob's lair|lair]] as they were trying to enter [[Mordor]] during their quest to destroy the [[One Ring]]. Frodo was ambushed by the spider twice, and was paralyzed by her poison on the second encounter.<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'','' [[The Two Towers (novel)|The Two Towers]],'' Book Four, Chapter IX: "[[Shelob's Lair (Chapter)|Shelob's Lair]]"</ref> Sam used ''Sting'' to attack Shelob and wound her, which caused her to flee the scene.<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Two Towers (novel)|The Two Towers]]'', Book Four, Chapter X: "[[The Choices of Master Samwise]]"</ref> It is unknown whether she died from her wounds. |
[[Frodo Baggins]] and [[Sam Gamgee]] encountered Ungoliant's daughter, [[Shelob]], in her [[Shelob's lair|lair]] as they were trying to enter [[Mordor]] during their quest to destroy the [[One Ring]]. Frodo was ambushed by the spider twice, and was paralyzed by her poison on the second encounter.<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'','' [[The Two Towers (novel)|The Two Towers]],'' Book Four, Chapter IX: "[[Shelob's Lair (Chapter)|Shelob's Lair]]"</ref> Sam used ''Sting'' to attack Shelob and wound her, which caused her to flee the scene.<ref>''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', ''[[The Two Towers (novel)|The Two Towers]]'', Book Four, Chapter X: "[[The Choices of Master Samwise]]"</ref> It is unknown whether she died from her wounds. |
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| − | ==Influence of spiders in Tolkien's life== |
+ | == Influence of spiders in Tolkien's life == |
Contrary to popular belief, the reason that Tolkien featured spiders so prominently in his stories was not because he was bitten by a tarantula when he was young, but rather because his son was afraid of them. Because of his son's arachnophobia, they are portrayed negatively, always appearing as antagonists. |
Contrary to popular belief, the reason that Tolkien featured spiders so prominently in his stories was not because he was bitten by a tarantula when he was young, but rather because his son was afraid of them. Because of his son's arachnophobia, they are portrayed negatively, always appearing as antagonists. |
||
| − | ==Portrayal in adaptations== |
+ | == Portrayal in adaptations == |
[[File:Hobbit45.jpg|thumb|Mirkwood Spiders crawling over [[Radagast]]'s home]] |
[[File:Hobbit45.jpg|thumb|Mirkwood Spiders crawling over [[Radagast]]'s home]] |
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| − | ===Films=== |
+ | === Films === |
*The capture of Frodo by Shelob and her battle with Sam are depicted in the film [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'']]. |
*The capture of Frodo by Shelob and her battle with Sam are depicted in the film [[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King|''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'']]. |
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[[File:Seanathra.jpeg|thumb|The giant spider Saenathra, from the ''War in the North'' game adaptation]] |
[[File:Seanathra.jpeg|thumb|The giant spider Saenathra, from the ''War in the North'' game adaptation]] |
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| − | ===Video games=== |
+ | === Video games === |
*Giant spiders appear in many ''Lord of the Rings'' video games, including ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|The Return of the King]]'' |
*Giant spiders appear in many ''Lord of the Rings'' video games, including ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (video game)|The Return of the King]]'' |
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*''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'' features a giant spider named ''[[Saenathra]]'', who took Radagast captive, and must be defeated to free him. Like the Mirkwood spiders from the Hobbit, she has the ability to speak. |
*''[[The Lord of the Rings: War in the North]]'' features a giant spider named ''[[Saenathra]]'', who took Radagast captive, and must be defeated to free him. Like the Mirkwood spiders from the Hobbit, she has the ability to speak. |
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| − | ===LEGO: The Lord of the Rings=== |
+ | === LEGO: The Lord of the Rings === |
In ''[[LEGO The Lord of the Rings]]'', the player must go through [[Shelob's Lair]] and kill at least six small spiders with [[Sauron|Sauron's]] mark on their back. |
In ''[[LEGO The Lord of the Rings]]'', the player must go through [[Shelob's Lair]] and kill at least six small spiders with [[Sauron|Sauron's]] mark on their back. |
||
| − | ===The Lord of the Rings Minecraft mod=== |
+ | === The Lord of the Rings Minecraft mod === |
In the Lord of the Rings Minecraft mod, spiders can be found in [[Mirkwood]] and [[Nan Ungol]]. There are several species: |
In the Lord of the Rings Minecraft mod, spiders can be found in [[Mirkwood]] and [[Nan Ungol]]. There are several species: |
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# [[Utumno|Utumno Ice spider]] |
# [[Utumno|Utumno Ice spider]] |
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| − | ==Gallery== |
+ | == Gallery == |
<gallery> |
<gallery> |
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</gallery> |
</gallery> |
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| − | ==Translations around the world== |
+ | == Translations around the world == |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |
||
!Foreign Language |
!Foreign Language |
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{{Races}} |
{{Races}} |
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| − | ==References== |
+ | == References == |
<references/>[[de:Riesenspinnen]] |
<references/>[[de:Riesenspinnen]] |
||
[[es:Arañas]] |
[[es:Arañas]] |
||
Revision as of 16:27, 5 February 2019
The Great Spiders, also known as the Children of Ungoliant, were a race of over-sized and sapient arachnids that lived in Middle-earth, particularly in dark and perilous places affected by the power of evil.
Description
The Great Spiders could speak to one another, though only those imbued with the power of (or derived from) the Ainur could understand them. Like Orcs and Goblins, Great Spiders were known to detest light, yet they thirsted for it and sought to devour it. Great Spiders comprise three separate known species.
Giant Spiders
Giant Spiders were a sentient race of Great Spiders that lived in Middle-earth. They lived in the South of Middle-earth in the First Age, but by the Third Age they had spread to other areas. They were descended from the spider-creatures of the Ered Gorgoroth. Giant Spiders infested the great forest of Greenwood the Great after the shadow of Sauron fell upon it and it became known as Mirkwood.
Umaiar spiders
The Umaiar spiders, a subspecies of Umaiar (and by extension a sub-subspecies of Maiar), included Ungoliant. They were Maiar who took the form of giant spiders upon joining Morgoth. Apart from Ungoliant (who died by devouring herself), the fate of this race is unknown.
Spawn of Ungoliant
The Spawn of Ungoliant are the third race of Great Spiders. This race was borne by Ungoliant after she fled to the South. She mated with and devoured the mortal giant spiders who lived there. Because they were half Umaiar, these spiders were immortal; they were bigger, stronger and smarter than their mortal kin.
History
The first Dark Lord, Melkor, used Ungoliant to help him destroy the Two Trees of Valinor and steal the Silmarils.[1] Ungoliant, who had an insatiable desire to devour light, asked for the Silmarils to be given to her. Melkor refused and she attempted to kill him. Ungoliant was subsequently driven off by Melkor's Balrogs, and she ultimately wandered across Middle-earth, consuming anything that gave off light, such as gemstones; and often mated with other large spiders. Her offspring were a great bane on the world in later years. She was described as surrounded by "an aura of darkness". Her fate is unknown, but it is said that, always hungry, Ungoliant ended by devouring herself.[2]
The Mirkwood spiders
The Hobbit Bilbo Baggins, and his thirteen Dwarf companions encountered giant spiders in Mirkwood forest on their Quest to the Lonely Mountain. Only Bilbo's magic ring and an Elven blade (Sting) allowed them to escape being eaten.[3]
Frodo caught in Shelob's web, as depicted in the film
Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee encountered Ungoliant's daughter, Shelob, in her lair as they were trying to enter Mordor during their quest to destroy the One Ring. Frodo was ambushed by the spider twice, and was paralyzed by her poison on the second encounter.[4] Sam used Sting to attack Shelob and wound her, which caused her to flee the scene.[5] It is unknown whether she died from her wounds.
Influence of spiders in Tolkien's life
Contrary to popular belief, the reason that Tolkien featured spiders so prominently in his stories was not because he was bitten by a tarantula when he was young, but rather because his son was afraid of them. Because of his son's arachnophobia, they are portrayed negatively, always appearing as antagonists.
Portrayal in adaptations
Mirkwood Spiders crawling over Radagast's home
Films
- The capture of Frodo by Shelob and her battle with Sam are depicted in the film The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
- Giant spiders appear briefly in the first Hobbit film, where they are seen attacking Radagast's home in Rhosgobel, only to retreat back into the forest, seemingly repelled by his magic. Radagast later tells Gandalf that they came from Dol Guldur.
- In The Desolation of Smaug, the spiders capture the Dwarves in Mirkwood. As in the book, the spiders are capable of speech that Bilbo can understand when he is wearing the One Ring. They were voiced by Brian Sergent and Peter Vere-Jones in the film.
The giant spider Saenathra, from the War in the North game adaptation
Video games
- Giant spiders appear in many Lord of the Rings video games, including The Return of the King
- In The Battle for Middle-earth II and its expansion pack, Spiderlings are a unit that can be trained by the Goblins faction; Shelob also appears as a hero for the Goblins. The Goblins have a "spiderling lair" fortress extension that spawns smaller spiders which attack nearby enemies.
- For The Hobbit video game three spiders were invented named Wicked, Wild, and Wrath. These three spiders are the queens of the Spiders of Mirkwood and are three of the bosses of the Flies And Spiders level.
- The Lord of the Rings: War in the North features a giant spider named Saenathra, who took Radagast captive, and must be defeated to free him. Like the Mirkwood spiders from the Hobbit, she has the ability to speak.
LEGO: The Lord of the Rings
In LEGO The Lord of the Rings, the player must go through Shelob's Lair and kill at least six small spiders with Sauron's mark on their back.
The Lord of the Rings Minecraft mod
In the Lord of the Rings Minecraft mod, spiders can be found in Mirkwood and Nan Ungol. There are several species:
Gallery
Translations around the world
| Foreign Language | Translated name |
|---|---|
| Afrikaans | Groot spinnekoppe |
| Albanian | Marimanga të mëdha |
| Amharic | ታላላቅ ሸረሪዎች |
| Arabic | العناكب كبيرة |
| Azerbaijani | Böyük Hörümçəklər |
| Belarusian Cyrillic | вялікія павукі |
| Bengali | গ্রেট মাকড়সা ? |
| Bulgarian Cyrillic | Големи паяци |
| Catalan | Grans Aranyes |
| Cebuano | Dakong kaka |
| Chinese (Hong Kong) | 巨形蜘蛛 |
| Croatian | Veliki Pauci |
| Czech | Velicí Pavouci |
| Danish | Store edderkopper |
| Dutch | Grote Spinnen |
| Esperanto | Grandaj Araneoj |
| Finnish | Suuret Hämähäkit |
| French | Grandes Araignées |
| Galician | Grandes Arañas |
| German | Riesenspinnen |
| Georgian | დიდი ობობები |
| Greek | Μεγάλη αράχνη |
| Gujarati | ગ્રેટ કરોળિયા |
| Hausa | Babban gizo-gizo |
| Hebrew | עכבישים ענקיים |
| Hindi | महान मकड़े |
| Hmong | Zoo kawg thiab kab laug sab. |
| Hungarian | Nagy Pókok |
| Indonesian | Laba-laba besar |
| Irish Gaelic | Damháin alla mór |
| Italian | Randi Ragni |
| Japanese | すごいクモ類 |
| Kazakh | Ұлы өрмекшілер (Cyrillic) Ulı örmekşiler (Latin) |
| Korean | 큰 거미 ? |
| Latin | Magna Aranearum |
| Latvian | Liels Zirnekļi |
| Laotian | ແມງມຸມທີ່ຍິ່ງໃຫຍ່ ? |
| Lithuanian | Didžiosios Vorai |
| Macedonian Cyrillic | големи пајаци |
| Malay | Labah-labah Gergasi |
| Marathi | ग्रेट कोळी ? |
| Maltese | Brimb Kbira |
| Norwegian | Stor edderkopper |
| Pashto | لوی ماډلونه |
| Persian | عالی عنکبوتها |
| Polish | Wielkie Pająki |
| Portuguese | Grandes Aranhas |
| Romanian | Păianjenii mari |
| Russian | Гигантские пауки |
| Serbian | Велики Пауци (Cyrillic) Veliki Pauci (Latin) |
| Sinhalese | මහා මකුළුවන් |
| Slovak | Veľké pavúky |
| Slovenian | Super pajki |
| Spanish | Grandes arañas |
| Swahili | Buibui Kubwa |
| Swedish | Stora spindlar |
| Tamil | கிரேட் சிலந்திகள் |
| Thai | แมงมุมที่ยิ่งใหญ่ |
| Turkish | Büyük Örümcekler |
| Urdu | عظیم مکڑیاں |
| Uzbek | Буюк ўргимчаклар (Cyrillic) Buyuk o'rgimchaklar (Latin) |
| Welsh | Corynnod mawr |
| Yiddish | גרויס ספּידערס |
|
Races of Arda
Ainur | Dwarves | Elves | Ents | Great Eagles | Hobbits | Huorns | Men | Petty-dwarves | Skin-changers (Beornings) Servants of the Shadow:
Barrow-wights | Ettens | Dragons (Fire-drakes and Cold-drakes) | Ogres | Orcs | Spiders | Trolls | Úmaiar | Úvanimor | Vampires | Wargs | Werewolves |
References
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter VIII: "Of the Darkening of Valinor"
- ↑ The Silmarillion, Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter IX: "Of the Flight of the Noldor"
- ↑ The Hobbit, Chapter VIII: "Flies and Spiders"
- ↑ The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, Book Four, Chapter IX: "Shelob's Lair"
- ↑ The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, Book Four, Chapter X: "The Choices of Master Samwise"