[Maigret]

Posted yesterday in the 'Model Languages' Tolkien article - The word orc is used to describe goblins and is from the Old English word for "demon", a word used in Beowulf.

I've always seen the orcs as representing fallen angels. In Tolkien they are depicted as having something done to them to make them become orcs, Biblically speaking the angels that fell did so because they chose to follow Lucifer, but then they possibly did so because they believed his lies as Eve did.

[delapaz]

The fallen angels in middle earth are more represented by Balrogs. A balrog is a maia spirit, one level below the vala, and on the same level as the wizards and Sauron. balrogs are those Maia that decided to follow Melkor/Morgoth in the First Age.

[crazykatz]

Just a thought...

I always felt the orcs represented those people, especially the children taken as tribute from every Christian village and town across the Ottoman Empire, especially in the Balkans ( Serbia mostly).

These youngsters were taken by the empire and used as Janissaries(soldiers) or male or female members of the Pashas'/Caliph's harems( they always had a "boy-thing" going on as well).

They were taught to hate Christianity and to kill them with great passion. They were instrumental in the Fall of Constantinople...they were ruthless and brutal.

Serbia fell to the Ottomans in 1388, I believe...Constantinople in 1458. The Ottomans has quite a while to steal children and turn them into "monsters"...killing machines for islam....Or sex toys for their rulers.