hobgoblin

This article is about the legendary creature. For other uses, see Hobgoblin (disambiguation).

Hobgoblin Hall, William Wordsworth's House, Rydal Mount, 1904.

Hobgoblin is a term typically applied in folktales to a friendly or amusing goblin.

The word seems to derive from 'Robin Goblin', abbreviated to 'hobgoblin', 'hob', or 'lob'. The name originally referred to a specific folkloric character Robin Goodfellow but has grown to be defined as a different species of goblin or fairy. In French folklore, hobgoblins are called Lutin.

The name is often interchangeable with "bugbear", "boogeyman", "bugaboo" or "bogie", and the term "hobgoblin" has grown to mean a superficial object that is a source of (often imagined) fear or trouble; probably the most well-known example of this usage is Ralph Waldo Emerson's line, "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds," from the essay Self-Reliance^[1].

Fantasy Hobgoblins

Lord of the Rings

In The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, Hobgoblins are a menacing, larger and stronger form of goblins. Tolkien later remarked in a letter that through further study of folklore he had subsequently learned that "the statement that hobgoblins were 'a larger kind' [of goblins] is the reverse of the original truth".^[2] This mistaken reversal in size on Tolkien's part has generally been followed in other fictional 'hobgoblins'.

Role-playing games

The creature commonly appears in the bestiaries of fantasy role-playing games, where it is portrayed as a larger, stronger, smarter and more menacing cousin of the goblin, but not as high up on the goblinoid hierarchy as bugbears. See Hobgoblin (Dungeons & Dragons) and Hobgoblin (Warhammer)

In Mage: The Ascension a hobgoblin is a physical manefestation of a hallucination suffered by a Mage's avatar.

In exalted Hobgbolins are a warrior grunts of the fair folk

In Flintloque Hobgoblins are a race similar to the Welsh who come from the land of Taffsea and fight for the Grand Alliance with the Orcs of Albion. They portray various Welsh stereotypes, often being named as the Boyos of Taffsea, and their cavalry ride on war sheep.

Computer and video games

In the MMORPG RuneScape, hobgoblins are an evolved form of goblins which have been crossed with the god Bandos' ork troops. They are presented as stronger then goblins, yet weaker than orks, and they commonly attack weak players. They commonly drop Limpwurt roots, an ingredient in making strength potions.

In the Fable game series they are small, fat and disfigured. they are called hobbes and are described as trouble, stupid and greedy. They eat flesh and sleep in rivers they shoot magical orbs from a staff or use weapons like hammers or axes. They can range from the size of a child to the size of a big man. The smaller weaker one can be summoned by wood nymphs and they also work for them. They usually live in hobbe cave. Also they are the guardians of a demon door guarding the dark will users suit.

In the Heroes of Might and Magic Series, hobgoblins are upgraded forms of goblins, and are aligned with the barbarian/might towns.

Comic Books

Spider-Man comics feature a villain named Hobgoblin, first appearing in Amazing Spider-Man #238 written by Roger Stern.

Another hobgoblin is in Monster in My Pocket #23. In the comic book series, he is a prankster who serves as comic relief among the good monsters. He makes fire come out from his fingers.

Alcoholic beverage

Hobgoblin is a strong dark ale brewed by the Wychwood brewery in Oxfordshire.^[3]

References

1. ^ The complete text of Emerson's Self-Reliance
2. ^ Carpenter, Humphrey and Tolkien, Christopher (eds.) (1981). The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, #319. ISBN 0-395-31555-7. 
3. ^ Wychwood Brewery

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