Hobgoblin

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

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 that of a specific folkloric character Robin Goodfellow but has grown to be defined as a different species of goblin or fairy. 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 fear or trouble.

1 Folk Hobgoblins
2 Fantasy Hobgoblins
3 References

[edit] Folk Hobgoblins

Traditional local fairy tales of Britain say hobgoblins were one or two feet tall, hairy, and naked or wearing brownish clothing. They lived by the flames of the fire and rarely went outside. They were described as friendly, impish, ugly, mischievous, good-humored, helpful, mean, grotesque, and fond of practical jokes. If annoyed, they would turn nasty.

The term originated in the 1530s, from hob, meaning elf, from Hobbe, a variant of Rob (Hick for Richard, Hodge for Rodger) an abbreviation or alternative form of Robin Goodfellow, similar to a Kobold in German folklore. A hobgoblin appears in William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream under the name Puck.

[edit] Fantasy Hobgoblins

[edit] 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".^[1] This mistaken reversal in size on Tolkien's part has generally been followed in other fictional 'hobgoblins'.

[edit] 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).

[edit] Computer and video games

In the MMORPG RuneScape, hobgoblins are an evolved form of goblins that are stronger and attack weak players.

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.

[edit] Comic Books

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

Hobgoblin is 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.