Gríma Wormtongue
Gríma Wormtongue is a male literary character who features in Lord of the Rings.
Contents |
Biography
Gríma Wormtongue was a member of the race of Man where the son of Gálmód came to serve as an advisor of Théoden, King of Rohan in the late Third Age. At some point, Gríma was ensnared by the corrupted Wizard Saruman, who had promised him Éowyn in exchange for the former acting as his spy and agent. Gríma not only informed Saruman about the secrets and movements of Rohan, but also actively worked to weaken the ailing Théoden with his deceitful counsels and subtle poisons administered as remedies for the easing of old age. Seeing that Théodred and Éomer were the main obstacles to the Wizard's takeover of the kingdom, Gríma tried to cause disagreement between the two men and when he failed, he instead resolved to paint Théodred as a soft-hearted heir and Éomer as a power-hungry warmonger in the clouded mind of Théoden. Wormtongue's exploits allowed Saruman to aid Rohan's enemies and amass a significant host in Isengard unfettered, much to both the Dark Lord Sauron's and his own advantage.
During the War of the Ring, the Nine Nazgûl came to Rohan on their hunt for the Ring-bearer and stumbled upon Gríma on their way, the latter whom was hurrying to Isengard to tell Saruman of the Wizard Gandalf's arrival in Edoras. Terrified, Wormtongue answered their questioning with those same news that the Grey Pilgrim had passed through Rohan, and also told them where the Shire was and how to reach it. He also revealed that Saruman had lied to them in order to deny them this information, a sign of his only half-hearted faith to their common master, Sauron. Seeing that Wormtongue would not betray their interrogation of him to the Wizard and believing his opportunism may continue to be of use to the Dark Lord and do harm to the treacherous Wizard, the Witch-king of Angmar spared Gríma's life.
Upon Gandalf's second coming to Edoras, Gríma tried to discredit him, until the White Wizard managed to heal Théoden. After this, "many things which men had missed" were found locked in Gríma's trunk and he was given a grim choice: ride into battle with his liege and so prove his good faith or into exile. Choosing the latter, he went to dwell with Saruman at Orthanc, where he witnessed the disastrous Battle of Isengard. Following the confrontation between Saruman and Gandalf, he mistakenly threw a "heavy rock"—which was actually the palantír of Orthanc—at either his master or the outsiders, for "he couldn't decide which he hated the most". Saruman seems to have punished him severely for this act.
Overview
Personality and attributes
Powers and abilities
Notes
- Gríma Wormtongue was created by J. R. R. Tolkien where he featured in the setting of Tolkien's Middle-earth universe.
In other media
Films
Video games
Appearances
- The Lord of the Rings:
External Links
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