Trolls: Scandinavia’s Malevolent, Magical Outcasts | Monstrum
Storied・13 minutes read
Trolls have a long history starting from Nordic folklore as malevolent magical beings to their modern portrayal as online harassers. The concept of trolls evolved over time, influencing literature, laws, and popular culture, from Henrik Ibsen's plays to J.R.R. Tolkien's novels and the creation of Troll Dolls.
Insights
- The term "troll" originated from Nordic folklore, where it referred to malevolent magical beings that posed a threat to civilization, often residing at the boundaries of communities, with female trolls particularly depicted as evil in ancient tales.
- Trolls have evolved from ancient folklore to modern-day representations, with early stories dating back to the 13th century depicting them as clever, skilled at magic, and capable of shapeshifting, while contemporary portrayals in horror literature and film often present trolls as threatening monsters and symbols of foreignness.
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Summary
00:00
Evolution of Trolls from Folklore to Internet
- Trolls in modern times are known for harassing and antagonizing on social media, hiding their identity in the dark corners of the internet.
- The term "troll" originated from Nordic folklore, where it referred to various monsters based on their actions rather than appearance.
- Early trolls were considered malevolent magical beings, with the word "troll" having multiple meanings in Old Norse, often indicating giants or magical creatures.
- Ancient trolls were depicted as clever and skilled at magic, with the earliest stories dating back to the 13th century.
- Trolls were portrayed as evil paranormal beings that posed a threat to civilization, often residing at the boundaries of communities.
- Female trolls were considered particularly evil in ancient tales, with some described as the greatest monsters ever born.
- Trolls were known to shapeshift into various forms, including animals and trees, and could appear individually or in groups.
- Medieval laws recognized the existence of trolls, making it illegal to awaken them or refer to someone as a troll or witch.
- Trolls were known for kidnapping victims, often targeting women during vulnerable periods like childbirth.
- The 16th century saw a shift in troll folklore, associating them more with the Devil and Christianity, with stories of trolls converting to Christianity emerging.
13:07
Evolution of Trolls in Literature and Culture
- Henrik Ibsen introduced trolls in Peer Gynt in 1867, creating the concept of the troll king, leading to the play becoming Norway's most performed play, with an annual Peer Gint festival. J.R.R. Tolkien expanded troll lore in The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, featuring various types of trolls, solidifying their presence in fantasy literature.
- The origin of Troll Dolls dates back to Thomas Dam carving the first wooden troll doll in Denmark post-World War II, which later evolved into the popular plastic version in 1961. The dolls gained immense popularity, inspiring an animated movie in 2016 that reintroduced trolls to a new generation, although modern portrayals in horror literature and film depict trolls as threatening monsters and symbols of foreignness.
