Hobgoblin

Last updated

A hobgoblin is a household spirit, appearing in English folklore, once considered helpful, but which since the spread of Christianity has often been considered mischievous. [1] (p320) Shakespeare identifies the character of Puck in his A Midsummer Night's Dream as a hobgoblin. [2]

Contents

Etymology

The term "hobgoblin" comes from "hob". [lower-alpha 1] [lower-alpha 2] The earliest known use of the word can be traced to about 1530, although it was likely in use for some time prior to that. [2]

Folklore

Hobgoblin Hall, a 1904 drawing by Herbert Railton of William Wordsworth's house, Rydal Mount Hobgoblin-Hall.jpg
Hobgoblin Hall, a 1904 drawing by Herbert Railton of William Wordsworth's house, Rydal Mount

Hobgoblins seem to be small, hairy little men who, like their close relatives the brownies, are often found within human dwellings, doing odd jobs around the house while the family is asleep. Such chores are typically small tasks like dusting and ironing. Often, the only compensation necessary in return for these is food.

While brownies are more peaceful creatures, hobgoblins are more fond of practical jokes. They also seem to be able to shapeshift, as seen in one of Puck's monologues in A Midsummer Night's Dream . Robin Goodfellow is perhaps the most mischievous and most infamous of all his kind, but many are less antagonizing. Like other fairy folk, hobgoblins are easily annoyed. They can be mischievous, frightening, and even dangerous. [1] (p100) Attempts to give them clothing will often banish them forever, though whether they are offended by such gifts or are simply too proud to work in new clothes differs from teller to teller.

Billy Blind
is a clever hobgoblin or brownie found in several ballads collected by F. J. Child. Billy Blind helps humans in dramatic situations by offering valuable information and advice. [4] [5] [6] [7]
Blue Burches
is the name of a shapeshifting hobgoblin who played harmless pranks in the home of a shoemaker and his family on the Blackdown Hills in Somerset. His usual form was that of an old man wearing baggy blue breeches but he also took the form of a white horse, a black pig and a wisp of blue smoke. The family took his presence in good stride but some clergymen learned of his existence and banished him from the house. [1] (p27)
Robin Roundcap
(not to be confused with Robin Redcap) haunted Spaldington Hall in Spaldington, East Riding of Yorkshire, and was a hearth spirit of the true hobgoblin type. He helped thresh the corn and performed other domestic chores, but when he was in the mood for mischief he would mix the wheat and chaff again, kick over the milk pail, and extinguish the fire. He is said to have been confined in a well for a stipulated number of years through the prayers of three clergymen. This well is known as Robin Roundcap's Well. [8]
Dobby
is another term for hobgoblin in Lancashire and Yorkshire according to the folklorist Elizabeth Mary Wright, especially one that is a relentless prankster. Much like the boggart, a dobby's pranks may become so troublesome that a family decides to move elsewhere, only to find that the dobby has followed them (one version of this tale involves Robin Roundcap). However, one Yorkshire dobby (or hob) lived in a cave and was noted for curing children of the whooping cough. Dobbies could be just as industrious as other hobgoblins and brownies, which led to the expression "Master Dobbs has been helping you" whenever a person has accomplished more work than was expected. [9] The term is also referenced in the character of the house-elf Dobby in the Harry Potter series.

Variants

The bauchan is a Scottish domestic hobgoblin that is mischievous and belligerent but also very helpful when the need arises. [10]

The bwbach (or boobach, plural bwbachod) is a Welsh domestic hobgoblin that will perform household chores in return for bowls of cream. They are good-natured but mischievous and have a dislike of clergymen and teetotalers, upon whom they will play relentless pranks. [11]

Literature

In the poem "L'Allegro" (1645) by John Milton a domestic hobgoblin or brownie, known as a Lubbar Fend (or lubber fiend) and described as strong and hairy, threshes the corn then lays by the fireplace enjoying his bowl of cream that he earns as payment. [12] In the earlier play The Knight of the Burning Pestle (1607) by Francis Beaumont, a similar being is known as Lob-Lie-by-the-Fire, described as a giant and the son of a witch. [13] Folklorist K. M. Briggs stated that the two creatures are generally equated. [1] (p270) Briggs's own fantasy novel, Hobberdy Dick (1955), is about a hobgoblin that lives in the home of a 17th century Puritan family. [14]

In a 1684 hymn Bunyan couples the hobgoblin with "a foul fiend", as two monstrous beings who try (and fail) to "daunt the Pilgrim's spirit". [15]

The term "hobgoblin" is used sometimes to mean a superficial object that is a source of (often imagined) fear or trouble. The best-known example of this usage is probably Ralph Waldo Emerson's line, "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds", from the essay Self-Reliance . [16]

Hobgoblins exist in the works of Tolkien as a larger kind of orc, though they are not prominently featured. In the preface of The Hobbit , he states that "Orc is not an English word. It occurs in one or two places but is usually translated goblin (or hobgoblin for the larger kinds)". [17]

In The Spiderwick Chronicles , a hobgoblin [lower-alpha 3] is portrayed as a selfish character, always hungry, insulting to others, and annoyed with always being confused for a goblin.

See also

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 A hob, is also flat metal shelf at the side or back of a fireplace, having its surface level with the top of the grate and used especially for heating pans, so a hobgoblin may simply refer to a household goblin, or a spirit that resides in this particular location in a household.
  2. A "hobgoblin" is a variety of goblin, a "mischievous and ugly fairy". "Hob" was simply a friendly name for the countryside goblin, so named in a rustic tradition described by one etymologist as "a piece of rude familiarity to cover up uncertainty or fear". [2] "Hob" is generally explained as a diminutive for "Robert", [2] and here short for "Robin Goodfellow," [3] but see also note [lower-alpha 1] .
  3. The hobgoblin, named 'Hogsqueal', is a prominent character in the second and fifth The Spiderwick Chronicles books, The Seeing Stone, and The Wrath of Mulgarath. In the books, Hogsqueal says that hobgoblins are born without teeth, so they often steal baby teeth from under children's pillows. In the film adaptation, which condenses the events of the series to one film, Hogsqueal is voiced by Seth Rogen.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Puck (folklore)</span> Fairy from English folklore

In English folklore, The Puck, also known as Goodfellows, are demons or fairies which can be domestic sprites or nature sprites.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fairy</span> Mythical being or legendary creature in European folklore

A fairy is a type of mythical being or legendary creature, generally described as anthropomorphic, found in the folklore of multiple European cultures, a form of spirit, often with metaphysical, supernatural, or preternatural qualities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boggart</span> Creature in English folklore

A boggart is a supernatural being from English folklore. The dialectologist Elizabeth Wright described the boggart as 'a generic name for an apparition'; folklorist Simon Young defines it as 'any ambivalent or evil solitary supernatural spirit'. Halifax folklorist Kai Roberts states that boggart ‘might have been used to refer to anything from a hilltop hobgoblin to a household faerie, from a headless apparition to a proto-typical poltergeist’. As these wide definitions suggest boggarts are to be found both in and out of doors, as a household spirit, or a malevolent spirit defined by local geography, a genius loci inhabiting topographical features. The 1867 book Lancashire Folklore by Harland and Wilkinson, makes a distinction between "House boggarts" and other types. Typical descriptions show boggarts to be malevolent. It is said that the boggart crawls into people's beds at night and puts a clammy hand on their faces. Sometimes he strips the bedsheets off them. The household boggart may follow a family wherever they flee. One Lancashire source reports the belief that a boggart should never be named: if the boggart was given a name, it could neither be reasoned with nor persuaded, but would become uncontrollable and destructive.

Fairies, particularly those of Irish, English, Scottish and Welsh folklore, have been classified in a variety of ways. Classifications – which most often come from scholarly analysis, and may not always accurately reflect local traditions – typically focus on behavior or physical characteristics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">English folklore</span> Myths and legends of English culture

English folklore consists of the myths and legends of England, including the English region's mythical creatures, traditional recipes, urban legends, proverbs, superstitions, dance, balladry, and folktales that have been passed down through generations, reflecting the cultural heritage of England. This body of folklore includes a diverse array of characters, such as heroic figures like Beowulf or Robin Hood, legendary kings like Arthur, and mythical creatures like the Green Man and Black Shuck. These tales and traditions have been shaped by the historical experiences of the English people, influenced by the various cultures that have settled in England over centuries, including Celtic, Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Norman elements.

The redcap is a type of malevolent, murderous goblin found in Border folklore. He is said to inhabit ruined castles along the Anglo-Scottish border, especially those that were the scenes of tyranny or wicked deeds and is known for soaking his cap in the blood of his victims. He is also known as Redcomb and Bloody Cap.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Household deity</span> Deity or spirit associated with the home

A household deity is a deity or spirit that protects the home, looking after the entire household or certain key members. It has been a common belief in paganism as well as in folklore across many parts of the world.

<i>The Spiderwick Chronicles</i> Series of childrens books

The Spiderwick Chronicles is a series of children's fantasy books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. They chronicle the adventures of the Grace children, twins Simon and Jared and their older sister Mallory, after they move into the Spiderwick Estate and discover a world of fairies that they never knew existed. The first book, The Field Guide, was published in 2003 and then followed by The Seeing Stone (2003), Lucinda's Secret (2003), The Ironwood Tree (2004), and The Wrath of Mulgarath (2004). Several companion books have been published including Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastical World Around You (2005), Notebook for Fantastical Observations (2005), and Care and Feeding of Sprites (2006). A second series, entitled Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles, includes The Nixie's Song (2007), A Giant Problem (2008), and The Wyrm King (2009).

In Scottish and Northern English folklore, a shellycoat is a type of bogeyman that haunts rivers and streams.

The Denham Tracts constitute a publication of a series of pamphlets and jottings on folklore, fifty-four in all, collected between 1846 and 1859 by Michael Aislabie Denham, a Yorkshire tradesman. Most of the original tracts were published with fifty copies. The tracts were later re-edited by James Hardy for the Folklore Society and imprinted in two volumes in 1892 and 1895. It is possible that J.R.R. Tolkien took the word hobbit from the list of fairies in the Denham Tracts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lutin</span> French folkloric hobgoblin

A lutin is a type of hobgoblin in French folklore and fairy tales. Female lutins are called lutines.

The lubber fiend, Lob, lubberkin, lurdane or Lob Lie-By-The-Fire is a legendary creature of English folklore that is similar to the "brownie" of Scotland and northern England, the "hob" of northern England and the Scottish Borders, the Slavic "domovoi" and Scandinavian "tomte". It has been related also to Robin Goodfellow, and Hobgoblins. It is best known for being mentioned by John Milton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Blind</span> Song

Billy Blind is an English and Lowland Scottish household spirit, much like a brownie. He appears only in ballads, where he frequently advises the characters. It is possible that the character of Billy Blind is a folk memory of the god Woden or Odin from Germanic mythology, in his "more playful aspect" and is speculated to have been the same character as Blind Harie, the "blind man of the game" in Scotland.

Seelie is a term for fairies in Scottish folklore, appearing in the form of seely wights or The Seelie Court. The Northern and Middle English word seely, and the Scots form seilie, mean "happy", "lucky" or "blessed." Despite their name, the seelie folk of legend could be morally ambivalent and dangerous. Calling them "seelie," similar to names such as "good neighbors," may have been a euphemism to ward off their anger.

Mythic humanoids are legendary, folkloric, or mythological creatures that are part human, or that resemble humans through appearance or character. Each culture has different mythical creatures that come from many different origins, and many of these creatures are humanoids. They are often able to talk and in many stories they guide the hero on their journey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hob (folklore)</span> Household spirit

A hob is a type of small mythological household spirit found in the English Midlands, Northern England, and on the Anglo-Scottish border, according to traditional folklore of those regions. They could live inside the house or outdoors. They are said to work in farmyards and thus could be helpful; however, if offended they could become nuisances. The usual way to dispose of a hob was to give them a set of new clothing, the receiving of which would make the creature leave forever. It could, however, be impossible to get rid of the worst hobs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brownie (folklore)</span> Household spirit in Scottish folklore

A brownie or broonie (Scots), also known as a brùnaidh or gruagach, is a household spirit or hobgoblin from Scottish folklore that is said to come out at night while the owners of the house are asleep and perform various chores and farming tasks. The human owners of the house must leave a bowl of milk or cream or some other offering for the brownie, usually by the hearth. Brownies are described as easily offended and will leave their homes forever if they feel they have been insulted or in any way taken advantage of. Brownies are characteristically mischievous and are often said to punish or pull pranks on lazy servants. If angered, they are sometimes said to turn malicious, like boggarts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goblin</span> Mythical creature

A goblin is a small, grotesque, monstrous creature that appears in the folklore of multiple European cultures. First attested in stories from the Middle Ages, they are ascribed conflicting abilities, temperaments, and appearances depending on the story and country of origin, ranging from mischievous household spirits to malicious, bestial thieves. They often have magical abilities similar to a fairy or demon, such as the ability to shapeshift.

The bauchan is a type of domestic hobgoblin in Scottish folklore. It is often mischievous and sometimes dangerous, but is also very helpful when the need arises.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Briggs, M.K. (1976). Origins of Fairies.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Scott, Charles P.G. (1895). "The Devil and his imps: An etymological inquisition". Transactions of the American Philological Association . 26: 96–102. doi:10.2307/2935696. JSTOR   2935696.
  3. Harper, Douglas (2001). "Hobgoblin". Online Etymology Dictionary . Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  4. Child, F.J. "Chapter 5: Gil Brenton". English and Scottish Popular Ballads (trad. lyric col'n.) via Sacred-Texts.com.
  5. Child, F.J. "Chapter 6: Willie's Lady". English and Scottish Popular Ballads (trad. lyric col'n.) via Sacred-Texts.com.
  6. Child, F.J. "Chapter 53: Young Beichan". English and Scottish Popular Ballads (trad. lyric col'n.) via Sacred-Texts.com.
  7. Child, F.J. "Chapter 110: The Knight and the Shepherd's Daughter". English and Scottish Popular Ballads (trad. lyric col'n.) via Sacred-Texts.com.
  8. Gutch, E. (1912). Nutt, David (ed.). County Folklore. Vol. 6. p. 54.
  9. Wright, Elizabeth Mary (1913). Rustic Speech and Folk-Lore. Humphrey Milford. Oxford University Press. p. 202.
  10. Campbell, J.F. (1890). Popular Tales of the West Highlands. Vol. 2. Alexander Gardner. pp. 103–104.
  11. Sikes, Wirt (1880). British Goblins: Welsh folklore, fairy mythology, legends, and traditions. Sampson Low, Marston, Searle, and Rivington. pp. 30–31.
  12. Milton, John (1645). "[external source]". L'Allegro. Hanover, NH: Dartmouth College. Archived from the original on 2020-12-05. Retrieved 2017-12-19 via The John Milton Reading Room.
  13. Beaumont, Francis (1607). The Knight of the Burning Pestle (stage play) via Project Gutenberg Canada.
  14. Briggs, K.M. (2009) [1955]. Hobberdy Dick. Faber & Faber Limited. ISBN   978-0571252060.
  15. Bunyan, J. (1684). To Be a Pilgrim.
  16. Emerson, R.W. (1841). "[external source]". Self-reliance (essay). Retrieved 2013-09-09 via Emersoncentral.com.
  17. Tolkien, J.R.R. (1966) [1937]. The Hobbit. Houghton Mifflin. p. 1. ISBN   0618002219.