[HPforGrownups] Re: Wormtail - parallels with Wormtongue?

[Tammy Rizzo]

No: HPFGUIDX 82381

On 6 Oct 2003 at 14:46, roseswicegood wrote:

> For those who have never read LOR, worms are still considered 
> nature's lowest lifeform. PP got the lowest reserved for any Judas,
> the tail!
> 
> Rose

Me (Tammy):
Don't forget, though, in LOTR, worms weren't only the soft, squishy, wriggly, slimy things so 
reminicsent of a rat's tail.  Worm was also another term for dragon, and dragons had a well-
deserved reputation for sweet-talking the unwary (and indeed, even the MOST wary) out of 
hiding and into roasting range.  The name 'Wormtongue' can be seen as referring to either or 
even both usages -- the disgusting, slimy, creepycrawlie-like, low worm that so resembles a 
rat's tail, or the insiduous, dangerous, fascinating, mesmerizing creature who only wants your 
destruction and your treasure.  Indeed, he seems to pass through both phases of that name -- 
the dragonesque while still undiscovered and whispering sweetly rotten advice into Theoden's 
ear, and the lowlife who later scuttled after Saruman, eating dead things in the dark.

Now, true, I see very little resemblance between PP and, say, a Norwegian Ridgeback, 
especially where Scabber's tail is concerned.  However, he must have been able to whisper 
sweetly rotten advice, since he went undiscovered for over a year before the attack on the 
Potters.  And now, he crawls at Lord Thingy's behest.  I think the parallel still stands.  I wonder 
what will come of it?

***
Tammy
tammy at mauswerks.net