Anti-Semitism in Goblins: Past, Present, and Future

Abstract

The thesis looks at the possible connection between anti-Semitic imagery and goblins. In order to establish whether such a connection exists, the historical goblins are analysed, as well as the history of anti-Semitism in Britain and depictions of Jewish characters in British literature. Comparisons to depictions of goblins in Tolkien’s The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy, as well as the board game Dungeons & Dragons, demonstrate the evolving nature of the goblin and its main characteristic