One appeal of The Lord of the Rings trilogy is its layers of meaning. This is helpful in our studies, because the Otherworld is both simple and highly complex.
For example: To return home from an Otherworld journey requires only the decision to return. However, questions may remain, such as what to do with the dragon who's chosen your cottage as his personal barbecue pit.
These apparently contrasting realities are best studied through fantasy fiction.
In Tolkien's tale, Evil attempts to claim ruthless power through the Ring. Only Good has sufficient strength to destroy the Ring, but we also see the eternal dilemma: In correct hands (so to speak), could the Ring be used for equally limitless improvement? Are Good and Total Power incompatible?
Balance, the classic dilemma
LotR uses traditional Celtic animism: everything has life of its own. The Ring has its own consciousness. Evil wants to contain and control it. Good seeks to release it beyond the reach of Evil.
It is a complex balance, and dissonance is a constant threat.
We also see heroic balance: Two wizards against each other, Gandalf and Sauron--acting through Saruman--both of them members of the Maiar. Later, a Balrog--another Maiar--is a nearly-equal foe of Gandalf.
In the hands of Hobbits and Hobbit-like beings, the Ring reveals opposing forces. In Gollum, we see a glimmer of Frodo and Bilbo's childlike faith. In moments when Bilbo loses control, we see a glimmer of the ruthless and petulant greed of Gollum.
More clearly, the Orcs balance their counterparts, the Elves. This relates to some of our earlier discussions of the categories of fae.
Goblins in real life and in The Hobbit
In The Hobbit, Orcs are goblins. However, the origin of the term goblin is not clear, nor is a goblin a clear opposite of an Elf.
In France, there is the gobelin, somewhat resembling his English counterpart, but more kindly like the English brownie.
In most European and British folklore, goblins are malicious spirits or faeries of diminutive size. However, there are reported in a variety of sizes. This may reflect glamoury, or the art of altering one's appearance.
Like the Banshee, goblin traditions are one of many areas in which we again see the lines between "faeries" and "ghosts" blur.
In ghost lore, one remedy for malicious spirits is to throw rice or sand where the ghost will compulsively spend the night counting each grain.
