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The [[Terry Jones]] and [[Brian Froud]] book ''[[The Goblins of Labyrinth]]'' is a catalogue of many of the concept drawings that served as inspiration for the goblins seen in the film. The book names each goblin depicted in Froud's illustrations, and gives them a back-story. |
The [[Terry Jones]] and [[Brian Froud]] book ''[[The Goblins of Labyrinth]]'' is a catalogue of many of the concept drawings that served as inspiration for the goblins seen in the film. The book names each goblin depicted in Froud's illustrations, and gives them a back-story. |
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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| − | The goblins are |
+ | The goblins are a remarkably diverse race, ranging from only a few inches to several feet in height. They also have drastically different physical features, displaying a diverse range if physical characterstics. Some goblins have small eyes while others have huge, potruding ones, some have horns and wild, unkempt hair while others are completely bald. |
The origin of the goblins is unclear. When Jareth is outlining to [[Sarah Williams|Sarah]] what will happen to her [[Toby Williams|infant brother]] if she fails to rescue him, he says the baby will become "one of us" if she does not reach him in time. This can be taken to mean the baby would have been turned into a goblin had Sarah lost, which in turn implies that the goblins may have once been human children themselves. |
The origin of the goblins is unclear. When Jareth is outlining to [[Sarah Williams|Sarah]] what will happen to her [[Toby Williams|infant brother]] if she fails to rescue him, he says the baby will become "one of us" if she does not reach him in time. This can be taken to mean the baby would have been turned into a goblin had Sarah lost, which in turn implies that the goblins may have once been human children themselves. |
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Most of the goblins are shown to be extremely stupid, to the point of idiocy. In the film they are generally used for comic effect, and are shown lounging aimlessly around Jareth's throne room, tormenting chickens and consuming alcohol. [[The Goblin Army]] appears highly incompetent, and fails to present any real threat to Sarah and her friends as they approach [[Jareth's Castle]]. |
Most of the goblins are shown to be extremely stupid, to the point of idiocy. In the film they are generally used for comic effect, and are shown lounging aimlessly around Jareth's throne room, tormenting chickens and consuming alcohol. [[The Goblin Army]] appears highly incompetent, and fails to present any real threat to Sarah and her friends as they approach [[Jareth's Castle]]. |
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| − | In'' Return to Labyrinth'' and ''The Goblins of Labyrinth'', goblins are shown to have a variety of careers outside the military, occupying positions as cooks, shoemakers and musicians. There are goblins of higher intelligence, such as [[Mayor Spittledrum]] who is competent enough to manage the bureaucratic running of [[The Goblin City]]. |
+ | In'' Return to Labyrinth'' and ''The Goblins of Labyrinth'', goblins are shown to have a variety of careers outside the military, occupying positions as cooks, shoemakers and musicians. There are goblins of higher intelligence, such as [[Mayor Spittledrum]] who is competent enough to manage the bureaucratic running of [[The Goblin City]]. |
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| − | ''[[Return to Labyrinth]]'' presents a broader picture of the goblins, featuring goblins with a greater range of traits than those in the film. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Revision as of 22:10, 29 November 2011
A gathering of goblins.
The Goblins are the most prominent race to inhabit the Labyrinth, and are ruled over by Jareth, the Goblin King. They feature in both the Jim Henson film Labyrinth and its manga sequel, Return to Labyrinth.
The Terry Jones and Brian Froud book The Goblins of Labyrinth is a catalogue of many of the concept drawings that served as inspiration for the goblins seen in the film. The book names each goblin depicted in Froud's illustrations, and gives them a back-story.
Description
The goblins are a remarkably diverse race, ranging from only a few inches to several feet in height. They also have drastically different physical features, displaying a diverse range if physical characterstics. Some goblins have small eyes while others have huge, potruding ones, some have horns and wild, unkempt hair while others are completely bald.
The origin of the goblins is unclear. When Jareth is outlining to Sarah what will happen to her infant brother if she fails to rescue him, he says the baby will become "one of us" if she does not reach him in time. This can be taken to mean the baby would have been turned into a goblin had Sarah lost, which in turn implies that the goblins may have once been human children themselves.
Contrary to the suggestion the goblins were once human children, Return to Labyrinth indicates that Jareth found the goblins dwelling in a swamp in a dank forest over a 1000 years prior to Sarah's wishing her brother away to him. Jareth decides to make himself the King of the goblins as he finds them amusing.
Most of the goblins are shown to be extremely stupid, to the point of idiocy. In the film they are generally used for comic effect, and are shown lounging aimlessly around Jareth's throne room, tormenting chickens and consuming alcohol. The Goblin Army appears highly incompetent, and fails to present any real threat to Sarah and her friends as they approach Jareth's Castle.
In Return to Labyrinth and The Goblins of Labyrinth, goblins are shown to have a variety of careers outside the military, occupying positions as cooks, shoemakers and musicians. There are goblins of higher intelligence, such as Mayor Spittledrum who is competent enough to manage the bureaucratic running of The Goblin City.