Muncle Trogg is the newest, also the smallest, while Hagrid is the most endearing. Over the ages, literature and mythology has thrown up a mix of giants. Here are the Guide'S favourites
Muncle Trogg is the newest, also the smallest, while Hagrid is the most endearing. Over the ages, literature and mythology has thrown up a mix of giants. Here are the Guide'S favourites
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What's his story? He is the lone character in the Potter series who has been drawn from the Forest of Dean. Dumbledore often admits he would trust him with his life, and is always in the thick of things, whether it is safely ferrying Harry after the murder of his parents by Lord Voldermort or bringing the Philosopher's Stone from Gringotts to Hogwarts.
Height: 8 ft 6 inches
Goliath
Finds mention in: Hebrew Bible, Old Testament, Quran
Who is he? Champion and giant Philistine warrior, he hailed from the town of Gath. Famous for his duel with David, future king of Israel.
What's his story? Goliath represents the Philistines, who are facing Saul and the Israelites at the Valley of Elah. Goliath challenges the Israelites to bring out a match for his strength, which young David accepts. He declines to wear battle armour preferring his sling with five stones. David hurls a stone from his sling that hits Goliath on his forehead and brings the giant to his knees. David grabs his sword and cuts off his head. The Philistines flee in fear.
Height: Varies from six feet, nine inches to ten feet tall depending on the scriptures, narrators and manuscripts
Kumbhakarna
Finds mention in: Valmiki's Ramayana
Who is he? Brother of Ravana and a rakshasa (demon), Kumbhakarna is enormous, always hungry and sleeps endlessly. Despite his portrayal as a softie, he killed and ate Hindu monks to boast of his might. What's his story? An intelligent, pious demon, ancient manuscripts mention that even Indra was jealous of him.
When the time came to ask Brahma for a wish, he asked for Nidravatvam (sleep), which meant that he slept and awoke after six months, eating everything he saw, including humans. When Ravana went to war, he had to be awakened with great difficulty. When he awoke, he tried to convince his brother of his wrongdoing. Rama finally killed him in battle.
Height: 42,000 metres
Muncle Trogg
Finds mention in: Janet Foxley's Muncle Trogg
Who is he? Muncle Trogg, a young giant, is laughed at for being so small that he's human-sized.
What's his story? Muncle often wonders about the humans he's meant to look like, and so one day runs down Misty Mountain to see for himself. His friends are an escaped dragon called Snarg and a little girl called Emily.
He realises that humans may be small but they aren't stupid. When Emily reveals that Misty Mountain is a live volcano with the giants living on top, Muncle realises he must do something to save his people.
Height: That of an average human
The Ents
Finds mention in:u00a0 JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings
Who are they? These talking trees are ancient shepherds of the forest who derive their name from the Anglo-Saxon word for giant.
What's their story? The Ents are allies of the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth during the War of the Ring. Treebread is their leader. He is the oldest and most popular Ent. The Ents speak Entish, the female is called Entwife and their children, Entings. Known to be extremely tall and strong, they were created to protect the forests from dwarves and calamities. The only way to kill an Ent is by fire.
Height: 14 ft
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