With spooky season in full swing, the usual panoply of creepy characters are on display. On a given day we might see any number of ghouls, skeletons and witches. There are many scary creatures beyond these, however.
Unlike the ugly-cute dolls of the 1960s and the recent series of children’s films, Scandinavian trolls are not friendly or adorable. They are generally large, ugly and slow-witted. Some trolls have more than one head. They are often depicted with long, tufted tails.
These creatures have a reputation for being reclusive and dangerous. One of the most famous trolls from Scandinavian folklore is the troll under the bridge from Billy Goats Gruff. This tale, carried over from an oral tradition, depicts a ravenous troll being conquered by three clever goats. The oldest and largest goat defeats the troll by breaking his bones with his hooves, putting out his eyes with his horns and then butting him into the river below. In the lesser known Askeladden stories, the titular character frequently encounters trolls and outwits them, usually to a spectacularly gruesome demise.
Trolls have a particular animosity towards Christianity. Trolls can smell Christians and enjoy eating them; they hurl boulders at churches. The absence of trolls is often described in more modern folklore as being a consequence of the sound of church-bells. This ringing caused the trolls to leave for other territory.
Another belief was that trolls turn to stone when exposed to sunlight. There are a number of landmarks in Scandinavia attributed to trolls caught out at daybreak. The most famous of these is Trolltunga, or “troll tongue” in Norway. This spit of land juts dramatically from the surrounding landscape and is a favorite photo opportunity for more adventurous tourists.
Trolls do occupy a space in popular culture beyond good luck dolls and brightly colored children’s toys. Trolls have appeared in many works of modern fiction, most often in the fantasy genre, with classic examples being the portrayal of trolls in works such as in Tolkien’s Middle-earth or the Dungeons & Dragons. Trolls are mentioned in every Harry Potter book except The Half-Blood Prince. Troll is the name of a 2022 Norwegian movie released by Netflix where the main antagonist is a wild troll. Trollhunter, which was released in 2010, is another Norwegian film made in a “found footage,” mockumentary style. The trolls in these works are lumbering, ravenous, and scary. They would make the perfect addition to any Halloween.