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Originally Posted by Majimaune  In the movies they grow in mud. Not in the books. In the books it doesn't say according to my memory. |
I think the books say that the Orcs are created by their masters
In some ways , the Orcs are actually the most poorly treated characters in the stories , and perhaps deserve some sympathy from the reader. Creatures created as virtual slaves to do their masters bidding , they are initially portrayed as as a single entity rather than as individuals .
Yet as the story progresses , we see that they each have their own hopes and fears - many appear to obey purely out of fear of the leaders. The reader is even presented with the names of individual orcs , and some insight into the workings of their minds
How many of these creatures would prefer to live in a peaceful community? How many are sick of doing the evil bidding of their masters ? It is interesting to see that whilst the Orcs of Mordor live in dread of their superiors the Nazgul , the Uruk-Hai have an entirely different view of their master Saruman ,nicknaming him affectionaly Sharkey , likening him almost to a father figure rather than an object of dread.
Indeed , it could be said that as their creator , Saruman is in all meaningful ways a father to his troops , seeing as he gave them life. It is also interesting to note the way in which he obviously cares for his creations , ensuring they are bigger , stronger , and cleverer than those created by the more powerful Sauron , and providing them with man's-flesh to eat
Yet the forces of good consider all of these creatures as inherently evil , with no chance of redemption. In all cases they are cut down , even whilst fleeing the battlefield , posing no threat. None are shown mercy , or offered quarter - they are surrounded and systematically slaughtered until none are left
Even Sauron doesn't wipe out his conquered foes. Ok , he might imprison or use them as slaves , but at least he lets them live.