Troll, in Scandinavian folklore, is an ugly dwarf or giant that typically lives underground or in caves. Originally, the word troll was a synonym for Jotun << YAW tun >> , a race of giants in Norse mythology. Trolls were considered dangerous and powerful but unworthy of worship. Folklorists often divide trolls into two groups called jaette << YAH teh >> trolls and huldrefolk.
Jaette trolls, like ogres, are spiteful giants who hunt humans at night to satisfy their cannibalistic appetites. This kind of troll is said to be ugly and appear extremely old. Jaette trolls are strong, slow-moving, and dim-witted. They cannot stand sunlight, which turns them into stone. The English author J. R. R. Tolkien featured several variations on jaette trolls in his fantasy novels.
Huldrefolk means hidden folk. These trolls are said to look like humans. Some stories, however, indicate that huldrefolk have tails. Huldrefolk are said to live underground in wild places. A human man who hears the alluring song of a huldra (female of the huldrefolk) will come under her spell. The man may remain her captive for many years. The play Peer Gynt (1867), by the Norwegian author Henrik Ibsen, features a young man lured to the hall of the Mountain King by the song of a huldra.
