Gríma, called (the) Wormtongue, is a fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. He serves as a secondary antagonist there; his role is expanded in Unfinished Tales. He is introduced in The Two Towers as the chief advisor to King Théoden of Rohan and henchman of Saruman.
To some psychologists, Wormtongue serves as an archetypal sycophant. Tolkien scholars note that Tolkien based Wormtongue on the untrustworthy character Unferth in Beowulf. He is presumptive, behaving as if he already rules Rohan, and exemplifies lechery, as correctly guessed by Gandalf; he hopes to become rich, and to take Éowyn as the woman he desires.
The name Gríma derives from the Old English or Icelandic word meaning "mask", "helmet", or "spectre".
Appearances
The Two Towers
Gríma, son of Gálmód, is at first a faithful servant, but he falls in league with the traitorous wizard Saruman, and from then on works to weaken King Théoden of Rohan and his kingdom through lies and persuasion, in his position as chief advisor to the King.
Tolkien describes him as "a wizened figure of a man, with a pale wise face, and heavy lidded eyes", and a "long pale tongue". Gríma is widely disliked in Edoras; everyone except Théoden calls him "Wormtongue". and Gandalf repeatedly compares him to a snake: