Since Tolkien was largely influenced by the Old English poem *Beowulf*, it should not be a surprise if his Orcs were at least partly derived from it.

Just as the Orcs are twisted, monstrous, naturally evil descendants of Elves, so is Grendel a twisted, monstrous, naturally evil descendant of Cain, and thus Adam. There is a similar motif of mundane beings being corrupted into monsters.

Furthermore, one descendent of Cain mentioned in the poem is referred to to as an **orcneas**.