Carcharoth, also known as the Red Maw or Karkaroff, is an antagonist introduced in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion. He was a werewolf created by the Dark Lord Morgoth during the First Age of Middle-earth.
Carcharoth was the greatest werewolf who ever lived, a beast of the line of Draugluin, raised by Morgoth on living flesh and filled with great power. Carcharoth, who was also named Anfauglir (IPA: /anˈfaʊglir/), the 'Jaws of Thirst', grew to great size and his strength seemed beyond compare. His eyes burned like red coals and his teeth were poisoned as the spears of Morgoth's Orc legions. Carcharoth was the guardian of the gate of Angband and none could pass him by the strength of body alone. The walls of Angband were sheer and dread chasms of serpents lay on either side of the road and Carcharoth lay unsleeping before the gate.
He became involved with the Quest for the Silmaril when Beren and Lúthien had to pass him on their way in. Lúthien enchanted him with her magic, but on their way out Carcharoth attacked before Lúthien could enthrall him again. Beren held out the captured Silmaril in an attempt to stay the beast, but Carcharoth bit off Beren's hand at the wrist, Silmaril and all.
The Silmaril burned away Carcharoth's insides, and he became crazed with pain. He passed south through Beleriand until he arrived in Doriath. There Beren Erchamion, Elu Thingol, Beleg Cúthalion, and Mablung joined with Huan the Hound to hunt him down.
Carcharoth was killed by Beren and Huan in FA 466, but they were both killed in the process. When Mablung cut open the belly of the beast, he found there the Silmaril with Beren's hand still around it. When he touched the flesh, however, the Simaril was swept away by the wind.
