Significance of orcs

Orcs represent the spread of corruption. The Orcs themselves have very little character development. While they do have some sentience, as shown when they honor Meglin’s request to be taken to Morgoth, they do not seem to do much on their own. In battle, they and the Goblins are used as battering rams, throwing themselves at Gondolin’s walls and gates in vast numbers. Morgoth does not care what Orcs die. The Orcs themselves are focused on spreading chaos by killing anyone they can and fighting to the death. The stronger the darkness becomes, the more the Orcs destroy the world.