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Questions tagged [the-hobbit]

For questions about The Hobbit, a 1937 Children's novel by Tolkien. Please always use with the [tolkiens-legendarium] tag. For questions about the film adaptations use in conjunction with the film tags, [an-unexpected-journey], etc.

94 votes
14 answers
80k views

Are orcs and goblins really the same thing?

Are orcs and goblins really the same in The Hobbit and LotR, and where does it say that? Are they variant sub-races or something, explaining the different physical attributes? Or is my assumption they ...
26 votes
3 answers
6k views

Where did Bilbo Baggins' money come from before he departed on his adventure?

He seems to live quite well, but unlike other hobbits he doesn't look like a farmer. Was he a landowner or something?
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

Is the Necromancer capable of true resurrection?

Will those resurrected by the Necromancer be undead demonic creatures, or can necromancers also bring people back who might live a normal life after the resurrection as before they died? Who is the ...
13 votes
3 answers
3k views

Were there any jails or some type of incarceration centers in Middle-earth or Tolkien's legendarium

It seems that the bad guys were either banished, killed or just ran wild causing trouble until they were 'dealt with'. Were there any jails in Tolkien's legendarium?
-3 votes
2 answers
6k views

Why doesn't Smaug die in the 2nd Hobbit film if it was titled the 'Desolation of Smaug'?

Doesn't desolation mean a state of complete emptiness or destruction? So why doesn't Smaug perish by the end of the 2nd Hobbit film if the film's title was made to describe his end? He only dies at ...
1 vote
1 answer
817 views

Who was buried at the High ­Fells of Rhudaur?

I was recently rewatching the Hobbit movies and one thing stood out to me. From reading the various answers here, it was discussed that: The Nazgul are not undead but just wraiths (i.e. faded due to ...
14 votes
5 answers
5k views

Is the pipe-weed in Middle-earth somehow intoxicating?

Hobbits and Gandalf often smoke pipe-weed. The way it is referred to implies it may have intoxicating effects similar to marijuana. “Both the silence and the smoke seemed greatly to annoy Saruman, ...
27 votes
3 answers
7k views

Have Elrond and Galadriel ever spoken to each other in person?

I find it interesting that throughout the LotR trilogy and Hobbit, Elrond and Galadriel never talked to each other. They were in the same places as each other but I don't recall them ever speaking to ...
17 votes
2 answers
33k views

What kind of rabbits did Radagast use to pull his sleigh?

In the Hobbit movie, Radagast has a sleigh that is pulled by rabbits. At one point he says something along these lines to Gandalf: These are ??? rabbits! I'd like to see them try (to catch me) ...
14 votes
6 answers
58k views

What makes Galadriel so powerful?

I have seen Galadriel being more powerful than most of the others (in the movies, such as The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies) and I wonder why that is, and also what makes her weak after using ...
71 votes
12 answers
78k views

Why did Sméagol turn into a 'creature' when addicted to the ring, but not Bilbo Baggins?

Why did Sméagol turn into a 'creature', but not Bilbo Baggins? Déagol found the ring in a river, Sméagol stole it and then turned into a weird creature. Bilbo did not turn into a creature when he ...
8 votes
6 answers
9k views

Why did Thranduil bring an army to Erebor?

When the Dwarves fled Erebor following Smaug's invasion, Thranduil was seen arriving with an army before turning away promptly to return to Mirkwood. Why did he bring an army to Erebor? Did he ...
13 votes
5 answers
5k views

Can Gandalf actually appear out of nowhere like in 'The Hobbit'

In the 1977, animated version of 'The Hobbit' we see Gandalf appear out of nowhere in front of Bag End and again as they travel to Rivendell. Can Gandalf really appear out of nowhere in Tolkiens ...
15 votes
3 answers
12k views

How old is Smaug, the dragon, in The Hobbit?

Wikipedia says Smaug drove the dwarves out of their mountain stronghold 150 years prior to the events of The Hobbit. But it doesn't mention his age. Tolkien Gateway says Smaug's birthyear is unknown. ...
50 votes
6 answers
28k views

How was Smaug's treasure actually divided?

If I recall correctly: The agreement was that each dwarf would receive 1/14 of the treasure. Bilbo takes the Arkenstone, and though unspoken, is willing to give up his share for it. Bard demanded 1/...

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