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.
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Why is Sauron called "the Necromancer"?
During the time period of The Hobbit, a character is mentioned called the Necromancer. Radagast even (in the movie) specifically states that the Necromancer can "summon the spirits of the dead." (It'...
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What did Frodo mean by "He told me the true story"?
I'm re-reading the Lord of the Rings saga since 10 to 12 years ago, but something striked me as odd in The Fellowship of the Ring's first chapter: A Long-Expected Party (emphasis is mine):
‘She ...
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Why was Gandalf involved with the Dwarves' quest to rob Smaug?
From what I understand, the Istari were sent in to help the peoples of Middle-earth get through the third age. Why then, did Gandalf help the Dwarves along (and get Bilbo involved) in their quest to ...
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The use of the word "guns" in The Hobbit
In Chapter XVIII - The Return Journey of the book 'The Hobbit', Tolkien uses the word "guns".
'The roar of his voice was like drums and guns; and he tossed
wolves and goblins from his path ...
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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 ...
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Why does Smaug have 4 legs in the 1st movie but only 2 legs in the 2nd?
In the movie, The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey, Smaug has 4 legs. If you look closely in this scene where he crawls into the mountain, he has 2 fore legs and 2 back legs.
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Would Smaug have actually followed and allied with Sauron had he lived on?
I know Gandalf was worried Smaug would have joined Sauron, but was that just him being cautious? Would Smaug actually join up with Sauron? How does he benefit from that? All it does is bring more ...
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During the War of the Ring did Sauron or Saruman actually win any major battles?
I've recently re-read The Lord of the Rings and one thing that simply bugs me, and makes Tolkien's books seem lesser, is the fact Sauron and Saruman seem to lose every battle. I sincerely hope that I'...
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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 ...
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Why didn't Gandalf just fight Smaug directly?
So if memory serves right, the premise of the Hobbit is that Gandalf gets this rag-tag team together to retrieve the Arkenstone, so that the Dwarves can reunite, so that they can take back their ...
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Who was the fifth army in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies movie?
Elves
Dwarves
Men
Orcs
Who was the 5th army in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies?
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Why didn't Sauron find Bilbo when he put on the ring like Frodo?
When Frodo put on the One Ring, both the Nazgûl and Sauron himself found Frodo. However when Bilbo had the ring and possibly used it many times, Sauron sought Gollum to get a hint on where to look for ...
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Why did the Dwarves build Erebor with wide hallways big enough for dragons to fit in?
Why didn't they build narrow hallways and doors so that no dragon would fit in?
Dwarves are short and stouty, so why didn't they go "Tucker's Kobolds" on Smaug?
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Was Gollum always a hobbit?
Gollum first appears in The Hobbit, as a pitiful creature from whom Bilbo 'steals' the ring. From what I remember, there is no mention of his hobbithood. He's just a unique creature Bilbo finds.
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Was the Lonely Mountain, where Smaug lived, a volcano?
Was the Lonely Mountain in The Hobbit a volcano?
If not, how did the dwarves get enough heat to run the huge forges?
I am asking about the books, not the movies.
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