All Questions
Tagged with tolkiens-legendarium the-hobbit
470
questions
23
votes
5
answers
11k
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In the films, why does Sauron choose Azog instead of the ringwraiths to lead his legions?
It seems like it would make more sense to have your most powerful servants leading your armies, rather than some orc who only cares about revenge. Is there a plot explanation or a description in film ...
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11
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Where do Saruman's loyalties lie during the events of The Hobbit?
In The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Thorin's company comes to Rivendell. While there, Elrond, Galadriel, and Saruman privately brace Gandalf to inquire about his activities with the dwarves. (~1h35m)...
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16
votes
3
answers
2k
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Why is Bilbo's door and Hobbit house so incredibly oversized in Tolkien's own final illustration in The Hobbit?
Tolkien was a good artist to say the least. He did not have problems with perspective and whatnot in the other illustrations he made for The Hobbit, so that can't really be the explanation.
Yet, the ...
- 3,873
6
votes
1
answer
504
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Why wasn't Thorin aware about the state of Mirkwood and the Old Forest Road?
In The Hobbit, in the "Queer Lodgings" chapter, Beorn explains to the company the dangers that they might face through Mirkwood:
“But your way through Mirkwood is dark, dangerous and ...
- 2,524
1
vote
0
answers
182
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Why does Gandalf question Thorin after he had found the note?
Why does Gandalf question Thorin about their orc hunters, AFTER he had already found a note in black speech offering payment for Thorin's head and showing him this in the tavern.
Gandalf and Balin ...
- 7,809
12
votes
2
answers
748
views
Which plant was used as Athelas in LOTR / Hobbit movies?
There is already an exquisite thread concerning the plant described in the book
link here and its relative real life counterpart,
but my question is about the one actually used in the movies .
Any ...
- 131
44
votes
1
answer
7k
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Are there other dragons in Middle-earth by the time of The Hobbit?
The Hobbit deals with the Dwarves trying to reclaim their mountain homeland from the dragon Smaug. During this time, are there other dragons who are alive in Middle Earth?
50
votes
10
answers
20k
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What is the purpose of the "Good Morning" dialogue from The Hobbit?
In the novel The Hobbit, towards the start of the story Bilbo wishes Gandalf a good morning:
"Good Morning!" said Bilbo, and he meant it. The sun was shining, and the grass was very green. ...
CommunityBot
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-2
votes
3
answers
8k
views
Is Gandalf an elf?
In The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, when Gandalf is walking alongside the Elven king Thranduil, I noticed some similarities between the two, like their height and their hair.
Gandalf seems too naive ...
- 134k
60
votes
3
answers
15k
views
What are the revisions in the (Revised Edition) of The Hobbit?
So this past Saturday a group of my friends and I all watched the three The Lord of the Rings extended edition movies in one sitting.
That night, I borrowed a copy of The Hobbit, which I've never read,...
- 42.2k
8
votes
1
answer
3k
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Why does Tolkien make Thorin to be older than Balin, only to present Balin in the Hobbit as "very old-looking"?
Tolkien characterized Balin in the Hobbit as "very old-looking":
... Instead there was a very old-looking dwarf on
the step with a white beard and a scarlet hood; and he too hopped inside ...
- 576
36
votes
2
answers
4k
views
What does the inscription on the pot of gold in "A Conversation with Smaug" say?
Tolkien painted a watercolour picture of "A Conversation with Smaug" for the cover of The Hobbit.
In the lower left corner there is a pot containing a pile of gold with an Elvish(?) ...
- 95.2k
17
votes
4
answers
1k
views
Who cast the spells over the troll treasure?
In The Hobbit, after Thorin and company raid the troll's cave they bury the treasure they looted. It's says "they" cast lots of spells over the treasure to help hide it.
Then they brought up their ...
- 2,807
16
votes
3
answers
5k
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What two things did Bilbo say that Gandalf interpreted as asking for an adventure?
I mean, you used to upset things pretty badly in these parts once upon a time. I beg your pardon, but I had no idea you were still in business.” “Where else should I be?” said the wizard. “All ...
- 104
2
votes
2
answers
307
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Is there any backstory for the "extraordinary luck of widow's sons"?
“Gandalf, Gandalf! Good gracious me! Not the wandering wizard that gave Old Took a pair of magic diamond studs that fastened themselves and never came undone till ordered? Not the fellow who used ...
- 17.6k
94
votes
14
answers
80k
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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 ...
- 2,807
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?
- 98.6k
5
votes
2
answers
1k
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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 ...
- 5,907
13
votes
3
answers
3k
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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?
- 3,886
-3
votes
2
answers
6k
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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 ...
- 38.8k
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 ...
- 5,390
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, ...
- 702k
27
votes
3
answers
7k
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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 ...
- 134k
17
votes
2
answers
33k
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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)
...
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14
votes
6
answers
58k
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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 ...
- 39k
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 ...
- 39k
8
votes
6
answers
9k
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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 ...
- 3,886
13
votes
5
answers
5k
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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.
...
- 3,886
50
votes
6
answers
28k
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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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