All Questions
Tagged with tolkiens-legendarium the-hobbit
470
questions
23
votes
5
answers
11k
views
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 ...
- 1
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)...
- 685
16
votes
3
answers
2k
views
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
501
views
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 ...
- 2,514
1
vote
0
answers
170
views
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 ...
- 7,810
12
votes
2
answers
733
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
views
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
views
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
- 1
-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,...
- 42.1k
8
votes
1
answer
3k
views
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(?) ...
- 94.9k
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
views
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
302
views
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 ...
- 17.5k