Magic and the Supernatural in The Hobbit
The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, is full of magic and things having to do with magic.
There are all sorts of supernatural creatures in this novel, including dwarves, trolls,
goblins, elves, wizards, and the main character is a “hobbit”. Overall, magic and the
supernatural plays a very big part in The Hobbit.
One major magic entity in the book is Gandalf. He shows his magic power a few
times. One of those times was when the little party was in the Misty Mountains, sleeping
in the cave. The goblins came in and captured all the dwarves and their ponies, but as they
reached Gandalf, he jumped up, killed some goblins with magical lightning, and
disappeared. He then snuck into the goblins caverns and saved the dwarves and Bilbo.
Another time he showed his magic prowess was when he and the dwarves were in the
trees surrounded by the wargs. He lit pine cones with a supernatural fire and chucked
them at the demented wolves, causing mass confusion and chaos in the wargs’ company.
Without the help of Gandalf and his magic, Bilbo and the dwarves would never have
gotten to even Rivendell, let alone the Lonely Mountain of Smaug the dragon.
The other item of the supernatural is the ring that Bilbo finds in Gollum’s cave.
Gollum has been completely taken over by this powerful piece of jewelry, and is livid
when he loses it. Bilbo happens to stumble upon the ring, only then to run into Gollum,
who challenges Bilbo to a game of riddles, with the hobbit’s life at stake. Bilbo wins, and
Gollum figures out that he has the ring. As Bilbo puts the ring on and Gollum runs right
past him. Bilbo realizes that the ring makes him invisible, and his whole life as the
dwarves’ burglar changes. He uses the ring to help the dwarves escape the spiders and
the wood elves. It also helps him when he goes into the den of Smaug. Without the
power of the ring to aid him, Bilbo and the dwarves would have been killed fairly early in
the story.
Fantasy creatures played a huge part in The Hobbit. The fact that all the main characters
are supernatural beings of some sort shows the importance of fantasy in this novel. Hobbits came
straight from the mind of J.R.R. Tolkien. Dwarves, wizards, trolls ,goblins, elves and dragons
When Bilbo encounters the strange creature Gollum, he enters into a game of riddles with the creature in order to buy more time. Bilbo’s wit enables him to prevail as he asks the final question, at first to himself, “What have I got in my pocket?” (78). Another example of Bilbo’s cunning wit would be his encounter with the great dragon Smaug. Smaug is a much more daunting opponent this time. As Smaug attempts to lure Bilbo into his hall, Bilbo proceeds to flatter the dragon and talk in riddles. “This is of course the way to talk to dragons, if you don’t want to reveal your proper name (which is wise), and don’t want to infuriate them by a flat refusal (which is also very wise)” (223). Bilbo’s cunning tactics establish Bilbo as being capable of conquering his enemies not with total force, but with the clever use of
Along their journey, they have memorable experiences and learn about the One Ring’s imperceptible powers. Furthermore, Frodo and his fellowship discover the powers of the One Ring growing along with the armies of Sauron with respect to time. Ultimately, Frodo and his eight companions must do what it takes to destroy the One Ring and
At the beginning of the novel, Mr. Baggins starts out at his comfy little hobbit home, but suddenly a grand, wise wizard shows up. Not long after, 12 dwarves began to appear, one by one at Bilbo’s door, and they have come to carry him off on a life-changing adventure, full of greed. That was the beginning of our hairy hobbit’s transformation from a shy, quiet hobbit, to a strong and bold life-saving hero, who enchants any who come in contact with him. For example of his strength and boldness, would be in chapter 5, when Bilbo rhymes riddles for an unknown creature, who calls itself Gollum. Bilbo would’ve been eaten if he were to have lost, but took his chances, and risked it anyway. After all, it did get him out of that goblin-infested cave.
After the dwarves have gone to sleep, Bilbo begins to have second thoughts about going on the adventure, “The Tookishness was wearing off, and he was not now quite sure that he was going on any journey in the morning” (Tolkien 27). Bilbo does not know if he wants to go on this adventure that Gandalf is planning, but changes his mind during the Acceptance of the Call. The next morning, Gandalf shows Bilbo the note under his clock, and Bilbo leaves to meet up with the dwarves to go on the adventure, “To the end of his days Bilbo could never remember how he found himself outside, without a hat, a walking-stick or any money” (Tolkien 30). This leads right to the third part of The Departure; Supernatural Aid. Gandalf the wizard, is Bilbo’s Supernatural Aid, he mentors and assists Bilbo and the dwarves on their quest. “They had not been riding very long, when up came Gandalf very splendid on a white horse. He had brought a lot of pocket-handkerchiefs, and Bilbo’s pipe tobacco” (Tolkien 31). While this does not indicate Gandalf’s supernatural abilities, it does; however, show that Gandalf will be there for, and assist the group in any way
When Frodo’s journey is about to unfold, the ring that was given to Frodo by his uncle/cousin Bilbo turns out to be the One ring that holds the essence of the dark lord Sauron. Because of Gollum, the previous owner of the ring, Sauron becomes aware of the rings locations and sends out the Black Riders to collect his precious.are sent out to claim the ring (Tolkien). This conflict is foreshadowed on page 13 and 14 of the prologue. “ He returned to his home at Bag End on June the 22nd of the fifty-second year (S.R. 1342), and nothing very notable occurred in the Shire until Mr.Baggins began the preparations for the celebration of his hundred-and-eleventh birthday (S.R. 1401). At this point this history begins.” Tolkien is very subtle with most of his writing, besides imagery and personification, examples like foreshadowing and metaphors are very hard to pick up on. This event sets the story in motion, and gives the readers a glimpse of what challenges Frodo is to face in the future. Another very important conflict arises between Boromir, Captain of Gondor and Frodo Baggins. In chapter 10 of the second book when the Fellowship is at Amon Hen, Boromir follows Frodo into the woods,and insists that Frodo let him have the ring but Frodo says no. Boromir attacks Frodo for the ring due to the influence of the ring pulling him in, but Frodo slips on the ring becoming
Bilbo and the dwarves are in a cave being chased by goblins. Dori is carrying Bilbo since his legs are too short to run. Then Dori gets tripped and starts to run again, leaving Bilbo behind. Bilbo rolls off and hits his head against a rock, now he is unconscious.... ...
Once again, they are caught by the Black Riders. Frodo puts on the ring and turns invisible but the Black Riders could still see him since it was made in Mordor and stab him. Frodo barely makes it to Rivendell alive. At Rivendell, Frodo is cured.
During the middle of Bilbo and his crew's adventure they run into big trouble with the giant spiders. While asleep in the dark of the forrest Bilbo and the dwarves are surprised to find themselves tied up by the spiders. Using his sword later named Sting, Bilbo cuts himself free. He leads the spiders away from the dwarves by throwing stones in the opposite direction, then he sets the dwarves free with help from the invisibility ring so the spiders could not see him. Bilbo throws himself in harm all to guarantee the dwarves their protection. Another time Bilbo offered up his safety in order to ensure the dwarves was when he rescued all of them from the wood elves. As Bilbo and the dwarves were on a mission to find food somewhere, they run into the wood-elves. Bilbo put his ring on so he was invisibly but all the dwarves were locked up in the Elvenking's castle. After several weeks of exploring the castle, Bilbo comes up with his plan of escape. Bilbo steals the keys from the guard while he was not paying attention, then manages to set all the dwarves free. They are now all floating downstream in empty wine barrels. If it was not for Bilbo's yield, they would still be prisoners in there. It was risky business and Bilbo could be caught and locked up as well, but he did it and his plan was completed with a favorable
Just before he leaves, Gandalf asks Bilbo for his ring. Due to the power in which the ring possesses while it is in his possession, he does not want to give it up. The novel ends with the destruction of the Fellowship due to the power in which the ring contains. One of the prime facts of the Middle Earth is power. Power is not neutral, but is always evil.
Organic food has become so popular these days, since people especially in United States are making a commitment to have a good start towards a healthier life. People often doubt whether the organic food is really healthier and more nutritious? Why does it cost so expensive? Well, first of all, the term “organic” is referring to the way agricultural products are grown and processed which later on will affected the quality of the food. In order for a product to be labeled as “organic”, they must meet several specific conditions and requirements. Consuming organic food will not only affect health, but also the existence of animals as well as the food resource and the environment.
The story starts with the 33rd birthday-party for Frodo Baggans, and the 111th birthday party for Bilbo Baggans, Hobbits who live in a mythical land called the Shire. Frodo’s best friend is his gardner Sam. Frodo owns a magic Ring which makes him invisible when he wears it, a gift from his cousin Bilbo who stole it from Gollum years ago.
Bilbo begins his long journey with the dwarves, who at the time were still skeptical of Bilbo’s abilities. The dwarves didn’t see why they needed such a small incompetent hobbit with them along their journey. Gandalf tells them to stop complaining and to trust that there is more to Bilbo than meets the eye (Tolkien 6). Bilbo soon shows his courage and heroism for the first time in the story when they run into their first obstacle, three large trolls huddled around a campfire. Bilbo, who was once a shy, non-adventurous type, begins to develop into a hero as he tries to steal one of the trolls’ money purses. This is a dramatic scene in the novel because it was Bilbo’s very first act outside his comfort zone. It was this...
...ting points of the plot also relied on Bilbo’s courage. If Bilbo did not have such a valuable trait, the story of the Hobbit would’ve been fairly short.
The book begins with Bilbo Baggins celebrating his one hundred and eleventh birthday. Many "Hobbits" show up at his party including his third cousin, Frodo, which is the main character of the novel and a powerful wizard named Gandalf. Biblo possed a powerful ring known as the "Ruling Ring" which gives "Supreme Power" to whoever has possession of it. At the end of the party, Bilbo uses his magical ring to turn invisible and stun his guests. Gandalf, the powerful wizard, then meets up with Biblo at his house and takes the ring from Bilbo, which is corrupting him. Gandalf examines it, realizing that the ring Bilbo has is the powerful "Ruling Ring". Knowing that the forces of evil are in search of the ring, Gandalf sends Frodo, a relative of Biblo, to destroy the ring in the only place it can be destroyed, "Mt. Doom". Overhearing the talk between Gandalf and Frodo, Sam, a "Hobbit", that is good friends with Frodo is forced on the quest to aid Frodo.
changed Bilbo’s life and destiny. Something he would not have experienced if it was not for all these adventures and the characters he has met.