The Hobbit – Notes on Pages 261-280 The Battle of Five Armies

Previously on Hobbit Improvement The dragon is dead, and the dwarves have the Lonely Mountain, with all its wealth. However, armies of humans and wood elves come with a claim to the treasure. Furthermore, Bilbo has, strangely enough, decided to conceal the Arkenstone from Thorin and the rest, for reasons as yet unclear.

Page 261 Thanks to the many messenger ravens, the dwarves have learned of the two coming armies. In response, they erect a wall across the main gate. What does this suggest about the dwarves intentions?

Page 262 That night, the campfires show the approach of the two armies. In the day, the armies send scouts, find the gates walled and Thorin asking for identification, but the scouts return in silence.

Page 263 As Bilbo and some of the younger dwarves wish they could go out and join the feasting ‘round the armies’ campfires, the elder dwarves fashion a new song from their old one. Let’s read it together on 263-264. “The heart is bold that looks on gold.”

Page 264 Thorin expects reinforcements. Who, and from where, will more dwarves come? Yet he does not know when / how long it will take them to get here.

Page 265 Bard comes forward to negotiate with Thorin, claiming friendship and questioning Thorin’s intentions in building a wall. Bard asks for aide, as he has slain the dragon, as some of old Dale’s wealth is mingled with the dwarves’, and as the people of Lake Town are in great need after the town’s destruction. Are his pleas valid? Why or why not? Bilbo “did not reckon with the power that gold has upon which a dragon has long brooded, nor with dwarvish hearts.” Note that in fantasy, magic goes side by side with real-life motivations and meanings. On one level, there’s plain old greed; on another, there’s magic in the gold reinforcing that greed. As dragons sitting on gold have come to be the ultimate symbol of greed in ancient tales, so too in modern tales they’ve gained a magical greed-embueing power that they transfer to the gold, itself.

Page 266 Thorin says no, but gives reasoning as well – reasoning that seems sound, though motivated by greed: The treasure was not his that his evil deeds should be amended with a share of it. The price of the goods and the assistance that we received of the Lake-men we will fairly pay – in due time. But nothing will we give, not even a loaf’s worth, under threat of force. While an armed host lies before our doors, we look on you as foes and thieves.” Are Thorin’s words unfair? Unjust? To what extent? Why?

Page 266-267 (End of Chapter) The armies will not back down, nor will Thorin. They emphasize their need, ask for 1/12 of the gold at the least. How does Thorin give a non-verbal answer? Gets right to the point, doesn’t it?

Page 268 (Start of Chapter) “A Thief in the Night” This is where the novel diverges from the animated film (though this plot element is kept in the live-action film, thankfully). What is Thorin looking for, and who has it? How many dwarves are coming to their aide?

Page 269 Note Bilbo trying to bring them back to reality: “How shall you be fed without the friendship and goodwill of the lands about you? The treasure is likely to be your death, though the dragon is no more!” – Bilbo How does Thorin respond? In time, night falls again, and strangely enough, Bilbo offers to take Bombur’s shift…

Page 270 Definitely up to something, Bilbo does not keep watch, but instead goes invisible and leaves the Lonely Mountain. In time, he makes his way to the human / elf encampments and turns himself over.

Page 271 Bilbo is brought before Bard and the Elvenking, where he discusses his desire to see this whole business at an end. Does he have that power? How?

Page 272 “You don’t know Thorin Oakenshield as well as I do now. I assure you, he is quite ready to sit on a heap of gold and starve, as long as you sit here.” – Bilbo. Notice the likeness of Thorin to a typical dragon, at this point. Bilbo offers information for free it seems, but how does he propose to end / prevent all conflict? How do you think Thorin will take this news, when he hears of it? Will he be more or less likely to consider peace?

Page 273 Note that Bilbo is willing to give up everything – all his claim to the gold, even the good will of his dwarven friends – to end the war before it starts and save their lives. Of all those present, he is prizing life more highly than gold. For some cultures, this is a strange concept, though modern folks can, perhaps, more easily empathize. Again, Bilbo intends to go back. How do you think that will go over?

Page 274 (End of Chapter) Who does Bilbo run into, on his way out of the human / elven camp? “An old man, wrapped in a dark cloak.” “Well done! Mr. Baggins!” “There is always more about you than anyone expects.” Gandalf. Notice he appears not to save the day, not to solve all Bilbo’s problems, but to commend him on solving his own. Notice the transition from the beginning of the book to the end, much like a child-parent relationship between Bilbo and Gandalf.

Page 275 (Start of Chapter) “The Clouds Burst” If the former chapter was a gathering of the clouds (armies), then the cloud- burst is the time when those armies collide. The two armies send word that they wish to negotiate again, as new information has presented itself. Thorin thinks it’s just news of the dwarven army. Dramatic irony – what do we know that he doesn’t?

Page 276 And here, they drop the bomb on Thorin, so to speak. “Is there then nothing for which you would yield any of your gold?...What of the Arkenstone of Thrain?” As Thorin demands to know how they obtained it, Bilbo admits it openly. “You! You!” “He shook poor Bilbo like a rabbit.”

Page 277 As Thorin curses both Bilbo and Gandalf (for his choice of Bilbo for the group), Gandalf reveals himself. “You descendant of rats!” Now, lower than rabbits. Initially, Thorin exiles Bilbo and offers to trade his 1/14 share for the Arkenstone…eventually…but neither side wishes to part with their portion of the deal, first – understandibly. And Gandalf reminds Thorin that he is not acting very kingly, at this time.

Page 278 Thanks to our omniscient narrator, we get Thorin’s intentions – his pondering of whether to wait for Dain’s dwarven army and take all by force. The greed and power of the dragon are strong upon him. Note that it seems to be affecting Thorin more than anyone: “More than one of the dwarves in their hearts felt shame and pity at [Bilbo’s] going.”

Page 279 Dain and the dwarven army arrives. Notice the “polite” and “non-polite” versions of Dain’s message, translated for us. Why doesn’t Bard want the dwarven army to reach the mountain?

Page 280 Does Thorin pay, as agreed? What does he “pay” with, instead? Bard is confident of their abilities to win an above- ground battle, whereas the Elvenking desires to wait them out, yet. We’ll see what happens in the concluding reading / lecture. Read 281 through the end of the novel, for tomorrow. Furthermore, remember to turn in your copy of The Hobbit tomorrow to me directly (not the shelf) when I call for them. I must cross off your number on the roster before we place them on the shelf.