comic relief in LotR

[Ainaserkewen]

A-HEM! Did we forget the little incident with the Legolas and Gimli contest with killing the orcs?!

One of my favourite quirky things that Legolas did. He was strange, no?
"I go to find the sun." was another. Most of the time he goes unoticed, but then, out of the blue he's quirky and funny.

[littlemanpoet]

"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." This was unexpected and rather difficult. There was some scattered clapping, but most of them were trying to work it out and see if it came to a compliment.

Cracks me up every time.

Together we score one hundred and forty-four. Your numbers were chosen to fit this remarkable total: One Gross, if I may use the expression. No cheers. This was ridiculous. Many of the guests, and especially the Sackville-Bagginses were insulted, feeling sure they had only been asked to fill up the required number, like goods in a package. 'One Gross, indeed! Vulgar expression.'

later....

Why couldn't he stop talking and let them drink his health?

love it!

[gorthaur_cruel]

I'd surprised this hasn't already been mentioned! When Aragorn mocks the herb-master

Merry smiled. 'Well then,' he said, 'if Strider will provide what is needed, I will smoke and think. I had some of Saruman's best in my pack, but what became of it in the battle, I am sure I don't know.'

'Master Meriadoc,' said Aragorn, 'if you think that I have passed through the mountains and the realm of Gondor with fire and sword to bring herbs to a careless soldier who throws away his gear, you are mistaken. If your pack has not been found, then you must send for the herb-master of this House. And he will tell you that he did not know that the herb you desire had any virtues, but that it is called westmansweed by the vulgar, and galenas by the noble, and other names in other tongues more learned, and after adding a few half-forgotten rhymes that he does not understand, he will regretfully inform you that there is none in the House, and he will leave you to reflect on the history of tongues. And so now must I. For I have not slept in such a bed as this, since I rode from Dunharrow, nor eaten since the dark before dawn.'

Hilarious...the funniest scene ever from LotR, IMO.

[Ainaserkewen]

It's through the insults of Aragorn and Gandalf that we realise how wonderful they are. Golly, they must live in world of idiots. Aragorn rules over a city of idiots! These days some are too polite to come out and say when people are being stupid. Aragorn shows us simpler times.

[Lalwendë]

I'll second Littlemanpoet's vote for: I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve. One day I shall work this line into my retirement speech (now five years further down the line than I had thought but I digress...).

I like all the humour linking Hobbits and food; there seems to be a fair bit of this in the first chapter, naturally. As an example, when the Hobbits are startled by Gandalf's firework, their trauma is soon relieved by the appearance of supper:

They all ducked, and many fell flat on their faces. The dragon passed like an express train, turned a somersault, and burst over Bywater with a deafening explosion.

'That is the signal for supper!' said Bilbo. The pain and alarm vanished at once, and the prostrate hobbits leaped to their feet.

Tolkien also used the phrase 'filling up the corners', which is one I know well, descriptive of the state you get in after Christmas dinner, bloated and groaning but reaching for another peanut and glass of sherry all the same.

But an overlooked gem from Bilbo is this:

'Isildur's Bane is found, you say,' said Boromir. 'I have seen a bright ring in the Halfling's hand; but Isildur perished ere this age of the world began, they say. How do the Wise know that this ring is his? And how has it passed down the years, until it is brought hither by so strange a messenger?'

'That shall be told,' said Elrond.

'But not yet, I beg, Master!' said Bilbo. 'Already the Sun is climbing to noon, and I feel the need of something to strengthen me

I'm sure many of us know just how Bilbo feels there.

[Elmo]

Neat work, Bill,’ said Sam, meaning the pony.

I find this line hilarious.

And also although its not in The Lord of the Rings, I for some reason find it extremly funny when, in Morgoth's Ring, when Melkor is captured by the Valar and taken by the Valinor. Tulkas follows him with Angainor clinking it to remind Melkor of what would await he if he stepped out of line.

[Sardy]

My own two favorite funny moments (which I'm surprised haven't yet been mentioned)...

In A Long-Expected Party:

Gandalf: "If you don't let me in, Frodo, I shall blow your door right down your hole and out through the hill."

And in The Council of Elrond (this is one moment that I greatly miss in the films):

"Very well, very well, Master Elrond!" said Bilbo suddenly. "Say no more! It is plain enough what you are pointing at. Bilbo the silly Hobbit started this affair, and Bilbo had better finish it, or himself. ... When ought I to start?"