Barliman Butterbrain

[doug*platypus]

"He is wise enough on his own ground. He thinks less than he talks, and slower; yet he can see through a brick wall in time (as they say in Bree)."

Personally, I don't believe it is very difficult to reconcile Gandalf's opinion of Barliman with the Butterbur we see for ourselves. And I (perhaps wrongly?) think that Gandalf was speaking those words, not Tolkien. His characters are lifelike enough to make mistakes. Gandalf by his own admission makes several, and I think that in the case of Barliman he jumps quickly to defend his friend (and beer purveyor!), perhaps exaggerating a little in the process.

Similarly, Samwise thinks of Frodo's kindness implying a fair measure of blindness, but at the same time holds the "incompatible belief" that Frodo is the wisest person in the world (with the possible exception of Gandalf). Gandalf's comments about Barley are an indication of what Gandalf thinks of him, and not the absolute, objective truth (if indeed there is such a thing!).

Secondly, the fact that Tokien has Gandalf say this sugests that Tolkien is trying to show us that many people have hidden depths. They appear slightly stupid and bumbling on the outside, but one should never judge a book by its cover.

I agree wholeheartedly with Curulin. And most importantly I believe that the remarks of Gandalf were not meant for us to gain a greater insight into the innkeeper, but to encourage us not to jump to conclusions about someone based on a very short and superficial acquaintance. Even if Barley does not possess a high degree of intelligence (personally I would place him slightly lower than Samwise in the smart stakes), Frodo has no right to label him as "stupid".