The hobbit contradictions... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

alatar · 10-17-2013, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inziladun

That's something that puzzled me from the book as well. Thorin's use of Orcrist seems impractical.

We are told in FOTR that Hobbits generally were between 3 and 4 feet tall, and "not much shorter" than Dwarves. Bilbo was able to use the dagger Sting as a short sword. How could Thorin effectively use a full size sword? I'm quite a bit taller than a Dwarf (though hardly Thingol-sized), and a longsword would be a bit cumbersome for me. Also, Orcrist was made for the Noldor in Gondolin, who were pretty tall. Was Thorin trying to compensate for something?

Elvish blades might have the 'magical' - though I know Elves don't do magic - ability to size themselves to the beholder.

Morthoron · 10-17-2013, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alatar

Elvish blades might have the 'magical' - though I know Elves don't do magic - ability to size themselves to the beholder.

Yes, I believe I saw that on an "as seen on TV" paid infomercial. For 29.99(USD) you get not one but two shrink-to-fit Elvish blades. Order now and you will also receive a magic ring that erases the rank order of dwarvish flatulence. Great for narrow corridors under mountains!

Juicy-Sweet · 12-21-2013, 06:40 PM

As for Gimli killing 42 orcs at Helm's Deep, I don't think it is unrealistic.

He is standing on top of a wall and the orcs are coming up on ladders having trouble defending themselves (ony one arm to parry UPWARDS, and he has to worry about balance as well). Gimli just has to bonk them on the head basically, easy-peasy.

I read a book on the conquest of Constantinople by the Turks in 1492, and the numbers seemed to fit. They reported that a wall manned with 50 men could keep 1000 invaders at bay and such,

alatar · 12-30-2013, 12:32 PM

Too bad that dead eye assassins Legolas and/or Tauriel weren't at Helm's Deep when Saruman's forces attacked...as surely with at least one of them present, no torchbearing orc could have reached the culvert.

And in Hobbit 2: DoS, why didn't Legolas put an arrow into Bolg's head upon site? Why did the blonde one feel the need to go sword-to-sword with this larger than normal orc?

12-30-2013, 12:32 PM	#4
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	Too bad that dead eye assassins Legolas and/or Tauriel weren't at Helm's Deep when Saruman's forces attacked...as surely with at least one of them present, no torchbearing orc could have reached the culvert. And in Hobbit 2: DoS, why didn't Legolas put an arrow into Bolg's head upon site? Why did the blonde one feel the need to go sword-to-sword with this larger than normal orc? __________________ There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it.

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12-21-2013, 06:40 PM	#3
Juicy-Sweet Animated Skeleton Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 49	As for Gimli killing 42 orcs at Helm's Deep, I don't think it is unrealistic. He is standing on top of a wall and the orcs are coming up on ladders having trouble defending themselves (ony one arm to parry UPWARDS, and he has to worry about balance as well). Gimli just has to bonk them on the head basically, easy-peasy. I read a book on the conquest of Constantinople by the Turks in 1492, and the numbers seemed to fit. They reported that a wall manned with 50 men could keep 1000 invaders at bay and such,